[Note from Wendi: I've also had several people ask me what they can do to get more involved politically. I saw this article by Representative Mike Morley (District 66 - Spanish Fork/Payson area) on UtahPolicy.com and thought it well written enough to post it here. Besides, Rep. Morley uses one of my favorite political quotes at the end, so I've got to include it. Enjoy!]


10/14/2009

What Can I Do?

By Rep. Mike Morley

I have been pleased and encouraged by the increased communication from and with so many here in our community over the past several months. It is obvious that events on a national level and right here in our own state and area have energized interest in and discussion of government and our inspired founding documents and I am thrilled.

Nearly every email, conversation, and letter contains the question, "What can I do?" We all recognize things are not as they should be and we want to make a difference, but it can be difficult to know where to start and what to do. Let me offer a few suggestions:

• Read the federal and state constitutions and the Declaration of Independence
• Read books which inspired our Founding Fathers with the fire and justification to act and the certainty they could succeed. Such authors include John Locke, Adam Smith, and Thomas Paine.
• Understand the difference between a republic and a democracy. The United States of America is a republic, not a democracy. See http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/. [Wendi: I just checked this link and it seems to be broken.]
  
• In a republic, we are ruled by the voice of the people through elected representatives. Do your elected officials represent your voice? If so, help them share their message. If not, find someone who represents your voice and help them get elected or run for office yourself.
• Attend mass meetings. Serve as a delegate or support a good, principled candidate.
• Participate in town hall meetings. They are usually very poorly attended.
• Every city in our area has municipal elections in November. Meet the candidates. Attend open houses. Read their literature. Vote based on how well their principles align with your understanding of our founding documents.
• Communicate with your local, county, state, and national leaders on issues that are important to you. It may surprise you how loudly your voice is heard.
• Realize that local issues are as important as state and national issues. This summer, a $160 million school district bond passed with only about 10% of registered voters participating. Whether or not you supported the bond, it is unfortunate and certainly displays a great deal of apathy on the part of the electorate that 10% decided for everyone.

Edmund Burke, an 18th century British parliamentarian, said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing". Certainly, this applies equally to good women. Let us not be content to do nothing. Rather, let us boldly move forward and do all that is in our power.

<http://utahpolicy.com/blog_entry/individual/what-can-i-do>

Oct. 8th Republican Issues Forum Invitation

Please plan to attend this crucially important meeting.

Please also forward this invitation to anyone you know who would be interested.

District 56 Republican Issues Forum

Thursday, October 8th

Rockwell Charter High School

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Neighbor to Neighbor/Voter Registration Kickoff

Discussion of County Party Bylaw Proposals for Oct 10th Central Committee Meeting

(This portion is directed to precinct chairs and vice chairs, but anyone may attend.)

7:00pm - 8:30pm

Representative Ken Sumsion, Senator Mark Madsen, Senator Howard Stephenson

Discussion of Patrick Henry Caucus, Utah Lake Bridge, Government Ethics Initiative,

Fair Boundaries Initiative, and upcoming legislative issues

We hope to see you there!

Rebecca Pirente, Leg. 56 Chair (801-768-3732)
Erin Madsen, Leg. 56 Vice Chair
Wendi Baggaley, Leg. 56 Ed. Officer

Here are some links of interest:

Map to Rockwell Charter High School:
http://www.rockwellhigh.net/contact_info.html

Utah County Republican Party Website:

http://utahcountygop.org/

(Click on "Constitution & Bylaws" for copies of the 8 proposals to be voted on at the 10/10/09 Central Committee Meeting.)

(Click on "Discussion" to go to the online discussion forum)

Patrick Henry Caucus:

http://www.thepatrickhenrycaucus.com/

Utah Lake Crossing:

http://utahcrossing.com/5.html

Government Ethics Initiative:

http://www.utahnsforethicalgovernment.org/

http://www.unethicalreform.org/

Why I Dislike Direct Democracy - Part 2

I defined direct democracy in my last post. So, what's the current alternative? Our republican system of representative government, structured with checks and balances.


The Utah State Legislature (legislative branch) makes laws, the Governor's office and the executive branch enforces and carries out those laws, and the judicial branch interprets those laws and determines whether or not they are constitutional. Each branch checks the other in specific ways.

When a bill is introduced into the legislature, the actual language is up for modification all throughout the process. A sentence changes in committee, a compromise is reached in one house, a different word clarifies intent in another house, a reduction (or increase) of projected expenses is attached from the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, etc. When the bill is finally sent to the Governor to be signed into law or vetoed, it has been discussed, debated, changed, switched, refined - you name it - multiple times. Even then, the law is subject to being overturned by the Supreme Court if it is deemed unconstitutional. And finally, future legislatures may choose to revise, edit, or get rid of the law altogether. (See "How an Idea Becomes A Law" at the Utah State Legislature website: http://le.utah.gov/documents/aboutthelegislature/billtolaw.htm)

One concern that I have with direct democracy ("citizen"-led petitions and initiatives) is the high potential to create BAD POLICY:

1. All 21 pages of this "Ethical Government Initiative" will pass into law "as-is" if Utah voters approve of it in the ballot box. To the best of my knowledge, there is no ability to change, tweak, or refine the language from now till then. So, instead of being discussed and refined by hundreds of involved minds like a legislative bill, the official language of an initiative will only reflect the opinions of the relatively few sponsors who put it together.
   
   
2. When challenged on the previous point, many initiative sponsors claim that the legislature has the power to revise the law in the next session. That may be true, but what legislator in his or her right mind would try to overturn something voted into law by the voters of the state? In the meantime, precious time and resources are wasted to implement a bad policy, only making it harder to change it down the road.
3. 
   
   One common excuse given to legitimize an initiative effort is "We've tried to pass this idea but the legislature (all those evil, nasty, corrupt legislators including the ones we voted into office) keeps shutting us down." Well, could it be shut down because it's just a bad idea, or even more, because the legislators we elect to serve as watchdogs can discern good, effective proposals from those that are little more than a political ploy to gain more power? Some interest groups/factions have a hard time accepting a little "Vitamin N" - "NO!"



