When I learned that Elder Perry would be speaking in my stake today I was anxious to see if he would discuss recent events…well, he did…and then some. These comments will not be verbatim…but will hopefully give the reader a sense of what Elder Perry said. I hope they may inspire you as they did me.

Wheat & Tares

Elder Perry began by saying that he was there to give a “voice of warning” that “change is occurring and we need to realize it.” He quoted the parable of the wheat and tares, and said that tares are being sown abundantly. We can hear tares on the airwaves, see them on the TV and on the internet. He warned that we have to have the Holy Ghost and it will show us the way we should go, to “never allow the noise of the world to overpower us.” He emphasized the need to have the Holy Ghost.

He continued by relating the story of Joseph Smith, and how they built the city of Nauvoo. There were 3 areas that they needed to focus on Economics, Spirituality, and Education.

Economics

We should take care of our home. Home is a heaven, make it beautiful. Take care of your home, improve it, learn how to do things yourself. We also need to teach our children to use tools, to use their hands. They will need to use their hands in the times ahead, and as parents we have a responsibility to give them those opportunities. Teach your children to work, and to clean and take care of the things we have.

We should get out of debt. Our nation is increasing the burden of debt around our necks. Currently, our President is in India begging them to buy our goods. Our country is no longer the superpower it once was. The dollar is declining in relation to the Euro and other currencies. We must realize that we are in the sign of the times, and be as independent as we possibly can. We need to be content with what we have. We need to be careful and considerate of those in need. Do things for each other. Self reliance is part of our doctrine.

Education

We need to be prepared for what is ahead. He quoted D&C 88:77-79. The Prophet Joseph Smith established the school of the prophets. Not only did they learn and teach each other the scriptures, but they also learned secular things. We need to keep up.  Elder Perry talked of when he was a kid how after he got home from school his mother would teach him and his siblings for another hour. We need to spend less time driving our kids to all their sports activities, and extracurricular events, and more time teaching them at home. In his time nobody planned things on Tuesday nights, because that was church night. We need to have sacred times within our families, especially family home evenings. We need to teach the basic doctrines of the church to our families.

We need to keep up and stay up to date on technology and new discoveries. “I’ve had to go from Palm pilot, to a Blackberry, to an iPhone, to an iPad! That’s hard on an old man!”

In regards to jobs we are no longer just competing with our neighbors for jobs, we are competing with China, India, Mexico and the whole world. We need to learn and stay up to date.

Young adults that don’t know what path they are pursuing while in college are a burden to their parents. Children need to decide early on what path they want to choose. This includes preparing for a mission and a family. Be prayerful about what path to take, but choose a path. Don’t waste years in college trying to decide what you want to do. Just choose a path, and the Lord will guide you along the way.

Spirituality

We must seek first for the Kingdom of God. What if your father awoke one morning and said to the boys get the tents out of the garage and to the girls go down to the storage room and gather up the food. Then your father explained to your family that he had a dream. In his dream your family was to leave their house and all your possessions so you could go travel into the desert.  What would you do?  I know what I would do call 911.

After Lehi and his family left into the wilderness Lehi was told to get the plates from King Laban. It was only until they relied on the Lord and were led by the Spirit that they were able to get the plates. It is the same with us. We must rely on the Spirit.

We must have faith and trust in the Lord. We must be close to the Lord and he will return to you. We need to have a newness of heart. We need to be kind to our Bishop. We need to be obedient to the commandments, and simplify our lives. Your church calling should bring you joy. Church responsibilities should not overburden us. We need to evaluate whether our time watching TV and on the internet is productive and in tune with the Lord. If not, we need to eliminate it. We need to find the simple things that find us happiness. We need to work on our home and garden. We need to measure our time and take charge of it.

Conclusion

Great turmoil is defining the world. We need to listen to the Spirit and be self reliant.

Morgan Philpot is running against Jim Matheson for Congressional District 2. I didn’t know much about Jim Matheson, so I decided to perform some due diligence. What I found may shock you.

The Message Is Getting Everywhere!

