GARY SHUMWAY for UTAH STATE REPRESENTATIVE, D-53

*** Election Results ***

The election results are in and I have congratulated Mel on his win.

To the voters of District 53, I sincerely appreciate your vote and your faith in my candidacy and platform of smaller, more responsive, and open government, stopping illegal immigration inducements, decrease taxes, and increased funding for our educational system with parental choice. Please continue in the good fight of reinstating the citizen as the master and government as the servant, I certainly will. This is but the morning of a new day.
Thank you again!

Election Results as reported by the SLTrib.com at 12:24 AM on 11/8 with 98% of the precincts reporting.

These results are pretty good for a third-party candidate's first run for the Citizen's House (see table below). I know, leave it to a politician, statistician, or optimist to find sunlight in the darkest recesses. But in fact my seven percent of the votes is competitive with any third-party candidate in the District in the recent past. I also stated at the beginning of this campaign when I was looking at Bonham's 7% in 2002 that, "Laura received 7.4% of the votes, which, sad to say, is a pretty good showing for a third-party candidate." So even though I had hoped for a higher percentage, I'll take the 7% and be very appreciative.

Also from Table A below:
1. I'm proud to note that we polled nearly 100% more in Daggett County than the last two third-party candidates combined,
2. We beat both previous third-party candidates in Morgan County,
3. None of the previous two third-party candidates received more than zero percent in Rich County, while we polled five percent,
4. I was beaten in Summit County by Laura's nine percent (as a third-party candidate) vs. my seven percent, but there again I was competitive, and
5. Wasatch County was good to me and we tied Laura's 2002 eight percent polling.
Thus, I think compared to the recent past third-party candidates in District 53, we were certainly competitive.

As you can see by the numbers below the Republicans have always trounced their opponents in all the counties except Summit. For a non-Republican to win in District 53 a candidate would have to be very competitive or win in Summit and Morgan counties in order to ameliorate the Republican advantage in the other counties. Unfortunately, as previously stated, Morgan has always gone strongly Republican with only Summit really in play.

Another way to look at the results of this election is to compare my polling with those of other three-way races for the House that included a Republican, Democrat, and a third-party candidate. If we do that, we find that in the sixteen races meeting those critera, only two of them had higher percentages of the vote than my campaign. In both of those races the third-party candidate was a member of the Constitution party. Of course there are many variables to take into account which make each District a different race, but still, I believe the above is an indication that our campaign was competitive.

What is even more amazing to me is that we were able to obtain the seven percent when:
1. I supplied more than 90% of my campaign funds myself, whereas Bonham spent $14 and Brown $0 of their own money.
2. I will have spent some $10.5K when all is said and done while Bonham spent over $47K and Brown over $17K, of other people's money.
3. Brown was born in Kamas, has connections and lived in the area all his life. He claims to be related to some 60% of the individuals in Henefer alone. Bonham has run twice before and has been active in politics in the area for more than six years. I am new to political campaigns and was an unknown in the District before this campaign.
4. My campaign volunteers included Lynn Badler (also a Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Congress), Alan and Glenna Shirley, my wife, Mary Ann, and myself. This campaign wouldn't have been as successful as it was without their help and encouragement. Lynn and Alan helped in knocking on doors and passing out campaign literature. Mary Ann was very helpful in putting together campaign material, passing out the campaign literature, placing/removing signs, as chauffer, and keeping me on the straight and narrow. I did the rest. I have spent more than 1,000 hours on this campaign and found it replete with emotional highs and lows. Regardless, it was a great learning experience. I am very satisfied that we gave this campaign all we could, given the constraints under which we were working. I am also very glad that I was able to give the voters of District 53 a choice, rather than just more of the same. Many of you, when I introduced myself at your doorstep, were supportive and thanked me for making the effort. I appreciate that.

It was a great run. Thank you everyone for your encouragement, best wishes, and most importantly, your vote! Keep the fires burning.

Your District 53, State Representative Candidates

Clicking here will take you to my FAQ page where the candidates for your Utah State Representative are discussed and for links to the on-line surveys to which the candidates have responded. Mel's unmitigated audacity.

Cartoons

Subjects found on this page:

How to use this Site (see also Site Map below)

To use this web site you may:

1. click on one of the subjects listed under 'Subjects found on this page' (basically a table of contents) which occurs at the beginning of many of the pages,
   
   
2. click on one of the above red or blue buttons for the desired content, e.g., Platform, FAQ, Campaign News, etc.,
   
   
3. view and click within the menus in the right column for additional content, e.g., view upcoming events, respond to polls, read blogs, view images, etc. (you may have to create an account and log in to use some of the functionality), or
   
   
4. use one or both of the search functions (search indexes updated weekly):
   a. Search the blogs, polls, events, and images by clicking on 'Search: Blogs, Polls, Events, & Images' in the Navigation menu in the right column or
   b. Search all the other pages, e.g., FAQ, Campaign News, Biography, etc. by clicking on the button above titled 'Search Site Pages'.

As noted above, in order for you to use all of this site's functionality, you may need to create an account (see 'User Login' menu near bottom on right). If you do create an account, your email address will not be sold or given to anyone.

