Back to Basics

Senator Russell Pearce and candidate Jerry Lewis took to the stage last night prepared to face each other in defense of the platform they each stand on.  Both candidates gave the impression of being comfortable and ready for anything.  Then the proceedings began.

Senator Russell Pearce talks with reporters after last night's candidate forum that was held at the East Valley Institute of Technology.

Candidate Lewis seemed unprepared for the situation, leaving one to ponder how would he be if elected to one of the most important positions in State politics.  His answers were vague, and most of them seemed to begin with the word ’listen’ and end with ‘work with’.  There was no clear answer to any of the questions asked, and at one point Lewis earned a collective gasp followed by many boos when he likened the State of Arizona to Alabama 1964.

His responses carried a negative tone, and you left with the impression that this Arizonan does not like the state he moved to in the 80′s.  There is a simple solution for that, since many in the crowd disagreed with the negative light he painted, stopping just short of calling the voters in Mesa racist.  (This conclusion since in the election held in November, Senator Pearce won the seat he is now defending by a landslide vote of 70%.

The solution would be for Mr. Lewis to move back to California and leave Arizona politics to the Arizonan who not only loves his state, but has been working hard to ensure that he performs the job the voters have elected him to do.

Enter Senator Pearce.  Every question was answered with clear, concise facts.  Nothing was left hanging in the air, and each response carried, “We are working…”  “I personally took great interest in…”  “We did pass…”

And more importantly, the love he has for his district, his state and his neighbors was evident in such statements as, “I’m proud of Arizona and its accomplishments. We lead the nation on these issues (referring to illegal immigration, border security, and other issues facing American’s today) Thirty states follow our example, and Governor Brewer gets standing ovations wherever she goes.”

Pearce went on to explain that since the passing of SB1070 crime is down, class sizes in our schools are down, businesses are coming to Arizona, and tourism is up 10%. He went on to add, “We have a balanced budget. Arizona can meet it’s budget without extending the 1% tax.”

The victor in last night’s candidate forum was the man who with everything in him fights for you, me, and every Arizonan, black, white, brown, red, in his district, out of his district that resides within the borders of our state.  He is willing to continue that fight, and put himself on the front lines of such harassment as the recall election that has been laid at his feet by native Californians who wish to see our state turned into Baby California.

The voters in Ld 18 have the future of our great state in their hands.  They can win this battle for us.

The solution is simple.  Vote right, vote Pearce.

The recall election that is happening in LD 18 for no other reason than it can, is taking politics to a whole new level in Mesa, Arizona.  This election is pitting neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend, and church member against church member all in the name of “win that vote”.  The tactics being used are less than noble, and are not coming from the side of the Senator who has been brought up for re-election for the third time in three years.  Senator Russell Pearce continues to campaign as he always has-on the side of truth.

Supporters of his opponent, Jerry Lewis (a political newcomer) are using manipulation tactics, and guilt trips to sway the vote in their favor.  Below is a letter from a supporter of Pearce who is taking the high road and standing by her convictions no matter what the cost.  Her name is Jill Lawlor, and she should be commended for not giving into the bullying that is being presented to her and her family.

“I feel like I need to make some sort of public statement about some local politics that are affecting me, and now affecting my kids.  This is directed at my neighborhood, my church, and my family.

I’m in Legislative District 18 in Mesa, Arizona.  My Senator, Russell Pearce, has been recalled and is running to keep his seat in a November election.  His opponent, Jerry Lewis, was my Stake President and is one of my Dad’s best friends.  I call him a friend as well, he’s been a great support to me in so many ways over the years.  He’s an honest, hardworking, faithful, optimistic man, and I’m sure he’d work hard and do his best.  But he’s not getting my vote.

I have a Russell Pearce sign in my front yard.  This has prompted comments on facebook, text messages, instant messages, emails, dirty looks, phone calls, etc., from other ward and stake members.  I was going to give the short answer, stand up for myself in a quiet and dignified way, but yesterday was the last straw.

Ember told me that some kids, either in the neighborhood or at school, have been asking her why our family doesn’t like Jerry Lewis, why don’t we have HIS sign in our yard like everyone else?  She felt ashamed, and had to ask me about it.

My response?  NEVER be ashamed of who you are and what you believe.  This election isn’t about her, she can’t vote, and she doesn’t understand the recall or the politics.  I just used it as an opportunity to tell her that people disagree, but always stand up for what you believe in.  Don’t let peer pressure make you change your mind, your behavior, or your beliefs.  I went to bed so angry last night because my daughter is being attacked because of a sign in my front yard, and I had to teach her to disagree civilly and respectfully when I felt like doing the opposite.

So I love Jerry, but here’s why I’m voting for Pearce.  I believe this recall is wrong.  He’s worked hard, he’s authored or supported legislation that I believe in, he earned that seat through a legal and fair election, and he deserves to keep it.

Lewis will also bring over three decades of community service, having served in a variety of volunteer, church, and civic positions, including his current service as Vice President of the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America and former service as Chairman of the Mesa District of the Boy Scouts of America; Stake President and Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; (emphasis added) Treasurer, Board Member and Coach of the Westwood Little League (formerly known as Mesa Northwestern Little League); Coach for Mesa Girls Softball and Mesa YMCA Soccer; Member of various Whittier Elementary, Carson Junior High and Westwood High School parent groups; Chairman of the Westwood Baccalaureate Committee; and President of the Arizona Drug Abuse Program (formerly known as the Palmer Drug Abuse Program)

The above screen shot was taken from Recall Election candidate Jerry Lewis’ campaign website.  All looks well except for one tiny detail.  Mr. Lewis mentions not only his affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but also, the positions he has held within the Church.

Since I was raised in this Church, the fact that he would mention his Church affiliation struck me as odd, so true to my nature I did some research.

On June 16, 2011, the First Presidency of the Church released a statement to its members regarding the political neutrality of Church leaders in political matters.  Political neutrality means that the Church will not in any way side with one political candidate over another.  In an article posted on LDS.org, the Church further clarified by stating, “The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics.” (Political Neutrality, www.LDS.org, September 19, 2011)

So what does the Church expect of officials who hold, or have held leadership positions in the Church?  They do not condone the use of Church membership lists for the use of obtaining political votes or signatures, they also do not condone the swaying of elections by manipulating members who may or may not have been under a candidate’s ecclesiastical supervision.  The Church further went on to clarify by releasing this statement:

“General Authorities and general officers of the Church and their spouses and other ecclesiastical leaders serving full-time should not personally participate in political campaigns, including promoting candidates, fundraising, speaking in behalf of or otherwise endorsing candidates, and making financial contributions.

“Since they are not full-time officers of the Church, Area Seventies, stake presidents and bishops are free to contribute, serve on campaign committees and otherwise support candidates of their choice with the understanding they:

• Are acting solely as individual citizens in the democratic process and that they do not imply, or allow others to infer, that their actions or support in any way represent the church.
• Will not use Church stationery, Church-generated address lists or email systems or Church buildings for political promotional purposes.
• Will not engage in fundraising or other types of campaigning focused on fellow Church members under their ecclesiastical supervision.”

The Church does advocate that its members participate in elections, and in the political process, while understanding that each individual member is acting on their own behalf, and not at the behest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The Church also expects candidates in elections to remember that they are not, “to imply that their candidacy or platforms are endorsed by the Church.”

There is only one candidate in the Recall Election that is being held in Mesa’s LD 18 who wears the countenance of his religious affiliation in his heart, on his face (it shines), and in his actions.  That candidate is current Senate President, Russell Pearce.  He doesn’t have to shout to the voters that he is one of us, his spirit does that for him.