House Majority Leader Kevin Garn admitted to paying $150,000 to Cheryl Maher to keep their skinny dipping incident confidential in hopes the young woman could find healing. Garn's cronies and peers gathered around him to protect and support the fallen legislator in hopes that he, too, can start the healing process.
When is it Utah's turn to heal?
We suffered an international scandal surrounding the Salt Lake Olympics, endured a range of legislative ethical violations, including bribery and a recent drunk-driving arrest of the Senate Majority Leader.
Now Utahns' wounds are open again with the latest moral lapses surrounding Rep. Garn and a seemingly on-going relationship with Ms. Maher. The scab was ripped open even further when Utah legislators gave Garn a standing ovation for his mock courage as news of his misdeeds were being released to the media. Legislators stood and applauded a man who confessed to criminal activity -- something those of us outside the Utah Legislature would surely be arrested and placed on trial for. If Rep. Garn were to be tried by a jury of his legislative peers, there is no doubt he would be would be acquitted.
Utah elected officials often flaunt the state's family values and high moral standards. When a legislative body, charged with governing and protecting the people they serve, honors a person for violating those values and standards, we the citizens need to take a closer look at those governing us.
For example, House Speaker Dave Clark repeatedly states that Utah legislators know what's best for the people of this state. It's now clear that Rep. Clark doesn't know what is good for Utah. Instead of applauding, he should have stood up for Utah's principals by demanding Rep. Garn's resignation -- something he failed to do.
Too many of our elected leaders are in denial. They refuse to admit there are ethical problems plaguing the legislative body in much the same way some alcoholics deny they have a drinking problem. Utah legislators have hidden and suppressed their activities in hopes the public wouldn't see. However, just like the family and friends of those suffering an addiction, Utahns are recognizing the need for intervention. We the people must intervene.
Some politicians have done everything they could to prevent Utah voters from taking an active part in state government. They have made it nearly impossible for Utahns to support citizen initiatives -- yet they made it so easy to remove a signature from those same initiatives, effective immediately. It's clear that most legislators don't want intervention. They want to keep the status quo.
That's why all Utahns must step forward and remind legislators of their role to serve the people, not protect their peers. There are two citizen petitions moving forward to do just that.
The first is the Fair Boundaries Initiative, which will provide an independent redistricting commission so voters can choose their elected officials, instead of politicians choosing their voters. The second is an initiative for an independent ethics commission that would prevent such actions as a standing ovation for a confessed crime.
Every Utahns should sign these petitions now. Visit www.fairboundaries.org and utahnsforethicalgovernment.org. to sign on line or for more information.
Bishop is on the Fair Boundaries Executive Board.
Comments