Listening to the floor speech of a Utah Republican legislator named Scott Wyatt over on the new Utah State House Democrats blog I was struck by the apologetic tone of his reason for voting for another tax cut for wealthy Utahns and against education. I’m soooo pleased the democrats are finally using the audio recording of the floor speeches.
I was shocked by what I heard the first (and only) time I attended a public committee hearing on The Hill. I couldn’t believe it. I ran right home and pulled the audio and posted it here. A week or so later there was major buzz about a startling display of bigotry by Senator Buttars on the Senate floor and the subsequent speech by Senator Scott McCoy (a must hear), so once again, I ran home and pulled the audio, and posted it here.
But back to Mr. Scott Wyatt; listening to his full speech, I was especially taken with the repetitive use of words like “principles†and “beliefs†in what was otherwise an unsupportable economic argument.
Gotta ride. Go listen the speech on Utah State House Democrats blog and tell me if this guy REALLY believes cutting taxes for the rich is in the “best interest of the children.†Cause it sure sounded like he did. And if he really does, he needs to be removed from office forthwith because you certainly couldn’t pass Econ 101 with that argument.
71.199.57.125#1 by Moronite on September 23, 2006 - 6:00 pm
OK, So Scott is saying investing in education has a short term return and it is against his principles? Hmmm
216.190.11.250#2 by Caveat Emptor on September 24, 2006 - 9:41 am
From Monty Python: “We would like to apologize for the way in which politicians are represented in this program. It was never our intention to imply that politicians ar week-kneed, political time-servers who are concerned more with thier personal vendetas and private power struggles than with the problems of government, nor to suggest at any point that they sacrifice thier credibility by denying free debate on vital matters in the mistaken impression that party unity comes before the well being of the people they supposedly represent, nor to imply at any stage that they are squabbling little toadies without an ounce of concern for the vital social problems of today, nor indeed, do we intend that viewers should consider them as crabby ulcerous self-seeking little vermin with furry legs and an excessive addiction to alcohol and certain explicit sexual practices which some people find offensive. We are sorry if this impression has come across.”
166.2.126.20#3 by Richard Warnick on September 25, 2006 - 10:59 am
As a follow-up, we wish to apologize… for the previous apology.
71.199.57.125#4 by Cliff on September 25, 2006 - 12:31 pm
Tom Grover at KVNU’s For the People has graciously referenced this post. He’s built a classy operation over there and deserves our encouragement for being more balanced than the stereotype for that neck of the woods.
BUT, his attempt to defend Scott Wyatt’s reasoning while less apologetic, is instead, I think, subject to criticism as hypocritical, the very thing Wyatt was attempting to avoid by claiming “principle.”
Here’s a few facts for from the UEA website.
One-half of the tax cut – approved during the September 19 special session of the Utah Legislature – will go to those making $250,000 or more, about 4% of taxpayers. The remaining 96% of taxpayers will receive only $24-$67 and most of them have repeatedly said they want their money invested in public schools.
The worst part is that Utah’s public schoolchildren and educators will be hurt at a time when the state’s education needs are most critical.
For $70 million, the state could have hired $1,250 new teachers, or purchased modern textbooks and computers for students.
For $70 million, the state could have reduced class sizes in kindergarten through third grade by 4 students per class – statewide.
For $70 million, the state could have provided a 3.5% salary increase for every teacher in the state.
The 18,000 members of the Utah Education Association believe Utah students deserve a quality teacher in every classroom, smaller class sizes, and modern textbooks, computers, and learning tools.
70.109.87.26#5 by coffee on October 13, 2006 - 1:13 pm
Scott Wyatt amazing that made to the senate. Utahns should be very afraid of this closed minded bastard. In his career as the DA cache county he hurt far more children than he ever helped. So of courrse he is going to vote against education, trust me this comes as no surprise, or if anyone did any research on his past career they would see this also. He does not care about the children at all. He rode the backs of many children to make it to the senate.
70.109.87.26#6 by coffee on October 13, 2006 - 1:20 pm
Oh yeah imagine a mormon voting against childrens education. Very strange indeed. Well keep em dumb and pregnant. Why would anyone want educated Mormons???