Something is rotten in the state of Utah

[myrgthful]

I thought this might be interesting to blog, because the Press hasn't seriously caught on to this story, because this item was written by a relative of mine, and because I also happen to live in Utah. (The author does not)

Utah is attempting to wrangle another, fourth seat in the House of Representatives. They've been trying to do so for years now

Comments

[pmaccabe]

I agree that the provisions giving DC a seat would likely be found unconstitutional. That is what makes this intelligent, if underhanded politics. If the Republicans can get the two seats added, then get the DC one ruled to be in violation of the constitution there is no way they lose. At the worst nothing changes, at the best they gain a House seat. Passing a law later found unconstitutional carries little political penalty.

I am guessing this bill doesn't stand a chance of emergong from comittee anyway, should every stupid bill introduced to score a political point or two with no chance of passage concern us? Like the Democrat's Draft bill, which was reintroduced again this year to stir up confusion in the hopes that people will believe Republicans are behind it, this is a non-issue.

[winter_in_asia]

Utah politics has reeked of back-room deals and partisanism for years. Which is chief among the reasons I don't live there anymore.

[myrgthful]

Hrm... I don't know if I believe in back-room deals so much, but the Utahns -- or to correct myself, Utah Mormons -- have been on the same sheet of music for decades. They don't need a back room... they're simply in sync on some things. And this is a complaint that people have had, wherever they went. This is why they were kicked out of Illinois, Ohio and Missouri. They became a powerful voting bloc no matter where they moved, and because of their unity, wielded a power which other, less organized people feared.

Believe me, I definitely have my issues with Utah culture and the way that a lot of Mormons can show provincial thinking and un-Christlike actions. And I might have left Utah awhile ago, if not for my daughter being here. More than anything, though, I individually blame those people for small-minded thinking. No one group, anywhere, has a monopoly on thatY'know, until the late 60s it actually used to be that Utah was pretty much split 50/50 down the middle, Democrat and Republican. It wasn't simply that Utahns migrated to the

[winter_in_asia]

I can see that to a certain extent. I think it's sad, however, that regardless of the voting population, Utah politicians have exploited every opportunity when it comes to partisan politics.

I also think it unfortunate that most Utahns seem to be so unaware/uninvolved that they blindly follow party lines. Fundamentalism on any level does not help, you know?

BTW: You seem cool. Mind if I add you?

[myrgthful]

I'd like it if you did. May I do the same?