Of course, if you cannot find what you want, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Contact Information

Citizens for Shumway
P.O. Box 982285
Park City, UT 84098
Tel: 435-729-0545 or 801-824-4469
Fax: 801-665-1803
Email:

Priorities (see also FAQ and Platform for more details)

Top Four Priorities:

1. Illegal Immigration
2. Quality Education
3. Decrease Taxes and More Open Government
4. Health Care Reform

1. Illegal Immigration
Summary: Secure our borders first and then resolve illegal immigrant issues. No blanket amnesty or blanket deportation. Acknowledge the need for a guest worker program which does not, in and of itself, lead to citizenship.

Here is a prime example of our governmental officials not doing their duty by protecting our borders and enforcing our laws. We must send the message to illegal immigrants that they need to come to the U.S. legally. We can give them that message by:

a. not giving illegal immigrant's driver's licenses. They should be issued a state ID card until the decision is made as to what to do regarding their illegal entry or they are deported.
b. not using the Matricula Consular ID as a form of identification, it is fraught with fraud.
c. not giving illegal aliens instate residence status for educational purposes. This is an added tax burden on legal residents and takes similar opportunities away from legal residents of Utah.
d. legislation that adequately funds enforcement of our existing state level immigration laws and to mandate that all law enforcement agencies within our state are compelled to cooperate with Immigration and Customs enforcement to detain and deport those persons who are in the United States illegally.
e. legislation that denies any and all state funded social benefits to people who are in this country illegally and to provide tort reform so that hospital emergency rooms can turn away non-emergency cases without facing lawsuits for doing so and to provide that no liability, criminal or civil, attaches to any emergency facility for refusing to treat non-emergency cases.
f. legislation that outlaws any and all "sanctuary" laws and/or policies by any municipalities or agencies within our State.
g. legislation that defines any person who is in this country illegally, and is arrested for a crime, as a "flight risk" and mandates a minimum $50,000 bail for any crime committed by them and further mandates a minimum $100,000 bail for a first DUI offense and a minimum $250,000 bail for a second or subsequent DUI offense or any felony offense.
h. legislation that mandates "English only" policies for all State funded agencies and activities.
i. legislation requiring valid proof of citizenship of any and all persons registering to vote and proof of citizenship in order to vote in our elections. Said legislation shall provide that any U.S. citizen who cannot afford it shall bear no cost for providing said proof of citizenship.

Any country that wants to survive must control its borders. Please see the document entitled, "Illegal Immigration: Very Wrong for So Many Reasons".


2. Quality Education
Summary: Increase quality and choice in educating our children.

Education is a high priority. I propose we:

a. establish choice in education via vouchers or tax credits, which will give all children (urban and rural) an equal opportunity for a quality education.
b. encourage intra-district transfers if a student's needs are better met at another school.
c. hire an adequate number of well trained and competitively paid educators who will represent our values of hard work, diligence, and achievement rather than overly impressive buildings and grounds.
d. give our educators the educational materials and supplies they need.
e. tell the Feds to keep their noses out of our educational system and that we will not be held hostage to Federal decrees.
f. encourage overly large school districts to pare down and become more responsive to local concerns.

With my having had more than 25 years (and counting) of education, you know education is a high priority with me. Education, it's too important to be left solely to the government.


3. Decrease Taxes and More Open Government
Summary: Decrease taxes and open government while increasing personal privacy.

The basic message here is that we taxpayers are paying too much and government is too big. Utah is sitting on one billion dollars of surplus and yet your current government officials are thinking up new ways to tax you, including sales via the Internet and toll roads. State spending will exceed $8 billion in the next fiscal year. This is up from $4 billion just ten years ago! Spending doubled in 10 years! Next year's total state government spending will be 7% higher than this year's spending, which was similarly 7% higher than last year's amount.

We must:

a. stop this spending frenzy. We live in the state with the nation's ninth highest tax burden!
b. pare down government where possible,
c. decrease governmental regulations and intrusion into our lives, and
d. keep more of our money for our own discretionary spending.

I propose giving you less government for your money (and you keep the difference). I know most politicians at least pay lip service to decreased taxes but I have signed a pledge to vote no to tax increases. If I vote to raise taxes I have promised to resign as your legislator.

To control government, we must make it more open and responsive while augmenting our personal privacy.

a. Leave GRAMA alone. GRAMA (Government Records Access and Management Act) has been in force since 1990 but lately has taken a number of whacks by the Utah state legislature. A report compiled in 2005, points out the difficulties for the average citizen to gain access to government records. During the last legislative session, seven bills were passed and over the past five years 70 bills were passed, which makes your government less transparent (thus accountable) to you, the people! Send the "leave GRAMA alone" message to Salt Lake by electing Shumway. Remember the FROG: Freedom Requires Open Government.
b. It is my opinion that significant portions of the Patriot Act go way too far in usurping our constitutional guarantees of privacy and the Utah legislature should censure the Act.
c. The REAL ID Act must be stopped as it gives unfettered authority to the Department of Homeland Security to design state ID cards, driver's licenses, and the contents thereon. Among the possibilities: biometric information such as retinal scans, fingerprints, DNA data and RFID tracking technology. Say good-bye to personal privacy!
d. Due to the Supreme Court's recent Kelo v. New London eminent domain decision we must pass legislation to further protect private property rights.
e. Continuing in my support of personal privacy, I would like to implement anti-roadblock legislation. I would support language which would make it more difficult for law enforcement to harass citizens. Such a measure would include language similar to: "The stopping and detaining, involuntarily, of any person for any law enforcement purpose must be preceded by probable cause or, at a minimum, reasonable suspicion, that said person has or is committing a crime. The right to travel cannot be diminished nor limited as a condition for obtaining a government privilege or license."

