2007 Lincoln Day Dinner

By TL Feeny
Leg. Dist 8 Chair
Weber County GOP Webmaster

An event adding new meaning to the phrase "Weber County Republican Party"

The Weber County Republican Party held another gala event last night -- the annual Weber County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner. This one will definitely be a tough act to follow.

The Lincoln Dinner has become the GOP social event of the winter season these past few years under Chairman Matt Bell's capable leadership. Surpassing last year's event, entertainment-wise, was a tough challenge. Our party chair pulled that task of off with seeming effortlessness, however. I've been attending these dinners for many years. This one was the first within memory where the entire audience in attendance transformed from "teary-eyed" to "rolling in the aisles in mirth," within a mere few minutes. More about that in the succeeding paragraphs.

The event started off with a flag ceremony, presented by an elegantly dress-uniformed combined color guard composed of WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans from the four branches of the military services, recruited by GOP stalwart Frank Maughan from a VFW post in Brigham City. The 250 Republicans in attendance were filled with pride as the honor guard presented the flag to the podium, and the commander of the honor guard explained the subsequent flag-folding ceremony , which was then conducted center-stage. There was not a dry eye in the house. Not anyone. Not even the colorguard.

After that, the event suddenly carromed off into a rollicking good time, as Weber County Commissioner (and former Weber County Sheriff and Past WCGOP Chair) Craig Dearden and Weber County Chief Chris Zimmerman (second in command in the Weber County Sheriff's Office) stepped to the podium, surprised everyone in attendance -- and proceeded to "hotly roast" our Republican Sheriff Brad Slater -- in a manner that hasn't been seen publicly at staid Weber County Republican events -- EVER. The two of them regaled the audience with a chain of anecdotes happening during the course of Sheriff Slater's notable law enforcement career, forever depriving Brad of any future claim to dignity.

My personal favorite was this one, delivered by the very funny Captain Zimmerman:

As a young Sheriff's Deputy, Brad was deployed to Huntsville's Cemetery Point, to break up a typical drunken Cemetery Point melee. Arriving there, his dispatcher radioed him, asking whether he needed "backup. " He radioed back that "The Point" was "infested with roaches" (a technical law enforcement term for "the criminal element," we assume.) He told the dispatcher that what he actually needed was "an air strike from Hill Air Force base." The dispatcher, apparently very diligent and wholly unfamiliar with Brad's quirky sense of humor, solemnly did her duty. Within minutes there was an angry HAFB squadron commander calling back, demanding to know who had the authority to call in an air strike.

That anecdote should give our readers who missed the event "the drift." Friday night's event was anything but a stuffy GOP event. The Weber County Republican audience was in stitches for most of the night.

Next on the agenda was the surprise Master of Ceremonies, a well known natural and local favorite stand-up comic by the name of US House Representative Rob Bishop. Donning a bathrobe that had been secreted in a plastic bag, he did a campy eight-minute impression of Lieutenant Governor Gary Herbert:

"If elected I will make it safe for women to walk the Utah streets," he intoned.

"Of course you will," yelled a scripted heckler from the audience, "you'll be doing business with them later!"

"I'll sponsor legislation to support fatherless kids," Representative Bishop pleaded, (still relentlessly playing the Lt. Gov. Herbert character.)

"Sure you will," responded the heckler. "Most of them are yours!"

And so it went. The grateful Weber County GOP audience ate it up.

I'll note in passing that both Sheriff Slater and Lt. Governor Herbert were in attendance at the event. Each of them took their turn at the microphone and got their just revenge. Each of them had glib comebacks. For the sake of saving internet bandwidth, I won't quote them here. Whether these fellows had been warned in advance that they were to be roasted last night we do not know. If not however, we'll just say they were exceptionally quick on their feet.

I talked with Gloria Froerer, House District 8 Rep. Gage Froerer's lovely wife, after the event. She said, with a big smile on her face, she'd attended the Salt Lake County Party's Lincoln Day Dinner the previous Friday, and "it was nothing like last night's Weber County Republican event. "

Go figure.

We're the Weber County Republican Party

Definitely NOT the Salt Lake County one...

nor the Utah County..."party."

'Nuff said, " eh, fellow Weber County Republicans?

For those gourmands amongst our readership, I'll say a few words about last night's menu. The dinner was preceded by a luscious buffet, featuring thumb-sized shrimp, a multitude of fancy hors d'oevres and even a California roll sushi tray. The appetizers were so sumptuous in fact, that for a moment there, several of our fellow Weber County Republicans believed they'd arrived at the Beverly Hills Lincoln Dinner by mistake.

The entre was surf and turf; and GOP attendees were gratified that at least some of the Eccles Center servers were somewhat fluent in the English language this year.

