The Incredible Shrinking Sheena

This is is no way political, but Sheena is from Davis County. She's a good friend of my younger brother.

She's an inspiration to anyone who is afraid to work hard for something.

Senator Bennett and the Flag

Woods Cross Citizen has an interesting post about the United State Senate's most recent vote on Senator Hatch's flag burning amendment.

I was intrigued by both his post, and the comments it attracted...check it out.

I posted comments on his blog, but I will repost my comments here. I think this is an important discussion to have.

I said, in part:

I am a Utah Republican, and I happily vote for Senator Bennett every 6 years! I think he is doing a great job representing me. I rank him at the top of our delegation. I, personally, respect the constitution too much to amend it willy-nilly. Are we in any way threatened by flag burning? I don't think so. I find the practice abhorent, but a lot of protected speech is abhorent. I think losing our right to disagree with our govenrment and protest each others' and the government's actions is too valuable. So, I think flag burning is bad, but I also think if you want to do it, I want to be able to tell you how angry it makes me.

I also find the practice of voting in favor of something you don't support just so you can call in favors later abhorent and dishonest, and I am glad that Senator Bennett stood his ground. I appreciate his integrity in this matter.

I guess we'll have to disagee. Isn't free speech great?

Technical Difficulties:Sorry about the pinkeye page

My apologies. Here I am sitting in the Hospital, amazed that I have some free time, and I notice that in switching the blog to pink, I broke my comments. People wouldn't have noticed since they could make comments, but the second I switched back to my regular format everything would have been a mess. So, I'm partially switching back, and I'll try to repost those newer comments that will inevitably go missing anyway.

Sorry again.

-The Management (Tyler)

Davis County Elections

Here are the results of the Republican Primary and the School Bond Election.

County Commission "B"
Number of Precincts 220
Precincts Reporting 220 100.0 %
Total Votes 18984
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Micheal L. Deamer 8382 44.15%
Louenda Downs 10602 55.85%


County Sheriff
Number of Precincts 220
Precincts Reporting 220 100.0 %
Total Votes 19390
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bud E. Cox 9945 51.29%
Todd Richardson 9445 48.71%


State House of Representatives #19
Number of Precincts 29
Precincts Reporting 29 100.0 %
Total Votes 3695
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheryl L. Allen 2350 63.60%
Mark D. Jacobs 1345 36.40%


State House of Representatives #20
Number of Precincts 22
Precincts Reporting 22 100.0 %
Total Votes 2110
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ronald W. Mortensen 679 32.18%
P. A. Neuenschwander 1431 67.82%


Propostion #1 For the Issuance of School Bonds
Number of Precincts 220
Precincts Reporting 220 100.0 %
Total Votes 24500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR 19371 79.07%
AGAINST 5129 20.93%

So...I think things turned out well. Mostly because it would no longer be effective to call myself a Sheryl Allen Republican if she was no longer in the picture. What's your reaction? Also, are primaries a good thing? Many members of the county Republican party think they are too costly and divisive, and that they should be avoided at all costs. What do you think? Chat among yourselves...

A very short post

If I could, I surely would

A REALLY LONG POST BY ALLIE (they won't all be so long I promise)

I had a friend tell me once that Davis County is a vortex. People who are born here never leave.

I can understand why. Davis County is a wonderful place to live. I grew up in Centerville and have only lived in other places during the time I was at Utah State and the less-than-one-year I spent in Idaho Falls while my husband finished up at Ricks (BYU-I, whatever, it was Ricks then).

This is my home, and I have a sincere interest in preserving the quality of life I have had here. Since today is election day, I’ll remind all of Tyler’s readers to vote. If you don’t vote you don’t get to complain if you aren’t feeling represented.

Representation is often a problem for me.

