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Show “WASATOOOUNTY COURTER SSeie Daydream Believer © eo x 5 . (but Senator, not Homecoming Queen) Matthew Heimburger, Eaareonune Writer more, they show: up the ignorance of “The People”—for if we understood the essence of democracy, we’d know’ that such sentiments exist at all only nes we let them. oe © I’ve been having the strangest daydreams lately. Going through the checkout stand at Day’s supermarket, 1 imagine the ‘woman pricing my groceries as a U.S. - senator. At Timberline, I look at the guy ‘ counting. out. nails as a: member of the The idea of “that'll be the’ day” U.S. House of Representatives. When | stand in front of my local UVSCWasatch students, | consider which one man or woman. Some people are born to will make the best diplomat, or Supreme Court Justice, or President. be politicians, and others are not. Well, ) certainly the idea that anything should come to anyone without effort is an important myth to recognize and dispel, but the idea that political office is predestined for others in a democracy is not only a false one but dangerous besides. Dreams—even daydreams—are private - matters anyway, but . ve become increas- _ ingly fearful to tell any of the people. Pm. looking at what I’m thinking. Not because they wouldn’t be flattered. Hey, While ee don’t” vote for just anyone-party or no—in November, and I’m not such an ee abe ah Fit done well nothing to do with it, that is a tribute to the Founding Fathers. But an interested and ‘internally virtuous electorate of some degree is always essential to its cen- tral premise, and to assume that such to better understand. Therefore, when all interest and virtue is someone else’s con- ‘is said and done, and if they understood my thinking, they would be flattered. I. was percentage of its electorate opt to having usually because they have just helped me through a difficult problem or have broken down a complicated process for me cern makes for endless buck-passing until only those with a set agenda will rise to tell people - the challenge. The adage of “if not me, what I’m thinking is because of the pre- - who?” makes many of us uneasy enough that we just don’t ask the question anymore. Of course, that never stops us from judging those who do decide to enter the dictable responses of “that’ll be the day,” or “youll never catch UCA MR republic ‘enough that it works even when a good one as a good, potential. politician it is | don’t it’s true that the crafting of the American idealist that I see everyone as futurePresidents-in-embryo. When I see some- But no, the reason is the idea that political of fice doesn’t just ~ come along to the average, workaday me with those ‘crooks,’ ’ or worst of all: “?’m not rich enough to get elected to public office.” had enough of “crooked politicians” and ~ decided to run for office ourselves-to “clean up Washington,” the day we won the’ election would be the first day that words, all politicians in our cynical times are guilty until proven’ innocent and, since James the corrupt the we were now ‘establishment. media rarely patt of» In other publicizes. the sent us works on the principle that we would only elect those that would best uisite for holding of fice. It does mean represent us. If all politicians are corrupt, then we, The People, must be, as well. No, you say, not me! I’m looking for a true representative of my interests and values. Great-then either search high that wealth should by no means be a prereq- © that my waitress at lunch And as for the everspdbislee “Pm not rich enough to get elected to public office”- times is that if you or I decided that we’d ed to do have more to offer that Steve Forbes-or — not. I'll have to ask them both what they believe in to know for sure. As for talent, well, that comes in a vari- it. When Jefferson spoke of What about the costs of running a cam- paign? Of having to leave a steady job for the upsand-downs of holding political of fice? Perhaps only wealthy white men have the time to dabble in politics? No, DAYDREAM continued on page 23 2734 Rasmussen 2210 S. Hwy. 40 Suite € Heher City, UT (435) 657-1129 ~~ Park City, UT (435) 649-5356 J iell 375 Rainbow a& Midway, ‘ees 84049 Lane ‘Presents _ HUNT MYSTERY’ S MURDER MYSTERY | - ®Space Pirates of the Colossus” _ September 17th “Vinnie? 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In ~When there is war, a good balance of the end, political party has more to do warriors and peacemakers sounds good to with bloc voting than with inherent me. While education should definitely consistency or character-if you’re sold a figure into the mix somewhere, what bill of goods based on party posturing: type of education and what it should be | | and it falls through, try a new candidate, used for, too, would change from election a new party, or both. to election. of ALL isn’t. corrupted, good politicians, but it does mean our political system assures us that it could be changed if enough of us want- What’s wealth democratic republic such as ours, the whole idea of electing officials to repre- “You'll never catch me with those crooks.” One of the great ironies of our nation. Madison, only corruptible. It doesn’t mean that wealthy men and women can’t make All three responses-and any variations on their themes-show up the sorry state this of the world’s great religions teach potential corruption - in character can come with wealth and its use to power. But to coin a phrase from good acts of a politician or government body, they are always guilty. But in a that, too, may be sentiment based on current reality, but the very essence of in ent” in its place. The truth is, virtue and wealth make a complicated relationship. All the that gain — everyone: assumed ring. democracy destroying privilege and patronage, he offered an “aristocracy of virtue and tal- _.if you buy $2000 worth of floor coverings with us at either our Park City or Heber store. |