If we aren't the master of government, we become it's servants.

1. enable all workers to create tax-exempt medical savings accounts (MSA) by which to save money for health care, tax free. Unspent money in the account would accumulate and belong to the account holder for medical expenses.
2. change tax laws that discriminate against people that do not have employer-provided health insurance such that all health care expenditures should be 100% tax deductible.
3. deregulate the health care industry:
   1. elimination of mandated benefits,
   2. repeal Certificate-of-Need program, and
   3. expansion of the scope of practice for non-physician health professionals.
4. limit the medical procedures paid for by public funds for illegal immigrants, include returning illegals to their home country for long-term care.
5. Patient access to quality health care is threatened by personal injury attorneys. We must have medical liability reform to end lawsuit abuse.

Health care reform is not a simple matter and legislative policy makers will need the assistance of consumers and providers to arrive at a comprehensive and equitable solution. We must, without fail, avoid a national or socialized health care system.

Additional Priorities:

1. Enhance Communication
2. Agricultural Concerns, Water Preservation, Environment/Pollution, and Consumer Protection
3. Pro-Gun Legislation
4. Proportional Representation, IRV, and Ballot Access
5. Parley's Park Included in District 53
   

1. Enhance Communication
My slogan is about sending your message to Salt Lake (the politicians). Thus it is fitting that I make communication my number one platform issue. Without communication with our constituents, how can a legislator know their needs and opinions? By actually listening to and evaluating their input, a representative can't help but be better informed. To that end, if elected as your State Representative from District 53, I will:

1. always respond to your personal messages with a personal note relevant to your comments,
2. maintain an issues web site which will have legislative issues listed on it so that you are free to give your opinions, and
3. have on-line polls on contemporary issues available in the web site (similar to my campaign site).

In short, I will listen to your messages!


2. Agricultural Concerns, Water Preservation, Environment/Pollution, and Consumer Protection

Agricultural Concerns

a. The estate tax was initiated in 1916 to raise revenue for the war but has since become an effort to prevent further concentration of wealth by the already rich. This hasn't worked. This tax is only 1% of government revenue and it's estimated to take 2/3% of the revenue collected to enforce the law. Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the nation and property values are escalating. As over 75% of Utah is owned by the government, our limited private lands and fast-paced development are pushing farmland values higher and higher. Salt Lake County's remaining farmlands are being valued as high as $375,000 per acre with northern Utah County farmland hitting $350,000 - $400,000 per acre. An average-sized family farm quickly eclipses the death tax exemption - land rich, cash poor Agriculturalist need a break! Utah's inheritance tax is based on Federal tax and this tax must go, and permanently.
b. U.S. agricultural has need for some 1 million laborers over and above farm and ranch family members. It has been estimated that currently one-half of those laborers are in the U.S. illegally. We must close the borders and devise plans by which these labor needs can be met, legally!
c. The week of August 6th was National Farmers Markets Week. The number of farmers markets have increased 100% since 1994 and sales are estimated to be $1 billion a year, nationwide. I propose that encourage the continued expansion of farmers markets as it's a great opportunity for urban citizens to meet those who produce their food and obtain fresh food at a good price for both parties.

Water Preservation

Utah is the second driest state in the U.S. We must take steps to ensure we have adequate water for the future. I support conservation measures as well as steps to inventory existing water rights and usage with a focus on population growth and sustained usage. We must support local private and community owned water companies and encourage cooperation with farmers and ranchers to produce quality and adequate water supplies.

Environment and Pollution

It is our responsibility to be productive and prudent stewards of earth's natural resources. This requires a proper and continuing dynamic balance between development and conservation, between use and preservation. I wholeheartedly support realistic efforts to preserve the environment and reduce pollution. Further, I submit that the best means to do this is via a capitalistic society. I argue against costly governmental interference, accompanied by multitudes of regulations and heavy-handed bureaucrats spurred on by irresponsible pressure groups.

Pollution of other people's property is a violation of individual rights. Strict liability, not government agencies and arbitrary government standards, should regulate pollution. Claiming that one has abandoned a piece of property does not absolve one of the responsibilities for actions one has set in motion.

I support the development of an objective legal system defining property rights to air and water. Rather than making taxpayers pay for toxic waste clean-ups, individual property owners, or in the case of corporations, the responsible managers and employees should be held strictly liable for material damage done by their property.

Toxic waste disposal problems have been created by government policies that separate liability from property. Present legal principles, particularly the unjust and false concept of "public property," block privatization of the use of the environment and hence block resolution of controversies over resource use. I cannot support the EPA's Superfund whose taxing powers are used to penalize all chemical firms, regardless of their conduct. Such clean-ups are a subsidy of irresponsible companies at the expense of responsible ones.

I support ending the participation of the United States in UN programs such as UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), Man and the Biosphere, and the UN Council on Sustainable Development. I oppose environmental treaties and conventions such as the Biodiversity Treaty, the Convention on Climate Control, and Agenda 21, which destroy our sovereignty and right to private property.

Speaking about land, the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution limits the federal power of eminent domain solely to the purchase of private property with just compensation for public use, such as military reservations and government office buildings - not for public ownership, such as urban renewal, environmental protection, or historic- preservation. Under no circumstances may the federal government take private property, by means of rules and regulations that preclude or substantially reduce the productive use of the property, even with just compensation.