4. I wonder if some interest groups try to get initiatives passed in order to circumvent the legislative process. It's a short cut. Let's face it - any type of democratic government is going to be messy because of all the different perspectives that come to the table. It's not easy to get laws passed. It's not an efficient system, but our Founding Fathers knew that and counted on it to keep bad policies in check as much as possible. A truly "efficient" system would be like an absolute monarchy. The problem with that kind of system is a lack of freedom. I tend to be quite wary when a group tries the "short cut" way around the elected legislature.

Okay, that's enough for now. Get ready for some more ideas tomorrow!

Why I Dislike Direct Democracy - Part 1

What is direct democracy? Why do I talk about it now? Why do I dislike it?

1) Direct Democracy Defined:

"A form of democracy in which the people as a whole make direct decisions, rather than have those decisions made for them by elected representatives. Example: A referendum is a form of direct democracy, as is the practice of recall, by which an elected official may be voted out of office between elections if enough people sign a petition to remove him and then win the subsequent vote."

(Direct democracy. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon. Dictionary.com, LLC. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/direct democracy (accessed: September 28, 2009).


2) Why talk about it now?

You may or may not have heard about the "Government Ethics Reform Initiative" that was officially submitted August 12th to the Lt. Governor's Office. See the following story:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/705325882/Latest-Utah-initiative-ethics-in-government.html


I feel like I've done nothing but study this initiative this past week. I've read through all 21 pages at least twice, highlighted questions, started mapping out a timeline, visited the only "official" open house on this initiative for the Summit, Wasatch, and Utah Counties (last Wednesday night at the Provo City Library), attended an information meeting on Saturday in Orem hosted by the Republican Leg. 59 Chair, and participated in several emails back and forth between my political friends.

So, this topic is definitely on my mind right now.

3) Why do I dislike it?

Well, I'll write more about this tomorrow because my blogging time is up. How's that for a teaser? Till tomorrow then!

The Kingdom of Heaven Is Not Like A Political Campaign

In my last blog I sounded a bit depressed, self-critical, and disappointed. I guess that's probably normal for anyone who doesn't reach a goal. My husband has pointed out on multiple occasions that almost everyone gets overly sensitive when their neck is on the line. But I'm feeling much better about the whole thing now.

Michael and I went to the temple last Friday for date night. We participated in a sealing session, sealing together families for eternity. One thing about the sealing blessing really impressed me, and then in my scripture study this morning the same idea was presented again:

"Be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven" (Doctrine and Covenants 6:37).

See, we don't have to run a campaign to make it into the kingdom of heaven, to inherit all that God has and to become like Him. We inherit it, we receive it, based on our actions, choices, and desires during our mortal life.

In a political campaign, other people (the voters) determine whether or not we are successful. In our "heavenly" campaigns, we ourselves are the main determining factors.

In political campaigns, you first have to focus inward and figure out why you're running, what is important to you, how you think you're going to make a difference. But ultimately, you have to focus on who is voting and get a lot of people to like you and what you stand for. Success depends on getting at least one more vote than your competition.

But all the popularity in the world would never get you into the Kingdom of Heaven if you haven't been keeping the commandments, showing faith in Jesus Christ, becoming reborn of the Spirit, and enduring the best you can (which to me, means repenting every time you fall and getting back up and trying again). Of necessity there has to be a focus outward, but it's based on charity and a desire to keep the commandment to "be our brother's keeper," not a desire to "win a vote."

Yes, political campaigns are essential to figuring out "the voice of the people" (see Mosiah 29:26) so we can live out our mortal lives in a peaceful and free civil society. But in the final analysis,

THANK HEAVENS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NOT LIKE A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN!

When You Lose, Don't Lose the Lesson

Well, I lost my bid for the Chair of the Constitution & Bylaws Committee. I really wanted that spot and felt like I would do a good job. I also feel like I disappointed many others who also wanted me to win.

Probably the hardest thing for me is that I feel like I blew it, that I didn't do my best. Somehow, I let myself get so anxious over this election that I forgot some common sense things that normally come so easily for me. However, I remember one of my Mom's adages she shared with me ages ago: When you lose, don't lose the lesson!

So, last night I wrote down in my journal some of the following "Lessons Learned" (it could be written, "Lessons Re-Remembered"):

1. Next time, CHILL! As soon as I have decided I'm going to run, make up an action plan and stick to it. Do as much as I can not to get too anxious. Remember - anxiety is based on fear; focus instead on faith that I will be able to do my best regardless of the vote outcome.
2. Start contacting members of the committee sooner; don't wait till the day or two before the election to establish those relationships and articulate my reasons why I want the particular office. I was able to contact three of the six I needed to talk to. Maybe I wouldn't have changed any one's mind, but maybe I could have...
3. Don't nominate myself; arrange ahead of time for a supporter to nominate me instead.
4. I think I do better when I focus my campaign speeches on pragmatic things and not so much on philosophical things. There is a time and place for sharing philosophical ideals, but I'm getting the idea that a campaign speech - at least the short, right before the election kind of speech - is better received when I focus on specific actions.
5. Contrary to my normal practice, I didn't prepare an outline in advance for what I was going to say; so yes, it kind of rambled.
6. Again, because I didn't plan my speech well, I didn't include one of my main qualifications - that I had already served as a proxy to LauraLyn (the former chair) at an Executive Committee meeting, I had already worked to set up meetings and initiate discussions among the committee members, etc., all at the same time that I was actively working in my other role as Leg 56 Education Officer. The fact that Doug Cannon felt like he had to share this point with the group - after Lowell Nelson (another candidate for Chair) had mentioned the time commitment involved in the position - well, I thought at the time "Why didn't I mention that first???!!!!"
7. Again, contrary to normal practice, I didn't print out a listing of specific plans and compile the list of pending business for the committee like I had thought of doing earlier. Maybe it would have helped me get elected, maybe not. But it would have helped our committee move forward more quickly on committee business.

So, here's for the good news -

I got elected as both Vice Chair and Secretary by acclamation. So, I'll get to keep on top of committee business, help influence a more structured and communicative committee, and be able to fill in when Lowell can't attend Executive Committee Meetings.

Also - and this actually surprised me - I felt a sense of relief when Lowell was taking over the rest of the meeting after he was elected. Now why would I feel that? I've thought about it and wondered if perhaps I really wasn't ready for this position after all, but I needed to learn these lessons so I can be more effective in future elections down the road.

