NEWS & EVENTS
If you like political chills and thrills, 2024 is for you
2024 is a presidential election year. What can we expect?
By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
Pignanelli & Webb: “2024 is shaping up to be the most online election we’ve ever seen.” — By Kaleigh Rogers, FiveThirtyEight
Happy new year in just a few days! 2024 will be intense and dramatic for elections and politics. The stakes could hardly be higher. The future of our politically fractured country will be determined by the results of the presidential race and control of Congress. Political events and elections in Utah will also be important.
Here’s a look at 2024 political races, proceedings and questions we think will be important to watch and answer, from local politics to the highest levels of government.
The 2024 Utah political process
It starts earlier than ever in 2024, with the candidate filing period running Jan. 2-8. We will learn soon who’s running for what. For the first time in history, state legislators will know, for sure, who their opponents are before the beginning of the legislative session. Will that affect lawmakers’ deliberations? We’ll see.
Utah’s participation in the massive March 5 Super Tuesday primary/caucus presidential preference vote will be a big deal. Utah should get some presidential candidate attention in January and February. The Utah Republican Party decision to conduct its presidential preference vote through precinct caucuses, instead of a primary election, means far fewer people may decide Utah’s preferred GOP presidential candidate.
The 2024 legislative session
The governor and legislators seem focused on housing, homelessness, tax reduction, energy and water issues. Early preparation, especially infrastructure needs, for the 2034 Winter Games will be discussed. How will new, hard-charging House Speaker Mike Schultz impact the Legislature and its priorities? It will be fascinating to watch.
U.S. Senate and House races
When Sen. Mitt Romney announced his retirement, it appeared then-House Speaker Brad Wilson was the favorite to win the seat. But when Congressman John Curtis said he was thinking of joining the race, Wilson’s path to victory became much harder.
Both candidates will be well-funded and enjoy solid endorsements. How far to the right of Curtis will Wilson portray himself? Will these candidates — and especially their allied super PACs — resort to negative messaging? Will Donald Trump make an endorsement in the race? Curtis and Wilson are both very solid candidates. The debates will be good political theatre.
Meanwhile, a grundle (that’s a scientific political term) of candidates will seek to replace Curtis in the 3rd Congressional District, should Curtis run for the Senate. We will see recognizable politicos, along with new faces.
State races
With Attorney General Sean Reyes not seeking reelection, the open race to replace him will also attract several candidates. What will be the impact of a legislative audit of the attorney general’s office?
Gov. Spencer Cox should cruise to reelection. But it won’t be without a little pain, as he will be aggressively challenged from the far right.
Control of Congress
Nationally, control of Congress is as important as the presidential election. Much is at stake. Simple arithmetic (even your columnists can add and subtract), determines Republicans should take control of the Senate, based on the number of vulnerable seats in 2024. However, the Trump factor may come into play. If he endorses far-right candidates who win the primaries but can’t win the general election, Democrats may retain control.
The U.S. House status is unpredictable. Democrats have a real chance to take over, but the unpopular President Joe Biden could be a drag for Democratic candidates.
Presidential race
As we have written, we are both less than excited about the two front-runners for president. They’re old (even older than us!), they don’t think clearly, and they are out-of-touch with mainstream America. We can suggest a half-dozen better candidates in both parties.
Trump’s current polling lead over Biden is one of the most surprising things in politics for years. It shows the depth of dislike for Biden all across the country. But Trump is the most divisive top-level politician in America in generations. If he wins, and Democrats take over the House, Trump will say and do enough outrageous things he could be impeached every month. The presidential race promises to be ugly.
External factors and key issues
The economy will be a big factor in electoral politics. Biden currently gets the blame for inflation and the financial insecurity felt by many citizens. If the economy avoids recession and comes in for a soft landing, will Biden benefit?
Abortion is another issue that looms large and may benefit Democrats in close races. Also, how much turmoil will occur as the nation transitions to clean energy and grapples with the impact of artificial intelligence? What is the impact of the Biden impeachment action?