There were still smiles all around as everyone exited Eccles Center Ballroom #2 at about nine p.m. The odds are that everyone in attendance will be back next year, if only to find out what new tricks Chairman Bell has up his sleeve.

A Weber County Republican tip o' the hat goes out to everyone who planned, organized and participated in last night's exceptional event.

Special thanks to Pat Iannone and Bea Cardwell, a committee of two who worked out the major details of the event, and also solicited and assembled a nice array of door prizes.

I'm sure I left a few details out.

Reader comments are invited as always.

Shwarzenneger's Folly

By John Stossel
Via townhall.com
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants all Californians to have medical insurance. So he's going to force them to have it.

Schwarzenegger abandoned his opposition to mandated employer-based health insurance and embraced the idea as his own. "Everyone in California must have insurance. If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it, but you must be insured," Schwarzenegger said last month.

Of course, his "solution" won't solve the problem. By making medical care look cheap to people, expanded insurance will push prices up even faster. Everyone will end up paying more. But politicians benefit because the costs will be hidden.

The governor also wants to enlarge the state's coverage for children by including people with incomes as high as $60,000 for a family of four. Imagine that: You can make $60,000 a year and put your kids on the dole.

This ought to dispel any notion that Schwarzenegger is a believer in small government. Here he is following former Republican Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney down the path of state socialized medicine. Romney said compulsory insurance would cost a person $2,400 a year. But now we know it's at least $4,560.

This is not to say we don't have a medical mess on our hands. We do, but the problems have their roots in existing government activity. More such activity is unlikely to make things better.

The root of the problem is that few people face the true cost of medical care. Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries don't because taxpayers pay their bills. People with employer-based medical insurance don't because insurance policies shield them from it. Since they pay only small co-pays when they see a doctor, they don't ask, "Do I really need that test?" but rather, "Does my insurance cover it?"

People who don't face the full cost of their choices don't act like cost-conscious consumers. Higher prices result.

With a rational government policy, people would save money for routine medical care and buy insurance for solvency-threatening illness. After all, we don't buy auto insurance to pay for oil changes and worn-out windshield-wiper blades. But today, people expect medical insurance to cover routine physical exams because someone else seems to pay the premiums.

All this hurts people who buy their own insurance or don't have it. It would be good if they could buy a basic high-deductible catastrophic policy. For a healthy young person, such a policy would be relatively cheap. But because of special-interest lobbying, most states mandate that insurance cover things that most people would never buy if they were paying the cost openly -- things like Viagra and substance-abuse counseling. The Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) reports that states have imposed 1,824 mandates on insurance companies. This makes even a high-deductible policy absurdly expensive in many states.

Government further harms us by not permitting cross-state competition. As a New Yorker, I can't buy a cheap policy sold in Iowa, a state with fewer mandates, because I may only buy from companies that are subject to New York's costly regulations. That's nuts.

The upshot is that, however well intentioned, government regulation of medicine and insurance brings us mostly headaches, and Gov. Schwarzenegger's plan will bring Californians even more. But that should be between him and them. They should have the right to fail.

Many disagree with that. The normally wise Wall Street Journal editorial board says the courts should strike down the governor's plan because of ERISA, the federal law that presumes to supersede state laws on worker benefits.

But forbidding California to pursue dumb ideas is a mistake. As I've pointed out the last two weeks, the American founders showed their genius by dividing power between the states and central government.

Let the states experiment! Universal coverage is a feel-good idea that many people want Washington to impose. Better to have models of failure in individual states so we all don't have to suffer! We need living reminders of collectivism's faults. Without the Soviet Union, I fear that Americans will forget its horrors.

So states should be free to demonstrate the horrors without interference from Washington.

The feds should let us learn.

John Stossel is an award-winning news correspondent and author of Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel--Why Everything You Know is Wrong.

Be the first to read John Stossel's column. Sign up today and receive Townhall.com delivered each morning to your inbox.

Copyright © 2006 Salem Web Network. All Rights Reserved.

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This article was submitted by Weber County GOP stalwart Christie Moore (Leg 7 Chair) with these comments:

"These suggestions also could apply to education. Let's get rid of the federal department and let 50 states come up with plans of their own. Some will fail and others succeed and the best can be emulated!"

Comments, anyone?

Consolidating Our GOP Strength During an Off-Election Year.

Weber County Republican Executive Committee Notes -- 2/8/07

By Terry L. Thompson
Legislative District 6 Chair

I spoke with Legislative District Chair Paul Skeen at this executive committee meeting concerning my teasing him about being as old as Methusela. Paul is A-okay with providing a chuckle for us on occasion. (I really think that he secretly enjoys the attention...but keep that under your hat) Truly, Paul is fun to have on the executive committee and good-natured about a little ribbing. I dropped a termite on his cane at this meeting and we will see what it looks like next month...it may be whistling "Yankee-Doodle-Dandy" when he arrives!

