Will You Stand with Me?
On Saturday, after hearing yet another person say “I can not publicly contribute time or money to your campaign. Your opponent is vindictive and if I support you he will retaliate against me” – my husband looked at me and said, “I’m sure glad we are not afraid of that man.”
We’re not. But that doesn’t mean that it is fun to be where we are right now. Besides the people who have said they are too afraid to publicly support me, I’ve heard story after story of unethical and corrupt practices among our elected State Representatives and Party Leaders. And yet those people who seek me out to tell me these stories say, “You can’t use my name or reveal the industry I represent”. What then am I supposed to do with the ‘hearsay’ I am presented with? I do not have the time or the resources to serve as an investigative reporter or public prosecutor! I am a candidate. And frankly it is taking all my family has for me to be a candidate. There are days when I feel like we are the only ones willing to stand up and say, “Enough is enough. We want ethical representative government. We will pay the price in time and money to make sure we have it.”
Maybe the reason we are willing to do what we are doing is because of what we know. We know it is possible to have ethical representative government. We know that it is possible for people to govern and be governed without intimidation, without threats, without abuses of power. I believe I will be able to serve as a Utah Senator with a clear conscience, being able to stand before my maker and look Him in the eye and say “I have dealt with my fellow man the way you would have had me deal with them, and when I didn’t, I swallowed my pride, sought forgiveness, and then tried again to do as you would have me do.” I know others who have had governed with a similar approach, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, FDR, Scott Matheson, Howard Nelson, and my own father Roger Rawson. I believe that such an approach to government not only is the way He would have us govern, but is ultimately the most effective way to lead and govern in this land.
But our elected leaders can not govern alone. We the people must be actively engaged in the government of our communities. That is because the best solutions to the problems that face us are ones that grow up out of respectful and thoughtful consideration of the needs and wants of all the people.
If the people are silent, whether because of apathy or fear of retaliation we have crossed into a dangerous place – one where truly our ‘constitution is hanging by a thread’. From what I have heard these past few weeks, we are at that dangerous place.
So what are we going to do? I know what Harlan and I are doing. Will you join us? Will you stand up, without fear of retaliation, with hope and faith in the good people of our town and say “Enough is enough. I want ethical representative government. I too will contribute time or money to help elect a candidate that will represent me and my values and will do so with integrity.” If you will, then right now, as soon as you finish reading this sentence, click on the “Join the RaDene Team” button and sign up for what you can do.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:31 am
I am not afraid of Curt Bramble. I have had more than my share of encounters with him where he has lied with malicious intent to defame. I will be making my affidavits public presently. I would urge the faint of heart to toughen up and do the same.
A 24-year-old pizza delivery driver is putting you to shame. If she can speak out, so can you. If you don’t speak out, you’re a facilitator and you bear responsibility for the future harm that this law unto himself will yet wreak if left in office another four years.
Mike Ridgway
Former member of the Utah Republican Party’s Executive and Central Committees and the Salt Lake County Republican Party’s Executive and Central Committees.
Proud survivor of Curt Bramble’s lies and vindictive personality
October 12th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I appreciate you listening to my hopeful enthusiasm on Saturday and letting me get a sign from you. If there is one place that change is important it is here in Provo with State Senator Bramble. I am a registered republican and can no longer stand by while insignificant people use their position for personal gain. RaDene I will support any candidate who will go to the capitol and represent us without being self-important. As long as you will represent us honestly and use your best judgement you have my vote. There is a silent majority that is tired of polititions thinking that they are more important than the people who elected them!