Utah Legislature on Colbert Report

I couldn't help myself... The Colbert Report recently spotlighted/heckled a bill that is being presented in the Utah State Legislature. The bill proposes legalizing the killing of feral animals. The bill's sponsor is Rep Curt Oda from Clearfield.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Mr. Smith Goes to the State Legislature Then Later Possibly Washington - Curtis Oda
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> Video Archive

In interest of full disclosure, when I was involved with government affairs, I got to know Rep Oda. He is a very down to earth person and a great representative. But like I said, I couldn't help myself.

Should History be Profitable?

The Salt Lake Tribune reported yesterday that the Utah State Legislature is considering closing five state parks: Edge of the Cedars, Green River, Utah Field House of Natural History, Frontier Heritage, and the Territorial State Capital. If the legislature chooses to close these parks, they will save around $3M. Which raises the question: should historical sites turn a profit and is it responsible to preserve them for history's sake. As an economist (and a grad student), I understand the nature of budget constraints (especially for states who must balance their budgets) but I believe that it is important to preserve history in order for educational and cultural reasons. Although these parks represent Utah history (which is terribly taught in our schools), they are important reminders of who we are as a people and the sacrifices that our Utah pioneers made in order to colonize the state.

Imagine if our Federal Congress decided that Gettysburg or Independence Hall just wasn't brining in the profit margins and should they be closed down as well. We would lose a huge chunk of our national identity. This is the beauty of the state and national park idea: protecting areas of high intrinsic value even if it does not have a huge monetary value.

Huntsman in 2012?

After a month long winter break (recovery period?) from school that was extended by the "snowocalypse" (4 inches in Georgia), I finally decided to get back in the swing of things and so is speculation about the 2012 GOP Presidential primary. There has been a burst of news reports indicating that former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. may challenge his boss (President Obama) for the presidency. Huntsman is currently the ambassador to China.

First was a Newsweek article where Huntsman declines to comment when asked if he would challenge Obama. He does concede however that "there may be one more race in our bones." Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal described his somewhat unorthodox approach with the Chinese and again raised the question of a possible bid. Now at a press conference with the Chinese president, Obama actually jokes about the possibility of Huntsman running against him. Finally the Deseret News unveiled a poll where Huntsman would easily win in a Senate race against Orin Hatch and Jason Chaffetz.

I have met Huntsman two times and both times I found a politician that was level headed and ready to listen to new ideas (even from a young political nerd like myself). I was impressed with his desire and ability to work across the aisle: all attributes that are missing from our politicians on both sides. I would love to see him run but I question if tea partiers would accept someone with moderate views even if he would make a great president.

(picture from the Deseret News)