Jim Matheson claims he’s been a leader in fiscal responsibility. Let’s review the facts. Matheson voted for the $787 billion 2009 stimulus, claiming it was a “well deserved relief for average Americans.” Did you feel the relief? Me neither. He also voted for the $3 Billion Cash for Clunkers bill, a failed bailout of the auto industry. Is it fiscally responsible to spend money we don’t have and put taxpayers $3 billion further into debt?

Don’t be fooled.  Jim Matheson isn’t a fiscally conservative blue dog Democrat. He’s a clear tax and spend liberal Democrat, as he stated at the Utah State Democratic Party Convention,

 I’m Jim Matheson, Democrat.  I’m running for re-election for Congress. I’m a Democrat and I don’t run from that label, because it’s in my blood. I ask you to look at all of my record.”

I agree. Look at ALL his record. You’ll see he has voted with Nancy Pelosi 93% of the time, and voted for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House every time.

Matheson claims in a recent TV ad that “every penny counts.” However, he voted to raise the debt ceiling not once, but TWICE in the last year! Utah is seeing the largest unemployment in the state, and many of us are struggling to make ends meet.  If we can balance our budgets shouldn’t we expect the same of those in Washington?

Matheson’s “fiscal conservatism” is leading our country into more debt, higher inflation, and is destroying the purchasing power of our US dollar. You will see the start of this in November when the Federal Reserve continues to print more money.

Matheson has ignored what matters most to Americans.  His vote to adjourn ignored the expiring Bush tax credits. If left to expire every taxpayer will see an increase in tax rates. Wouldn’t you feel better right now if you knew your tax rates weren’t going to increase?

Our country is in a pivotal time. In less than a week we all have a decision to make. I hope Utahn’s won’t be fooled by the empty rhetoric and distortions on TV and radio ads but actually look at the records of those they are voting for.  It’s our duty to vote. Let your vote and voice be heard on November 2^nd. Your vote can be the difference.

With only 8 days until elections here are some of the worst 10 Jim Matheson votes. His voting record speaks for itself.

10. The Disclose Act – a partisan political tool that would further expand the government’s reach into Americans’ daily lives by restricting political giving and involvement in elections. The DISCLOSE Act tramples on the Constitution and infringes upon our freedom of speech. The DISCLOSE Act hits corporations and conservative groups the hardest, while traditional Democrat allies such as the unions are immune.

9. Rural Energy Savings Program Act - $993 million bill to give low-interest loans to customers to support installations of energy-efficiency measures.

8. HR 1586 – “The Bill with no name” – The $10 billion slush fund to bail out states with budget shortfalls.  Most troubling is the amendment’s “pay-for”: a $9.6 billion permanent tax increase. According to the C.B.O, H.R. 1586 would still add nearly $12.6 billion in deficits to the nation’s balance sheet.   

7. H.R. 4899  The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. – $58.8 billion emergency spending bill to provide money for summer jobs and disaster relief, including $3.3 billion in international assistance.

6. Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform Bill (HR 4173) – The super-size measure of 1,279 pages (1,500 with amendments), is actually a package of several bills, which when “pinned together exponentially extends the power of the federal government over banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. CNN describes as

 The most sweeping set of changes to the banking regulatory system since the New Deal.

The bill makes bailout permanent and gives the president the authority to make future bailouts at his own discretion.

5. HR 5116 – The legislation contains a total of nearly $86 billion –Moreover, H.R. 5116 would create six new programs and increase the federal government’s already far-reaching authority.During a period of reckless and unsustainable spending, we cannot afford such an expansion.  This bill creates new programs that are either duplicative or not associated with research and development, as originally intended. Even more inappropriate, H.R. 5116 places a heavier focus on global warming.

4. HR 5618 – Extending Unemployment Benefits This bill would add $34 billion to our debt load. If the Senate passes this bill it would extend benefits to the end of November. Gee, that is a convenient time. Just a few weeks past the critical bi-elections. This bill has little to do with structural unemployment. It is about buying votes and trying to sustain political control of Congress. Those that support/vote for it will say that they are doing so to help the unemployed. Actually it is just more bad legislation. This is about politics, not economics.

3. Vote to Adjourn – the vote to adjourn passed by one vote. The vote to adjourn ignored the expiring bush tax cuts, which if left alone, would increase tax rates for everyone.