Lincoln Day Dinner - 2007
The 2007 Lincoln Day dinner will be held on Friday, February 23rd at the Eccles Conference center. If you know anyone willing to purchase a table please have them contact Chairmen Matt Bell. Tables will sell for $500 and seat ten people. Tickets are $50 per couple or $25 each. Please plan to attend, tickets may be purchased from Matt, cell #725-8771.

Organizing Convention
The Organizing Convention will be held on Thursday, April 19, 6:00 pm at the "Ogden Preparatory Academy" 22nd and Lincoln. Participants in the election process will be all County Delegates elected in March 2006 (this will be their last official duty). The organizing convention will elect our Weber County Republican party officials (executive committee) for the next two years. Positions elected will be Party Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Also, Legislative District Chair and Vice-Chair will be elected in separate legislative district meetings for each legislative district in the County. Any resolutions that individual members may have must be submitted by March 31st. Also, if you are planning to run for any elected positions you must have your intent to run in by March 31st. Send correspondence to Debbie Deem at deborahdeem@msn.com The official call to convention will be mailed on March 1st. Information will be available on the party web site after April 4th at www.wcrgop.org
Times:
6:00 Credentials check-in
6:30 Convention begins
6:45 Credentials no longer accepted
Location:
22nd and Lincoln ave. - across from the Ogden City Police Department

Precinct Election Results
Christie Moore accepted the HUGE job of analyzing the last election results into a comprehensive study by area. She has provided data collected and organized; I could not possibly do it justice by any attempt on my part to describe her efforts. Suffice it to say that what she has accomplished is amazing and her results invaluable. Data compiled will undoubtedly provide a critical edge to Republican candidate efforts in future elections.

Delegate / Precinct Officer Duties
Myself and Tom Feeny have been working on creating a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities for delegates and precinct officers. The goal is to provide each candidate for State and/or County Delegate as well as Precinct Chair/Vice-chair with written standards of what each position requires. Individuals seeking these assignments should know and fully expect to complete the obligations of each position. Tom and I presented the executive committee with a draft format of what the documents will look like with positive feedback. Any pack rats who have filed away past documentation that may help us in this effort please contact me at wapiti6x7@txox.com or cell #940-7266.

Code of Ethics
Commissioner Jan Zogmaister informed us that all elected officials in Weber County government voted unanimously to adhere to the Utah State Code of Ethics which is listed in State code. This action was decidedly important to your elected officials due to activities both in-state and abroad. Bolstering this commitment there will be a training component encouraging all to stay on track.

Elected Officials in Attendance

Jan Zogmaister Commissioner
Alan McEwan Clerk/Auditor
Glenn Mecham Senator Bennett representative

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - All Republicans are encouraged to attend any Weber County Executive Committee Meetings
February 10, 2007 State Central Committee Meeting
February 23, 2007 Lincoln Day Dinner
March 8, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting
April 12, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting
April 19, 2007 Organizing Convention
May 10, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting
June 14, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting

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Comments, fellow Republicans?

Political Power and the Rule of Law

By US House Rep. Ron Paul (R) Texas
Via: Texas Straight Talk

Original article dated February 5, 2007

With the elections over and the 110th Congress settling in, the media have been reporting ad nauseam about who has assumed new political power in Washington. We're subjected to breathless reports about emerging power brokers in Congress; how so-and-so is now the powerful chair of an important committee; how certain candidates are amassing power for the 2008 elections, and so on. Nobody questions this use of the word "power," or considers its connotations. It's simply assumed, in Washington and the mainstream media, that political power is proper and inevitable.

The problem is that politicians are not supposed to have power over us-- we're supposed to be free. We seem to have forgotten that freedom means the absence of government coercion. So when politicians and the media celebrate political power, they really are celebrating the power of certain individuals to use coercive state force.

Remember that one's relationship with the state is never voluntary. Every government edict, policy, regulation, court decision, and law ultimately is backed up by force, in the form of police, guns, and jails. That is why political power must be fiercely constrained by the American people.

The desire for power over other human beings is not something to celebrate, but something to condemn! The 20th century's worst tyrants were political figures, men who fanatically sought power over others through the apparatus of the state. They wielded that power absolutely, without regard for the rule of law.

Our constitutional system, by contrast, was designed to restrain political power and place limits on the size and scope of government. It is this system, the rule of law, which we should celebrate--not political victories.

Political power is not like the power possessed by those who otherwise obtain fame and fortune. After all, even the wealthiest individual cannot force anyone to buy a particular good or service; even the most famous celebrities cannot force anyone to pay attention to them. It is only when elites become politically connected that they begin to impose their views on all of us.