Also, I know that there is a difference between formal authority and moral authority. I can still be a leader and an influence for good regardless of my formal position. That much hasn't changed for me at all.

Finally, for the best part of all: I can't imagine losing to a better person than Lowell. He really will do a great job for our committee and for our county party. And the others on our committee are pretty amazing! There is definitely a sense of forward motion, activity, and desire to act according to correct principles.

So, I just have to make sure I don't let myself slump into any kind of pity party or beat myself up too much. I can focus on the things I've learned and know that they help me be more effective in the future. And I can be happy that I get to be with such an awesome group and look forward to all the work that we will get to do together. In summary, I lost, but I'm not going to lose the lesson!

National Health Care - A Queen Size Sheet for a King Size Bed

My sister-in-law Becca emailed me the 4-minute video, " Congressman Mike Rogers' opening statement on Health Care reform in Washington D.C.". It is well worth watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44NCvNDLfc&feature=player_embedded

Wow. You can feel Representative Rogers' passion and concern over this awful piece of legislation. I loved his Abraham Lincoln quote: "You can't make a weak man strong by making a strong man weak." So true!

And yet, that's exactly what we seem to be hearing from the White House - that we must, in a spirit of "service" and "compassion" reach out to these poor and lonely and depressed and help them to rise above their victimized state so they can lead lives of dignity and respect. Oh, and we're going to do it by picking the pockets of every one else in this country whether they like it or not.

Contrast this Robin Hood attitude with a fabulous quote by President Ezra Taft Benson:

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature" (First Presidency Message: Born of God, Ensign, July 1989).

The solution to our problems is not more government, but better human nature. That's a tough call for our society that has been preaching the idea "I'm free to do what I want any old time" for decades now. Time to turn the mattress over!

You Can Teach Correct Principles of Government

In 2005, Eagle Mountain City Council & Mayoral Elections focused on the Full-time vs. Part-time Mayor issue. I stood strongly in favor of a full-time mayor. David Lifferth, a candidate for the City Council at the time, was distributing a campaign flyer listing over 20 reasons for supporting a full-time mayor. He included many good arguments, but some of his statements were confusing for those who had not lived in our city for several years. I asked him if I could use some of his arguments but write my own opinion paper. So much misinformation was circulating around our city that I wanted to address this issue publicly. A friend and neighbor, Doug Cannon, helped me publish this document in our local newspaper shortly before the municipal election.

I have heard rumblings that this same issue is resurfacing in this year's mayoral race. Perhaps these ideas I wrote about four years ago may still be of value for our city. Fortunately, Doug posted my article on his website: You Can Teach Correct Principles of Government.

Doug has updated this page to include more information and research on "criminal negligence". When I have a chance to read his comments, I'll update this blog post.

I truly believe that the success Eagle Mountain has experienced over the last 2 years is a combination of a city government structured upon correct principles and individuals who rise to the best in themselves to lead our city according to correct principles. A good government structure means nothing if the city leaders lack integrity and an ability to work together with others of differing opinions. Likewise, good and wise leaders will continue to struggle if the government structure is flawed.

I'm grateful for these lessons I have learned first-hand. I am grateful for friends who also believe in government based upon correct principles. I hope and pray that God will continue to bless our little but growing city so that our citizens and especially our children can grow and learn in an atmosphere of peace and prosperity.

[Note: The Doug Cannon mentioned in this article is not the same person who currently serves on the Constitution & Bylaws Committee in the Utah County Republican Party. The Doug Cannon I am referring to lived in Eagle Mountain City for many years until he moved to Provo in 2006 or 2007 to pursue a law degree.]

Election Success!!

What a night! I won both positions I was campaigning for at last night's Utah County Republican Party Central Committee Meeting/Legislative District Caucus. I am now on the Constitution & Bylaws Committee and the Leg. 56 Education Officer. I am really excited to see how these two positions are going to dovetail together and help both my district and our county.

One highlight for me was that my family was there. Michael came from work and met me & the kids in the parking lot so I could run in & get my credentials. They ate a picnic dinner and played frisbee & games on the grass outside during the first part of the meeting. But when I went up on the stage with all the other 13 candidates, there was my family smiling away! I loved hearing Isaac say "Mom, Mom!". I could've given the worst speech ever, but they still gave me smiles and hugs afterwards. It meant a lot to me that my children wanted to see me speak and see their Mommy up there and involved and trying to be an influence for good.

For the C&B Committee Election, I only had 30 seconds to speak in front of the whole Central Committee. Speaking briefly & concisely is pretty tough for me to do, especially under a lot of stress. Thankfully, an idea came to me while I was praying early in the morning, and after writing out several drafts and sitting down with a timer in hand, I was finally able to get a brief, coherent, and accurate message together that lasted 29 seconds - if I talked fairly fast.

I know I didn't give my talk exactly the way I had planned it. I added a few words here & there & forgot to mention that I had served for the past two years on the committee (which mistake I corrected by adding at the end, "Please re-elect me for another two years ..."), but it was mostly done when my time was up. Whew!

Here's what I basically said: (my original speech)

"Two men looked out of prison bars; one saw the mud, one saw the stars. My name is Wendi Baggaley and I am an optimist. Yes, there are things that need to be fixed in our bylaws, but there are also so many wise Republican principles in there that must be protected and guarded. If you elect me for another two years, I will work towards greater communication and transparency in both the bylaw amendment and delegate allocation process. I will encourage healthy debate on these issues and then trust that YOU, the Central Committee, will make the best policy decisions for our party. Please vote for me, Wendi Baggaley, for the Constitution & Bylaws Committee."

Well, they did! Yeah!

My speech for the Education Officer in our Leg. 56 Caucus was not at all as rehearsed or even planned well; I will definitely do better next time around. But I hope I communicated my enthusiasm and desires to increase education in our district, not only in training the officers about their duties and about the issues to be discussed at the Central Committee Meetings, but also about Republican issues and principles in general among the whole community. Thankfully no one else was nominated to run against me so Heather Jackson moved that our district elect me by acclamation. (Thanks Heather!!!)

I have so many ideas of things to do for both positions. I'm so excited to see how actions I take for one position will dovetail and augment the duties for the other position. I look forward to working with people I already know, trust, and admire, but I'm also looking forward to getting to know and learn and serve with new people like Becky Pirente, Jill Jasperson, John Updike, Connor Boyack, and others. Yippee!!!! I'm off to a new adventure!!!!