2. Stimulus - $819 Billion

1. Nancy Pelosi – Matheson voted every time to elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.

Matheson=Pelosi

History repeats itself. The names may be different, but the strategy remains the same.

It was Mahatma Gandhi who said, 

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.”

First they ignore you. Who has been more ignored than the people Matheson represents? With no town hall meetings, one closed public debate, and no events listed on his webpage he is clearly ignoring the people he’s supposed to represent.

Then they laugh at you. An article posted on by the Deseret News stated,

Philpot also pointed to a blog by former Clinton political adviser Dick Morris, who recently wrote Philpot is one of several “congressional candidates who urgently need help.”

But Matheson said today from Washington that Philpot’s claims are “laughable.”

“I know from my own polling data that there is absolutely no traction for Mr. Philpot,” the congressman said. “But he’s already established that in this campaign season, he’ll say just about anything. And he’s just trying to stir things up right now because his campaign doesn’t have any momentum.”

Then they attack you. Phantom Jim’s latest political ad is an all-out deceptive attack on Morgan Philpot claiming that Morgan will eliminate social security. (To read Morgan’s official position on social security click here.)

In an article by the Salt Lake Tribune Matheson attacked Morgan’s campaign ad saying,

“You know, this guy will say anything. and he’s already proven he will say things that aren’t true.”

Then you win. Though the underdog, Morgan Philpot WILL beat Jim Matheson. The simple fact is Morgan is listening, and Jim continues to ignore our voice,  and attack Morgan Philpot’s character.

I expect the attacks by Jim to continue, but again THAT is the playbook.

Elect more. Elect differently. Vote Morgan Philpot.

Jim Matheson is nowhere to be seen or heard. Perhaps he recently found the cloak of invisibility or Pelosi’s car needed a wash, but wherever he is, or whatever he’s doing is anybody’s guess.

Where is the Phantom?

Want to let him know how you feel? Forget it. Upon visiting Jim Matheson’s official website I found that he was meeting with his constituency exactly…(drum roll please!)….0 times! Yeah, that’s right. No meetings.

Ah yes. The debates. Well, apparently Phantom Jim will NOT be taking questions from the audience, and is pre-screening all the questions. You wouldn’t expect a Phantom to know the answer, would you?  

Let’s compare town hall meetings. Morgan Philpot is actively reaching out to voters everywhere. Just check out his website. He has 9 events in October alone, from Salt Lake to St. George. Matheson’s events?…0.

Record aside (which shows he votes with Pelosi 92% of the time), who is going to represent you? A phantom that doesn’t listen? or a candidate that’s listening to you?

I’ll pass on the Phantom.

Elect differently. Vote Morgan Philpot.

Why was Jim Matheson’s vote yesterday such a big deal?

The 210-209 vote to adjourn Congress came right before addressing the expiring tax cuts. The vote to adjourn passed by 1 vote.

One vote was all that was needed for Congress to address one of the most critical issues facing us today….the economy. One vote was all that was needed, but Jim Matheson sided with Nancy Pelosi and team.

Republican challenger Morgan Philpot stated,

“Instead of taking steps towards smaller government and economic opportunity for the people of Utah, my opponent chose to take a vacation. The hypocrisy of my opponent’s vote is astounding.  Just last week, Matheson went national with his support of the tax cuts. This week he turns around and does an about face with his vote to adjourn, thus avoiding a real vote on those same tax cuts. This type of talking out of both sides of one’s mouth is why Congress has an 11 percent approval rating.”

Why should we care if the Bush tax cuts don’t get extended? Here are five reasons.

1. Your tax rates will increase. Instead of the current rates of 10, 25, 28, 33, and 35% they will increase to  15, 28, 31, 36 and 39.6%. Total cost to taxpayers? $157 Billion.  
2. Taxes on capital gains and dividends will increase. Cost? $35 Billion.
3. Married couples would go back to paying higher rates. Cost? $32 Billion
4. Child tax credit will decrease from $1,000 to $500. This could cost families an extra $26 Billion.
5. Estate taxes would increase, potentially costing heirs $26 billion.

These are just 5 effects of not extending these tax cuts. This impacts all of us. 

What can you do?