The southern border, with record numbers of illegal immigrants entering the country, will also be a big issue, along with foreign affairs. The world has become a scary place, with significant wars in two parts of the globe.
Locally, two important upcoming decisions by the Utah Supreme Court could impact legislative action and the election. The court is expected to rule on a restrictive state abortion law and on a challenge to the Legislature’s redistricting maps.
Buckle up for 2024. It’s going to be a wild ride.
The secret Christmas wishes of Utah politicians
What do Utah and national politicians wish to receive this Christmas?
By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
One trait of a successful politician is her or his ability to obtain help and support from volunteers and prominent individuals. Thus, Santa Claus is a natural target for politicians and their wish lists. With Santa, there’s no expectation of future favors or obligations.
So, without the use of artificial intelligence (we’re too old to know how to use it), but via traditional nefarious means (overhearing rumors at fundraisers), we secured the wishes of our local politicos for this Christmas. (Note: these are all made-up things, meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Tell your lawyers to calm down.)
Gov. Spencer Cox: Normally I would ask for peace everywhere and goodwill toward others, but I’ve been pretty much spreading that message through my civility campaign all year long without help from the North Pole. So I’ll modestly ask Santa to provide housing for everyone in the state.
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee: This whole concept of intruding into people’s lives to determine who is naughty or nice is galling. Santa’s snooping makes the NSA look amateurish. It’s really none of his business. Bah! Humbug! By the way, small copies of the Constitution make great stocking stuffers.
U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney: My number of Christmas cards received has dropped considerably since publication of my very candid tell-all book. I’ve had a pretty good ride for many years, and a nice capstone gift would be if “you know who” does not win the nomination. Just a thoughtful solicitation.
All Utahns: We did ask for a playoff berth for the Jazz last year — which you did not deliver. We’ve been nicer this year, so please ... please ...
All Utahns II: We appreciate the great winter last year. Please repeat, but this time with snow in the mountains and rain in the valleys.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson: 2024 is a big election year and voter fraud will not occur under my watch. Please deliver silence from all the misguided grumblers who think otherwise.
Congressman John Curtis: I have but a small request — that every voter in Utah undergo a limited episode of amnesia so they forget my declaration that I would not run for the U.S. Senate.
Former House Speaker and current Senate candidate Brad Wilson: Please, Santa, help voters remember what a well-governed state they live in, especially as they respond to poll questions.
Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs: Simple request: Just remind voters who is the Trumpiest candidate of them all.
Congressman Blake Moore: Santa, please help Utahns understand what great power and clout I now have as vice chair of the House Republican Conference.
Newly elected Congresswoman Celeste Maloy: All I want is for those delegates and voters who supported me in September to continue their affection in the coming election year.
Former President Donald Trump: Short list: Shut the border, get out of NATO and the United Nations and impeach all those prosecutors and judges who want to put me in jail.
President Joseph Biden: Short list: All voters view a TikTok video of me vigorously jogging up the stairs of Air Force One, reciting the Gettysburg Address backwards without a pause or stumble, with this chant in the background: Jobs are up, inflation is down, income is up, crime is down, life is better.
Senate President Stuart Adams: All I ask for is better revenue figures. I love to build things, so we need more state dollars for that and a nice tax cut.
House Speaker Michael Schultz: For the first time in state history we will know who legislative opponents are before the session begins. I ask for minimal intraparty challenges to reduce posturing and ensure civility during the session.
Left-wing activists: We refuse to ask Santa for anything. The whole idea of this misogynistic figure taking credit for Mrs. Claus’ efforts and those of vertically-challenged nonunion workers is outrageous. He’s obviously not a vegetarian and is cruel to his transport animals by demanding millions of destinations in one night.
Right-wing activists: We refuse to ask anything of Santa. He promotes redistribution of wealth, giving to those who haven’t earned it and delivering presents inside enemy nations and those with socialist agendas. He’s a proven radical eco-freak as he uses carbon-free animals instead of diesel engines to power his sleigh.
Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall: Santa, please remind my friends on Capitol Hill I saved them from four years of torture by preventing the return of “he-who-shall-not-be-named.” Please demonstrate your gratitude by funding homeless and housing programs.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson: In 2022, you took away the Republicans’ veto-proof majority. How about a Democratic majority County Council in 2024, along with my reelection?
Congressman Burgess Owens: A nice stocking stuffer would be a Utah Supreme Court decision upholding the Republican redistricting plan.
Pignanelli & Webb: We wish happy holidays to our readers and ask Santa for a never-ending supply of political machinations to write about.
Why is Utah a sea of tranquility in a political world that’s turning upside down?
The working class is turning Republican while wealthy elites lean toward Democrats. How does the Beehive State stay so relatively calm?
By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
The political world seems a little upside down as 2023 comes to a close. Republicans and Democrats are trading places on some issues and both parties have been acting rather crazy. We take a look.
Republicans were traditionally tough toward Russia. But today, many oppose more funding to Ukraine, which is fighting for survival against Vladimir Putin. Republicans, in the past, were the party dedicated to a strong America that kept the world safe. Now, the Democrats are committed to Ukraine defeating Russia. Republicans are trending isolationist, as Democrats become more globalist.
Meanwhile, some far-left progressives are antagonistic toward democratically-led Israel but offer only nominal criticism of the murderous Hamas organization. Also, the working class and people of color were reliable Democratic votes. Now, these citizens increasingly prefer Republican candidates. Wealthy people were once steadfast GOP followers. Today, many richer Americans prefer Democrats. How did politics in this country get so upside down?
Pignanelli: “The Democrat party has the appearance of an hourglass, with a lot of upscale voters and upper-middle class professionals, and a lot of voters who are not that well off… But what’s missing is what used to be the middle of the party, blue-collar workers.” — John Judis, co-author, “Where Have All the Democrats Gone?”
Numerous books and articles on this topic are filling politicos’ holiday reading lists. (We mentioned the realignment of parties in prior columns). Contrary to numerous predictions several years ago, the FDR New Deal coalition is shattering for reasons unexpected.
A bulk of American voters is the multiracial working class that is drifting to GOP candidates beyond Donald Trump. Veteran observers suggest the modern left-wing progressive factions are alienating these once solid Democrats by pushing the party to extreme positions on cultural and environmental issues.
American history documents that significant realignment of political parties occurs because of major social revolutions. We are living in such times.
Webb: The common denominator in these political reversals is a growing distrust of “the establishment” — meaning big government, big business, Hollywood, big tech, and academia. Many Americans, especially the working class, are feeling alienated and resentful toward “elites,” and are tired of hearing about social injustice and being made to feel they are racist, sexist and environmentally illiterate.
The result has been the election of a lot of belligerent populists who reinforce the notion that the elites don’t care about working-class citizens and are destroying the country with their woke ways. Because the “ruling class” favors funding for Ukraine and globalist policies, the populists are against it. If you’re feeling left behind by the elites, it’s easy to resent foreign aid, immigrants and the Biden administration for allowing millions of people to enter the country illegally.
These folks (many of my rural neighbors) are happy to support someone (Donald Trump) who’s going to blow everything up. They are highly disillusioned about government and the establishment, and they feel things were better when Trump was president.
The leading Republican presidential candidate specializes in insults and faces 91 criminal charges. The leading Democratic presidential candidate is noticeably frail, often confused and very unpopular. The Republican-led House of Representatives was stymied in a state of chaotic paralysis for three weeks because it couldn’t elect a speaker. The new speaker is having trouble wrangling his members. Anarchy reins along the U.S. southern border as the Democratic administration is unable to control the massive influx of illegal immigrants. Why do things seem to be spinning out of control?