Consumer Protection

Consumer demand rather than legislative mandate should drive consumer safety and protection. I support strong and effective laws against fraud and misrepresentation. However, I oppose paternalistic regulations, which dictate to consumers, impose prices, define standards for products, or otherwise restrict risk-taking and free choice.

Government consumer protection regulation restricts the competition of the free market and replaces the individual's right to make independent choices with government-determined, "one size fits all" standards or standards so steeped in legalese that they are impossible for the average consumer to understand.

I encourage consumer activism that would boycott and economically sanction those businesses that adversely affect human health and/or damage the environment, passing costs on to the general public. I would look to independent entities such as Underwriters Laboratories, Consumer Reports and other testing organizations as models for grassroots consumer-driven certification. I would also repeal laws mandating use of safety equipment such as seat belts or crash helmets, which can be more effectively driven by consumer action in the marketplace.

3. Pro-Gun Legislation
Compared to some other states we have lived in, Utah is certainly pro-gun, but there is room for improvement.

1. You should be able to legally carry a concealed firearm in your own home or property without state interference. A bill similar to SB24-S3 (2006) should be passed in 2007.
2. I support the "Castle Doctrine" which states that you have the right to meet force with force to protect yourself and loved ones and denies criminal and civil suits against you by those you injure while protecting yourself or loved ones from violent attack.
3. I would support legislation which would enable taxpayers to shoot on ranges that have been paid for by tax money but are only partially used by governmental agencies.
4. I would also support, and introduce if necessary, legislation making it illegal for the government or any agency of same, to confiscate firearms of law abiding citizens in the case of a state or national emergency (similar to Idaho's recently passed 1401 bill). State emergencies are in fact just the time that citizens need the protection offered by firearms.
5. I would support legislation that would require Utah to offer a life-time concealed permit option along with indicating whether the person was a U.S. citizen or they would have to provide an alien registration number. This would preclude forgetting to renew your permit every five years.
   

In short, I am your pro-gun candidate!


4. Proportional Representation, IRV, and Ballot Access

1. Increase your voice and get your message across to government! Support with me, the concept of proportional representation (see my platform for more information). The message I'll give Salt Lake is that, where possible, practical, and economically feasible, we should institute proportional representation.
2. I also support instant runoff (IRV), Condorcet method, or similar voting when a single winner is appropriate. I believe these methods to be more representative of actual voter preferences. With this type of voting, it is not all or nothing. You are able to prioritize your voting and have a second, third, etc. choice. Your vote is much less likely to be 'wasted'.
3. I also support making it less difficult to get initiatives on the ballot. Why is it so difficult? Do the Legislators think they are the only ones with good ideas?
   
   

5. Parley's Park (Kimball Junction/Snyderville Basin) Inclusion in District 53
Back in 2001 during the state redistricting, the borders for State Representative District 53 were apparently gerrymandered so that a small portion of Summit County is not included in the District. That is, if you live in Jeremy Ranch area you are in District 53. If you live east of highway 40 you are in District 53. If you live in Park City you are in District 53. But if you live between those places, yet still reside in Summit County then you are in District 25. Why is it that if you live in Summit County, you live in the Wasatch Back, and you live between three areas in District 53, yet you are in District 25?

If possible, this should be changed. District boundaries are too tempting to gerrymander by those with other agendas (keeping power). An outside board should be used to fairly represent what is best for the people, not the legislators. I will give Salt Lake that message!

Gary's Message

I welcome you to my candidate for Utah State Representative, District 53 web site! I am Gary Shumway and I approve of this web site. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you do not find what you are looking for, if you find inaccuracies, or if you seek clarification of its content.

I am running as a Libertarian for your State Representative because, in aggregate, the Libertarian platform most approximates my own beliefs (though the Constitution Party's platform is close). In a sentence, my platform is to limit government intrusion into our lives while emphasizing personal responsibility and free enterprise, enabling us to enjoy the diversity that true freedom engenders.

Yet, as mentioned in my FAQ page and the Platform and Extended Platform sections, I differ significantly from the National Libertarian platform** on several issues. That is:

1. I emphatically believe we must close our borders now and not offer blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants,
2. my platform does not call for the legalization of currently illegal drugs, other than medical marijuana,
3. at times government monopolies, for a limited number of services, may be shown to be in the public's best interest if created, run and monitored wisely,
4. I specifically support 'marriage' as the union between a man and a woman, other social contracts should be available to all, and
5. we have incrementally gotten into the morass that we find ourselves in today and we must extradite ourselves incrementally, though not half-heartedly.
   

Some have asked me why I have placed my platform material on-line. I have been told that I will alienate some voters by specifically stating my platform rather then beating around the bush, not to mention giving my opponents ammunition with which to snipe at me. I have created this web site because:

