Disqus - Latest Comments for BenSmith

Re: Utah County GOP postpones complaint against officers who sued | The Salt Lake Tribune

BenSmith — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:31:09 -0000

Alas, at the GOP State Central Committee meeting today the idea of having a "once and for all" debate at convention to alter our constitution to something that cannot be misinterpreted, either for our side of the argument or theirs, was loudly rejected. I had great hope that they would see the wisdom of having a fair debate where the result would be an end to the alleged ambiguity (seems clear to me), and the ability to unify.
Unfortunately, their lust for power and fear of informed delegates daring to change the dysfunctional status quo won the day.
They will allow only their proposal to be brought to convention where it will loose and we will right back where we are now.

Re: Utah GOP fight: Who gets to steer | The Salt Lake Tribune

BenSmith — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 20:59:07 -0000

There is a fundamental principle, upon which Dave Duncan and I agree, that inspired us to co-sponsor this proposal. Though we are not, strictly speaking, a "Democracy", we were founded and depend upon democratic principles for our success as a nation and the maintenance of our liberty. We believe that the voice of the people usually chooses what is right. So far as that holds true we believe our nation and liberty will be safe.
Therefore we believe it is absolutely critical to our form of government that we resist all attempts to centralize power and work to ensure that it rests in as many hands as possible.
This applies not only to our government but to entities such as political parties which directly influence government.
In a nutshell, we trust the delegates of our party to make correct decisions on matters of principle, and on good nominations, if only the party power structure will not preclude the open exchange or debate of ideas and the creation of a level playing field; a system where victory is ensured not by the blessing of the aristocracy but the actual merit or virtue of any argument or candidate. This is what we are dedicated to.
Our opponents disagree. They believe that some animals are more equal than others, and they are better equipped with wisdom and experience to make all the tough decisions.
I believe that granting elected officials automatic membership in the governing bodies of the parties who not only elect them, but set the standards by which faithful officials will be measured, is tantamount to having the foxes guard the henhouse.
Of course, I am just a regular guy, one of the little people. I should probably just defer to someone else, perhaps a Senator.

Re: Paul Rolly: Party servant or Rasputin? | The Salt Lake Tribune

BenSmith — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:26:53 -0000

Attention Tea Party! Have you figured out yet why the GOP keeps betraying us when the chips are down?
Its because they learn early in the cradle of political activism that rules, yea even constitutions, are guidelines of convenience to be circumvented when it seems (to them) to be for the greater good.
God help us!
I pray Dave Duncan can pull this off. He is one of the fairest, most honest and honnorable men I have ever met.