Pignanelli: Our nation faces massive domestic and foreign challenges. Americans, frustrated with a dysfunctional federal government, feel powerless in responding to horrific events. The history of our 247-year-old republic is replete with numerous examples of incompetence, malfeasance and occasional corruption. But our nation’s past also reveals the multitude of challenges confronted and overcome by our ancestors. We will do the same and continue to prosper.
Webb: I’m a broken record on this, but the underlying problem of mass citizen cynicism is the federal government growing too large and trying to impose social, environmental and industrial policies championed by the elites, but not supported by the working class. America is too diverse and too large for central planning. My neighbors don’t want to be told how to live their lives by federal bureaucrats, intellectuals, environmental activists or tech billionaires.
By contrast, in many ways Utah is a sea of tranquility in an ocean of political turmoil. Why are things going well in the Beehive State?
Pignanelli: Utahns are a pragmatic people embodied with numerous virtues derived from a legacy of hardship, religious discrimination and perseverance. Thus, the many common goals of prosperity, safety, education and personal liberty are prioritized and not sacrificed to the political extremes from either side. This resulted in sound economic diversity while promoting the strength of families and mutual respect among citizens.
Webb: Government works very well, and enjoys broad citizen support, when sensible, frugal and accessible city, county and state leaders make decisions — with plenty of transparency and input — tailored to meet local needs.
A look at the current state of presidential politics in Utah
By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
Utah will once again be the focus of presidential politics when the University of Utah hosts the final presidential debate on Oct. 9, 2024. It will be exciting for citizens of the Beehive state. However, we’re far from knowing who will be standing on that debate stage 10 months from now. We analyze the current state of presidential politics as it relates to Utah.
A recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll revealed 20% of Utah Republicans preferred former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haleyto be Donald Trump’s running mate should he secure the nomination. Some 18% selected Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In an October poll, the question, “If the 2024 Republican presidential primary were held today, who would you vote for?” resulted in 30% for Trump; 14%, DeSantis; 13%, Haley; 12%, other candidates; and 20% undecided. What does this reveal about the Republican nomination in Utah?
Pignanelli: “There are two Republican primaries happening – the primary to challenge Trump and the primary against Trump for the GOP nomination. The first must end conclusively or Trump wins the second by plurality.” -- Marc Thiessen, Fox News These surveys offer fun calculations. Despite commanding leads in other states, Trump struggles in Utah. Adding undecided to the 35% that want someone else, the resulting 57% indicates Utahns desire an alternative to the former president.
Immediately after the 2022 elections, almost 100 frustrated local Republican officials sent a letter to DeSantis urging him to run for president, who was then 11 points ahead of Trump. However, DeSantis’ popularity slowly dropped in Utah and nationally, while Haley’s reputation rose.
The unknown factor is the Utah Republican presidential preference election will be made through those attending precinct caucuses and not a general ballot. It is difficult to predict where these activists will be in late winter.
Political observers were amazed by a Marquette University survey stating that Haley performed the best against Pres. Joe Biden, 55% to 44%. The calculus indicates Utah Republicans are leading a subtle national trend.
Webb: I, unfortunately, can’t see Haley or DeSantis overtaking Trump for the GOP nomination, unless he’s serving a lengthy prison sentence. Even then, many of his supporters would stick with him. Trump will also likely win Utah’s electoral votes, although with not as large a margin as in most other Republican states.
Why Republicans support Trump when better alternatives exist remains a mystery to me. Personally, I don’t like bullies. And Trump acts like a junior high school bully. He claims to be 50 points ahead of DeSantis and Haley, but instead of being magnanimous (he would not understand the meaning of that word), he personally insults them and calls them stupid names (“birdbrain Haley”). Does he not understand he will need the votes of their supporters in the general election?
Someone placed me on Trump’s email lists, so I get all of his campaign email messages (about a dozen a day). I can barely stand to read them. He constantly belittles his competitors, not just disagreeing with them on policy, but engaging in personal insults. He boasts, he exaggerates, he lies, he rewrites history. He has massive character flaws and is simply not fit to be president. Either DeSantis or Haley, by contrast, would be stable, sensible and tough conservative presidents.