Wendi Baggaley for Constitution & Bylaws Committee – Email 1 of 2 (Introduction)

[Note: This is the text of an email I sent last week to 550+ members of the Utah County Republican Party Central Committee.]

Hi!

My name is Wendi Baggaley and I would love to have your vote on August 27th for the Utah County Republican Party Constitution & Bylaws Committee.

The purpose of this first email is to introduce myself and present my background and experience for your consideration. My second email will highlight some current issues facing the Utah County Republican Party and my plans for addressing those issues on the Constitution & Bylaws Committee.

My husband, Michael, and I live in Eagle Mountain City with our four wonderful children. I know that my passion for politics directly affects my family. I work hard to make sure I show them an example of integrity, courtesy, community service, leadership, and excellence in all that I do. I have read our County Party’s Platform numerous times and I support the wise, conservative principles it contains.

The following experiences have uniquely prepared and qualified me to serve on the Constitution & Bylaws Committee:

EDUCATION AND OTHER POLITICAL SERVICE:

• Bachelor Degree in Political Science, Brigham Young University (1998), including service to BYU College Republicans, BYU Students of the Constitution, Wright Leadership Seminar, Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society) and the KBYU/Utah Colleges Exit Poll.
• BSA Merit Badge Counselor for Citizenship in the Community and Citizenship in the Nation (1997 – Present)
• Utah State Legislature Internship for Senate Majority Leader Craig Peterson (1998)
• Motivational Speaker on Civic Involvement to numerous youth & community groups (1998 – Present)
• Campaign Manager, Heather Jackson for Eagle Mountain City Council (2005)
• BSA Merit Badge Counselor for Public Speaking/Parliamentary Procedure (2006 – Present)

REPUBLICAN SERVICE:

• Precinct Chair, State and County Delegate, Provo (1998); County Delegate, West Jordan (2000); Precinct Secretary, Vice-Chair, and County Delegate, Eagle Mountain (2004-2006); Precinct Chair, State and County Delegate, Eagle Mountain (2006-2008); Appointed County Delegate (April 2009); and Ex Officio State Delegate (June 2009)
• Active member of the Utah County Republican Party Constitution & Bylaws Committee (2007 – 2009)
• Parliamentarian and Bylaws Chair for Timpanogos Republican Women (April 2009 – Present)
• Education Officer for Legislative District 56 (May 2009 – Present)

These and other experiences have taught me that while one person can make a difference, a team that works together can work miracles. As a member of the Constitution & Bylaws Committee, I pledge to cultivate an atmosphere of respect, courtesy, trust, and understanding within the committee and throughout our County Party, especially with those whose viewpoints differ from mine.

Again, I would love to earn your vote for the Utah County Republican Party Constitution & Bylaws Committee. Please plan to attend the Central Committee Meeting on August 27th, 7:00 p.m., at Lakeridge Jr. High School in Orem, Utah. More information about this meeting is available at www.UtahCountyGOP.org . If you have questions or thoughts you would like to discuss, please feel free to contact me at home or by email.

Sincerely,

Wendi J. Baggaley

Wendi Baggaley – Email 2 of 2 (Constitution & Bylaw Committee Issues)

[Note: This is the text of another email I sent out today to all 550+ members of the Utah County Republican Party Central Committee.]

Hi again!

As I mentioned in my introductory email, my name is Wendi Baggaley and I ask for your vote on August 27th for the Utah County Republican Party Constitution & Bylaws Committee. This email will focus on some issues facing the Utah County Republican Party and my plans for addressing those issues on the Constitution & Bylaws Committee.

Any member of the Central Committee may propose changes to our governing documents. The purpose of the Constitution & Bylaws Committee is to act as a guardian of these important documents. As a current member of this committee, I have the duty to help each sponsor prepare the best language possible before their amendment goes to the Executive Committee for review and then to the Central Committee for a binding vote, regardless of my personal bias. I trust that the Central Committee can and will make the best decisions for the Utah County Republican Party. I also strongly feel it is the duty of our county party leadership to abide by those decisions.

It has been encouraging to see the recent increase in activism within our Central Committee. During the first year of my term only a handful of proposals were submitted for consideration. During this past year, that number has multiplied four-fold. I believe these proposals to our bylaws reflect changing needs in our county party. I also believe the Constitution & Bylaws Committee must adjust to meet these needs. My action plan for the upcoming term includes:

** Communication & Technology: Using modern technology (new county website, social networks, etc.) to increase effective discussion of bylaw issues before they come to the Central Committee for a vote.

** Constitution & Bylaw Committee Procedures: Adopting a consistent numbering and formatting system for amendment proposals; establishing regularly scheduled and publicly announced committee meetings; and publishing agendas and minutes of committee meetings on the county party website.

** Parliamentary Procedure: Proposing a bylaw amendment to adopt Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (10th edition) as the parliamentary authority for the Utah County Republican Party.

** Delegate Allocation: Drafting a revision of Bylaws 1 and 2 to include alternate delegates, increased clarity and transparency of delegate allocation, a procedure to challenge a precinct’s delegate allocation prior to caucus meetings, clearer procedures for combined or split precincts, and affirmation of the contribution of ex officio delegates including Precinct Chairs and Vice Chairs.

I believe that progress toward these goals will result in greater transparency, effectiveness, and harmony among our county party’s governing bodies. Greater unity will allow us to collectively focus our time and energy on sharing our message of conservative solutions with our neighbors and communities.

Please plan to attend the Central Committee Meeting on August 27th, 7:00 p.m., at Lakeridge Jr. High School in Orem, Utah. More information about this meeting is available at http://www.utahcountygop.org/ .

Again, I would love to earn your vote for the Utah County Republican Party Constitution & Bylaws Committee. If you have questions or thoughts you would like to discuss, please feel free to contact me at home or by email.

I look forward to serving you!

Legislative District 56 Education Officer

[Note: This is the text of an email I sent out tonight to all Utah County Republican Party Central Committee members in my Legislative District.]

Hello District 56 Central Committee Members,

I am running for election as the Education Officer in Leg. District 56 in addition to running for the Constitution & Bylaws Committee. Our former Education Officer, Jeff Ray, resigned earlier this year and I was appointed to take his place.

