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| Photo: TMT-photos |
Written by Alex Ellis
In March of 2006, an optimistic nonprofit organization, Global Integrity, opened its offices in Washington, D.C. Having its roots in the Center for Public Integrity, this organization of journalists and researchers aims to make government more open and accountable to the people whom it serves. As a part of this project, Global Integrity helps manage the State Integrity Investigation. An ongoing study of the laws and practice of each state, the State Integrity Investigation scores each state on its level of corruption in government along with providing details about the states’ scores. While this knowledge may make some optimistic, Utah residents would be dissatisfied to know that their state scores at #36 in the list of least corruption by state.
Although residents may be unhappy with score, it is doubtful that many are surprised. Long-term residents of the state likely remember many instances of corruption; from the investigation of attorney general John Swallow, to the illegal activities of St. George City councilman Gil Almquist, and—more recently—to West Jordan councilman Justin Stoker being hired for a position he helped create, it is easy to see why some Utah residents may think their government is corrupt. Even the state’s leading political and religious organization, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, allegedly violated their tax-exempt status through massive fund-raising in support of California Proposition 8.
In light of mass corruption on the part of their government, what are the people of Utah to do? Simply put, they must organize.
For example, let’s take the struggle of Utah teachers. For years, teachers, parents, and concerned citizens have been calling for more funding for education and higher pay for teachers. While the Utah legislation continuously ignores its people’s desires and compares its teachers to crying three-year-olds, it has had no problem spending $2 million on failed lawsuits, $53 million building ports in California, and—as we have seen with Justin Stoker—thousands more creating jobs which they then fill themselves.
Utah teachers are not the only ones who have had to deal with greedy government officials. In 2006, teachers in Hayward, California became aggravated when two district administrators received 16 percent raises. The teachers asked to receive an eight percent raise but were scoffed at by district officials who offered a mere five percent. However, instead of accepting defeat and degradation, the teachers quickly organized. After a series of strategic strikes that lasted for 10 days, the administration agreed to give the teachers a gradual raise that would reach 11 percent after two years. There is a clear lesson to be learned when comparing Hayward to Utah. Legislators, state officials, and city councilmen care nothing for the complaints of their people. If they did, Utah would have higher funding for education, a privatized alcohol market, and more clean air regulations. No, to make government officials budge you must either take action or pay large sums of money. Since the common working people of the United States hold only a fraction of the wealth the top 10 percent controls, the only option left for the majority population is through direct action, whether through mass voting initiative, strikes, or protests.
While this may sound hopeless to some, these tactics are extremely effective. Just last month a massive strike within the U.S. oil industry ended with workers gaining higher pay and improved safety standards. People of Utah, take note. Do you, as a hardworking teacher, feel as though you and your coworkers deserve more than the degradation and meager pay you receive from Utah officials? Organize a walkout as the Hayward teachers did. Are you, as a fully independent adult and/or state alcohol worker sick of being treated as a child through insane and illogical state liquor laws? Organize with your community and fellow coworkers to hold strikes and protests. As a young member of society who has recently become old enough to participate in the political system, do you believe 80-year-old career politicians such as Orrin Hatch need to be replaced? Organize a leafleting campaign within your universities and social circles to encourage more like-minded individuals to vote. From Selma to the coal mines of Pennsylvania, Stonewall to Bunkerville, mass action has a long history of leading to change. With frustration, distrust, and negative attitudes towards government at the highest levels in decades, the time for action is now.
Utah, ORGANIZE!