In a free society, government is restrained--and therefore political power is less important. I believe the proper role for government in America is to provide national defense, a court system for civil disputes, a criminal justice system for acts of force and fraud, and little else. In other words, the state as referee rather than an active participant in our society.

Those who hold political power, however, would lose their status in a society with truly limited government. It simply would not matter much who occupied various political posts, since their ability to tax, spend, and regulate would be severely curtailed. This is why champions of political power promote an activist government that involves itself in every area of our lives from cradle to grave. They gain popular support by promising voters that government will take care of everyone, while the media shower them with praise for their bold vision.

Political power is inherently dangerous in a free society: it threatens the rule of law, and thus threatens our fundamental freedoms. Those who understand this should object whenever political power is glorified.

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Don't let the cat get your tongues, GOP readers..

January 11, 2007 Weber County Executive Committee Meeting Report

By: Terry L. Thompson
Legislative District 6 Chair
Original article: Saturday, January 27, 2007

I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT GETTING THIS SUMMARY OF THE JANUARY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OUT EARLIER. WITH MY WIFE AND HER TRANSCRIPTION AND TWO TEENAGERS GETTING COMPUTER TIME CAN BE A CHALLENGE. SLOWING DOWN MYSELF HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE AS WELL. SHOULD WE NOT BE LESS BUSY THIS TIME OF YEAR? OH, THAT'S RIGHT...THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, HUNDREDS OF POLITICIANS ARE WORKING FEVERISHLY TO IMPROVE OUR LIVES, WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I DO NEED TO TELL YOU A HUMOROUS HAPPENING AT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING. SOMEONE MENTIONED THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AND PAUL SKEEN MADE THE STATEMENT THAT HE WAS IN THE SCOUTS BEFORE THE LDS CHURCH HAD SCOUT TROOPS. I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW...I BET PAUL AND MOSES WERE BOTH SCOLDED FOR MISCHIEVOUS BEHAVIOR AS THEY WACKED EACH OTHER WITH THEIR CANES DURING SCOUT MEETINGS. I WOULD BET THAT HE AND JOSEPH WERE BOTH IN TROUBLE WHEN HE CHALKED JOSEPH'S "COAT OF MANY COLORS" WITH THE CHALK ERASER, AND HE AND NOAH ALWAYS TEASING ABOUT IT BEING TOO RAINY TO GO OUT, THE LITTLE GOOBERS.

SERIOUSLY, WE LOVE PAUL AND APPRECIATE THE SENSE OF COMFORT HIS TIME AND EXPERIENCE BRINGS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE; EVEN IF HE AND BRIGHAM DID PICK OUT THE TEMPLE SITE TOGETHER.

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Lincoln Day Dinner - 2007The 2007 Lincoln Day dinner will be held on February 23rd at the Eccles Conference center details forthcoming. If you know anyone willing to purchase a table please have them contact Chairmen Matt Bell. Please plan to attend, tickets may be purchased from Matt.

Organizing Convention
The Organizing Convention will be held on Thursday, April 19, 6:00 pm at the Ogden Preparatory Academy 22nd and Lincoln. Participants in the election process will be all County Delegates elected in March 2006 (this will be their last official duty). The organizing convention will elect our Weber County Republican party officials (executive committee) for the next two years. Positions elected will be Party Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Also, Legislative District Chair and Vice-Chair will be elected in separate legislative district meetings for each legislative district in the County. Any resolutions that individual members may have may be presented at the organizing convention. Postcards will be sent to each County Delegate with details around the first of March.

Constitution & Bylaws Committee
The C&B committee had not met as of this meeting. Primarily due to no party members indicating that significant changes need to be made right away. A meeting was set for Thursday, January 25th. Matt Bell had commitments at the capitol and I had last minute work issues and we missed the 25th meeting. Bruce Anderson and Tom Feeny were the only ones who attended. We will schedule another time to meet at the February executive committee meeting. If you have any proposed changes, concerns, or inquiries into the current constitution or bylaws please contact your legislative district chair, any member of the C&B committee or myself. Member of the C&B committee are as follows:
Bruce Anderson - Chair
Tom Feeny
Matt Bell
Paul Skeen
Terry Thompson

Audit Committee
There was an Audit committee organized to assist with overseeing all party funds. Members are as follows:
Elizabeth Carlin - Chair
Suzanne Ferre

Elected Officials in Attendance
State Senator Jon Greiner - Jon thanked the party for support in his successful election as State Senator
Surveyor Ernest Rowley - Ernest thanked the party for support in his successful election as County Surveyor/Recorder

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - All Republicans are encouraged to attend any Weber County Executive Committee Meetings
February 8, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting
February 10, 2007 State Central Committee Meeting
February 23, 2007 Lincoln Day Dinner
March 8, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting
April 12, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting
May 10, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting
June 14, 2007 County Executive Committee Meeting

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Comments anyone?