For the last four months I have enjoyed working with our County Education Officer, Adrielle Herring, and the other Legislative Education Officers in our county. We have met multiple times to develop education priorities for our county, suggest content for the new website, and carry out a Needs Analysis Survey in preparation for the Sept 9th Legislative Officer Training. We are also preparing some county-wide tools for the Legislative Officers to use in their Precinct Caucus Training and New Precinct Officer Training early next year.

I ask for your vote on Thursday evening so I may continue to represent the education needs of our district at the county level and,work with our Legislative District team to educate, organize, and mobilize Republican and Republican-leaning voters within our district.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have. I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Wendi Baggaley

Campaign Time for Republican Party Officers!

Tomorrow night is the Central Committee Meeting and the biennial Legislative District Elections
for the Utah County Republican Party. [Translation: All Republican Precinct Chairs and Vice Chairs etc. in the county will be choosing their leaders at the Legislative District Level - the same geographic areas in which we choose legislators for the Utah State House of Representatives.]

At this meeting, the Central Committee also elects the 7 members of the County Constitution & Bylaws Committee and the 5 members of the County Audit Committee.

Two years ago I ran for and was elected a member of the Constitution & Bylaws Committee. I learned so very much over the past two years! (Perhaps I could do a future post on some of the lessons I've learned.) Now that I've been involved for some time, I see so much work that needs to be done to clarify and "tighten up" our bylaws. I also see a great need for improved education about the bylaws among our Central Committee members. There has been so much unnecessary contention within our party that I believe could be avoided with better education and clearer rules.

So, I am running both for the Education Officer for Leg. District 56 and for a second term on the Constitution & Bylaws Committee!

Honestly, I'm super excited about the work there is to be done, but also a little trepidatious. I know that this is a huge time commitment that I'm getting into and that it will require a lot more personal effort to balance this work with my most important responsibility of being a wife and a mother (not to mention my other roles as sister, daughter, friend, neighbor, primary chorister, etc.)

But I didn't take these steps without first asking for and receiving guidance from my Heavenly Father. Since He knows that I can do it with His help, then I just need to move forward in faith and do my best and things will work out for good. I'm not going to do everything perfectly, and in fact, I'm sure I'm going to fall flat on my face at least a few times if not more. But I'm trying to get really good at saying "I'm sorry" and getting back up and trying again, so that's got to count for something too. Thank heavens for the blessing of repentance!

It also helps that my wonderful Michael supports me 100% and has been praying for me in our family prayers lately that I'll be able to make it through this election without too much stress and that I'll be able to continue to serve and be an influence for good. Wow! Where would I be without him????!!!!

Well, family & friends, pray for me if you would. Our family's off to another new adventure "one day more!"

2nd Amendment USA Today Quiz

A friend of mine recently forwarded this email to me:

*************************************************
2nd Amendment Issue - Only 5 seconds
Due to the current presidential stand on Gun Laws, USA Today is running a Quick Question on-line. It simply asks, Does the 2nd Amendment give individuals the right to bear arms?

It is frustrating to me that "we the people" are even asked to reiterate a known right that has been around for over 200 years!

This quick questionnaire gives you the right to make your opinion heard. It takes 5 seconds. It is still a live link. Our new Attorney General has already said this is one of his major issues..
This takes literally 2 clicks to complete. Please vote on this gun issue question with USA Today... It will only take a few seconds of your time. Then pass the link on to all the pro gun folks you know. Hopefully these results will be published later this month.

First - vote on this one. Second - launch it to other folks and have THEM vote - then we will see if the results get published. Vote in the USA Today poll - click on the link below.

The Question is: Does the Second Amendment give individuals the right to bear arms?
http://www.usatoday.com/news/quickquestion/2007/november/popup5895.htm

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Okay, so yes, I clicked on the site and it was a legitimate USA Today poll. And not surprisingly, the HUGE majority voted "yes".

Before I voted though, I figured it wouldn't hurt to review the 2nd Amendment again because it's been a little while since I studied it.

Here's the text from my pocket US Constitution:

Amendment II:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Now, here's something interesting I just found out. I have a dusty book from ages ago on my bookshelf that I pulled out to read also, "The Constitution of the United States: An Introduction" by Floyd G. Cullop, published in 1969 by Signet Books then 1984 by Mentor Books, both part of Penguin Books USA, Inc. To the author's credit, he has the full original text of the US Constitution in the back of the book, but the majority of his text interprets the Constitution & puts it into "plain" English to make it "easier" to understand. I added the "" marks because this is how he puts the Second Amendment:

Amendment 2: Right to Bear Arms
For their protection and for purposes of having a well-trained militia the people of the states may keep and bear (own) arms (weapons), but the federal government or the state governments may pass laws against owning certain weapons and the way others may be used.

Whoa!!!! Wait a minute!!! Since when does the original language give the government, even the state government, the right to limit this protected freedom to bear arms??? When and how did this idea get enough traction to be placed in a paperback "textbook" guide to the Constitution?

I have to admit, although my conservative nature has leaned to the pro-NRA side of things, I've not really delved into this issue like many of my other friends have done. I know that my state representatives (Senator Madsen and Representative Sumsion) are very pro-Second Amendment, and I'm fairly certain that our 3rd District US Representative Jason Chaffetz is in favor of protecting this precious freedom.

I haven't read any articles lately about our new US Attorney General's stand on the Second Amendment but I'm fairly certain that Obama is about as anti-NRA as anyone can get, apart from maybe actually bombing the national NRA office or something. Of course he would appoint someone as AG that would see issues his way. I still get fairly rankled over Obama's derisive comments about those people "clinging to their guns and their religion" like it was something immature and foolish to want freedom. Of all things!

Well, I think this was a wake up call for me - time to keep my eyes and ears open more to see what our President and his appointees keep trying to do, and time for me to become more active in supporting the original language of the US Constitution!

To Be A Modern Day Pioneer

Today is Pioneer Day, a state holiday here in Utah. Over the last two years, I have taught the primary children in our church the little-known song "To Be A Pioneer" by Ruth Muir Gardner. I love the bouncy, energetic rhythm and the words ring true every time I sing them:

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Verse 1
You don't have to push a handcart,
Leave your fam'ly dear,
Or walk a thousand miles or more
To be a pioneer!