1. I need, your input. Communication is one of the planks of my platform. I am obviously not omniscient, yet I do have my core beliefs and thoughts regarding issues confronting District 53, Utah, and our country. I hope you take the time to contact me regarding my platform and other issues you believe important. Let's discuss the issues.
2. I have already experienced, on multiple occasions, the bias of the traditional mass media has against third party candidates. The mass media appears loath to give a third party candidate a podium from which to expound upon their platform. Maybe it's tradition, maybe it's money, maybe not enough third party candidates are serious, or maybe it is simply bias. Regardless, I'm serious, I'm spending the time and money, and in order for you to know where I stand, I have to tell you. If you cannot get it from the press, get it here or contact me.
3. Core beliefs are sometimes difficult to get a candidate to elucidate upon. Thus, I would like to briefly state some of my core beliefs. They are (in no specific order):
   • Spirituality: I believe the evidence best supports intelligent design vs. a purely random universe. Other than providing a basis for human interaction, belief in a Creator and one's spirituality is deeply personal. Overly zealous individuals should pontificate from the podium rather than lecture from the floor of the House. The basis for human interaction mentioned above is, "...that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
   • Politics: I believe that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are best accomplished in a free society with minimal government intervention. Governments are created to protect the citizenry from being subjected to force or fraud, not perpetuate it. I believe in the rule of law, equally applied. I also believe that the more corrupt a society, the greater extent it tries to control its citizens via intimidation and laws. Victimless 'crimes' are not crimes. Morality cannot be legislated. The Constitution of the United States is an inspired document.
   • Family: I believe the family unit to be the basis of society. From family we should learn morality, self-reliance, and proper interaction with other humans. A village (society, including organizational religion) may participate, but parents have the responsibility of raising their child.
   • Economics: Given the human condition, I believe capitalism is the most moral economic system and fascism, socialism, communism and their statist variants to be the most corrupt. I believe Lysander Spooner, Murray Rothbard, Friedrich Hayek, Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman, Ludwig von Mises, and Henry Hazlitt stand head and shoulders above the likes of Francois-Noel Babeuf, Robert Owen, Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx, Eduard Bernstein, and John Haldane.
   • Leaders/Politicians: My contemporary political mentor in the U.S. House is Dr. Ron Paul (R). Thomas Jefferson is my pick of the Founding Fathers.
   • Political Ideology: I believe my core beliefs, if they could be summed up in one ideology, would be most closely aligned with pragmatic paleolibertarianism .
   • National Identity: I believe that national identity is critical to hold a country together. Common language, purpose, culture, and defensible borders are among those things that hold a country together, thus the reason globalists discount them.

Along the lines of my core beliefs, I am not interested in getting elected to office simply to get into office. My opponents are a Republican who has had his share of problems when he was last in the House and a 'Progressive' Democrat (she is really a Green) who wants you to pay for everyone's health care. I would hope that my platform more approximates your beliefs and I would thus garner your vote. Rest assured that I will not modify my core beliefs just to get elected. As to politics, I will be beholden to no one but my core beliefs and the people; not the party elite, not the press, not the globalists, and certainly not even doing what is the political flavor of the moment.

One last thought. Please see my rebuttal regarding the concern some voters have about a 'wasted vote' if they vote for a third party candidate (if a third party candidate never wins, there is no reason for the Republicans or Democrats to change.) For those who would vote Libertarian but are just afraid of too much change if I were elected, please note that I would be but one of 75 Legislators in the Utah House. Of course I would try to have an impact but realistically with each Legislator having their own ideas and agendas, do not expect the world to stop spinning and all the statists to fall off (note that you can view how I would have voted on the 2006 bills in my platform page.)

My election would importantly send a message to the existing power structure. That message is that you, the voters, are tired of their over-reaching and controlling legislation. To that end, I would recommend voting all third party! Think of the message that would send, and I would not be so lonely up on the hill.

If not me, who? If not now, when?

Yours in Liberty!

Gary S. Shumway, CCP, MA, MPH, MBA
Candidate for Utah State Representative, District 53

** Note that due to changes brought about by the July, 2006 Libertarian National Convention, the 2004 Atlanta National Libertarian Platform has undergone extensive revision. It should be posted soon at http://www.lp.org.

My Take-Aways from the Opposition and the Campaign

As Election Day nears (3-days away as I write this) I would like to take a few minutes and reflect on the candidates and the campaign

Opposition
Laura Bonham:
1. Seventy-five percent of Bonham's contributions come from just five individuals or their companies, half of which are outside the District. I don't see that as her proclaimed wide spread support by the frustrated citizens of the county. To her credit she has amassed more than $46K in contributions, the Democrats smell blood and are circling. If opposing voters don't get out and vote, the District may go Democrat. Oh, yeah, 25% of Bonham's contributions (as of 10/31) are from Rob Weyher. With his recent somewhat checkered past; it is interesting how he has managed to stay out of the news. Do you think that will continue if Bonham is elected?
2. Do you want a Representative who tries to buy her way into the rural constituent's heart by spending more than $27,000 on animal auctions and another $1,000 on pumpkin give-aways. I believe the message there is if you vote for me I'll give you stuff, but is this fiscal constraint/responsibility? Of course it's Laura's campaign and her campaign funds so she jolly well can spend them as she wishes but when David Ure amassed a similar campaign war chest, he gave a sizable portion away to fellow party candidates, but not Laura. After six years of chasing the Representative seat, it's all about Laura.
3. Laura will ask you, the taxpayer, for more money. She, along with Mel, stated in the Kamas debate that the Utah government just might have to raise taxes {Read: it will}; she is on record for cheering for nationalized medicine (you would have no choice of insurance company, there would only one payer) thus showing she's opposed to competition in the market place and that big government can solve your problems. A sure sign of a socialist. Her Green Party core shows through her Progressive Democrat smock. She says she's for the children but will only support government-institutionalized education. The government and Laura Bonham obviously know what's best for your child.
4. Illegal immigration, as it is with most 'Democrats', is just fine. Regardless of all the problems that situation causes and all the taxes we pay to support those scofflaws. It isn't about not having an open heart, but our empty wallets! Continued illegal immigration and the Security and Prosperity Pact will be the death of the United States.