1. Put your support behind someone that represents you!
2. Donate what you can to them. (Even if it’s $5)
3. Inform your neighbors.
4. Vote on Nov 2^nd.

As we’ve learned one vote DOES count. Let’s make it count FOR Utah. Not Washington.

Elect Differently.

Vote Morgan Philpot! Donate today!

Ignoring rising unemployment and poverty in Utah, Democrat Phantom Jim Matheson voted with Nancy Pelosi and team to adjourn Congress before addressing the extension of tax cuts.Regarding the vote, John Boehner (R-OH)  issued the following statement:

“A vote to adjourn this Congress without an up-or-down vote to stop all the tax hikes is a vote to raise taxes and destroy more jobs. American families and small businesses deserve better. This Congress has a chance to help end uncertainty for families and small businesses by stopping all the tax hikes set to take effect on January 1. If Democratic Leaders leave town without stopping all of the tax hikes, they are turning their backs on the American people. “

This was a vote Phantom Jim couldn’t avoid. The motion to adjourn passed by one vote. Phantom Jim showed where his allegiance is. Not to the Utahns he represents, but to Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic establishment.

We need to change Washington. We need someone to represent Utah. Elect differently this November. Vote Morgan Philpot. Morgan Philpot – Stone’s Throw

On September 23^rd, Republicans unveiled their strategy to lull American citizens into a false sense of security. I was particularly interested how S.M.A.R.T the GOP plan was. In order for any strategy to be successful it has to be:

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (a time frame to accomplish the goal)

Which of the items included in the Pledge to America is S.M.A.R.T?

1. Stop out-of-control spending
2. Reduce the size of government
3. Roll back government spending to pre-stimulus levels
4. Impose a hiring freeze on non-security federal employees.
5. Permanently end bailouts
6. Cancel TARP
7. Protect entitlement programs for Seniors and Future Generations
8. Repeal and Replace Healthcare
9. Give small business a tax deduction of 20%
10.  Significantly reduce the budget
11. Put government on path to a balanced budget

Not one item passes every SMART test. This list is not all-inclusive. However, if the GOP really wants to get back on track they need to listen to the American people. Citizens are fed up with rhetoric. Start giving us SMART solutions.

Last Tuesdayafternoon I read the Daily Herald article and was shocked to learn that Pleasant Grove (PG) is considering raising utility rates over 60% in the next four years. Shock is an understatment.

I tried to alert as many people as I knew of the council meeting that night. If there was any hope to not have rates increased I needed help….and help came. Primarily due to the herald article over 60 people showed.

Before we got to the main discussion of utility rates citizens started asking the Council about the cash paid for the Fox Hollow golf course which has NEVER made money. That’s right. NEVER.

In a different article by the Herald, PG Mayor Bruce Call said, ““I do not know when, if ever, the course has been profitable, we view it as an amenity to our citizens, similar to our swimming pool, our library, our recreation center and our parks, none of which are profit centers for Pleasant Grove, and all of which are supported with taxpayer funds. In fiscal year 2010, Pleasant Grove covered $209,980 as our share of the shortfall.”

I was at the meeting. Residents were visibly ticked, and the Council made every attempt to justify the golf bailout making no apologies..and we weren’t even to the utility rate discussion!

Citizens are being asked to bear a burden that many will be unable to bear. Why? Partially because of poor financial planning by PG when they started these projects. Now the citizens are being asked to pay for their mistakes.

Nobody in PG is going to be immune from the rate increases. The senior citizens who have fixed incomes will be forced to live on less. The small business impact could be tripled. Business utility rates will rise, consumers will spend less, and surprise! if they live in PG their homes utility rates will increase too!  

The current general fund of PG is already in a deficit over $500,000 for the year. If utility rates rise to cover project development costs the extra money you and I have to spend on things we like will decrease. This will cause sales taxes to decrease. Do you see the spiral effect? Me too. We are in trouble.

The vote last Tuesday was delayed till next Tuesday at 6pm. Due to the anticipated demand, it will be at the Pleasant Grove Jr. High School. Let the council know where you stand.

We are in tough times. We need leaders to make tough decisions, and citizens to support them when they do. If we drive away small businesses they may never come back. Perhaps we should look at cutting those “extra things” that are nice so our city can have a future.