An earlier Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll affirmed 65% of Utahns disapproved of Pres. Biden. As of this week an aggregate of national surveys compiled by FiveThirtyEight affirmed 55.4% of Americans disapprove of Biden (53.1% have similar negative attitude towards Trump). How will this affect presidential deliberations in Utah?
Pignanelli: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz captured almost 70% of the votes cast in the Utah Republican presidential primary in 2016 (Trump received 16%). Of all the red states, Utah performs the worst for Trump. Consequently, the desire to dump Biden may push precinct caucus attendees to select the strongest alternative to Trump still standing on March 5. Afterwards, there will be six months of Biden bashing in the primary and general elections.
Webb: Unfortunately for Democrats, Biden is the likely Democratic nominee. He will lose in Utah, even against Trump, and probably in enough swing states for Trump to reclaim the presidency. I’ve been watching presidential politics for 50 years and I don’t believe we’ve had two worse presidential frontrunners. One is mercurial and vengeful and the other is feeble and will destroy the economy with massive deficits and federal spending. Both parties should select younger nominees who are more vigorous and more acceptable to the general electorate. But I worry it’s too late.
Utah’s presidential preference election will be on “Super Tuesday”, March 5, 2024, along with 17 other states and a territory. Could Utah have a real impact on this massive event?
Pignanelli: 10 primary/caucus elections will occur before this mega-election, weeding out the weakest candidates. The precinct caucus attendees determining the Utah selection is a smaller audience. Thus, candidates can spend less to gain more traction in gathering valuable convention delegates. Our state could be a critical breakthrough for a trending contender.
Webb: Assuming they’re still alive (politically) in March, DeSantis and Haley will be scrambling for every possible delegate. So if either one thinks a win is possible in Utah, the state could attract significant attention.
No respite from politics as 2023 ends and 2024 heats up
Can Rep. Celeste Maloy secure a full 2-year term? Will Rep. John Curtis run for Senate? Who will win the presidential election?
By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
We are in the middle of an unprecedented two-month period of political drama. The unique dynamics of late November municipal and special congressional elections, followed quickly by major political events in the upcoming year, leave little time for political junkies to celebrate the holidays. But, somehow, we’ll manage.
Results of the 2nd Congressional District special election and various municipal contests have only recently been finalized due to the late election date. Are there lessons to learn from 2023 as the 2024 election season begins very soon?
Pignanelli: “Everything in life is unusual until you become accustomed to it.” — Frank Baum
What we endured in 2023 heralds a peculiar 2024 election cycle. Rural voters controlled the elections to replace Rep. Chris Stewart, a dynamic which GOP nominee Celeste Maloy focused on with resounding success. Thus, 2024 federal and statewide candidates will direct more attention to energized voters off the Wasatch Front who could play a decisive role in multicandidate primaries.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall was opposed by individual challengers and well-financed special interest organizations. They attempted to create discomfort among voters with numerous attacks ads claiming the capital city was a nightmare. But this tactic did not jibe with voters’ positive discernment of Mendenhall and her leadership qualities. Campaign experts are increasingly concluding that dumping loads of money into advertising has diminishing returns. An understanding of the audience combined with a clever strategy is the most efficient approach.
Political operatives should be grateful for the guidance the “Thanksgiving election of 2023” is providing.
Webb: A big 2023 lesson was this: Never take anything for granted in politics, because long shots can win. Celeste Maloy came out of nowhere to defeat political heavyweights Greg Hughes, Becky Edwards and Bruce Hough, among others. Hughes, Edwards and Hough had decades of experience and high visibility in Utah politics. They seemed born to run for Congress. But Maloy leveraged her rural advantage, ran a grassroots campaign and won rather handily.
On the other hand, the Salt Lake City mayoral race went about as expected. Voters re-elected the safe, sensible, mainstream incumbent, Mayor Erin Mendenhall, rather than the hard-charging disruptor, former Mayor Rocky Anderson.