Mel Brown:
1. The item that really has gotten me the most steamed during this campaign and the item, which actually spawned, this "My Take-Aways" segment, is what Mel was quoted to have stated in the Deseret News. Specifically, "The bottom line is that my candidacy offers our district an opportunity to be part of the decision making process, I can promise, that aside from their vote on the floor, neither one (of his opponents) will be part of the inside decision making. If you want representation, you've got to be in the majority party."
Please read that quote again and let it sink in. The arrogance, the hypocrisy, the fear mongering, the taking for granted the Republican voter. Does this not prove what is wrong with the legislature? It's not about the constituents, it's about those in power making the decisions. Only if you are a member of the Republican party are you going to have a voice! You'll have a vote, but you and your constituents will have no voice. So Mel is black mailing you into voting for them. There is no indication what-so-ever that what they are doing is for the good of the public. Mel said that the minority party representatives will not be given a voice and Mel wants to be a leader in the House? What is he thinking? How in the name of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, et. al, is this giving the minority a voice. This is leadership? This is honesty and integrity? No! This is BS, something Mel obviously knows a lot about. How dare him. Do you think that once Mel has brow beaten you to vote for him that he'll represent all the citizens of the District? Mel is saying that unless you vote for him, your vote won't count because his buddies have the legislature all locked up. That's in the Citizen's House mind you. An abomination! With this thinking we might as well disband the other parties, obviously the Reupublicans know what's best for us.
2. Two things I've learned in this campaign is listen to what politicians DON'T say and also listen to what they proclaim the LOUDEST. Take Mel's campaign slogan, "Proven Effective Leadership". It's on all his signs and brochures but look at the facts. He RELINQUISED, under pressure/investigation, his Speakership when last in the house. Not only that but under his leadership Utah government grew and became more intrusive into our lives. His 'proven effective leadership' IS part of the problem.
3. In his mailed brochure Mel states he will be a voice for rural Utah. Excuse me Mel, but I thought we needed a voice for agriculture, the hospitality industry, the recreation industry, and everyone else. IMHO, a little short sighted there Mel.
4. Another line from his brochure, 'Mel Brown will listen to you'. Well I don't know about that but you sure will have a tough time pinning Mel down on where he stands on the issues. Mel has NOT responded to any of the four on-line surveys. Maybe he will listen to you but you won't know where he stands until after the election. Mel's finger must surely be chapped with all the wetting he does of it to see which way the wind is blowing.
5. Mel has been a lobbyist for most of the past six years. Lobbyist seldom work for the citizen, they work for the PACs, organizations, or industries they represent. It's hard to fathom how Mel will listen to you when he's been listening to others for six years. Don't get me wrong, lobbyists have their place in the scheme of things, it's just not so much representing the citizen.
6. Did you know that Mel's newspaper ads loudly tout his honesty and integrity? Remember what I learned in #1 above? Review some of the articles regarding Mel's tenure in the House in my Campaign News page. Then you'll know why his ads blare the assertion.
7. I could go on but one last thing. If you will take a look at those who contributed to Mel's campaign and where they are headquartered, by the addresses given, the majority of them are PACs, organizations, and companies out of District 53. Which with Mel being a lobbyist, isn't surprising but hardly speaks well for Mel representing the citizens of this District.

Campaign
This is my first run for a political office and it's been an eye-opener. Campaigns take a great deal of time, energy, thought and money. All totaled, I'd guess that I've spent, on the average, four hours a day since mid-March working on this web site, designing and producing campaign materials, getting advertising set-up, reading about campaigns, filing the required 'paper work', knocking on doors, talking and calling people, putting up signs, encouraging others to get involved, preparing and attending meetings, parades, and other public events, etc. That's almost eight months or about a thousand hours. If I would have put that time to plying my trade, I would have been much better off financially instead of spending in excess of $10,000 on the campaign. Yet I look at this campaign as, "if not me, who and if not now, when". We must stop our slide into a statist society.

During all this effort, my family has been very supportive. I most sincerely thank them for their help and forbearance, particularly my wife, Mary Ann. Their support has made the effort much easier.

The campaign to date has been relatively free of mud slinging. It could be argued that with my cartoons and criticisms found elsewhere within this web site (and within this section) that I've been the one most critical of the others (though Bonham and Brown have certainly added to the ruckus). That aside, I don't think any of us have gotten personal (yet). I've tried to deal via the 'facts' and candidate pronouncements as I saw them. As I say elsewhere, my opponents, IMHO, do in fact have political baggage and that's one reason I got in the race and why I believe I can better represent the citizens.

Probably one of the biggest problems has been campaign signs. Try placing a campaign sign in Park City. If it's not on private property then the city doesn't want it out there (even though we have paid taxes to maintain that public property). The other cities in the District have been much better about it, and as a relative newbie, I appreciate it. Then we come to sign stealing and casting signs aside. The two B's maintain that they have lost a goodly number of signs and have even opined that one should have a replacement sign for every sign one places. I think that's extreme and I didn't see sign stealing get horrendous but I have lost some 45 signs (at $3.50 each) with about that many pulled-up and cast aside. I complained to my opponents and at last check I think the situation is reasonably under control...but there's three days left so I'm not holding my breath. The short of it is, if you have signs out there in a contested race, be aware of the frustration, expense, and time involved in keeping your signs in play. It's deplorable that candidates, their people, and/or the public messes with the opponents' signs, but that's reality. I've tried to keep above that infantile behavior and have even replaced 6 of Bonham's signs that I found down. I don't remember having to set a Brown sign upright.