I’m a democrat. We’re rare creatures in this part of the world. Stare all you’d like, I’m used to it. I promise I don’t bite. It’s not like I’m a super-liberal-crazy-democrat (just wait until I talk about labels later). I’m really a normal, rational person, so it frustrates me there are often so few who admit to sharing my views. So few, in fact that often times the officials I elect to represent me, don’t. I can’t fault them (most of the time), they are busy representing the majority (no one has figured out yet that the world would be a better place if everyone listened to me).

(Here’s where I talk about labels) If you didn’t know I was a democrat would you be more likely to listen to what I had to say? Would you dismiss my words and say I'm one of those-crazy-democrats? (If you do it’s okay, we can all change. I regularly have to remind myself that republicans are not evil :) ) Last year during the election my husband and I had long talks with his brother. His brother was concerned that our “politics” were leading us astray. We assured him that our faith in our religion was secure. We also found this great article by Kathleen Gurr This brother is a good man, so where did he get the crazy idea that you can’t be a democrat and be religious? His parents certainly never taught that. I don’t think most parents purposely teach it. It just seems to be something that kids pick up from "unintentional teaching".

The wonderful thing about a democracy is that we don’t have to all agree, we can even disagree with enthusiasm, but we can still respect each other’s ideas and beliefs. Even when the issues are divisive, we have the power to choose whether we will be divided or not. There are two examples that come to mind…

First, Walmart in Centerville. There are many who are very upset and feel like their city leaders put greed above the desires of the people. Perhaps, but is it really worth hating over? Is it disappointing? Of course. Is it the end of the world, not quite. Life will go on and people will adapt (although hopefully not to the point of actually shopping there).

Second, the possible North Salt Lake name change. Would I be disappointed if it were to happen, yes. I think it is a waste of money. I have heard people call certain members of our city council unkind names. I have heard many people talk “us against them”, (them being the people who live up on the hill). Why do we need to be divisive? When can we figure out that it’s okay to disagree, and it is possible to do it without hating people or labeling them in a way that diminishes what they have to say so that we don’t have to feel threatened.

So we have a couple of choices, we can sit back and do nothing and be acted upon. If that is our choice, we have forfeited our right to complain (as far as complaining is a “right”) about it later. We can also get involved and try to bring about our desired result. In the case of walmart, my desired result has not occurred, although construction has been postponed. I am disappointed, but life goes on and it’s not worth being miserable over because then I would be miserable all of the time, and where’s the good in that? In the case of the NSL name change, it is not too late to get involved. As far as I can tell, the name change is not on the agenda for tonight’s City Council meeting, Natalie can correct me if I am wrong.

We as citizens of this great country have the opportunity to vote (unless you are a democrat at a republican primary of course) and to be involved. When we sit back and do nothing, we give our power over to people who may or may not act in our best interest.

Enough Rambling, Go vote.

Natgo:Congratulations Are In Order!

As you can see, the blog is pink. This means that Tyler has turned the blog over to the two of us so he can celebrate the birth of their new baby with his wife Erin. Congratulations Farrer Family!!! I hope all is well with Erin and the baby (and with Tyler and Morgan, too). Al and I will try to keep the ship afloat in his absence. We're lucky - we'll get to post on the primary election and bond election results, and we'll probably take some time on our respective soap-boxes. If the Tribune doesn't publish my most recent letter to the editor, you might even get that here, too. I hope you'll stick it out and that Davis County Watch will remain the fun debate it's always been.

Also, the evil part of me hopes they didn't have time to vote, but I promise, I'm repenting right now.

Free Republic picks up ID Theft by illegals story

It looks like the Free Republic has picked up on Ronald Mortensens article on ID Theft. What is interesting about this post is the screen capture of the state website that features the colors of the Mexican flag.

Hat tip: topix.net:North Salt Lake UT

deseretnews.com | Davis recreation center opening may be delayed

FYI.

• The Rec Center may not be ready for December 1st, but will be finished eventually.
• Do not be alarmed.
• Do not get out of line to buy your family pass or you will lose your spot.
• Senior citizens may be required to walk in a circle for one year before they will be charged.

deseretnews.com | Davis recreation center opening may be delayed

Clippertoday::Mortensen stresses legal immigration, fiscal restraint

Mortensen stresses legal immigration, fiscal restraint: "“If I were elected to legislature, I’d do whatever I could to help North Salt Lake against (Salt Lake City Mayor) Rocky (Anderson).”"

