Jedediah Bila

On September 19, 1984, in the midst of his profoundly inspirational speech in Hammonton, New Jersey, President Ronald Reagan outlined what he deemed outstanding contrasts between the Republican and Democrat parties:  “They see America wringing her hands; we see America raising her hands.  They see America divided by envy, each of us challenging our neighbor’s success; we see America inspired by opportunity, all of us challenging the best in ourselves.  We believe in knowing when opportunity knocks; they go out of their way to knock opportunity.  They see an America where every day is April 15th, tax day; we see an America where every day is the Fourth of July.”  One can’t help but wonder what our now-deceased, but never forgotten 40th President, who proudly and adeptly led this country down a path of economic prosperity, outstanding national security, constitutional preservation, and a return to the all-American principles upon which it was so bravely founded, would have to say about the recent actions of some prominent members of the GOP.

Republican Arizona Senator and then-Presidential candidate John McCain suspended his campaign on September 24, 2008 to return to Washington and assist with government bailout negotiations.  He proceeded to support a $700 billion bailout of the financial markets.  On October 2, 2008, Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote a letter to Secretary Paulson not only supporting the then-proposed federal rescue package, but requesting $7 billion in federal aid for his state.  On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, an economic “stimulus” package with a $787 billion debt burden, was signed into law by President Obama, carrying the support of three Republican Senators–Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, and then-Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.  A vast number of Conservatives would comfortably label these individuals RINOs, or Republicans In Name Alone, an acronym invented by Los Angeles conservative activist Celeste Greig and introduced nationally by Gardner Goldsmith in Investor’s Business Daily in 1998.  In essence, a RINO exemplifies one who, despite running on the Republican ticket, repeatedly fails to represent the founding principles of the party.

Utah Attorney General and conservative Mark Shurtleff’s official announcement on May 20, 2009 that he will challenge Republican incumbent, third-term Senator Bob Bennett in the 2010 Senatorial race, is a dynamic representation of the potential diversity of two individuals in the same political party. His budding support illuminates the burgeoning trend among Republican voters to embrace the visions of candidates far-removed from the Washington machine.  Bennett has come under fire from a number of conservatives and TEA party activists since his staunch support of 2008’s $700 billion bank bailout.  I had the pleasure of attaining an exclusive peek into the insight and mission of challenger Shurtleff on June 20, 2009:

Attorney General Shurtleff, I’d like to first thank you for taking the time to speak with us today and congratulate you on your recent decision to challenge Senator Bob Bennett in 2010.  What motivated you to pursue the 2010 Senatorial race?

The moment the gang back in Washington passed the TARP, I knew that something needed to be done. TARP was a bad decision, a move in the wrong direction, and directly contrary to conservative principles of limited government and free market economics.  Representatives from both parties exploited the situation and used the urgency to swiftly take more control from the people.  Government has started to look upon itself as the solution to all of our problems, when really government itself is the problem. I’m running to restore the proper role of government because government works for the people, not the other way around.

What would you define as the most distinguishing characteristic between you and Senator Bennett?

I’m a Washington outsider who understands the correct and limited constitutional role of the federal government in relation to state and local governments.  I don’t think more government is ever the solution.  I take a hard stance against government spending more than it has to, and leaving the bill to future generations. In addition, my public service has been marked by open and responsive representation.

You’ve been the Attorney General of Utah since January of 2001.  What aspects of your current role do you believe have best prepared you for the job of U.S. Senator?

As an attorney and a public servant, I have a unique understanding of the Constitution and the limits it puts on government to ensure the protections it promises citizens. As Attorney General, I’ve focused on taking back and protecting our neighborhoods from crime and drugs, on taking back and protecting our children from predators, and on taking back and protecting our homes from mortgage fraud and our land from the federal government.  Along the way, we’ve created many public/private partnerships, and, by doing so, we’ve limited the cost to the taxpayer.  Now it’s time to take back America from the hands of those who think government is the solution.  It’s time to deliver power back to the states and to the people.

In November of 2008, you were re-elected with 69% of the vote.  To what do you attribute that success?

In 2008, the people of Utah didn’t just vote for me; they voted for the results my office produces. They voted for me because they felt safer in their homes and neighborhoods. They voted for me because of our successes in doubling the number of imprisoned sex offenders, developing an Amber Alert system that has saved dozens of children, reducing teen access to alcohol, creating an identity theft website and database, and protecting the right to multiple use of public lands. One good example of how I faced a problem and went to work to fix it is when I came into office in 2001 and realized Utah had one of the highest clandestine meth lab rates in the nation. My office and I went to work forming alliances with federal and state officials, educating the public, and working with the legislature for tougher laws. As a result of those efforts, we have had a 98% reduction in meth labs in Utah.

What historical figure has inspired you ideologically?

To this day I am inspired by Dred Scott, the slave who sued for his freedom. In fact, I am currently writing a historical novel about the eleven-year fight he waged, reaching this land’s highest court, to free himself and his family.  While other slaves thought violence was the answer to freedom, Dred Scott trusted in the courts and sought the justice promised in the Constitution. He fought not only to be freed from slavery, but for the government to recognize and protect his rights as a citizen.  Times have surely changed, but the need still exists to keep government in check and limited to its proper role to protect and secure our God-given rights.  I am running for U.S. Senate to do just that.

What is your perspective on President Obama’s rally for universal health care?

Obama’s plan for universal health care is universally unhealthy for everybody.  Rising costs for the insured and uninsured will not be curbed by this token fix. The Congressional Budget Office says that Obama’s unhealthy plan will actually increase the deficit by $1 trillion over 10 years, while only insuring 16 million of 45 million uninsured.

How do you feel about the much talked about division within the Republican Party, and who do you foresee as strong contenders in the Presidential election of 2012?

I don’t see a division in the Republican Party like many do. I would say that it is more a longing from within the party for a leader to guide them back to the principles of individual liberty and personal responsibility. The party must again focus on balancing the budget, limiting government’s play in the economy and private sector, and refocusing on the constitutionally-prescribed duties it was given. I believe the strongest contender in 2012 will be the candidate who is most willing to stand up for what is right and who will guide the party back to its rooted principles.

Finally, I know that you are very much a family man and have clearly devoted a great deal of time and effort to the protection of children and families in Utah.  What, in your opinion, are the central American values that must be preserved and nurtured in order for this great country of ours to continue to flourish?

We need a lot more accountability and common sense from our government. Our nation was founded on the principle of individual liberty and the idea that the government would serve the people and function to protect our inalienable rights and freedoms.  The core American values of individual freedom, hard work and free enterprise, service to others, limited government, strong families, faith, and the sanctity of life must be preserved and nurtured. Because the government is ours, the people’s, we have the right to know what goes on in Washington and the right to demand that it serves its intended purpose.

In closing, the results of Utah’s 2010 Senatorial race remain to be seen.  However, Attorney General Shurtleff’s rising enthusiastic support among a wide array of Republican voters–many of whom also champion the likes of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota–should send a potent message to Republican elected officials big and small across this great nation:  Rediscover your party’s roots.  Revisit the Constitution.  Check out a Thomas Jefferson DVD from your local Blockbuster if need be.  Or get ready to face some very promising, very authentic, very Reaganesque challengers.