Politics

Mar

2009

Health Reform Now

That’s right boys and girls, the time for health care reform has come. It is time for the individuals in this nation to demand health care for all.

First off I would like to apologize for the rambling structure of this post. I am Paul Jones Dayton, and I am pissed of at the state of health care in this country, so I am going to rant on my blog.

With untold millions who have just lost their jobs likely entering the ranks of the newly uninsured, and insured people in this country not necessarily covered for all conditions anyway, the time for change has finally come. With health care costs rising for employers, and many employers dropping benefits of all sorts…. reform time NOW.

I can’t stand hearing stories from individuals who have valid medical needs that are not covered by their plans. I can’t stand hearing about individuals who have no health care coverage, but nevertheless, work. I can’t stand hearing about how difficult it is to get medicaid or other state run health insurance plans. Something has to change now.

Every American deserves truly affordable health care. Businesses should not fear excessive health care costs that can completely overwhelm payrolls.

I don’t know how to fix things. I am partial to a single payer system, but that may not ultimately be the answer. I just know that things are very broken in this country, and it seems to be turning into more of a joke every day. It seems like the only people in this country who have no fear in this health care climate are the truly wealthy.

Feb

2009

I am sick and tired of homophobic Mormons

Chris Buttars is at it again, comparing homosexuals to radical muslims. Why do the people of West Valley and South Jordan elect this type of person. Could it be that they support such crazy ideas too?

Last year Chris Buttars refered to a bill in the legislature as a black baby, an “ugly black baby.” What the hell is up with this? I thought the church was over institutional racism. This guy used to be a Bishop in the LDS church?

Now I am sure there are those who would say that an individual member of the LDS Church do not speak for the Church, and in fairness Buttars does not represent an offical position in the LDS Church. However, I remember this little concept they used to teach me in sunday school: “Every member a Missionary.” By virtue of Buttars political position, and his known history for offensive statements, he should be much more cognisant of what he says. If Buttars is a missionary, he is a piss poor one.

Jan

2009

Obama impresses

I have been extremely happy to see President Obama in action. It feels as if we have a leader who is actively engaged in the issues of our country.

Here are a couple examples of things that I have been impressed by:

Active action by the administration to stop Citi Group from purchasing a $50 million dollar jet.
Direct engagement with the Republican party on the stimulus bill. While the Republicans still voted against the stimulus package, I believe Obama is building a strong foundation with his Republican counterparts. Very unique for Washington.
Swift action on closing Guantanamo Bay. A plan still is necessary, but the action item is clear.
Strong foreign policy messages, including a lack of the old cowboy diplomacy of Bush. It is good to the administration reach out to Islamic nations in a civil way.

Oct

2008

How Dayton and Obama are similar

I know this post is kind of silly, but I have been thinking about how Obama’s life story seems so real to me. The reality of his story is evident to me because we share a similar family history.

Both raised in single parent homes. My father left when I was three, and in similar fashion to Obama, I feel like I was shaped more by him not being there.
Mixed Racial Heritage. My mother was white, and my father was Hispanic. The name on my birth certificate is Paul Benitez, which clearly identifies my Hispanic roots. When I was 12, years after the my mother’s divorce, we changed my name to the present Paul Jones Dayton. Dayton was my mother’s maiden name, while Jones was my grandmother’s maiden name.
Close relationship with grandmother. My grandma was like a second mom, or in some ways, similar to a father.

Oct

2008

Obama raises more money in Utah than McCain

What is going on, this is awesome. Even though folks in Utah will not support Obama in the election, it is awesome to see that more presidential political donations, in terms of dollars, are going towards Obama. Utah is making me proud in its own way.

The Salt Lake Tribune has an interesting application that allows you to search for donations to the Presidential candidates here.

Oct

2008

My wife brokers a deal with McCain

The McCain campaign sent me a letter today asking for money. While I have been a regular donor to Barak Obama’s campaign, I have not considered donating to McCain. Sweet Mandy was looking out for John by donating the following:

Oct

2008

Mormon Repellent

While I have not seen any scientific studies I am going to assume that Barack Obama is not very popular in my hometown of Spanish Fork. As such, I must post the question, am I turning people away from myself by posting my support of the Senator from Illinois in front of my house?

What about if I put the an Obama sticker on my vehicle? Do you think the Spanish Fork folk will give me at least a couple cudos if the sticker is on a truck?

: The Barack Obama sign in front of my Spanish Fork Utah house.

Trucks are essential to the Spanish Fork way of life.

Sep

2008

Corporate Welfare

Well this has been a very interesting week in the economy. It has seen the end of two prominent Wall Street investment banks, and the bailout of the nation’s largest insurer. Gee wiz, tough times on wall street. Who comes in as the savior for these corporations? You guessed it, the United States government.

I guess you don’t qualify for welfare unless you are a very wealthy corporation which heavily leverages yourself with unsafe investments. That’s the welfare that the Republicans support.

Hey, I wouldn’t mind a welfare check — but I guess I am not rich enough.

Aug

2008