Why many Utah officials don't get it
There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]Wednesday, January 17, 2007
I have this theory. Well, actually, I have several, but today we're going to focus on just one -- Don's Theory of Why So Many Government Officials in Utah Don't Get It.
When Farmington decides to close its public swimming pool on Sundays, or when Kaysville bans city recreation practices and games at its parks on Mondays, it has a familiar ring to it. In the first place, why do these well-intentioned elected leaders think they can do it? And why are they so offended when people question their motives?
I think I know the answer. I'm a Mormon -- a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Proud of it. Go to church every Sunday. The whole 10 yards.
I have come to know individually, been acquainted with and/or have been observing a lot of our elected leaders for the 22 years I've been a newspaperman. It's Utah, and the overwhelming majority of these men and women share my religious faith. Like me, they've been trained, informally and formally, in the service-leadership customs and rituals of the LDS Church. Many of these public servants, in fact, got the itch to help out in city, county or state office because they discovered the personal satisfaction and growth that derives from serving your neighbors.
And arguably the first thing you learn regarding leadership in the Mormon church is this: Authority flows from the top down. There is almost always deliberation, or some form of it, as policies are being discussed. But once a decision has been made, that's it. End of debate.
In the public sector, it's the opposite. The power in elected office comes from the bottom up, not the top down. In secular government, the only reason anyone gets to make any decisions at all on behalf of their constituents is because the people have given their consent to be governed. But that consent lasts only as long as the people think the elected leaders -- or unelected staff, for that matter -- are behaving in the best interests of all.
For some reason, lots of elected officials don't make that most fundamental of distinctions.
For example, last year's Legislature made secret some public records -- e-mails and phone numbers, chiefly -- the people have every right to access. My theory is that lots of these officials, while conducting church and/or private business behind closed doors, have grown used to holding information in confidence. I may be wrong; their reasons for doing this might be simple arrogance.
But I'm willing to wager that, given habits developed over decades of church service, they actually don't understand this is entirely improper when it comes to handling public information.
On top of that, they were offended when people questioned their actions. "Trust us," they said -- just as it goes without saying in church leadership positions.
This same behavior holds true on any number of public issues. Please don't misunderstand me. I love and cherish my church. I love Utah. And I feel so very lucky to live in these United States. I truly appreciate and respect the willingness of people to serve in public office.
But I just as strenuously reject the attitudes of government officials who blur the lines between church and state. I don't need a city council telling me I can't participate in city-rec leagues on Mondays in order to accommodate LDS family home evening. I neither need nor want my government's elected officials running interference for my chosen religion; it's none of their business -- whether or not they share my religious beliefs. I plead with them to respect the differences between public and religious service, and to keep their hands off my church and stop disrespecting everyone else's.
I decide for me and my own whether or not to abide by various church doctrines. I am insulted by their meddling in something I hold so personal and private, for violating the Constitution by endorsing one religion over another, and so casually ignoring the religious beliefs and freedoms of my close friends and neighbors who don't belong to my church.
I think my theory is sound. I believe I understand where this our-way-or-the-highway thinking comes from. And I know it can be changed.
Porter is the Standard-Examiner's editorial page editor. He accepts e-mail at dporter@standard.net, or you can call him weekdays at 625-4205.
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