Posts Tagged: ‘Politics’

Congratulations, Jason!

June 25, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

On a great win in the face of tremendous odds.

Chris Cannon seemed to have everything going for him: endorsements of most of Utah’s Republican leadership, name recognition, a bigger budget, experience from previous campaigns, PAC money from outside Utah, all that and yet volunteerism and a great grass roots effort were able to unseat him in a near landslide.

Everyone thought that the 59%-41% vote at the State convention was a fluke, but here it is again repeated in the Republican primary. Obviously Jason has something to say that resonates with voters. Too bad Chris Cannon was more interested in listening to outside voices.

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Mr. Cannon, You’re Fired!

June 24, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

I spent the evening at Chaffetz Headquarters in Springville. At about 11:00 PM, Chris Cannon called to offer his congratulations, and to concede the race for Utah’s Third congressional District.

The totals as of right now (with all but one rural precinct reporting) are:

  • Jason Chaffetz – 59.96% (27,266)
  • Chris Cannon – 40.04% (18,208)

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Chaffetz thanked Mr. Cannon for his service to the community, which was a nice gesture.

There was a point during the evening where Mr. Cannon said something that served to solidify our feelings about him. He told a local reporter that he was disappointed in the low turnout, and said that it aserved as a lesson to the people of Utah; that if they want good representation, they’re going to have to get out and vote. The comment drew a lot of cat-calls from people at Chaffetz headquarters.

To me, it was reminiscent of another comment that was made several years ago. When Al Gore lost the presidential election in 2000, one of the Democratic leaders was interviewed at the State Capitol. Her comment made my blood boil. She said, as closely as I can recall, “The people have spoken, and if they want to drive this ship of state into the ground, that’s their business.”

Now I know Mr. Cannon didn’t say exactly that, but it certainly felt a lot like it. I am convinced that Washington has historically attracted people who think like that; who think they know better than us benighted masses. Chris Cannon has called for transparency in earmarks. What is really needed to overcome this effect is transparency in government. Washington needs to be a fishbowl, not an opaque bubble. Then nobody could say, “Well, you just don’t understand how things work back there.” That’s always a red flag for me. It says three things, 1) Washington is a closed society that, 2) the politicians think we aren’t bright enough to understand, and 3) we couldn’t get things done there because we aren’t part of the clique.

Here’s hoping Jason Chaffetz breaks it wide open!

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Primary Day

June 24, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

Today is the Republican Primary.

Do the right thing, and vote.

I voted Jason Chaffetz for US Congress in Utah’s Third District. I think it’s time for a change, and I’m not talking about the empty change-for-the-sake-of-change that Obama wants. I mean substantive change.

Chris Cannon has served Utah reasonably well, but he now seems to have picked up whatever germ has infested Washington DC that causes our public servants to become arrogant and cocky, to rise up against the people and take an attitude of “I know better than you.”

Jason’s positions more closely match my own, as does his feelings on the immigration question. Leaving in place the incentives that cause people to come here illegally, only to be caught up in the web of deceit laid by our leaders wherein these people cannot lift themselves out of poverty is wrong. We are a country that has prided itself on the equality of opportunity. But these people are shut out of that opportunity cycle by their legal status. The solution is not to make categorical changes to their status, but to encourage them to come to America the right way, in accordance with the law. Luring them here with promises of free health care, better income, whatever, is an evil that must be abolished.

Both Jason Chaffetz and Glenn Beck have rightly named this the new slavery–a community of non-citizens upon which our economy supposedly hangs. That argument was wrong during the revolution, and it is wrong now.

Get out and vote.

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Idiots from the Planet Stupid

June 17, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

Here’s a fine example of why Barak Obama must be defeated in November. With morons like this guy supporting his positions, we’ll all soon be enjoying the fruits of American Liberalism–we’ll all be dirt poor, our standard of living will fall through the floor, we will see the rise of a new European lifestyle in the big cities of America, and abject poverty and death in the small towns, the jobless rate will skyrocket, and crime rates will follow, and a depression far deeper and more vast will begin here in America as corporations move overseas, and will engulf the entire global economy that will last for at least 4 years.

This is why the Electoral College is so vitally important–more so now than ever. If it were up to the educated idiots who live in places like New York and Los Angeles, the rest of the country would have become a trash heap long ago. These people think nothing exists beyond what they can see from the tallest skyscraper. To their understanding, there are no wide stretches of open land in America. There is only a 200-mile stretch once you leave New York before you get to L.A. The only reason they don’t travel there via ground transportation is because the subways don’t connect.