Recent political developments have come fast and furiously, and will only accelerate in the new year. Prospective candidates must spend the holidays making final decisions about running, because the 2024 candidate filing period is Jan. 2 to Jan. 8. Those in play include Rep. John Curtis, who earlier declined to join the U.S. Senate race. But then supporters and PACs have inundated local airwaves asking voters to urge Curtis to run, and he is reconsidering. Meanwhile, the presidential race will heat up with the Iowa caucuses coming on Jan. 15. And Robert F. Kennedy Jr., enjoying a surge in the polls as an independent, was scheduled to visit Utah this week. What sense can be made of this frenetic activity?
Pignanelli: The popular Curtis deflated supporters with an Oct. 2 guest editorial in this paper announcing his decision to not seek the Senate seat. Some followers then scrambled to other candidates who were courting them. But the congressman enjoys deep respect among national organizations who financed an aggressive draft movement — a rarity in Utah. (There was a similar, smaller push for Mitt Romney in 2018.) Yet, Curtis does not have the luxury of time to announce a change in his plans.
Kennedy’s antiestablishment, anti-vaccine fervor is gaining traction among some locals frustrated with the current slate of leading presidential contenders. The earlier deadlines are pushing more political activity into our once peaceful holiday season.
Webb: 2024 is going to be a wild and crazy election year, with races ranging from presidential, U.S. Senate and four congressional seats, to governor, county leaders and legislative seats. With candidate filings beginning Jan. 2, we will know very quickly who the candidates are. Then they will have a long slog until the general election, Nov. 5, with plenty of milestones and obstacles in their way, including party caucuses, county and state conventions, primary elections and the general election.
Utahns will be closely watching the presidential race and the battles for control of the U.S. Senate and House.
And Maloy, having barely settled into her congressional office, must jump right back in the campaign game in 2024 to win a full two-year term.
Utah’s precinct caucuses will be held March 5. What can readers expect leading up to this traditional Utah political activity?
Pignanelli: State officials enduring filed opponents during a legislative session stimulates a new era of political strategizing and campaigning. This will affect policy deliberations and communications to constituents.
Webb: Republicans will hold their presidential preference vote during the March 5 caucuses. So Republicans who want to help nominate a presidential candidate should watch to see if the party makes good on its promise to broaden caucus participation and make it easy to vote, including for people who can’t get to their neighborhood caucus meeting. Donald Trump will be heavily advantaged if the vast majority of caucus participants are arch-conservative activists who don’t reflect the broader GOP electorate.
Amid political turmoil, is gratitude still in order?
Most Americans should be grateful to live in a time of unprecedented prosperity. Unfortunately, too many incorrectly believe we are on the precipice of a dystopian future
By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
International and national politics seem to have sunk to a scary level not endured since the frostiest days of the Cold War. Because your columnists have far more Thanksgivings behind them than ahead of them, we feel qualified to opine on how readers should feel this Thanksgiving weekend, amid such turmoil.
Americans’ respect for government institutions is at an all-time low. In their daily reports, the media reveal dysfunction, partisan hostility, incompetence and confusion, which further erodes confidence among citizens. Should Americans be consumed with anger and frustration, or is there reason to be grateful for our system of government, despite the current state of politics?
Pignanelli: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” — Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 B.C.
Most Americans should be grateful to live in a time of unprecedented prosperity with opportunities for better lifestyles and a thriving democracy. Unfortunately, too many incorrectly believe we are on the precipice of a dystopian future. All the screaming in the media ignores the lessons of history which document our nation was always a hotbed of controversy and nonetheless blossomed.
Following an acrimonious 1800 presidential election, Vice President Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in 1804. From then on, political divisiveness became a consistent feature of American government. The decades leading to the Civil War, and even after, were blemished with extreme polarization. But national animus was not just a 19th-century theme. The 1960s and 1970s contained assassinations, riots, crime waves, corruption and changing social mores. In fact, there is no time in the history of our country that was not subject to turmoil.
