When Will They Figure it Out?

An interesting article appeared today on the Fox News website titled, "What's the Matter With Utah?" by Chad Pergram. (http://congress.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/05/10/whats-the-matter-with-utah/comment-page-3/?action=late-new&order) His column was written in response to this weekend's ousting of Sen. Bob Bennett at the GOP convention in Utah. The four-term senator didn't even make it to the state primary. Pergram's stance is not against Utah, as the title makes it sound, but it is a gross misunderstanding of what is going on at the local level. When are the pols and pundits going to figure it out?

I have nothing personally against Bob Bennett. He's seems like a really good man. But he has been in Washington too long and has gone squishy like too many others. His Democrat friend inadvertently summed up the exact reasons he has been fired by Utah. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said, "The Congress cannot and will not function properly if legislators are no longer allowed to govern responsibly and independently, while also advocating their party's principles." I, and many others like me, am tired of politicians we hire to represent us in Washington, who then become "independent". By definition, elected officials are supposed to be representatives--but not of their own interests or even of their party. They are supposed to represent their constituents. When they stop doing that, they need to be fired by their employer, the people. Bennett has become too invested personally in the Washington DC scene and has become more interested in his popularity there, than his popularity in Utah. Well, the boss just fired him for breach of contract.

Wyden further said, "Sen. Bennett is not only among the brightest, most consistent and most decent members of the Senate I have ever known, he is also a very conservative man in ever way." All of those things may be true, but that is apparently not enough for the people of Utah, arguably the most conservative state in the union. Until politicians generally, and conservatives in particular, figure out that popularity in the wrong place will be their downfall, they will continue to be surprised this year by election results. At least I hope so.

Washington DC is not a conservative town. In fact, it's largely a town that it is completely out of touch with the reality that is America. It is a petrie dish of politicians, media members, pundits, power seekers and lobbyists. The most savvy of operators know how to grease the skids and work the system there. No conservative, who is true to principles should ever be popular in that crowd. Unfortunately, far too many of them seem to go to Washington and get seduced by the lure of popularity from the wrong crowd, while becoming unpopular with the people who sent them there. In fact, conservatives would be wise to use DC popularity as their litmus test for job performance. If they're becoming popular in Washington, they have most likely lost their way.

Further proof that politicians are out of touch was offered by the bitter Chris Cannon, a multiple term Republican who was ousted from the House in the 2008 election. He got fat, happy and lazy in his role and was also fired by Utahns. His explanation for the voters' actions follows: "You have extreme ideologues who took control of the party and drove normal people out. It's a problem that we have to correct. They (extreme ideologues) learn to hate people who are in government, not understand how it works. It is very clear there is a mass movement in America. They are ignorant. But zealous in what they are doing." In case I had any remaining questions as to why you got your beatdown in 2008 Chris, that completely clears it up. The arrogance of politicians repeats itself over and over. "Extreme ideologues" drove out "normal people"? Or could it be that we expect our elected officials to stand by the principles they professed while running for office? And trust me, my hatred of our current "government" is based in anything but ignorance. The more I read and study, the more "zealous" I become about returning to the form of government established by the Founding Fathers. This sloppy, bloated form of legal bribery we call government is anything but the representative government intended by the founders. So Chris, you keep on believing that rhetoric; it may help you sleep at night, but you're still out. Furthermore, you, Bennett and your ilk will stay out until you figure it out. At least, therein lies my hope for our future. If this scenario is repeated in election after election this year, we just might survive as a nation. My work and my prayers will be to that end.