Utah Priorities Project

By Steve Kroes, Utah Foundation President

This week, Utah Foundation will release a report on energy issues as part of the Utah Priorities Project. Energy issues ranked as the highest concern among Utah voters when the Utah Priorities Survey was conducted in January. We were frankly surprised that energy ranked so high on the priorities list – even beating Utah’s perennial favorite issue of education. This result is probably caused by the rapid increases in gasoline prices seen over the past two years.

In the survey, voters were asked about their level of concern about a number of energy issues, and here’s how the results came out, on a scale of one to five, with five meaning they were “very concerned” and one meaning “not at all concerned”:

1. Rising gas prices (score: 4.45)
2. Development of renewable energy resources (score: 4.18)
3. Potential energy shortages (score: 3.88)
4. Over-consumption of energy (score: 3.87)
5. Environmental impacts of energy use (score: 3.73)

 Obviously, gas prices are the main concern on the minds of voters, but they also showed a strong level of concern about developing renewable energy resources. Renewable energy resources include such old standards as hydro-electric power from dams but also sources like wind and solar power that have received much attention in recent years.

As for dealing with gasoline prices, there probably isn’t much that can be done through state public policy decisions. Utah often enjoys lower prices than the national average, but they generally follow the same trend as national prices and are subject to all of the fluctuations in world demand for and supply of oil.

On the other hand, much can be done at the state level to encourage development of renewable energy resources. Utah does have significant potential for electric power generated by wind, geothermal, and solar energy. All of these options will become more feasible in the future if energy prices continue to rise.

Realistic Immigration Reform
The Sutherland Institute has released a position statement and an essay on immigration that present "an authentic conservative position that embraces comprehensive immigration reform." Says Sutherland President Paul Mero: "It is time for authentic conservatives to step forward and accept responsibility to address this issue in principled terms, as opportunity not onus" (see press release and Executive Summary). See also Tribune and Deseret News stories and Deseret News editorial supporting the Sutherland proposal.

Today in Political History

May 6, 1937:  The hydrogen-filled German dirigible Hindenburg burns and crashes in Lakehurst, N.J., killing 36 of the 97 people on board.

May 6, 1954:  Roger Bannister becomes the first athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes, finishing in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds during a track meet in Oxford, England.  (Source:  NY Times) 

Wise Words

 “We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves. The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable.” 

-- Roger Bannister  (Source:  Think Exist) 

Communications Tip

Barriers to Communication

Nothing is so as important to a political leader as being a good communicator, which includes pro-active listening, as well as talking. Many physical and psychological barriers exist that prevent understanding of the message:

Culture, background, and bias - We allow our past experiences to change the meaning of the message. Our culture, background, and bias can be good as they allow us use our past experiences to understand something new, it is when they change the meaning of the message then they interfere with the communication process.

Noise - Environmental noise impedes clear communication. The sender and the receiver must both be able to concentrate on the messages being sent to each other.

Ourselves - Focusing on ourselves, rather than the other person can lead to confusion and conflict. The "Me Generation" is out when it comes to effective communication. Some of the factors that cause this are defensiveness (we feel someone is attacking us), superiority (we feel we know more that the other), and ego (we feel we are the center of the activity).

Perception - If we feel the person is talking too fast, not fluently, does not articulate clearly, etc., we may dismiss the person. Also, our preconceived attitudes affect our ability to listen. We listen uncritically to persons of high status and dismiss those of low status.  (Source:  NWlink) 

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- New York Times: According to a new poll, "[a] majority of American voters say that the furor over the relationship between Senator Barack Obama and his former pastor has not affected their opinion of Mr. Obama, but a substantial number say that it could influence voters this fall should he be the Democratic presidential nominee...."

-- The Hill: Howard Dean says the GOP's use of Jeremiah Wright in political ads is "race baiting."

-- Politico: "[P]olling and conventional wisdom have set clear expectations [for today's North Carolina and Indiana primaries]. Obama, barring catastrophe, should win North Carolina handily. [Hillary] Clinton is expected, with somewhat less confidence, to win Indiana -- and will likely be forced from the race if she fails to carry the state."

-- USA Today: Columnist Henry G. Brinton says reports of the demise of conservative Christianity in America "are at the very least premature, and in all likelihood dead wrong. High-profile leaders will come and go, but the strength and commitment of conservative Christians on the front lines of parish life are as strong as ever."

Blog Watch

Two guys from Quantico analyze the Saturday debate featuring the 3rd District congressional candidates. Chris Cannon, Jason Chaffetz and David Leavitt all have supporters and detractors among the blogger and commenters.

-- At Out of Context, Robert Gehrke says: "Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has mended fences with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, after Reid blasted Utah and Arizona for failing to act more aggressively to crack down on polygamy. But he told the Republican audience [at the SL County GOP convention Saturday] that when Reid called and said he wanted 'to kiss and make up,' it kind of grossed him out. He also took a shot at Reid for telling KUER's Doug Fabrizio that Utah and Arizona should be 'ashamed,' for not doing more to fight polygamy. As Shurtleff saw it, with Reid's homestate allowing legalized prostitution and gambling, that's something like Paris Hilton saying she's ashamed of Miley Cyrus. Everyone is up in arms, of course, over the photos of Cyrus' naked back, claiming it objectifies underage girls. Maybe the 15-year-old bubble gum princess would be better off if she lived in an FLDS community, where she could be the fully clothed mother of two."

Lighter Side

Spelling makes a difference: “I found I wasn’t really interested in a recipe I discovered in our local newspaper after reading ‘Bigger bowels are recommended if you double the recipe.’” (Carolyn Flynn in Reader’s Digest)