Well, it's over. An entrenched incumbent lost his seat in a Utah Republican primary. Chris Cannon, a 12 year vet of Washington politics, was trounced by newcomer Jason Chaffetz. If I had a chance to talk to Mr. Cannon, I'd tell him not to take it personal. He had a voting record that makes a good conservative giddy, but was guilty by association. Most conservatives are generally ticked at congress because of the pathetic state of union. On a Republican watch spending got out of control, debt mounted to the size of Everest, earmarks burdened bills, entitlements grew, corruption spread, and immigration was never solved, etc. It was amazing, you couldn't tell the difference between a Democrat or a Republican.
So you see, Mr. Cannon, you became a target by association. And other conservatives like me hope that term limits come to many more who showed no leadership to stem this unwieldy tide. Unfortunately, Bush's "compassionate conservatism" spilled over the banks and washed a slug of congressmen down river. Mr. Cannon, you were one of them. And then you had the audacity to say that there is a lack of GOP unity in Utah and the US (see Deseret News, Thursday, June 26, 2008, A1, A6). Well, how are we supposed to be unified behind the kind of leadership our esteemed politicians have given us? And you wondered why the delegates at the Utah State Convention seemed "uncivil". I'd say they were appropriately mad.
Now, if I had a chance to talk to Jason Chaffetz, I'd say: don't take it personal. I know, it's the same council I'd give Mr. Cannon. I have my reasons. You see, Mr. Chaffetz, if you let this new position go to your head (like so many others), you'll just end up like Mr. Cannon. We didn't vote you in so you can be all that. You were in essence hired by the people to do a job. You are a public servant. We have no stomach for a political aristocracy. We need a statesman. (Something you said you wouldn't go to Washington to be... remember? Dumb comment, Mr. Chaffetz.) We also need someone with vision who can influence the party to bring sanity back into the halls of congress. Oh, by the way, since "we the people" employ you to do a job, we retain the right to "take things personal" if you choose some other insane course of action.
Finally, to all those who are elected officials, or want to be, and the party elite, don't take this personal. The Republican Party keeps sending requests for money. Why would a conservative want to continue to finance a party that has allowed itself to stray so far off course? This one wouldn't... and won't. Now, I'm just a basicguy, but I'd be willing to bet that other conservatives share this stance: I'm an American first, a conservative second, and a Republican third. Understand?
1 comment:
Here here! Well put dad. There ought to be a more simplified system of accountability reporting so that the public can more easily hold their politicians to their word. The idea of representation seems to have become lost to party politics and support. At one time a Congressman was an American first, a member of a community second and a member of a party third. The parties don't serve the people anymore, the people now serve the parties. Sad.
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