Three years ago I became increasingly disatisfied with the bureacracy within the FAA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. The bureacracy had created a vacuum in which good-hearted, efficient, and positive people within a short time became non-authoritative, submissive, negative, “yes”-people. In a nutshell I created a five-page document outlining where I believed the FAA was failing in safety and efficiency. I polished the letter into an essay format and submitted it to four individuals:

1) Representative Chris Cannon, since I was a constituent in his district
2) Representative Jim Matheson, although I  was not a constituent in his district, he was a member of the Aviation Sub-Committee
3) Senators Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch, since they are my state Senators

From Bob Bennett I received a short note essentially saying “thanks for your opinion.” From Jim Matheson’s office I received several follow-up phone calls, suggesting I continue contact with my district’s Representative (Chris Cannon). From Senator Hatch I received a personalized letter indicating a letter had been dispatched to the FAA Administrator requesting an explanation. Later (about two months later) I received the official follow-up letter from the FAA in addition to yet another personalized letter from Senator Hatch regarding the situation. And so what did I receive from Cannon? Absolutely nothing. Not a phone call, not an email, and not even a form letter. And this is exactly what has been happening with him for 12 years.

If there are any of you out there who remain undecided for this Tuesday’s Primary (or are even still hard-lined in Cannon’s camp), please take my personal experience as a factual event that reflects the attitude of Chris Cannon, an attitude that will not change. Yes, there are literally thousands of experiences out there just like mine. In fact I have some co-workers who made a special trip to Congress to visit Chris Cannon’s office just last year. They actually saw Mr. Cannon sitting at his desk yet they were told he was not available since he was on the floor in a vote. Can you believe the gall of this man? Yes, this is another true story, not just hearsay. We need to move on to someone new who has the energy and is willing to listen to the people. It’s time for Jason Chaffetz!