The politicians are not the problem, it is We The People. John seems to want the people to think that they are all a bunch of victims. In Utah and around the nation we have clean elections. The problem is that it is easier to be a victim and claim helplessness than to do anything about it. The voters need to start throwing out the incumbents after about two terms no matter the party. Mr Florez wants to blame the "dominant party," while the other parties fail to nominate candidates acceptable to the Utah voters.

The Utah 3rd Congressional District is an example of We The People taking charge of an election and ridding ourselves of a politician more interested in Washington D.C. than the people of the Third District. This can be done in any state or local election where a good candidate is available and people are willing to get involved and resist the party politics, no matter the party, and get the job done. Utah politicians need to take note of the Jason Cheffetz election, and John Florez needs to wake up and smell the change, that was done without electing a liberal democrat.

We, the People, have also lost our trust in the news media ... I wonder what his solution is to that?
The so-called "Fairness Doctrine" ?

R-i-i-g-h-t ....

Sure, some ethics reform would be nice. But only because so many of us get the sense that elected officials are so often not considering the desires of the people. For example, poll and poll shows that the people want real and meaningful efforts to enforce our immigration laws, to discourage illegal aliens from settling in Utah, and to reduce the ID theft, DUI, driving without insurance, poor upkeep of homes and neighborhoods, the gang activity, and overcrowding of schools and ERs that are all associated with illegal aliens settling here in large number.

But when the legislature refuses to act on this issue we, the taxpaying people, start to wonder whose interests are being represented. Maybe big business that wants "cheap labor." Maybe special interests like Mr. Florez who place ethnic and linguistic identity over loyalty to this nation. Maybe someone else.

Bottom line, for Mr. Florez to complain about the legislature not responding to the will the people is beyond laughable.

This is the government your generation left to my generation. Your generation thrived on deficit spending and bloated government programs that steal from future generations and punish the current working class.

Thanks for your generation's legacy. It's not worth a dime, but I'll be paying threw the nose for decades to come.

The author stated: "we must do our duty to show the way by becoming informed and elect candidates who put our values above politics and return ethics and openness in our government"

Hallelujah! I'm sure he's putting in a plug for Jason Chaffetz - campaign finance reform? check. Values and ethics above the good ole boy network? Check. Fiscal discipline and accountability? Check. Not going along with the status quo? check. Jason Chaffetz is the man to get the ball rolling on political reform. I can't wait until he is my representative.

I agree that Jason Chaffetz is a step in the right direction. Not only has he run a cost effective race, against Cannon and Leavitt, but I wouldn't be surprised if he spends less than the democrat does, and that guy doesn't have it to spend.

Chaffetz is just another conservative ego based Republican. We need to bring some balance to this state. We need to either elect good solid moderate Rebuplicans or Blue Dog Democrats. Mr. Florez is right about taking back our government.

Utah has the lowest voter turnout and the some of the less thinking voters in the country. Just because somebody has the R in front of their name does not mean they are good honest people. Think before you vote!!!

ElkMan, think before you post. You come across as arrogant, to put it mildly. Seeing posts like yours just makes me happier to support Jason Chaffetz for Congress.

Typical post for your type:
Name-calling, check.
Personality attack, check
Conservative-bashing, check.
"Republican voters are idiots", check.
Don't discuss issues, check.
Imply dishonesty, check.
Bravo. [applause]

We do not need "solid moderates" - whatever that even means. We need politicians who are NOT FOR SALE. I despise much of what the President has done, and I despise most of the bills and spending of Congress on both sides of the aisle. I just want a rep who isn't abusing power, even though I know I'll disagree with him on some issues.

The SYSTEM IS CORRUPT and anyone who thinks that simply changing parties will fix it ISN'T paying attention.

I have been following politics for years. Utah has the lowest voter turn out and some of the worst ethics laws in the country. Our State Legislature has been bought with Special Interest money. The Republican Leadership in this state has no concept of good open government. They have no opposition so the cram vouchers, soccer stadiums, district splits and sweet heart deals for developers down our throats. Curtis, Hughes, Walker, and the racist idiot from West Jordan, Morley, Niederhauser, and all the rest are dirty from all the Special interest money they have taken.

I agree with you that we need politicians who are not for sale. Unfortunately most of your Republican brethren are for sale. The best politicans in this state now are conservative Democrats. Matheson, Carron, and Becker. We need more of these honest hardworking Democrats elected to offset the damage the Republican have done to this state. I'm sorry if I come across as arrogant. I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore. So Madden please think before you accuse me of being wrong. You need to study and pray about the issues.