An associate sent me a link that disgusts me. Assuming the author (Tawnell D. Hobbs) is writing an unbiased article, apparently the Dallas Independent School District is issuing fake Social Security numbers to illegal aliens (some of them already in use by real citizens) in order to put them on the payroll. I do not understand the brazen attitude of government employees who think they have the power to undermine American society. I do not understand those who go to such extreme measures to pay an employee illegally. Has not the majority of us seen the fact that illegal immigrants are sucking away at our checking accounts without us even having to dish out a physical dime? Illegals are using our hospitals for free — no wonder healthcare is so expensive! Illegals are involved in auto and health-related accidents – no wonder auto and health insurance costs are out of control! Illegals are using our publicly-funded services like highways and freeways — no wonder our taxes keep rising! Folks, if you can not read between the lines, we are losing control of our local, state, and federal governments because we are giving the power to them. It is time for the government to be held responsible by the citizens! We all need to wake up and tell our Congressional Representatives and Senators to fix legal immigration once and for all! Therein lies the quickest road to recovery!

Congratulations to those selected on Congressman-elect, Jason Chaffetz’ staff:

Chief of Staff: Justin Harding
District Director: Jennifer Scott
Deputy District Director: Dell Smith

What an honorable group of people to work with!

Welcome to the blogroll Monte. It’s good to see another Utah conservative blogger. A big “hello” to Core Conservative Values!

I had a friend send along a link to an interesting story by John Mark Reynolds entitled, “California and Thank-A-Mormon Day.” Just by the title you know it is regarding California’s Proposition 8. It is difficult to find such positive reinforcement out there in the liberal blogosphere, so thanks Mr. Reynolds! It is deeply appreciated.

I discovered a gem this evening, Anti-Strib.com. Welcome to the blogroll!

Two-term U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) lost his seat due to the Constitution Party drawing conservative votes away to their own party candidate. Here are the unofficial final results:

• Jeff Merkley (Democrat) … 48.8%
• Gordon Smith (Republican) … 45.7%
• Dave Brownlow (Constitution) … 5.2%

The Constitution Party’s National Chairman, James Clymer, brazenly declared

“It’s good news for the Constitution Party when a liberal incumbent US Senator and his major party spend money directly attacking one of our candidates. It shows our significance, that their polls are showing we are taking votes from them, and it results in many more people hearing of the Constitution Party alternative.”

I empathize with Mr. Clymer, but with his party’s one-step forward, other true Republican conservatives in Congress have taken a HUGE leap backwards due to an even more LIBERAL candidate inheriting the seat in the Senate. How could anyone be proud of being directly responsible of placing an ultra-liberal Democrat into the U.S. Senate? Although I respected Mr. Clymer before this election, I no longer do — Your lack of vision is nothing short of self-serving and will have a neverending negative impact on our society as a whole. By trading away a semi-conservative U.S. Senate seat for an ultra-liberal, well, may I ask if you have ever heard of a POSITIVE political strategy, one that actually takes the conservative movement forward? Time for Constitutionalists to find new leadership. Good grief.

And another morale to the story… Oregon is allowing a non-majority candidate represent its constituents in the U.S. Senate. All states should rally behind this lesson to NOT allow it to happen to them! Individuals should demand to have their representation only go to Washington, D.C. with a majority vote! Why would a state not sponsor a run-off between the two leading candidates whenever a majority vote is not obtained?

Being LDS and politically active I frequently field questions from colleagues about where Mormons stand on certain issues. More exact, I frequently hear remarks from these colleagues indicating “Mormons vote as a block” or “Mormons are all Republicans.” Rather than being defensive about my religious beliefs, I normally present the argument that the LDS Church endorses no single candidate or party, but the more obvious argument is to simply look at Senators Orrin Hatch and Harry Reid. These two men could not be further apart politically, yet they both espouse the same religious beliefs. An interesting article was posted by a guest (I wonder who?) at the “By Comment Consent” blog demonstrating the fact that these colleagues of mine are apparently out of touch and my argument stands. Thanks to the research done by the author of the article, in 111th Congress will be attended by 14 Mormons, clearly from both sides of the political spectrum:

• 5 Senators: Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada), and Senator Tom Udall (D-New Mexico)
• 9 Representatives: Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa), Jeff Flake (R-Arizona), Dean Heller (R-Nevada), Wally Herger (R-California), Congressman Jim Matheson (D-Utah), Buck McKeon (R-California), Congresman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho)

Although there are more “R’s” than “D’s” among these 14 members of Congress (10 R’s, 4 D’s), my point stands simply due to the fact that Mormons are found in both parties, and mighty extreme points-of-view from two of them (Hatch and Reid). Anyway, just throwing the information out there.

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting Utah’s new Senate President is West Jordan’s Michael Waddoups. This leadership change could prove a good thing for Utah! A new Majority Leader was selected, too, Sheldon Killpack. Congratulations to both.

I am honored to have participated so heavily in the Jason Chaffetz campaign since February. As of now, with over 94% of the precincts reporting, Jason has collected 64.8% of the vote. Congratulations Congressman-elect! I look forward to seeing your voice in Congress!

In legislative district 42 (in my hometown), Jim Bird sweeps with 66.6% of the vote. Congratulations Jim. Your efforts have been noticed and we appreciate you!