That's a happy quote!

Here's the Clipper article on Neuenschwander as well.

Neuenschwander emphasizes budget

Two anecdotes:Funny, but tragic

Every once in a while I experience something that is so tragic that it is funny. One such occasion happened to me as an L.D.S. missionary. I taught one person, who was living in a hostel, about a law of health commonly called the Word of Wisdom. When asked to give up coffee he was, at once, willing to do so. However, he had just purchased some gourmet coffee in bulk and felt it would be wasteful to just throw it away. My missionary companion and I could see no harm in putting the coffee in the common area of the hostel for someone else to use. This person kept his commitment and was baptized soon thereafter.

A short time later, this new member referred his friend to listen to us. As we sat down to commit the friend to abstain from coffee, tea, tobacco and alcohol we were told, 'I would love to give up these things, but I recently starting drinking a lot of coffee. I didn't really drink it before, but I found some free coffee in the common area about a month ago. I think I'm addicted now.'

Funny, but tragic.

Fast forward to just this week. I was out campaigning for Ron Mortensen. I've come to learn that he and his Republican opponent are very similar in their ideology.

Similar, but not exactly the same. One, notable, difference is that Mortensen has signed a tax pledge vowing to not raise taxes, while Neuenschwander has refused. He justified this stance by saying the following.

"I agree that we will probably never see a situation to raise taxes. It[a tax pledge] does tie your hands to a certain extent. Like, taking care of certain primary services that are necessary. I believe that I have the right as a legislature to look and see what is best for the people."

I ran into Neuenschwander in my area, and as we talked, I was asked about one of my neighbors that is ranked highly for voting Republican in the county. (Apparently, we are all ranked if we are members of the party). I, gladly, showed him the location of the house. Before we parted company Neuenschwander related that he thought Mortensen was more conservative, and that he had learned over the years that one cannot get things done in politics unless one is more moderate.

Tonight, I finally had a chance to talk to my highly-ranked neighbor and he said, "I'll tell you what I told the other guy. 'You're too late!'" He went on to explain that he had voted early and that he had "flipped a coin" on the two and picked the one that he thought was more conservative-Neuenschwander!

I gasped and said, "Neuenschwander would disagree with you! He said to me that Mortensen was further to the right."

He retorted, 'Right can mean anything, but I wanted the one that is more fiscally conservative!'

Just then his phone rang, and before he answered it I blurted out, "but Mortensen signed a pledge not to raise taxes, and Neuenschwander refused that pledge!" I may have misread his facial expression, but I can guess what raised eyebrows mean.

Regret?

Funny, but tragic.

Announcement: Introducing the Davis County Watch substitute bloggers

I'm going to try something new.

Frequent visitors of this blog may have noticed two new names listed as contributers to Davis County Watch. Allie and Natgo. Here is what I have in mind.

I will be taking a short (probably week-long) hiatus from blogging, while my wife has our second child, but during a critical political time for this county. I just can't let this blog sleep while I'm away. I've asked my blogger friends to pitch in and help me out for a week by throwing in their own views on politics in the county. I will be brief on introductions-only to say that they are my neighbors, have a stake in what happens in the county, and that their views are worth reading. They lead their own lifes, and have a unique perspective. Please give them every courtesy. Keep your language respectful, for there are ladies present!

I feel a little like I'm sending the Bat-signal when I do this, but I will signal my departure by changing the theme of the blog to a vivid pink. When I return, the color scheme will return to normal.

Bloggers, please, watch for the signal!

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:Civil debates

I might have called this, "Let's take this fight outside in the parking lot!", since that is what the candidates were instructed to do after each debate. At the end of the debate we were also urged to evacuate the building as soon as possible. It's good that the DCRW are concerned with keeping to time constraints since the event took the full two hours. Ironically, I probably took better notes on the debates that weren't covered in the Examiner article, below, and vice-versa.

