TWO MUCHLY NEEDED BALLOT INITIATIVES
My friend, there are two key citizen voter initiatives circulating petitions for signatures to place them on the November ballot so that you can for or against them. This is exactly how a democracy is supposed to work, right?
Placement on the ballot means that YOU the voter, not your State Legislator, will be able to better control the local political landscape.
They are:
UEG is Utahn’s for Ethical Government and the link to their website for more information is http://www.utahnsforethicalgovernment.org
UEG seeks to put an independent commission in control to oversee complaints about unethical behavior from our State Legislators. This is badly needed as the State Legislators have dodged this issue for decades by passing only half measures with little or no punitive consequences.
The State Legislator controls the purse strings of the State (your tax money) and determines how your money is spent.
In the decades that I have followed local politics there have been dozens and dozens of questionable laws or iffy amendments passed that have been clouded by conflicts of interest. This has to stop and you, the voter, are exactly the person who should have the ultimate say in the matter.
What we have now is the fox guarding the henhouse and you NOW have the opportunity to do something about it.
If you have not signed a paper petition you can now sign ONLINE by visiting their website. IMPORTANT DO NOT SIGN THE PETITION USING BOTH METHODS!
Next up is the Fair boundaries initiative. www.Fairboundaries.org The citizens pushing this initiative seek to take the power to redistrict voting precincts and voting districts following the upcoming US Census out of the hands of the State Legislature and again, place the process in the hands on an independent commission.
More control of the process for you dear voter, is a good thing don’t you think?
Why is this important? Currently the State Legislature uses all of the data compiled from the Census to create new voting districts that most benefit the party currently holding a majoring of seats in the Legislature. Following the last census the majority party created a patchwork of districts that split neighborhoods and cities. Salt Lake City was “gerrymandered” in a way that split the city in three parts combing all three with large tracts of rural areas of the state.
The result is that folks living in the city are not properly represented and the folks in the rural areas of the State feel left out of the equation as well. Voters, this is NOT in your best interest.
You deserve to have representation that best fits the needs of those in the place were you live.
Why would they (the State Legislature) do this? Because they want to create every possible advantage that will make it easier for the incumbent officials to get re-elected; sounds suspicious don’t you think?
By combining “parts” of areas with strong support for Democrats or Independents with areas showing strong support for Republicans or Independents the Republican dominated Legislature can enhance the likelihood of hanging on to what is now a clear domination of State politics. You can also sign the petition ONLINE at their website. AGAIN, DO NOT SIGN BOTH THE PAPER AND THE ONLINE VERSION.
If you have a choice of which method to sign, choose the paper version because guess what; organizers of both initiatives expect to have a fight from the incumbent Legislature about accepting ONLINE signatures.
Why do your elected officials try so hard to take the power of YOUR government out of your hands I wonder?
Dear voter, both of the initiatives will improve the way your government works by making your elected officials MORE ACCOUNTABLE to you, the voter. Is that not the whole point after all?
I think it is a very good thing, don’t you?
Both initiatives need to gain 95,000 signatures in order to get on the ballot. After speaking with organizers of both groups I can tell you that the goal is in sight and can be achieved if you continue to forward this message to your friends and encourage them to join us.
My friend, if you have ever said to yourself “I wish there were some way that we could start taking our government back” than I can tell you that your wish and been granted!
Log on to both websites and sign up today!
Get it done TODAY as the signatures have to be collected and submitted in a matter of weeks and we are so close.
Tell your like minded friends to do so as well. You CAN make a difference.
Dave Glissmeyer
Independent candidate for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District