Stimulus--Get behind it

Governor Huntsman defended his decision to take the federal stimulus money. It is a one-percent issue meaning that this is only a small part that we are talking about here. We are taking it because we have some holes in our economy.

Should Utah take the money?

Doug asked if we should come together and make the plan work or should we disagree with the plan and “gripe” about it? Governor Huntsman is not positioning himself, he has some legitimate concerns and has no qualms with taking the money. The bottom line is that this plan was voted on and passed and should we carp or grouse about it now?

Caller Ted does not support the idea of the stimulus package. He felt there is a point where we need to get ourselves out of the hole that we dug. Doug thought that the point was clear that the President elect, Senate, and House all voted in favor and are we going to get behind it or not?

Caller David agreed with Governor Huntsman in spending the stimulus money. David felt it would be counterproductive to not take the money and support the actions of the government. Doug made the point that by us not supporting the plan, are we trying to sabotage it? Doug felt that we cannot pick and choose here, this is designed to elevate the entire nation and not only those places that support the plan.

Every single American has a role in supporting this plan irrespective of opinion. We have to get behind this plan 100%.

Caller Parker also felt we need to get behind the stimulus package. There were a lot of people that we against the idea of the package but were glad when their vote didn’t matter.

Caller Rich voiced that in order to raise up the city like Doug had suggested in order for the stimulus plan to work then we need some engineering. Rich felt that there wasn’t any engineering going on. Doug felt the question here that we all need to ask is: Is this going to create jobs? Doug wished that we identified those issues that are of national importance. Then we would make it a 60-40 deal. 60% would go towards health care and those other national issues and the other 40% would be up to the states discretion.

Bogged Down By Buttars

The amazing thing about free speech is the fact that you will be held responsible. There are consequences to what we do and what we say. District 10 is a vibrant community with immense growth and that ought to be reflected in their Senate representative. Buttars not only represents District 10 but also the state of Utah. The least that we could expect from someone in this position is a filter on what they say.

The Legislative session has been bogged down in Buttars

Former President of the Senate John Valentine joined the show. He thought that the general consensus of the meeting yesterday was that Senator Buttars should be removed from two of the committees including the powerful Senate Rules Committee. Senator Valentine thought that Senator Waddups action to remove Senator Buttars from these committees was the appropriate thing to do.

The biggest observation that Senator Valentine made was that we can sometimes lack respect in our discourse. To say that every person that speaks carelessly is totally without morals is not reasonable. Your public officials live in a fish bowl and everything that they do is in plain view and sometimes they forget that.

Caller Toby voiced his disagreement of Doug and Doug’s support of Governor Huntsman. Toby felt that Governor Huntsman was left-wing on his environmental issues. Doug affirmed that Governor Huntsman will not always tell you what you want to hear but he will be candid with us and that is what is important. Doug gave Toby the last word in which he chose to say that there are no public officials that accurately represent the political views of the state.

Senate Majority Leader Pat Jones joined the show to comment on Senator Buttars. What Senator Jones called for this week was to clarify, rectify, by removing him from the Judiciary Committee, and then let it die. The Republicans are very embarrassed by Senator Buttars actions. The fact is that a majority of Republicans and even Democrats agree on the topic of marriage between a man and a woman but Senator Buttars’ comments are inappropriate.

The Perfect Mess

For all those that imagined Doug with a corner office and an enormous oak desk, this video might be disturbing.

He is without sin, let him cast the first stone

“This next hour is going to be very troubling for me.” While Doug has some substantial differences from those on Capitol Hill, but he was shocked. Considering what Senator Buttars his thoughts have seemed to have run uncensored from his thought process to his mouth. There are people that absolutely circle around this guy. Doug was just stunned at his comments that were so divisive and mean spirited.

Ecclesiastical leaders have never given permission to degrade others with opposing views. Elder Clayton went on to say the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has always asked its members to treat all people with civility, respect, and love. Governor Huntsman said that these views are hardly representative of Utah’s views.