Let's get to it!

Deamer vs. Downs

In the Deamer-Downs debate the candidates were asked about raising taxes.

Downs believes that a tax increase for the jail expansion was already put to a vote, so no tax increase should be required. (Tyler says, only one tax increase has been implemented. We were promised another vote on an increase when it comes time to staff the jail.) Downs said that we had saved $250,0000 in combining Aging Services with the Health Department but we would still need to consider how to manage the Baby Boomers that are entering retirement. She said she is not predisposed to increase or decrease taxes. She said that planning is a big key to keeping taxes low. She would not accept at face value every written document that is shown her. "Look 'em in the eye and say I want another report!" She said there was a six-week study out on the Conference center to see if there is a cost-effective way to go about expansion.

Deamer said he will not raise taxes without a citizens vote.

When asked about Transportation Downs and Deamer did not clash. However, Deamer went on to say that we need to get something like Utopia here. He felt that building a UTOPIA was like building an airport that would not compete with the Private sector. It is a place for the private sector to exist. Preserve and protect HAFB. He denies that the Recreation Center competes with the Private sector. He said it is needed because Churches do not open their basketball courts to the public, and the private sector won't cover it. Deamer said that if you look at it that everything that government does competes with private industry. He said that when you have a 'commissary at a Jail that it competes with local restaurants'. (Tyler says: I'm not joking! That is what he said!)

Downs disagreed that UTOPIA was worth building since we can use wireless technology that is provided by Private industry. Government needs to step out unless health and safety is involved. We are looked on as a bedroom community but we are much more. We are running out of space to build so we need to create a better tax base. Downs said that she was involved in writing the Economic Development plan ten years ago and wasn't sure why not much happened with COG after that. (Tyler says: Correct me if I'm wrong but I think she means Council of Governments).

Deamer's closing statement said that the overall goal of government is to "maintain and improve the quality of life". He then went on to discuss child abuse and Meth addiction. (Tyler says: Correct me here. Meth addiction is beyond the scope of what can be called 'quality of life'. I see quality of life to be something that individuals can strive for themselves. It is the governments role to not stand in the way of the individuals pursuit of a 'quality of life'. I clearly have a problem with this statement by Deamer.)

Mortensen vs. Neuenschwander

This is an easy debate to cover, because neither candidate successfully clashed with the other except on one question. In fairness to the candidates, they had fewer questions given since they were last and we had to evacuate. Both candidates represent the party platform well. Both are strong Republicans to the core.

Taxes were the point of pain for these two. Neuenschwander agreed with Mortensen that more could have been refunded in taxes, that State Sales tax could be taken off of food, but Cities could decide on their own sales tax formula. Neuenschwander would not pledge to not raise taxes which Mortensen was not only willing, but eager to do. Neuenschwander invoked the common comparison to the first President Bush's pledge to "Read my lips". (Tyler says: Most citizens only have a problem with the famous pledge not to raise taxes in that it was not a kept promise. I can't think of a soul that would not accept a moratorium on tax increases by a public official.) Mortensen said there was never a case that would require a tax increase. He gave an example of a Katrina like disaster. If we had such a disaster in Utah then raising taxes would be the last thing we would do to bring relief to a impoverished people. We would want to invite economic growth. (Tyler says: Mortensen could have taken this logic a step further to conclude that the only time officials are tempted to raise taxes are when they conclude that the public can easily bear the cost. They tell us that the money will not be missed. They also confuse needs with wants in their discourse.) Neuenschwander said, " I agree that we will probably never see a situation to raise taxes. It does tie your hands to a certain extent. Like, taking care of certain primary services that are necessary. I believe that I have the right as a legislature to look and see what is best for the people.”

Even on taxes the candidates were similar. Neuenschwander said that "The best person to spend is the person who makes the money".