Now, on to Election Day, please remember to vote!

Slogans

"Vote Person, Not Party"
This is not a new slogan, but the admonition remains a truism today more than ever. That is, Laura Bonham is running as a Progressive Democrat (though trying to make you believe she is conservative), which in my opinion is more socialist than old party Democrat. If you vote Democrat, make sure you know for what you are voting. Mel Brown is running as a Republican but a number of his views are very statist (the state knows better than you on how you should live your life) and he was in the House for years (prior to 2000). His policies are one reason we find ourselves where we are now, government growing too fast and being too invasive. Yet now he wants another chance at it because he has "the most experience"? Mel, we certainly don't need that kind of experience. Brown is not a member of the Grand Old Party as it was in the past. Know the person for whom you are voting!

"When you're serious about choice and a change"
People complain about their government representatives endlessly. I know, I've do it and I listen to others doing it. BUT, they keep voting for the same people because someone else "doesn't stand a chance". With that logic, there is absolutely no reason for the two dominant parties to change, in fact, they will continue to pass legislation that solidifies their control and moves them closer toward creating a stranglehold on government and your life. Why should they change, because you complain, but then go ahead and vote them in again?

Further, by not supporting third party candidates, you tell those that try to make a difference by running, that you are not interested in helping them change things. The third party candidates loose hope and the two parties tighten their stranglehold. If you will seriously consider the condition our government is in, I believe you must agree with this analysis (unless of course you are a statist).

Thus the slogan, "When you're serious about choice and a change" really describes my campaign. I am making a considerable investment in time, money, and effort in an attempt to get elected in order to try and help reverse the course of government and make it more representative of what the Founding Fathers bequeathed us. So when you are serious about getting a real choice (someone other than those in the two dominant parties) and giving me a chance to make some changes, vote Shumway for State Representative.

"We are the Masters, Government is the Servant"
Just reading this slogan seems strange to me. When was the last time that you thought of yourself as the master and 'your' government the servant? Certainly not lately. But if you will look at why humans create governments and the etiological foundation our Founding Fathers gave us, you will see that in fact, government was created to serve the people, not visa versa. Things have certainly gotten twisted. I will do my best to turn this around. But I first need your vote, then I need your continued support and involvement. Let's turn the current situation around where saying, "the government is the servant", doesn't cause so much cognitive dissonance.

"Less means More!"
The United States has been a nation for 230 years this July and we have come a long way since 1776. Yet, as with most things, particularly organizations, we can count on five evolutionary periods or phases for our country. Among other monikers, this has been termed the Organizational Life Cycle. The five phases are: 1) startup or birth, 2) growth (which can be divided into early (fast) growth leading to maturity (slow or no growth)), 3) decline, 4) renewal, or 5) death, bankruptcy, or disbandment. I believe we, as a society, are on the cusp of maturity and decline. We can choose decline leading to demise or we can choose renewal. It is up to us to determine the fate of our country!

It seems that, over time, our progenitors and ourselves, have increased the size and scope of government to try and solve our societal problems. We have witnessed the abysmal failure of socialism and the atrocities engendered by communism and fascism. These systems were meant to solve societal problems by increasing the scope and power of government in the name of utopia or they were simply power grabs by immoral leaders. Their national life cycles have been brief but brutal for humanity. It has been suggested that our Republic is sliding rather rapidly toward socialism or fascism. Is this the natural consequence of a declining republic?

Regardless, I believe that the preponderance of the evidence shows that a less restrictive society is a society which values freedom, entrepeneurship, personal responsibility, and minimizes governmental interference. I believe at this stage in our nation's existence, we need a renewal, a concerted effort to decrease the scope of government, to make government more efficient, to have our government serve us, rather than visa versa. That was the way it was setup by the Founders.

This is where the slogan, "Less means More!", comes into play. I believe we need to revitalize entrepeneurship, not place mounds of paper work in front of businesses (less regulation means more production).
Less political hype means more communication.
Less money spent on school infrastructure means more spent on teaching our kids.
Less political correctness means more parental control.
Less Washington interference means more local control of our schools.
Less taxes means more of your money in your pocket.
Less illegal immigration means a more secure and law abiding nation.
Less government exclusivity and secrecy means more open government.
Less gun control means more safety.
Less winner take all means more proportional representation.
Less gerrymandering means more reasonable representation.
Less politics as usual means more representation.

In short, Less means More!

<Note: do not misconstrue the above slogan and label me an anarchist. It is my opinion that groups of people (a society) need government to protect the citizens from the use of force and fraud. The democratic republic our Founders envisioned and created is certainly worthy of our trust and support. We have simply let it become too large, too inefficient, and too unaccountable. As George Washington opined, "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." We have become more the servant than the master.>

Why Vote Shumway

1. Vote Shumway if you are tired of voting for the same old party apparatchiks. This is Laura Bonham's third try running on a very statist platform and Mel Brown had his chance in the last decade of the previous century, when he helped Utah get into the mess in which we find ourselves. There is a decided difference between a Libertarian vs. what the Republican and Democrat parties have become. The two party system has essentially merged into one name calling morass. We need another option! Less of the same means more choice.
   
   
2. Vote Shumway if you agree that the two major parties are out of touch with us. They are absolutely too self-serving and self-promoting, at our expense. Less politics means more representation.
   