Verse 2
You do need to have great courage,
Faith to conquer fear,
And work with might for a cause that's right
To be a pioneer!

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This little song has given me a lot of hope and encouragement when I feel like I'm pulling a heavy handcart behind me on the way up a steep and rugged hill. So many times I've been given a "cause that's right" to work on, almost from the ground up.

I recall one scout friend commenting on how it seemed to take so much time and effort for many months and even years to get the stake commissioner program going in our stake. I almost envied the pioneers because their trek only took two to three months.

In retrospect, I see that their "mountains" didn't just end when they reached the Salt Lake Valley. It was a blessing and a rest, but there were still houses to build, desert to cultivate, crops to plant and tend and harvest, a whole community to organize. Even after that, many of these early pioneers were called to leave what they had built in the Salt Lake Valley to build new communities all across the Midwest.

How did they do it? Great courage, Faith to conquer fear, and a lot of hard work!

My personal mountains of course include times like my college education, Cub Scouts Pack Committee, Stake Scout Commissioner, campaign manager, full-time mayor issue, precinct chair, bylaws committee and GOP education committee, primary teacher of an unruly class, primary music chorister, etc.

Sometimes the fight has been intensely more personal - losing Ethan (our Trisomy 13 boy) after six months of pregnancy, overcoming the crushing grief that followed, battling post-partum depression after another difficult miscarriage last summer, forgiving and healing after major rifts with good friends or family members, accepting heavy church callings when I didn't feel ready.

But of all the mountains of "righteous causes" I'm given to climb, the most difficult and long-term (and I hope most rewarding ) will be keeping my marriage and family strong. If I focus so much time and energy on all these other "righteous causes" that I neglect my marriage and family, then it doesn't really matter how many Mt. Everests I can claim that I've climbed. I believe that I can do both, but in balance and with my family as the first priority. This has certainly NOT been easy, and sometimes it's an hour-by-hour struggle.

But I believe it is possible and worth it, and my family and children will be blessed as I become a modern day pioneer!

An Open Primary System - A Better Option? (Part 1 - Intro)

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/705311657/Pros-cons-of-Utah-going-with-open-primary-system.html

This editorial in yesterday's Deseret News caught my attention and I wanted to write about it. I've been involved with the Republican Party's Caucus/Convention system for over 20 years, from my first caucus meeting in Minnesota, to a student precinct at BYU, to neighborhood caucuses in West Jordan, Sandy, and now Eagle Mountain. I think I'll respond by taking Frank Pignanelli's arguments (he's for an open primary) and turning them on their head, although it may take me a week or more to finish. So, let me nutshell my ideas here and I'll expand on them throughout my upcoming posts.

• The Einstein Quote - A cynical response to a very philosophical argument: Is mankind capable of self-government?
• The Few vs. The Many - Is America a Democracy or a Democratic Republic?
• Powerful Special Interest Groups Pouring Millions Into Influencing the Few - However, to influence an open primary system, won't they spend billions? Will it be more effective?
• Everyone's Doing It - Many other states have adopted the open primary, but has it helped them or hurt them? Why jump on a band wagon that is falling apart?
• Those "Shrewd Politicos" Working the System - Don't we want candidates, and ultimately, our elected officials to have the intelligence and "shrewdness" to get results in a very complicated, difficult, and sometimes "toxic" political system?
• The Wackos and Purists Out There - Are they going to go away with an open primary system? Is it so awful to hear what they have to say?
• The Archaic System of Neighborhood Discussions Is Over - Don't we need these discussions more than ever? If some feel the system is broken, let's fix the problems, not throw it out completely in favor of a different system with its inherent weaknesses that could make the situation even worse.
• The Caucus System Favors Incumbents - Doesn't the open primary system favor incumbents just as much, if not more so? What's wrong with an incumbent as long as they're working hard, staying honest, and still representing the majority of their district?
• Higher Candidacy Barriers Weed Out Weak Candidates - Don't these barriers (higher filing fees, sponsor signatures) favor the wealthier and more well-known candidates? Don't they discourage grass-roots types of candidates, even strong, honest, qualified ones?
• The Role of New Technology - Isn't new technology (Internet, talk radio) still very "self-selective"? How would this help an open primary system more than a caucus/convention system?

I definitely have a lot to say on this issue. I'm looking forward to writing more tomorrow!

Motherhood and Politics - Part 2

I first read the little booklet "Blessings on the Hand of Women" by Boyd K. Packer when Isaac was just a newborn baby. A month or so earlier, our neighbor had given us a beautiful rocking bassinet that was much larger than our previous bassinet. So, reading this poem by William Ross Wallace - literally while I was rocking Isaac to sleep - truly inspired me and has helped me through some of the rough "motherhood moments" that come to all mothers from time to time.

Blessing on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow -
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky -
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

(William Ross Wallace, "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World," in Poems That Live Forever, sel. Hazel Felleman [New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1965], 149-50; Quoted in Boyd K. Packer, Blessings on the Hand of Women, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2006], 3-4).

Motherhood and Politics - Part 1

Merilee Baggaley, my wonderful mother-in-law, gave me One Bright Shining Hope: Messages for Women from Gordon B. Hinckley for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I like to flip open to any page and read something every morning. This is the message on page 132:


"The true strength that is America's, the true strength of any nation, lies in those qualities of character that have been acquired for the most part by children taught in the quiet, simple, everyday manner of mothers. What Jean Paul Richter once declared of fathers is even more true of mothers - and I paraphrase it just a little to make the point - "What a mother says to her children is not heard by the world, but it will be heard by posterity."


Wow! Yes! I wholeheartedly agree!

The Dog Food on the Porch

I've wanted to write about this story for some time now since it taught me such a valuable lesson: Don't judge too quickly!

In 2005, our little city of Eagle Mountain was experiencing some political "growing pains". Several factions of the community were vehemently at odds with each other, financial troubles abounded, and we couldn't keep a mayor to serve all four years of his/her term. Mayor Kelvin Bailey and some city council members had suggested that we look at making the mayor's position a paid, full-time position. Although the proposal failed at first, this issue became the defining issue for the 2005 City Council/Mayoral elections.