On Education Neuenschwander said, "All children have the right to choose between private and public schools. Parents need to have that opportunity to choose. Having said that, If we were wildly successful in supporting vouchers and other incentives we can't do anything to jeopardize the public school system."

Mortensen agreed . "In education our focus is children. It is not about teacher rights, not parents, but children. All children aren't the same. I'd like to make it possible to have parents determine the best method to educate their children."

On the government funding of private enterprise Neuenschwander said, "The primary role of government is to secure the rights of citizens. I’m very concerned with causes that don’t take into account the needs of citizens. Whenever you want economic development, you want to create wealth. I’m not sure a hotdog vendor at a soccer stadium is what I would consider good economic development."

Mortensen would have opposed the bill that would have led to the soccer stadium.

On Driver priviledge cards being issued, Neuenschwander said, "[that] the card is a very dangerous step. That is convuluted thinking." 'Since a person is here illegally, it doesn't mean we should help them out.'

Mortensen said that the idea for the card came from Tenessee which, ultimately, had to suspend their card. They found that 50-60 licenses were being issued for the same address.

Wrapping up

There you have it. See the Examiner article for more on the other debates. I will mention that I saw both Rob Miller and Bret Millburn in attendance. (Rob, I was the guy with the laptop that you passed on your way out the door- sitting next to Millburn. I'm sure we'll meet someday.) I enjoyed talking with all the candidates I could after the debate. We have some great candidates from which to choose.

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:Civil debates

What I Learned from President Reagan-Ronald Mortensen

What I Learned from President Reagan

Ronald Mortensen

"In 1986, I was a member of the advance team for the Reagan-Gorbachev meetings in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Once in Iceland, preparations were made. The schedule was approved. President Reagan and Gorbachev arrived. The meetings began.

And then something happened. The meetings continued late into the night. The schedule was thrown out.

Finally, after nearly two days, the meetings broke up. The leaders returned home.

The press reported that the meetings had failed.

However, we all know the end of the story. Because President Reagan held to his principles at Reykjavik, the cold war eventually ended and the Soviet Union dissolved.

President Reagan taught us to never compromise principles for temporary success.

I was there and I saw principle and integrity in action.

If I am elected, I will follow President Reagan’s example. I will work to achieve results based on principles and integrity– not on tolerance and expediency."

{Tyler says:} When relating this story to me, Ron told me what he thought was the single most important contribution that he made to this meeting in Iceland. It was late, and the delegation was hungry. Ron woke up a cook and had some sandwiches made. He delivered them to outside the door of where the negotiations were taking place. He knocked on the door and left the food.

Every cog is a piece of the larger gear and keeps the machine of progress moving smoothly. Ron has demonstrated to me that he isn't caught up in formalities. He has a doctorate, but I've not, once, been asked to call him 'Doctor'. Although, I've been in his company when others touted their own titles and degrees.

deseretnews.com | State must prevent ID thefts by illegals

When I started reading this article in the Deseret News, given the subject matter, I thought, 'Wow! I wonder if this guy knows about Ron Mortensen'? Then I got further into the article and saw a comment about the Citizens for Tax Fairness and I thought, 'He must know Mortensen'.

Well, the end of the article gives it all away. Or, if I'd looked at the name of the author from the start I would have realized that Ron Mortensen was the author!

deseretnews.com | State must prevent ID thefts by illegals

Davis County: Early Voting Schedule

Why vote early? If you're like me you wonder if life will throw you a baby boy, a little early, when you might, otherwise, be voting. Here is a modified schedule(removing past-dates) taken from the Davis County Website(pdf).

2006 PRIMARY ELECTION

EARLY VOTING DATES & LOCATIONS

Davis County Courthouse
28 East State Street #236
Farmington, UT
June 19 – June 23 (8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)

Bountiful Library
725 South Main Street
Bountiful, UT
June 20 and 22 (7:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon)
June 19 and 21 (4:00 P.M. – 8: P.M.)
June 23 (1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.)

