11 reasons every Utahn should oppose Utahns for Ethical Government's "Government Ethics Reform" initiative:

• Exclusion of LDS - The plain language of the "Government Ethics Reform" initiative, if applied as written, would prevent any person from serving in the legislature while holding a position of influence in the LDS church, such as Bishop, High Council, Stake Presidency, etc. [Read more]
• "Ethics" will become a political weapon - Those who purposefully make fictitious or groundless complaints cannot be punished in any way, and they cannot even be sued by a wrongfully accused person. The members of the "ethics" commission are exempted from the ethical standards that apply to the legislators, and there is no way to remove a corrupt or unethical "ethics" commission member.
• The end of the citizen legislature - According to the "ethics" initiative, legislators will have to publicly disclose a list of everyone who gives a wedding gift to their children (and the value of the gift), and if they get a piece of candy with their receipt at the bank they might be guilt of a felony - who would want to serve under such extreme conditions except career politicians?
• Loss of checks and balances - No act of the "ethics" commission can be reviewed by anyone, not even the Attorney General or the Supreme Court. The lack of proper checks and balances will foster corruption, not avoid it.
• Business will no longer be represented in the legislature - Legislators will have to disclose the names all of their customers and clients and how much they pay. Business people could not serve in the legislature and keep their customers with this kind of invasion of privacy (not only the legislator's privacy, but the customer's as well).
• Weakened constitutional protections - The "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard is eliminated by the "ethics" initiative. Legislators can be found guilty and have their reputations ruined even if there is reasonable doubt. Who will be next to lose this protection?
• Non-representative legislature - Campaign contribution limits mean only the wealthy can run for office.
• More powerful labor unions - Unions are specifically exempted from the political contribution limits that apply to everyone else. 
• Creates an elite oligarchy - The "Government Ethics Reform" initiative contains a provision that allows 5 of the originators of the petition to hand pick the members of the ethics commission.
• Bad laws made out of ignorance - A legislator is prohibited from voting on, or even talking about, laws that might affect his or her profession. So the people who know the most on the topic are excluded, not just from voting, but also from talking to other legislators about the industry.
• Legislators cannot help their constituents - Suppose you are the victim of a uncaring or vindictive bureaucrat in a state agency - you could no longer ask your legislator to help bring some official attention to your predicament. (Try calling the Governor's office and see who will listen.)

Looking for reasonable alternatives to Utahns for Ethics Government's "Government Ethics Reform" initiative? Check out Sutherland Institute's recommendations for ethics reform. Also, watch the ethics reform bills passed in Utah's 2010 legislative session.

How can you protect Utah?

• Reject Utahns for Ethical Government's "Government Ethics Reform" initiative.
• Contact your legislators to communicate your support for new ethics legislation that protects good government in Utah.