Sean Hannity repeated a quote by someone, I forget who, who could not understand how a Republican could win in an election, when nobody they knew voted for them. It’s the same principle on a larger scale. They don’t believe anything exists outside their own little sphere.

And the sphere includes not just space, but time as well. They are completely ignorant of the lessons of experience and history. You can’t point out to them how the policies of Barak Obama are not much more than Jimmy Carter’s policies revisited, and therefore will have a similar effect. The difference is that because of this lame-brained tendency to refuse to learn the correct lessons, they think these policies will work this time if only they try harder, or work at making government even larger and more powerful, or take more of our money. They think it will be different because the people involved are different.

Barak Obama is a full-blown Marxist. If he gets elected, America will have fulfilled Nikita Khrushchev’s prediction of one day becoming a Communist nation by our own stupidity:

You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept Communism outright, but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you’ll finally wake up and find you already have Communism. We won’t have to fight you. We’ll so weaken your economy until you’ll fall like overripe fruit into our hands.

Given the behavior of the current Democratic leadership, and the goals of Barak Obama and his liberal friends, is there any wonder about whom Khrushchev was speaking when he said “we.” there is only one explanation for the complete opposition by the Democrats to forestall the slide of our economy into chaos and wreckage by allowing us to drill for oil in our own country, only one explanation for their policies of the past 40 years. They have become the enemy. Traitors to their own people, they have sold themselves out for the chance to wield power over mankind. They are Stalin’s useful idiots. They are not our countrymen; they do not belong among us.

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The Pledge to Increase US Oil Production

June 17, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) is circulating a pledge among House members that signifies their willingness to rely more heavily on our own, domestic resources.

As of 4:00 PM MDT on June 17, 2008, Congressman Chris Cannon’s name is not on the list. Why not? Maybe he’s just too busy talking about it.

Those who have signed to date:

Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.)
Tom Price (R-Ga.)
Paul Broun (R-Ga.)
Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.)
Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
Wally Herger (R-Calif.)
George Radanovich (R-Calif.)
Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio)
Mike Conaway (R-Texas)
John Culberson (R-Texas)
Tom Reynolds (R-NY)
Greg Walden (R-Ore.)
Bill Shuster (R-Pa.)
Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.)
Dan Burton (R-Ind.)
Judy Biggert (R-Ill.)
Tom Feeney (R-Fla.)
Tom Latham (R-Iowa)
Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.)

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Jason Chaffetz Within Two Percent of Chris Cannon

June 5, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

I got an email earlier today from my friends at the Utah Republican Assembly. It was forwarded from Bay Buchanan, a nationally known Conservative pundit and author of The Extreme Makeover of Hillary Rodham-Clinton. Ms. Buchanan was US Treasurer from 1981-1983, and she was awarded 2007 Woman of the Year by the Claire Booth Luce Policy Institute. She converted to the LDS Church in 1976 (not that it makes any difference to us folks here in Utah…end sarcasm).

The letter says it all.


Dear Friend,

The race in Utah is heating up and our man, Jason Chaffetz, is closing in on one of La Raza’s favorite congressman, Chris Cannon. You remember the Cannon-he’s famous for saying that in Utah, “We don’t often times make the distinction between legal and illegal [immigrants]”

Two weeks ago, when in Utah for my son’s wedding, I made of point of having lunch with Jason and his wife. I wanted to be certain he was the kind of candidate who deserved the endorsement of Team America and your support as well.

I am excited to tell you he is all that and more. Solid on the issues, Tancredo-good on immigration-Jason is also tough and gutsy. He will not buckle under pressure. Jason is exactly what we need in Washington.

I just spoke with Jason and he is really thrilled with the feel of the campaign. As well he should be-he has closed to within 2% of Cannon!!!

But he needs our help if he is to beat Cannon. The establishment, ethnic lobbyists, and corporate buddies are once again pouring money into Cannon’s coffers. They know he is a solid vote for their amnesty and guest worker bills. They will do all they can to keep Cannon in Congress-and Jason out.

Jason’s knows he needs to get his message right to the people with strong radio ads. He has already cut the ads-now he needs to raise the money to get them on air!

