Well, I've finally arrived. I feel as close to being a politician as I'm likely to ever get. I was nominated as a state delegate and selected by our precinct voters as part of a Republican caucus meeting. Over the ensuing weeks its been pretty much like the other times I've served as a delegate. But there was something different this time. The difference was probably in me... but it was different all the same. Let me explain.
A couple of weeks ago I was reading the local paper. The front page article of the local section stood out: "Lobbyists gave $125k to legislators" (Deseret News, Saturday, April 19, 2008, B6). That caught my eye. The article broke down some of the gifts that lobbyists were giving to our state legislators: $20,000 for entertainment; $10,00 for t-shirst, umbrellas, caps, etc.; $68,000 for lunches or dinners; and more. I don't know about you, but that sort of appears like bribes... buying favors. Do you know what the clincher was in the article? 89% of the reported gifts were to recipients whose names were undisclosed. Hmmm, added to all the favors, we now have all the secrets. I must admit, the article just didn't sit well with me.
As the weeks passed, my mail began to multiply. You got it, candidates opened the flood gates with arguments and invitations to meet them. All that was just fine. It is my duty to find out all that I can about each candidate so I can make an informed vote at the State Convention. But then I saw it. Candidate after candidate was inviting me to meet them at bbq's, restaurants, pizza parties, breakfast engagements, etc. I even got a 6-pack of bottled root beer. Then it happened. I started to feel like a politician. I thought: "So this is what it feels like!" These people want me to vote a certain way--their way--and they are willing to bribe me or buy my vote.
Well, I want you to know that I have not taken advantage of a single offer... my vote will be pure. It does make one wonder about the candidates. If they play this game on this little stage, what games will they play on the much bigger stage? Now, I'm just a Basicguy, and I may not know all about the bigger world out there, but it seems to me that some rules ought to apply in any game. They wouldn't change the rules from the regular season when they play the Super Bowl would they? Basically speaking, these guys are simply tipping their hand... showing their face.
Now there is one guy who hasn't offered any food or gifts of any sort, just opportunities to discuss the issues. He explained that he intended to run his campaign the way he would run the office if elected--on an appropriate budget. I guess buying me a slice of pizza wasn't in his budget. Hmmm, gotta like that... he's sort of set himself apart from the pack. I guess there's two ways to get votes... buy'em or win'em. This guy just may have won mine.
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