For, Not Against

In my last blog, I wrote about all the things I'd learned about Senator Hatch and why I wouldn't be supporting him.  A friend asked me why I was supporting Dan Liljenquist.  I felt quite chagrined that I had taken so much time in laying out my case against Hatch, without making my case for Liljenquist.  Thanks, RaeLynne, for the friendly question!

I was very impressed by Dan's open, straightforward manner; he actually answered questions!  When you go to hear the same candidate more than once, you start to get a sense of whether they're reciting talking points, or whether they're actually talking to you.  And while all candidates turn to talking points from time to time, Dan's answers were consistent and genuine.  While political campaigns so often focus on an opponent's record, I felt like I heard more about Dan's own record and goals than a typical campaign.  He has a concrete plan, based on the concrete plan he took the the Utah state senate, and he can articulate it clearly.  Two financial issues he was very concerned about upon entering the state senate were pensions for public employees and state Medicaid. 

At the debate at Juan Diego High School this spring, Hatch challenged Liljenquist on votes missed during sessions of the Utah state Senate, a major theme in many of Hatch's campaign ads.  Liljenquist was, once again, direct in answering:  "I'm glad you asked about that," he stated.  He went on to say that Hatch made it sound like he, Liljenquist, was out playing golf, rather than garnering bi-partisan support for his pension reform bill.  He was present at the capital every day of the legislative session, and came to vote on any crucial issues where his vote was needed.  When it wasn't needed, he continued to talk to legislators from both parties, convincing them the need to offer this bill to the governor with as much support as possible.

"As I met with state Democrats," Liljenquist said, "They would say, 'Dan, you have a majority; you don't need our vote.'  I would tell them, 'I know I don't need your vote; I want your vote.  This is not a bi-partisan issue; it is a reality issue.  We need to make the pensions sustainable.'"  Dan was able to get his bill passed unanimously, which was then signed by the governor. 

Ladies and gentlemen:  THAT is what reaching across the aisle looks like.  Rather than compromise your principles and vote for something you don't agree on, because the sponsor of the bill has stuck in a goodie for your state, SO that you can then stick a goodie into your bill for their state and have them vote for yours...IS NOT REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE.  It's crony politics at its worst, where career politicians have lost sight of voting for what is right, because it has become about parties and who can win.  If we have leaders in Washington who are so entrenched in that system, seeing it as simply "the ways things are done", and continue to partake of the spoils of the labor of the taxpayers, how are we ever going to get anything different from our leaders...unless we send new leaders?  

Dan also sponsored reforms to Utah's Medicaid system, which will save our state millions - nearly $1 billion - over the first seven years.  His goal was to make it more attractive for low-income earners to earn more, rather than stay earning a low wage so they could keep state welfare benefits of one kind or another. 

Other states - a dozen or more - have now been in contact with Dan to see how Utah has made some of these changes, as so many states are in financial trouble with these same problems.  He is working with legislators all over the country to consult and coach on the success he's experienced in Utah with these much needed reforms.

Dan has been successful in passing sweeping reform legislation on issues that are vital to the economic survival of the entire country.  He is ideally suited to replace Hatch.  If Hatch had stuck to his original plan and served 3 terms, I believe he would be a supporter of Liljenquist today.  He is a principled, honorable man.  He is highly qualified with a background in economics, law, and business.  He has actually done in our state what needs to be done on a national level, both in seeing the kind of legislation that can make real changes, and in working with both parties to bring it about.  Should Hatch win this election, six years from now, we may not have the chance to replace him with such a fine statesman as Dan Liljenquist, a man who is so uniquely qualified for the problems our country faces today.