Almost a year ago to do the day Deseret News commented that Senator’s Buttars needs to think long and hard about running for re-election. Where is the filter? There is a shocking disconnect between his brain and his vocal cords. The Deseret News went onto say it would be easier to accept Buttars if not for his outrageous and hurtful statements on issues ranging from gay-straight clubs in Utah public high schools to teaching "intelligent design" in public schools…it is questionable how effective his representation can be. The answer ought to be obvious.

We all deserve better, not Buttars—better.

Caller Jeff felt that this statement represents what he feels. Doug was shocked by those that can condemn homosexuals regardless of how active they are in their sexuality. Doug said that the homosexuals he knows are some of the most moral that he knows. Where are the pleas for kindness?

He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.

Caller Marsha was concerned a little about the election process. One of the things that concerned her was that Senator Buttars had many adult children that would go back to the polls and vote for Buttars. Doug said that the convention process if all about who shows up.

Some say that Buttars was just quoting scripture. Well Doug quoted Exodus 35:2 that said that we are to observe the Sabbath day and if we don’t, we are to be put to death. Should we literally interpret that?

You can be a person with same sax standards but be in good standing with the church. There are homosexuals that have the tendencies, but choose not to act on them.

KSL coverage of Senator Buttars:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Get that money to work

The number one thing that we are hearing throughout the government is that things have to happen now. The number one goal of this program is to put people to work. Utah is going to receive about 200 million dollars for roads in order to put 6000 contractors to work. Doug knows that many of you are cringing about these actions but things need to happen.

Geithner’s address was a sign that this problem is “beyond mere mortals” and that even the Secretary of State doesn’t fully understand. There is something that needs to be done is the bottom line.

Where do you want to have the 200 million dollars spent?

U-dot John Njord gave an update about how the money from the stimulus package will be spent. They anticipate advertising projects within the next two weeks. Intentions are to spend the entire amount received by the end of the calendar year. They want to get as many contractors to work as soon as possible. We as the public will see a list of the projects that will be voted on. The projects that will be focused on are those that already in progress and most likely have orange cones on them already. Norton didn’t feel that he had anything “sexy” to say. The number one priority is to get people to work. We are also the only state that has said that they were going to spend the money this year.

Caller Sean had the concern with this big injection of money into projects, what effect is it going to have on our commute? Is this going to have a negative effect on our local communities? Doug felt that in spreading these funds out they will not disrupt the normal flow of traffic. There more than likely will not be any traffic killing projects.

Caller Hyrum hopes that they would use those funds to correct community conditions rather than the larger highways. He would like to see them gang up on these small projects quickly and then move on. Doug agreed that there have been some projects that seemed like they never were going to end.

Caller Brian is a professional truck driver in Utah County and is happy that is getting money for things that are needed.

Caller Reed thought that the commuter rail extended out to Provo would be something that would be very beneficial. Doug thought that the funds had been secured for that project and Doug is completely on track there with Reed.

Clear As Mud

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner gave an address today on the plan to help credit markets. Our economic strength is derived from the makers and the doers of the countries. Banks are essential to these people. This system of banks provided the necessary capital and credit that allows for companies to be built around an idea. Many banks are reducing spending which makes credit rates struggle. The financial system is currently working against progression.

There were systematic failures within our system of checks and balances. The dramatic failures of large companies caused investors to pull back. The spectacle of tax relief to those vary companies that caused this catastrophe added to skepticism of the American people in regards to it leaders.

Policy has to be comprehensive and forceful. Governments applied the brakes too early; the plans must be followed through with. Government has to allow the public to see the impact of their investment. We must send a clear message to the world that we will sustain the financial system.

Tax payers will be able to see. See the effect of the government’s investments. See the actions of business executives with the how they spend the money given them from tax payers. This will all be available on the government’s website

The success of our financial stability plan depends on the cooperation of the nation and even globally.

This strategy will involve risk and will take time but it will work if we hold to the plan. There will be future times that will be worse and uneven progress will exist but things will get better.

Doug listened to that and thought where was the inspiration! How do I digest all of that? There was a lot of financial speech, but where was the clarity? Some of this was a clear as mud. And Geithner looked so scared. A gifted leader should recognize that the problem is huge. The only thing to fear is fear itself.