At a July City Council meeting that year, I stood up at public comment and expressed my opinion that the full-time mayor option was exactly what our city needed at that time. (I will try to find my typed up comments from that day and post it on this site.) Honestly, I felt extremely nervous since I knew my comments would plant me firmly on one "side" politically in opposition to many of my friends and ward members in my neighborhood. Still, I felt strongly about this issue and knew that I had a unique perspective to share. I knew that what I was doing could invite some opposition, but I also felt a duty to my family (who also came to watch and support me) to show them how important it is to stand up for things we believe in.

After my comments, our family left the meeting and drove to the store to pick up some groceries. Imagine our surprise when we got home - a Ziploc bag of dog food was sitting on our porch! No name, no note, just a bag of dog food sitting there.

This little bag sparked quite a conversation that night. I shared with my children and husband how one city council member had recently told me that he started wearing a bullet proof vest to city council meetings at the suggestion of the county sheriff, due to some death threats he had been receiving lately. Our mayor had left city council meeting one night to find his tires slashed. A few websites and local "newspapers" had encouraged and published inflammatory, derogatory, and misleading articles about city politics and its leaders.

We discussed the need to be civil and respectful to our leaders even if, or especially if, we disagree with what they're doing or saying. We discussed the fact that different people can see or perceive the same exact object in different ways based on their own perspective, much like the glass of water that is half full/half empty or the classic Covey "old woman/young woman" picture. I shared with my children my belief that much of the contention in our city came from the fact that people were only willing to see their side of the picture and unwilling to accept a different viewpoint. When we went to bed that night, I felt grateful for this learning and teaching opportunity, but I also felt some trepidation for the upcoming wave of opposition I might face for taking a stand on this issue.

The next morning I woke up and found we had some messages on our voicemail I hadn't thought to check the night before. I will never forget the message from our next door neighbor, Troy Rasmussen: His wife Tambra had gone into early labor that night with their first child, and since we had a key to their home, he was hoping that we could feed their dogs and collect their mail for the next couple of days. So that was the answer to the dog food!

Can you imagine what our breakfast conversation was like that morning? How easy it is to jump to conclusions, to assume the worst, to think it's all a conspiracy - when the real truth is that it's just a bag of dog food, left there for the purpose, of all things, to feed some dogs!

I know that sometimes negative things do happen because of conniving, manipulating, mean-spirited people who want to connive, manipulate, and be mean-spirited. But I believe that we can work ourselves into a negative frenzy - with resulting negative reactions - when we see everything as a conspiracy and refuse to see a different perspective, one that may be closer to the truth.

So, in my family, we have a way of checking ourselves from getting too carried away in assuming the worst: We ask ourselves, "Is this just the dog food on the porch?"

My Patriotic Month

I would imagine that for most people, July is the month of patriotism. This year for me, June has been the month of patriotism. What an amazing and wonderful month, and it’s only halfway over! Here’s what has happened so far:


• My birthday – My wonderful husband decided to surprise me this year and get me a birthday present I didn’t know about in advance. When he came home from work, I was sent to my bedroom while he and the children prepared. When I came out, our kitchen table was spread with a blue tablecloth, with my patriotic basket centerpiece I’ve used at many speaking and campaign events, a gift wrapped in a patriotic gift bag, and a patriotic plate holding six Hostess cupcakes adorned with red and blue candles – the kind that spark again after blowing them out! The gift he got me was a set of patriotic plates and bowls and a sparkly red, white, and blue “Uncle Sam” hat. Michael said he figured I would use these gifts many times in the months and years to come and I’m sure he’s right. I’m so lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful husband!


• Patriotic Fundraiser – To help raise money for Timpanogos Republican Women, a new group that just started in Saratoga Springs, my daughter and I wandered around Nolan Park during the Max Impact Concert (a special musical group from the US Air Force) selling patriotic hats, tattoos, glow necklaces, Frisbees, and pinwheels. Honestly, we didn’t sell a whole lot (I think people came to the concert because it was free), but Hannah and I sure had a fun Mommy/Daughter Date!

• Pony Express Days Parade – On Saturday, June 4th, my children and I walked in the parade wearing “Heather Jackson for Mayor” t-shirts and shouting out “Two Four Six Eight/Who do we appreciate?/Mayor Jackson!” Christopher and Geoffrey especially enjoyed throwing out candy! But even more important, I believe, is helping my children to see that I try to live what I preach, that even if we don’t have a lot of money or even a lot of time, we can all do something to get involved politically. Helping out on a campaign happens to be one of the most fun ways to get involved!

• Patriotic Songs in Primary – In preparation for an upcoming stake fireside, our Stake Music Committee Chair (and our Primary Pianist!) asked me to teach the Senior Primary two patriotic songs out of the Children’s Songbook, #224 “My Country” and #225 “My Flag, My Flag”. In all my years as a Primary Chorister, I had never learned these two songs, nor had I ever heard them presented by any other group. Now was as good a time as ever, and I really enjoyed putting together lesson plans to teach these songs to the children! To celebrate Flag Day and to review these two songs for the fireside, I led a Patriotic Singing Time yesterday that I think turned out awesome! (I can write more details about this lesson in another post.)

• Utah Republican Party State Convention – Because of my recent appointment to fill the resigned seat of our Legislative District Education Officer, I was able to attend the convention as a State Delegate. Wow! Especially poignant for me: Watching Alan Jackson, husband of our Mayor and my friend Heather Jackson, solemnly and professionally carry the U.S. Flag as leader of the Color Guard; Singing the National Anthem with Miss Utah and over 1,500 delegates; Chairman Stan Lockhart getting a bit emotional and then sharing his love for our country, our founding principles, and his belief that we are all children of God, brothers and sisters in this land of freedom; and Honorable Ken Blackwell’s keynote speech about “punching holes in the darkness” by raising up our standards of light, not with contention or judgment, but by example and kindness. Wow!