Yet, our republic not only survived — it also flourished. As usual, Americans are currently engaged in vigorous debates on numerous policy matters. We are enduring another huge societal and technological shift on par with the development of the printing press.
Thus, a small trip down memory lane must instill a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for a government and political structure that protects our liberties, obligations and lifestyles. Even those who dislike turkey have plenty of reasons to be thankful.
Most Americans should be grateful to live in a time of unprecedented prosperity with opportunities for better lifestyles and a thriving democracy. Unfortunately, too many incorrectly believe we are on the precipice of a dystopian future. All the screaming in the media ignores the lessons of history which document our nation was always a hotbed of controversy and nonetheless blossomed.
Following an acrimonious 1800 presidential election, Vice President Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in 1804. From then on, political divisiveness became a consistent feature of American government. The decades leading to the Civil War, and even after, were blemished with extreme polarization. But national animus was not just a 19th-century theme. The 1960s and 1970s contained assassinations, riots, crime waves, corruption and changing social mores. In fact, there is no time in the history of our country that was not subject to turmoil.
Yet, our republic not only survived — it also flourished. As usual, Americans are currently engaged in vigorous debates on numerous policy matters. We are enduring another huge societal and technological shift on par with the development of the printing press.
Thus, a small trip down memory lane must instill a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for a government and political structure that protects our liberties, obligations and lifestyles. Even those who dislike turkey have plenty of reasons to be thankful.
Webb: America’s government, with its checks and balances and with power divided between the federal and state levels, was designed to maximize freedom and prevent tyranny. It was designed to be controlled by citizens, subject to basic constitutional principles asserting that freedom and foundational rights are inherent, endowed by God, not granted by a king or any government official.
Thus, we are blessed with a magnificent governmental framework. And we should be grateful for that. However, our government is only as good as its people — and the officials we elect. John Adams, a Founding Father and our second president, said: “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
I believe our governmental framework was inspired. But it is fallible, mortal men and women who execute its provisions and apply it in myriad ways to our everyday lives. It is easy for them to stray far beyond, or even abandon, foundational constitutional provisions. That has certainly happened and is happening today.
Therefore, we should express heartfelt gratitude for our form of government, while simultaneously committing to elect men and women who will work collaboratively, and with good will, to advance constitutional provisions ensuring maximum freedom and safety.
Many leaders of the Beehive State fall all over themselves praising the “Utah Way.” But is this just a charade to hide many problems or should Utahns be especially thankful for what we enjoy in this state?
Pignanelli: Right and left winger extremists condemn much in our state. Yet, their version of a utopia frightens most of us.
Regardless of unsubstantiated criticisms, a wonderful virtuous cycle is occurring. Utahns are grateful for what we enjoy, thereby driving a greater commitment to the virtues inherent to us (hard work, vision, collaboration, etc.). This dynamic leads to greater results for which we are thankful.
Webb: There is, no question, something special about Utah. The principles of limited government, low taxes, maximum freedom and “disagreeing better” (credit Gov. Spencer Cox) are working here.
We have our problems. We’re by no means perfect. But if bickering and overbearing federal officials want to observe a “laboratory of democracy” that performs admirably, they should check out Utah.
What did your columnists especially identify in expressing gratitude at their Thanksgiving repast?
Pignanelli: I am grateful for my family, the opportunities they enjoy and the prospects available to them as Americans. Further, I am blessed because my grandparents immigrated to Utah, the greatest state in the country.
Webb: The older I get, the more important and meaningful family relationships become. More important than wealth or material possessions. More important than fame or recognition. There is something special about family. It is felt, innately, by essentially everyone, worldwide.
A grandmother in Ukraine, risking all to find her special needs grandson who was taken by Russian soldiers. A twin, separated at birth from his sibling, searching for decades to find the lost brother. Even dysfunctional families, grief stricken and united as they mourn the death of a family member. Millions of people worldwide, spending untold hours searching family trees to learn about their ancestors.
Family is the basic unit of society. But it is much more. It is something divine, something eternal.
