It is said that the identification of a problem absent a solution is merely a complaint. And the identification of several problems, around here at least, is a conspiracy theory. But when it comes to holding those in power to some semblance of government accountability, we must think nationally but act locally.
With today’s political sphere ever rife with contention as the mantra of both major parties for the 2016 presidential election being “Anyone but the other one,” has it not occurred to us that when we choose between the latter of two evils, we have still chosen evil? Have we become so apathetic as to accept the pretext foreshadowing, conditioning us to believe we have no choice as the systematic dismantling of civil liberties kicks in to hyper drive?
So here is a question for the southern Utah community: How is that there can be such a visceral response and outrage to the FBI’s findings with regards to Hillary Clinton’s handling of privileged emails while when local elected and appointed officials break the law there is such a deafening silence? How is it that the correlation between these two things eludes or escapes us? Is it not reasonable to assert that the federal leaders whom we decry started as local leaders somewhere? And if so, would it not stand to reason that their integrity in accountability to the people whom they serve began there?
Right now, among us in St. George, there are consistent patterns of behavior on the part of our elected and appointed leaders in the community that are unquestionably unethical. Perhaps some illegal. It is not a valid argument to say that it happens everywhere, because while that may be true, it does not assuage those affected by it here. And it does nothing to hold those leaders in much-needed check.
Much like the country as a whole, these leaders carry out a mandate not consistent with the laws of our land, and I am here to suggest that if we as a community cannot remove that speck from our collective eye, how will we see clearly to remove the plank that obscures the vision of our country?
It is going to take a lot more than the see-through renaming or rebranding of our local institutions to earn the trust and confidence of this community. Knocking about those outspoken about this with thuggish behavior is more telling than perhaps they realize.
But the majority mindset here — to tell those who notice these things that if they don’t like it they can move — is anything but an American one.
An outside investigation into some of these matters and perhaps a few terminations of employment, if not prosecutions, are long overdue. What is done among us is done in front of us, which in truth makes us responsible if nothing is done.
This is a conversation that must be had. We must think nationally but act locally.
See you out there.
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What has happen to the morals of the US
When did we lose the guts to stand up for what’s right, and become a bunch of cowards that would rather turn away from a problem just because it’s easier to ignore than it is to say enough is enough and do something to change it. Where would we be if the generation that fought in WWII had taken this same attitude? I don’t think the people of this country are ready to give up but I think most of us are willing to let someone else do what needs to be done. I am so tired of hearing the phrase “what’s the point we can’t change anything.” Anything that’s worth changing can be changed with some effort and persistence. Giving up without trying should never be an option, or you might as well crawl into a hole and have someone cover you with dirt.
Believe me I have no room to talk because I have been doing the exact same thing. But I am willing to try and change. When I watch the news and see what is happening to this once proud and moral country it makes it easy to want to change. Please don’t think I am so naïve as to think everything was better “back in the day.” I know there were problems but there was also a desire to make things better. But now days all there seems to be is a major case of apathy and selfishness that is destroying our society. And if we don’t change none of us are going to like the outcome. You are probably wondering how my desire to do something about the way car dealers do business has ended up with me writing about morals. Well you’ll probably find this a strange connection but as I was out picketing I had the opportunity to see a lot of people’s faces as they drove past me and it amazed me how many people had an look of either discuss or the appearance that they couldn’t be bothered with some crazy guy dressed up like the Grinch. They acted like it was an everyday occurrence, which we all know is not the case. That’s when it hit me our society has lost the ability to relate to others. And if it doesn’t seem to affect them then it doesn’t matter, but what we all need to realize is that in the end it all affects us in one way or another whether we know it or not. So don’t go through life with a closed mind and cold heart because we all have to live on this same rock in space so we better try to understand what’s going on around us and what is affecting our neighbor because some day it may be you in that Grinch costume.
So the next time you see something out of the ordinary don’t just dismiss it take a little time to investigate it who knows it may be something that bothers you too and you may get a feeling of pride if you are able to do something to change it. Who knows maybe with a little effort we can change our society from apathetic to empathetic which I think would be good for everyone don’t you.
David Johnson
This is a Letter to The Editor I submitted to the Independent. It seems we have similar perspective about this issue. To bad it wasn’t published. That’s why I don’t think Josh would make a good representative he seems to have lost his perspective of what’s going on.
It is easy to decry political and ethical shenanigans at the national level because the actors are “those people” –- “them”. 98 percent of the Senators are from someplace else. Nine percent of the Representatives are from someplace else. Trump and Clinton are both east coast big shots. The center of the dismal swamp that describes much of the USA is Washington, DC. Home of major law firms, think tanks and lobbyists for special interest groups. Base for major media. All clearly controlled by the dark side of the force.
The miscreants in Washington County? As the profound Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” The actors here are, and if not friends, then people we know — our neighbors. We sit beside them in church. Our daughters babysit their kids. We run into them at Costco. While they may have ethical lapses they can’t be bad people, can they? After all, if they are in elected or appointed office it’s because we elected or endorsed them. Besides, things are really pretty good here. Business seems to be thriving and the county and cities get high marks for efficient operation. Dixie State seems to be doing OK; now a university and no longer a junior college. Lots of expansion.
So, things are not going to change until enough new blood not willing to accept thuggish behavior moves into the area to dilute the complacent and sedate base population. It does not have to be a very large number. With turnout for elections in the mid-to-high teens a small but energized number of voters could make a difference.
How to energize us? Dallas Hyland and others need to keep stirring the pot and rubbing our noses in the prevailing nastiness.
Electing Josh Warburton to the County Commission would be a good step.
Some investigation by the state is needed. I assume there is some sort of public integrity section in the state AG office. An election year would be an excellent time to induce state officials to take action.