• Eagle Mountain West Stake Patriotic Fireside – Last night, my two oldest children came with me to the Stake Center to participate in this amazing fireside. The Senior Primary Children from the 4th, 5th, and 7th wards sang “My Country” and “My Flag, My Flag”. As a congregation, we sang “The Star Spangled Banner”, “America the Beautiful”, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, and “God of Our Fathers”. Brother Peter Hughes talked about his experience immigrating to this country from England as a young boy, what Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty meant to him, and how grateful he is to truly have lived the American Dream. Brother George Reid read some beautiful commentary, a small choral group sang “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing” and another group (my friends Donna Burnham, Marianne and Ryan Anderson, Diane Thompson, Matt Williams and Marcellus Barrus among them) sang such an inspiring rendition of John Rutter’s “Distant Land” that it brought tears to my eyes! The Stake Youth Choir sang “Army of Helaman” (officially it’s called “We’ll Bring the World His Truth”) in a unique but powerful way – only four stood up on the stand at the beginning of the song, then with each verse and chorus, more youth came out of the audience up to the stand to sing, until there were at least 40 or so youth singing their hearts out! Mayor Heather Jackson spoke about the story of Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner as well as the importance of our flag to our troops in battle. Finally, the Stake Choir sang the familiar and wonderful rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.

During the fireside, my son Christopher asked me why I was crying. I told him, “I cry when I feel the Spirit very strongly. The scriptures tell us that the Spirit of Liberty is the Spirit of God and that’s what I’m feeling here tonight.” How grateful I am to live in this beautiful country, to have the freedom of religion, speech, and assembly, to practice a religion that values and teaches the importance of freedom and for our stake that chose to celebrate it, and above all, the opportunity to teach these things to my children!

Whew! What an awesome month! Watch out July – you’ve had quite a bit of competition so far!

Can Politics Bring Out the Worst in People?

Linda Housekeeper, a member of the Republican State Central Committee, called me yesterday with some questions about the C&B (Constitution & Bylaws) Committee on which I serve. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her!

We strongly disagree on the ex officio delegate issue - I hope to write more on this later - but we agree on so many other issues. I really appreciated how she allowed me uninterrupted time and space to share what I felt about changes needed in our party. Then she shared with me some of the experiences she's been through that understandably affects how she perceives current events and leaders. If your house has been maliciously set on fire several times, it makes sense that you get kind of jumpy when you smell smoke - even if that smoke only comes from some burnt toast. I really could get on my soapbox about this and go on & on ... but no one would want to read it all. But I do want to share some of the thoughts in my head on this topic.

In my experience, politics can (and often does) bring out the worst in people. The political arena of course tends to attract those who think too highly of themselves and seek power for an ego trip or to get away with unethical behavior. I'm reminded of Richard Culbertson who ran for Eagle Mountain Mayor two years ago to raise a smokescreen for his overtly illegal activities - which campaign failed miserably by the way.

On the other hand, I've also witnessed formerly kind, respectable people involved in manipulating, withholding information, acting very discourteously, etc., all in the name of getting a victory for their ideas at the expense of the "other team". A few years ago I was surprised to learn that a friend of mine had been very active in our city politics before I had moved out here. At the time I knew her, she had sworn off of political involvement because, in her words, it brought out a monster in her and she didn't like what she was becoming. In her mind, the only solution was to stop getting involved completely. Oh, how sad!

See, just like my friend, I don't think most people who get involved in politics are essentially "evil" or intentionally want to lie and cheat, etc. But I think the general coursening of society has decreased our collective abilities to govern ourselves in decent and respectful ways. We have collectively lost the ability to say "Help me understand where you're coming from. I may not agree with you, and you may not agree with me, but I respect your right to see this issue differently. Maybe by understanding each other we can find an even better solution. If not, I'll do my best to share my ideas with the governing body and then respect whatever decision the majority chooses to make."

Instead, we draw up sides and have to win victories against "the other team". We polarize and save face, we can't admit when the "other side" has a very reasonable and good point. We are encouraged to speak before thinking. Morning shows and talk radio often seem to thrive on people who can cut down the "other side" in witty ways. We start fighting over little molehills and technical details. Little wonder our society turns to lawyers to solve conflicts. Every issue produces "winners" and "losers", with the losing side vowing to continue their fight till their side prevails (think about the recent Proposition 8 in California).

Okay, this post is long enough - too long maybe. But, my eternally optimistic side sees this whole conundrum through a different lens: If politics can and does bring out the worst in many people, then it can also - and does - bring out the best in many people. I hope that's the case with me!

A Resolve to Do Better

I need to apologize that I have left off writing on this blog for so long. I have had some intense health, emotional, family, and financial struggles over this past year that, thankfully, seem to be clearing up.

I have recently been appointed and ratified as the new Education Officer for our Republican Party Legislative District 56 (currently the largest in the state). I am also finishing up the last few months of my two-year term on the Utah County Republican Party Constitution & Bylaws Committee and look forward to running again.

It seems like the winds of change are blowing over our county party and I'm grateful to see some of the changes that are coming. Better organization, outreach, education, technology, and empowerment of the central committee (you know, that group that is "supposed" to be the governing body of the party and not just a rubber stamp body) are some things I'm seeing that will make a difference in combatting the negative face our party has received lately in the press and among many party members and instead help us to move forward.

However, in the name of change, it seems that there are always those individuals or factions that try to push their personal, emotionally-driven agendas onto the majority, even though, IMHO, those policies would weaken or harm the majority. I saw this same thing happen in Eagle Mountain City politics not too long ago, and it feels like I'm seeing a similar pattern again in the county party.

Specifically, there are several individuals who, through reasons they feel are justified, seem to come out with knives and swords against "those rotten people in office who just want to hold on to their power." They have come up with an agenda designed to "take away the power" of those in power and "give it back to the people." To their credit, this group is very organized, articulate, and able to mobilize Central Committee members like I've never seen before. On the flip side, it feels like a lot of their arguments are emotionally-driven, citing "principles" and "integrity" but really coming across as vindictive and punitive, unwilling to give "the other side" the benefit of the doubt and unwilling to really listen to all sides to come up with reasonable, fair solutions.

Even worse, some (not all) of the "people in power" that are targets of this grass-roots group seem to react in huffy puffy ways, using their information and positions to "fight back", bringing out a darker side of them that I'm sure isn't in their best nature.

All this has seemed to lead to an increase of contention, polarization, and ill-will among active members of our county party. I have had the opportunity of discussing party issues with several different individuals over the past few months and now my head is so full of ideas and concerns that it almost feels like it could burst.

Soooooo - I am going to rededicate time daily (or almost daily) to this blog so I can stop these ideas from running around in my head, put them in black and white, and actually be able to take action based on them. After all, isn't that what a pensieve is for?