And Chris Cannon is up to his old tricks. His website has an outrageously misleading video on immigration in which Cannon claims to be against amnesty!! We need to help Jason get the facts out about Cannon’s record and Jason will win this congressional seat.

He needs our help and he needs it now. If there is anyway you can make a contribution to him please do so TODAY. Jason has promised me that all the money Team America raises for him will be used to buy radio Your generous contribution will be used for Jason’s radio buy.

If you want to make your contribution directly to his campaign at his website. Otherwise contribute to Team America and mark in the comment section “For Jason”. We will then send Jason-overnight-a check for the total amount of earmarked contributions. (Team America keeps no portion of contributions earmarked for candidates.)

Thanks again for everything you do to protect and secure this nation.

Warmest regards,
Bay Buchanan

2% is likely within the statistical margin of error. Jason can win this election. The people of Utah are tired of Cannon’s empty rhetoric and constant inaction. Glenn Beck told his listeners today about the 6,000 people who have been killed along our border with Mexico over the past couple of years by violent gangs. Our legislators knew almost nothing about it. This is why we need strength in Congress. We need someone who can shake those dullards out of their sleepy comfort. Congress needs a new spine. Chris Cannon has failed us in that regard.

Let’s really hit Cannon hard in the next few weeks. Go Jason!

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Judicial Overreach Stalls Polygamist Family Reunion

May 31, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

Talks between Warren Jeffs’s polygamist sect Yearning for Zion and the State of Texas fell apart Friday when a district court judge decided to expand the ruling of the Texas Supreme Court and add additional restrictions and qualifications that must be met before the children will be returned to their families.

Judge Barbara Walther did not produce any authorization under State law for this usurpation of authority, to which several attorneys for the sect rightly objected. They pointed out that she had no right to expand on a ruling made by a higher court, and they counseled their clients not to sign the new requirements.

MSN has one version of the story here. I believe with this expansion of the ruling, many people will focus on the judge’s justifications but completely miss the whole point of the case.

It is essentially about legal kidnapping. And the Yearning for Zion group proved in court that the State Child Protective Services removed those 400 children under the color of law, but without legal justification. If you or I were to do the same, we would be prosecuted as kidnappers facing serious prison time. Since when does any government agency have the right to seize anything without due process, even if the life of a child is threatened?

The Texas Supreme Court ruling basically says the Texas CPS agency was wrong to remove those children. Now what would you or I do in such a case? Apologize? Hopefully, and do everything we could to right the wrong. So what does the State of Texas do? I have yet to hear any apologies from any state official, and instead of seeking to return the children as quickly as possible, officials are finding excuses not to return the children.

To make matters worse, this district judge refuses to let any of the children return to their families unless her demands are met. What is this other than legal terrorism? What is this other than blackmail? She holds the fate of the children in her hands, and unless she gets what she wants, she will ignore the Supreme Court’s ruling. She is holding these families hostage, and who is going to stop her? In my opinion, Judge Walther believes she can make such demands because her aim is only to keep the children away from their birth parents for as long as possible, hoping that exposure to other lifestyles will eventually break down the cult’s hold on them.

Where are we headed when the judges and the government ignore the Rule of Law? Judge Walther, by her actions, is demonstrating that in her jurisdictions the law of will prevails–her will. But the rule of will is tyranny. How long will we let officials trample on our rights like this? How long will it be before your children are threatened with removal because of some unproven allegation? Will you just stand there and let it happen?

Our officials need to be constantly reminded that they are bound by the law as much as any other citizen. We should be reminding them often that their authority is not granted by the office they hold, but by We the People who created those offices. We must not tolerate the government overreaching it’s legal bounds for any reason, no matter how well-intentioned.

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Betrayal: How the Left Abuses the People It Pretends to Help

May 30, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

(Updated) I have long held, and often said, that Leftists are abusive, violent people underneath their compassionate veneers. Their history betrays them. Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, Che Guevara, all leftists, and all murderers.

In our society, we don’t see them murdering others. Instead we see a different kind of violence–a psychological rather than physical violence. Thomas Sowell has written a column today that explains what I mean.

Dr. Sowell exposes abuse of the same character as found in Jonah Goldberg’s recent book, Liberal Facism. In it, Mr. Goldberg delivers well-documented evidence of the Left’s heritage of coercion. The American flavor of Fascism comes with smiles and institutional programs and rehabilitation. The insidious nature of the American Left’s abuse is the assurance that it’s for your own good.

