The Deseret News says: "What Utah needs is a new ethics process that is as free from political interference as possible. An independent panel ought to be empowered to hear complaints."

This is still filled with political interference. There is no such thing as an independent panel. A panel must be selected and appointed by someone. That panel is comprised of individuals with political leaning and personal motives. In a political environment, everything is political. It's just a fact of life. Stop ignoring reality.

Yeah- finding a truly impartial panel is unlikely. However-having an open review just might make the current snakes in the legislature actually act ethical. If they know they're being watched, by upset voters, they might actually do the right thing.

Just reduce the scope, impact, and reach of government and there is less to be unethical about. Big government fosters intensive lobbying, gift giving, wealth redistribution, regulatory control, and ever increasing corruption.

Unfortunately, the legislature is just a mirror of society. We get the government that we deserve. If we clean up society by each of us choosing to be more ethical and looking out for our neighbor (rather than taking advantage of our neighbor) this will rapidly result in behavioral changes in the legislature.

Any one who has ever been though a deposition will recognize the problem with this supposed "openness". The goal of opposing counsel is to make you look like the worst, most unethical, most incompetent individual, regardless of reality. Of course the media wouldn't analyze this and report the "truth" to the public (that would take too much time and effort). The media relies on hype, hysteria, and controversy to sell papers.

This op ed isn't about improving ethics. It's about selling papers with whatever salacious tidbits that can be harvested.

People in 'public service' shouldnt be allowed to accept any gift. Take away the gifts and you lose the power of the special interests.

You still have campaign contributions, power, notoriety, prestige, and living at the expense of the taxpayers, all of which special interests use to further their agenda. The bigger the lever that government has to control society, the more special interests will want that lever used to their advantage, at the expense of their opponents or the general public. It's human nature.

"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." -- Lord Acton

All I hear is "Bush's Failed Economic Plans" from the Liberal Cooks.

Name one thing that the Dem Congress has done? ONE? Name one thing that B.O is going to do?

This economic crisis is linked to Clinton and the Dems just as much if not more than Bush.

It is a sad day in America when we put a man in power not because of his record or his "plan for America' but because people hated Bush. It is not democracy we live in (People voting for B.O. because they hate Bush is not a vote for someone). America better wake up or in four years, after B.O. and the Dems have thier "new, new deal" there won't be anything left.

My perdictions for 2012 with Obama in full retreat:

Dow: 7,532
Gas: $6.50 a gallon
Unemployment: 11%

Welcome to America under Obama.

I can't believe that these ethics committee hearings will be closed. Ugh! Here's my two cents...way to go Rep. Reisen! I am so glad you brought this forward before the election. I want to know about these shenanigans before I go to the polls not afterwards! I hope for justice, but won't hold my breath.