If there is anything that we have learned it is that we need to act quickly! This is the time to be aggressive. The financial markets are not responding to this well at all.

Caller Trent told that the overall gist of the speech was that we are going to use your money to try a bunch of different things. Doug felt that if President Bush hadn’t stepped in when he did then this could have been much worse. The free market system could take care of this but at what cost?

Caller Richard told that the sad part is that the Obama campaign had painted Wall Street with a black brush and told that all the problems are because of them.

Phelps gets his hand slapped

When Kellogg decides that they want to put you on their box, should it not include and additional responsibility? This should be above and beyond the norm whether you do things like drugs but also how you carry yourself. Doug thought that this was absolutely appropriate for Kellogg’s to pull Phelps sponsorship.

Did Kellogg’s make an appropriate decision in not renewing Michael Phelps contract?

Caller Doug said that he didn’t feel the least bit sorry for Phelps. That is wrong if you put the blame on his parents. Phelps is 23 years old and should take the blame himself. Doug thought that when you sign a contract with Kellogg’s for millions, he would be stunned if there wasn’t a part in the contract that talked about conduct.

Everything boils down to theft. This action of Michael Phelps is theft to the image of Kellogg’s. He has also stolen something from all of us, specifically our confidence in him. Can you imagine a coach trying to explain that he wants his athletes in top shape but they reply, “but what about Michael Phelps, coach?”

Caller Vernon thought that Kellogg’s did absolutely the right thing. Most athletes only have their hands slapped. Michael Phelps should be thrown in jail because he broke the law. Doug felt that generally in society, we will never have to pay the piper or pay for our mistakes. Sadly it has been so out of balance recently.

Caller Scott thought that what Michael Phelps did was alright because it was his business what he did in his own home. Doug shot back that this is absolutely against the law and is not right. Plain and simple, it is against the law. This is a problem in our society that people think that the law doesn’t apply to them in certain situations. We need to change the law and for you that don’t think that it applies you need to help it change.

Caller John told of how his parents taught him at an early age that there are consequences to your actions. Kellogg not only has to stand by their image, but also the athletes that came before him. Doug thought that this gives parents a chance to sit down with their kids at tell them that there is a consequence to such actions.

Is this bill a business killer?

The idea that we do away with the private club laws moves into the scanning of drivers licenses. It then went to the idea that this would allow them to store information about those that came to the clubs. The first pool of thought was to store it at the club to have a better idea about the customers. Then it was thought best to store on a more permanent data base. Then there was the idea that the information would be shipped to the government to be stored there. Finally the pool of thought escaladed to the idea that the information would then be passed to other restaurants. The government has now come to the conclusion that there is a limit that needs to be put in place to intervention in private business.

Doug recounted “I have a mechanic that knows me quite well. I show up with my car and they tell me that it will take them about thirty minutes, so I usually walk to a nearby restaurant to get a bite to eat. One day I decided to go to a nice place to eat and so I went to a nice club where I had to purchase a membership.” If this law were into effect, Doug would now be put on the black ball list for being a member of a private club.

Is this bill a business killer!? They are proposing that there is a 5 to 25 cover charge for private clubs in order to discourage “bar hopping.” It seems that legislative had made a considerable effort to make things worse. It always could get worse and it just has. Then why don’t they leave the same person evaluates whether they need to call a cab for someone. We just want know that someone that goes into a bar isn’t underage or inebriated.

Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke wrote that Senator Waddoup’s comments as to the implementation of this law included that when the information was put into the computer it would be feed to a larger source. Senator Waddoups later claimed that this was not true to what he said. Doug wouldn’t blame anyone that thought about what they said the day before want entirely accurate. But the press is blamed way too much for getting a statement wrong.

Caller Jesse voiced that we all need to be accountable for our actions. Kids sneak in and they find a way to drink, why do we need to spend our money on this when there are much more important needs like education. We are trying everything to cut out budget and there are things much more important. Doug agreed that there are some laws that are even counterproductive.