Dr. Sowell highlights another aspect of Leftism in America–those programs designed to “help” people who are incapable of helping themselves. The American Left sees itself as superior to everyone else on the planet. Their arrogance and self-adulation are the source of their belief in their own moral superiority. But in order to feel vindicated, they need some outward evidence of that superiority. As Dr. Sowell points out, that’s where they latch onto others, preferably people of color, or other types of minorities (i.e. the poor, women, the disabled, etc). These people become trophies. They are used as evidence of the Left’s goodness.

The abuse is not limited to the American Left, either. A news report from MSN shows that child sexual abuse by UN peacekeeping forces and humanitarian experts is widespread and little or nothing is done to curb the problem. These are not right-wingers arranging sex-for-food deals with 14-year-old girls. What is the Left’s response? Demands that we reinstate funding for abortions overseas.

Glenn Beck’s column gives us another view of the results of the “help” the left offers. It is unfortunate that some republicans have parroted the line about immigrants filling jobs Americans won’t do. In their attempts at being compassionate, those who favor illegal immigration by doing nothing to stop it have created what Glenn calls “Corporate slavery.”

The living conditions described in some of Glenn’s examples are appalling. Perhaps the line should be reworked to say “living the life Americans won’t live.” The Left has a contemptible knack for looking the other way when their ideas produce misery. This isn’t compassion. It is the natural result of believing you are superior to everyone else. The Left traffics in Condescension, and there is enough for everyone.

The Left does nothing out of true charity or altruism. Everything is calculated to produce some kind of gain whether it be political, financial, or otherwise. In countries where civility has not firmly taken root, murder may be one of the methods used to produce such gain.

The Left always seeks power over others. Invariably the stated goal is the good of the people. It is alarming how many must die as part of the achievement of that goal. Some argue the world would be better off if the Left did not exist. One thing is certain–there would be a lot more people.

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Utah Republican Assembly Endorses Jason Chaffetz

May 29, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

The Utah Republican Assembly voted to endorse Jason Chaffetz for the Third District congressional seat at its Endorsing Convention this past Saturday. Jason Chaffetz beat out Chris Cannon to win the endorsement of the Assembly. Other federal candidates endorsed by the URA include Rob Bishop of the First District, and Bill Dew of the Second District. Congratulations, Jason!

From the URA press release:

The Utah Republican Assembly is a nonprofit organization of conservative Republicans with chapters in Salt Lake, Utah, and Washington counties. The Assembly, which was re-established in Utah in 2005, is founded on traditional conservative principles, such as support for the U.S. Constitution, defending American sovereignty, limiting government and taxes, and promoting individual responsibility and liberties.

The Republican Assembly is not an official branch of the Utah Republican Party. The Utah Republican Party does not endorse Republican candidates until they have won the Party’s nomination at a convention or in a primary.

For more information about the Republican Assembly, contact Assembly President Larry Meyers at dixierepublican@yahoo.com.

The National Federation of Republican Assemblies is active in politics in the various states and at the national level. Their website can be found at http://www.gopwing.com

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The Truth about Jason Chaffetz

May 25, 2008 Posted by Trenton Hansen

Someone who has posted anonymous comments to this blog thinking they will sway your opinion regarding Jason Chaffetz. They have posted a blog at www.thetruthaboutjason.com. Of course, I have to refer to this individual as “they” because I honestly don’t know if this is a male or female; I have no name to go on.

But that brings up an interesting point: Anonymity. Why be anonymous? Why not come out and boldly be counted? The Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees the right to confront your accusers. It’s very telling when someone makes accusations like this and violates constitutional principles to do it. Anonymity guarantees the accuser they will never have to be held responsible for their accusations–they are free to say and do whatever they wish, without fear of retribution or punishment, even if they are wholly wrong.

I don’t know who this person is, but from their repeated references to David Leavitt, my guess is that they are an embittered Leavitt supporter. Prove me wrong–show some integrity and step into the light. Your anonymity speaks volumes about you–and not kindly.

They say they want a civil dialogue, yet they resort to smearing, false accusations, innuendo, half-truths and other rhetorical devices in order to manipulate your opinion. In other words, this person hides like a coward, speaks out of both sides of their mouth, and argues like a liberal.

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