Layton Library
155 North Wasatch Dr.
Layton, UT
June 20 and 22 (7:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon)
June 19 and 21 (4:00 P.M. – 8: P.M.)
June 23 (1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.)

Mortensen: No government contracts for illegals

Chris Phares at the Clipper has done a good job of covering the, June 8th, illegal immigration event, according to Ron Mortensen. I saw him over the weekend to get a lawn sign for his campaign. He mentioned that there were few in attendance, but he did see Rob Miller and Brett Milburn both.

Mortensen: No government contracts for illegals

Salt Lake Tribune - Davis candidates battle to end

What are your thoughts about the race between Louenda Downs and Michael Deamer? I had an email exchange with Centerville Citizen that made me think that I'm not the only one disliking the prospects of electing one of this pair-or, either one. Dispite what I've said on this blog elsewhere, I think I may vote for Deamer. But, I'm holding off on any endorsement until I see Tuesday nights debate.

Salt Lake Tribune - Davis candidates battle to end

DCRW: Primary Debate

Davis County Republican Pre-Primary Debate on June 20th

The Davis County Republican Women and Davis County Republican Party will be co-hosting a pre-primary debate on June 20th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Davis County Public Library in Centerville (45 S. 400 W behind the Home Depot). Candidates up for election from Davis County in Republican Primary have been invited to participate in the event. Questions will come from members of the Davis County Republican Women and Davis County Republican Party officers. Due to time constraints, questions from the floor will not be allowed. The format for the evening will be as follows:

• 6:30 p.m. Legislative District 19 Candidates (Sheryl Allen and Marc Jacobs)
• 7:00 p.m. Sheriff Candidates (Bud Cox and Todd Richardson)
• 7:30 p.m. County Commission Seat B Candidates (Michael Deamer and Louenda Downs)
• 8:00 p.m. Legislative 20 (Paul Neuenschwander and Ron Mortensen)
• Several candidates will be available after the event for further questions.

“This event is the only chance for citizens to hear from candidates in this type of setting,” said DCRW President Trudie Biggers. “It will be interesting and informative to watch the candidates as they interact with one another. Members of DCRW in particular will be watching for those candidates who best represent the principles of the Republican Party Platform.”

The primary election will be held June 27th. All registered Republicans residing in the county may participate.

For more information about the event contact Trudie Biggers at 546-6835 or Don Guymon at 574-9461.

Place your random comments here

From time to time I get a comment from someone that shamelessly promotes one thing or the other. It's quite annoying, given that I am looking for comments that relate to the topic on which I post. So, Please place your random, self-promoting, comments here. I'm not interested in censorship, but do insist upon order!

Class dismissed.

Salt Lake Tribune - Residents debate new moniker for North Salt Lake

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet."

-- Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

North Salt Lake is considering changing it's name. This has been tried before starting in the 1870s, then in 1981. The driving force behind this idea comes from Lisa Watts Baskin who says that it is "confusing, misleading and unattractive."

I would think that more effort should be put into changing the city motto, "Where everybody is somebody". That we should need to remind others of such a thing as our own value gives weight to the argument that we might feel insignificant when compared to the behemouth on our south(Salt Lake City; for the benefit of those not from 'Orchard Hills') and the thyroid challenged city to the north(Bountiful). Why should we think that we are anything less than a pimple on someone else's back. If you ask me, this is the real reason behind a change of name for NSL.

The ongoing land debate between NSL and SL- driven by the ego-centric Rocky- is a late example of the phenomenon of North Salt Lake getting ignored.

I wouldn't have thought that I would make so many arguments in favor of a name change. It may be costly and, ultimately, unnecessary. The name has been there for a long time.

So what if Qwest can't find my house?

Salt Lake Tribune - Residents debate new moniker for North Salt Lake

Clippertoday:Mortensen proposes taxpayer recreation credit

Ron Mortensen is currently running for the House of Representatives-District 20. He has shown he is determined to pursue the Recreation District to get them to cut waste and reduce costs for citizens of Davis County.

