As with all years, this year passed quicker than the last. Starla and Miles have been wonderful kids and Mandy is a wonderful wife. We leave this year humbled by the experience of Malinda (Mandy’s mom) who suffered a stroke early in 2011.
With each passing day I become all too familiar with the notion that life on this earth is not finite. I think now in terms of decades and not years when it comes to major milestones in life. I am very optimistic that the greatest days are ahead of me.
If you follow Utah politics you know that Jason Chaffetz has all but declared his candidacy for the US Senate. He would be going up against 7 term incumbent Orrin Hatch for the GOP nomination. I’m concerned about the possibility of a “Senator Chaffetz.” First off, I don’t think his strict tea party orthodoxy is what this nations needs. Secondly, I have a an issue with Chaffetz the politician. Ever since he was able to stage a coup in the 2008 Republican convention I have been very wary of him.
Chaffetz truly is a master politician, but he is not a master of conventional general elections. Chaffetz knows how to play Utah’s unique caucus system. In so doing he was almost able to win the nomination at the convention outright, without need for a primary. And in Utah, more often than not, when you win the Republican nomination, you win the general election.
By taking advantage of the caucus system Chaffetz is only accountable to the 1700 or so Republicans who are delegates to that convention. He has no interest in serving the greater needs of the people of Utah… because so few of those people participate in actually selecting him as a nominee. And unfortunately in Utah general elections are often a rubber stamp on the Republican parties caucus / primary process.
It is for this reason that I am seriously considering moving my party affiliation to Republican. I am sick and tired of being excluded from the political process in Utah. I may not be in line with the politics of Utah’s Republican party, but I do align with many of the political ideals of the people of Utah. My goal for 2012 is to be a delegate from my precinct. Which party? To be determined.
I have been having an awful lot of problems sleeping lately. It seems like I just have a hard time deciding to fall asleep, and once I actually decide to fall asleep my body won’t co-operate. Any ideas on what I should do?
Not since November 2008 have I felt so good about a political outcome. Despite all odds (and they were very, very heavy) congress actually did something and passed comprehensive health care reform. This is no small achievement, and if well implemented Obama will go down as truly one of the great presidents.
I have spent most of my “Internet Update Time” on twitter, but I wanted to let all know that I am not going to let the blog die. Stay tuned for Paul JD rants.
