Obama is NOT the devil. At least, I really doubt it.

See the blonde on the right? That's me!

    I’m Baaa-aaaccckkk!! For those who don’t know me personally, for the past two months I’ve been interning at the Utah State Legislature for their annual General Session. When you’re working as legislative staff, there is basically a rule that you “don’t talk to anyone about anything at anytime, or anywhere - ever.” Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration; but blogging about inside knowledge would probably be a no-no. It was my job to let the legislators do the talking. 

    It was so exciting to work as the intern for Utah’s Speaker of the House, Rep. Becky Lockhart. On the last night of the session, it was so hard to leave the Capitol - even though it was 1:30am. After I packed up my bag and put on my coat, I walked by the House chamber and glanced in at all the Representatives and their families milling about, packing up and chatting with friends. Then I remembered something: I love politics. In the midst of all the bills and emails and memos, I think I briefly forgot that what I was doing was what I had always wanted to do. As I looked in the Chamber where I had spent so many hours, I just got that excited feeling again. I had learned and heard and experienced so much here. It was so exciting. It’s what I love. 

    On that note, I wanted to share something I spent a good deal of time thinking about during the session. And that is summed up here: Obama is NOT the devil. Or, at least, I really doubt it. I’ve argued this for a long time. Though I’m a conservative Republican, I really believe that Pres. Obama is trying to do what he deems most right and prudent for our nation based on his values. Do I disagree with the vast majority of his decisions? Yes. Do I have very different values? Yes. Do I believe that he has been underhanded and dishonest? Most likely. But he is still a person and I don’t feel comfortable demonizing another child of God. People are people. They deserve our respect and our love merely for being another child of God. 

    I just hate it when people demonize politicians merely because they are politicians. I was really disappointed by how often I heard people upset about a vote or policy decision who, instead of writing to a politician to explain their position and asking to visit with them, would demonize this politician and assure them that they were completely out of touch with their constituency. Being a Utah State Representative or Senator is, truly, a thankless job that (surprise!) gets paid very little. 

    On the other hand, there were often very concerned constituents who clearly did not understand the political process. Should these people be brushed aside and mocked for their lack of political know-how? Absolutely not! The need for respect and understanding goes both ways. The duty of a Representative or Senator is to represent these people and help them through the political process. Very few people have the time, energy, or interest to understand politics; but their concerns about their government are no less valid. 

House Minority Leader Jen Seelig and Speaker of the House  Becky Lockhart

    While in the Utah House of Representatives, I was so impressed by the extensive cooperation, consideration, and respect shown between Representatives of different parties, seniority, religions, and backgrounds. House leadership listened to freshmen legislators and Republicans met with Democrats. Disagreements were kept civil. The Speaker summed it up the last night of the session when, addressing the Democratic minority, she said, “We want to hear from you - we just don’t want to vote [with] you.” 

    Civility, respect, and love for our fellow men. It can happen in politics, too. I promise. Can we please try?

P.S. Perhaps we could get more good people to run for office if they knew they weren’t going to constantly have their character and family attacked?