LeBaronLogic

My Endorsement of John Dougall for Auditor, State of Utah

"I am unequivocally endorsing Rep. John Dougall as Auditor for the State of Utah. As a former two-term American Fork City Council Member, I was personally aware of John's interest in local affairs. He was accessible, informative and educated himself with our needs. He will do the same statewide. Rep. Dougall will serve Utah well with the depth and breadth of his skill set.  He works tirelessly, is meticulous and is beholden only to Utah's stakeholders, the taxpayer's."
~ Shirl LeBaron

Utah House Speaker Becky Lockhart speaks out on Utah's Federal Delegation and Immigration

"... while their (Utah's federal delegation) political will atrophies in the airless echo chamber of Washington, D.C. We (Utah state legislators) bleed in the trenches while they (Utah's federal delegation) wallow in the temporary glory of meaningless blood-boiling rhetoric." (parentheses added).

For Speaker Lockhart's full OpEd piece in the Provo's Daily Herald go here  --> http://t.co/rSbG2Ig  Strong words. Your thoughts? 

Two Different Opinions Re: Senator Orrin Hatch's re-election

Both of the following letters were sent to the Deseret News "Readers Forum" 

Retire with Grace

Sen. Orrin Hatch, thank you for your 35-plus years of service to the state of Utah.

Would it not be better to retire after so many years of service and throw your support to a young conservative Utahn, Jason Chaffetz? That is what a seasoned statesman of your vintage should do.

Such a move, done with grace and magnanimity, would afford you to end your career on a high note, on your terms, and would be inspirational to the GOP and those who follow.

Andrew Howard, Provo  (DNews comments here) 

Keep Hatch 

I cannot let Andrew Howard's letter ("Retire with Grace," Readers' Forum, June 3) pass without a comment. He maintains that Sen. Orrin Hatch should retire with a vote of thanks.

My answer to him would be why would we want to have a man who has continually done more for our state year after year in Washington, D.C., than anyone I can think of just step aside for a younger man and his ambition. What has Rep. Jason Chaffetz ever done for our state?

Is Chaffetz in position to take over the most powerful committee in the Senate in a year, the Senate Finance Committee, where literally every financial issue that affects Utahns' daily lives is handled? No.

Can Chaffetz point to anything he has done during his years of service in the House that is more than just hot rhetoric? I can't. And does Chaffetz have the respect and gratitude of citizens in every corner of our state for the initiatives he has undertaken and the thousands of constituent service cases he solves every year? I don't think so.

Hatch should absolutely not step aside when he is working day-in and day-out for Utah and the values we believe in, and solves problems on a daily basis for our citizens and communities across the state.

Claus Nielsen, Salt Lake City (DNews comments here ) 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? PLEASE WEIGH IN.