We've all heard the news reports about how the governor meets with various corporations and groups, receives campaign donations from them (often in the tens of thousands of dollars), and then they get awarded some government contract.  The governor claims there is no hanky-panky going on.

I'd like to believe him.  But I don't.  

Unfortunately, the problem is wider than Governor Herbert.  Here are just a couple other examples:

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, during the voucher fight Senate Republican leaders, particularly Curt Bramble, threatened lobbyists they wouldn't get their legislation passed that year if they didn't contribute to the anti-voucher campaign.  

Republican governors have a practice of holding a fundraiser for their campaigns right before the beginning of a legislative session.  Just as governors and legislators are considering legislation affecting businesses and various interests, these business representatives are expected to give to the governor's re-election campaign.

Unfortunately, a culture of pay to play has developed in Utah government.  It is fostered by an arrogance bred of long-time power.  The governor and Republicans in the legislature have become so accustomed to power that they've acquired a sense of entitlement.  They feel they have the right to shake down various interests, particularly those who do business with the state or are affected by state legislation.  

How do we end this pay to play culture?

1. Kick out of office the people who perpetuate it.  People like the governor and various Republican legislators who play this game should be defeated for re-election.  When you lose sight of the fact that government office is a public service, then you don't belong there any more.

2. Restore balance to Utah government and rotate power between Republicans and Democrats.  Elected officials who fear they may be punished by the voters are less likely to engage in this kind of behavior.  When they have no such fear, then they feel they can act with impunity.

State and local elections in Utah are not about President Obama or control of Congress or the tea party.  They are about whether Utah has good government.  

That's why it is critical that we all vote, at a minimum.  But more than that, we should remind our friends and family that we all shouldn't tolerate a state government that acts that way, nor do we have to.  

Also, work on behalf of your local Democratic candidate.  They're trying hard to end this very culture.  

Don't complain about how bad pay to play is unless you are willing to get out and work to end the practice.  You can do that by helping your Democratic candidate get elected.  At the top of this website is a link to our candidates  They're ready to take on pay to play.  Do your part to help them.

What do we say to our children when they ask why we tolerated this kind of culture in our government?  Hopefully we don't have to say we did nothing.  Hopefully, we can say we did our best to end it.