Mortensen proposes taxpayer recreation credit

Sheriff should be concerned with public safety

A succinct but accurate letter to the editor has appeared on the Standard Examiner. The author, Rachel Cottle wonders, "Why is an incumbent sheriff attacking the character of his opponent? His campaign must be in trouble. Negative campaigning is for desperate candidates, and by all accounts it sounds like Sheriff Cox is getting desperate."

Sheriff should be concerned with public safety

Please Attend - The Negative Impact of Illegal Immigration

Ronald Mortensen

Candidate Meeting

The Negative Impact of Illegal Immigration

Location: Bountiful City Library Date: Thursday, June 8, 2006 Time: 7:00 pm

Ronald Mortensen, Ph.D., a retired Foreign Service Officer and Republican Candidate for the House of Representatives in District 20, invites you to a discussion on the negative impacts of illegal immigration.

While immigration is federal responsibility, many of the negative impacts of illegal immigration fall on Utah and its citizens. During this discussion, we will look at the epidemic of illegal immigrant driven identity theft that appears to be targeting our children and other issues that you may wish to cover.

By the conclusion of the evening, we will have identified the things that our elected state representatives can do to mitigate the negative impacts of illegal immigration.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Please take the time to click on the hyperlinks in the last paragraph for additional and important information on illegal immigrant driven identity theft.

According to a Brookings Institute study, Utah is an emergency gateway for illegal immigration. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Utah is a destination of choice for illegal immigrants due to our driver's privilege card, in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants and the generally welcoming attitude of Utahns.

Following the march of tens of thousands for illegal immigrant rights, KSL-TV reported that there are an estimated 90,000 illegal immigrants in Utah with other media outlets setting the number at 100,000.

Those who support illegal immigrants argue that these are good people who take jobs that Utahns won't do. They contribute to the economy, pay taxes, enhance the state's diversity and deserve to be given a path to citizenship.

Those opposing illegal immigration cite national security concerns that come from a porous, uncontrolled border and a disregard for the rule-of-law. They point out that illegal immigrants suppress wages, take jobs that many of our young people and other citizens would do, drive up the crime rate and increase the cost of health care, social programs and public education.

Proponents of Utah's in-state tuition law argue that it is unfair to make the children of illegal immigrants pay out-of-state tuition at our colleges and universities. After all, they were brought here by the parents and shouldn't be made to pay for their parents illegal acts. The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce strongly supports in-state tuition and argues that it will prepare these young people to be leaders in our business community.

Opponents note that even if a students who are illegally in the United States graduate from college, they will still not be able to legally work in the United States. They also argue that Utah's in-state tuition program opens the state up to potential litigation from American citizens and legal immigrants who have to pay out-of-state tuition. Finally, they point out that Governor Mitt Romney vetoed an in-state tuition bill that was passed in Massachusetts arguing that it was not appropriate to reward illegal acts.

It has been widely reported that wherever there are large numbers of illegal immigrants, identity theft becomes a major problem since they require Social Security numbers and other documents in order to obtain employment. In fact, a rather limited, 2005 investigation by the Attorney General's office revealed that 1,800 Utah children under the age of 12 had their Social Security numbers stolen. When applied to the entire population, tens of thousands of Utah's children may well be the victims of identity theft.

Last year, bills were introduced in the legislature that would have repealed Utah's in-state tuition provision, ended the issuance of driving privilege cards and required employers to verify employment eligibility and Social Security numbers. None were considered by the full body of the Senate or the House.

The Perfect Poll: Security via Solicitation

I just realized the security of an online poll depends on one thing. Affiliate Marketing. Take the following poll question which I think is impervious to tampering. Pay specific attention to the second line.

"Is President Bush a good President?

Click here and get a free laptop."

No self-respecting hacker, worth his keyboard, has the guts to click on such a thing. So, all the Clipper needs to do to improve their polling is offer to give away something big that spawns other big offers, and so on, and so on...

But, if they want to know what hackers think, they can keep doing what they do best.