   
3. Vote Shumway if you want less yet more efficient government in your life, less taxes, and more individual freedom. We citizens are the Master, Government is the Servant. Vote for a Libertarian candidate!
   
   
4. Vote Shumway if you want a Representative who has pledged a NO vote for any tax increases. All legislation must be tax neutral or a tax decrease.
   
   
5. Vote Shumway if you want a Representative with no political baggage. I can represent the people, not past promises or national party agendas. The Republican candidate gave up his House leadership position in 1999 and didn't run again in 2000, but became a lobbyist. This is not "proven effective leadership". A lobbyist is seldom a champion of the citizens. The Democrat / Green wants nationalized medicine, would vote for tax increases, & 2/3 of her campaign money came from Rob Weyher. Who will she represent? The fewer favors owed, the more your input counts.
   
   
6. Vote Shumway if you believe in personal responsibility, the family, religious freedom, smaller, more responsive, open, and accountable government, and getting Utah and the United States back on track. Less exclusivity and secrecy means a more open government.
   
   
7. Vote Shumway if you want a representative who listens and will communicate with you. If elected and you send me your opinion you will get a personal response in return. No form letters to personal correspondance!
   
   
8. Vote Shumway if you want an independent, educated (three Masters) representative, not a rubber stamp. I am not afraid to speak my mind and state what I believe (see my Platform and FAQ pages and Priorities below).
   
   
9. Vote Shumway if you want a Representative who is not vocationally biased toward one group or the other. I can help unite the District, not divide it.
   
   
10. Vote Shumway if you want a Representative with extensive ancestral ties with Utah. My Great-Great-Grandfather Charles Shumway and his Andrew were among the first pioneers in the area and there have been Shumways in Utah ever since.
    
    
11. Voting Shumway is not a wasted vote. Voting for the same political parties and the same politicians and expecting change, is the wasted vote.
    

I am willing to give up, and already have given up, many, many hours in campaigning to represent you in the Utah House of Representatives. I will likely have to spend eight or nine thousand, if not more, dollars of my own funds to run a competitive campaign. Further, if elected, I will be taking a cut in pay everyday the legislature is in session and spending the time and effort to know the bills and communicate with my constituents. What are you willing to do to preserve your freedom? I suggest voting Shumway is a start. Then get out there and help me make a difference for freedom!

Who I Am (also see Bio)

I am 56, a husband, father, and grandfather, owner of Ernest Hill Publishing, computer programmer, author and Eagle Scout. I am currently working through EHP, HEC, and EDS to program for the Veterans Administration Office of Information in SLC.

I was born in California and raised as an LDS in Arizona. I have additionally lived and worked in eight other states. I have attended numerous institutions of higher learning including USU and the U. I have three master degrees, i.e., MA in Psychology, MPH in Biostatistics, and an MBA.

I am a member of numerous organizations, i.e., Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Toastmasters International, Small Publishers Association of North America, Libertarian Party, NRA, USSC, USRPA, NMSSA, GOC, GOA, DAN, etc. Avocationally, I am currently most interested in catching up on my reading, studing the U.S. Constitution and politics, photography, SCUBA, geocaching, firearms training, and mountain biking.

We have lived in Utah since 2002 and currently reside in the Jeremy Ranch area. This is truly the best place we have lived. Utahns must surely be some of the nicest people we've met. We love the mountains!

Why I am Running for Your Representative

1. In my previous life I was a Republican and always voted Republican (OK, another candidate now and again). But ever since Bush, The Elder took power, I have become increasingly concerned regarding the direction in which our country is headed. I am feed-up with the increased government control and presence in our lives, government's increased appetite for revenue (our money), the decreased input we citizens have regarding government policies, and the type of policies we are made to swallow and like it. We, the tax payer and voter, have become more the servant than the master. This is NOT what the founders of our nation had in mind. Please see my platform for additional information.
   
   
2. I am a concerned citizen in what is designed to be a representative democracy. We need more concerned citizens involved in government! Consider taking the time and making the effort yourself. It is my opinion the more non-politicians we have in office, the better for our country. How is it we keep voting in the richest people and expect them to naturally represent the 'common man'? Some do of course and just being rich doesn't make one a bad representative of the people. On the other hand, look at how many are simply out of touch with us and not doing our bidding. Vote them out! A vote for a third party candidate is NOT a wasted vote. Trying to change the two major parties from within (for the past 20-30 years), just hasn't worked! Vote third party or you'll just keep getting more of what you have now. Think about it.
   
   
3. I am very concerned about our District if either Laura Bonham or Mel Brown were to get elected. I am doing my best to thwart their agendas of less freedom for the citizens of Utah. I need your help and your vote.
   
   
4. I believe that many Utahns have the same or compatible values as myself. Thus I believe that even though I am not politically 'connected', that with your help, we can make a difference.
   
   
5. Because I am not politically 'connected', I don't have any political baggage that I must carry. Thus I believe I can be more representative of you, the citizens, not the party.
   
   
6. Because the Utah Legislature is a citizen legislature which meets sparingly and was never meant to be place where incumbants return election after election after election. I have term-limited myself to three terms.
   
   
7. Finally, how many times have you sent your elected officials a well thought out letter only to get back, if you get anything back, a form letter with no indication that your opinion was considered. I want to change that, and by being elected, I will.

Qualifications (also see Bio)

In addition to meeting the requirements of the state of Utah, my primary qualifications are:

1. I am a concerned citizen in a representative democracy campaigning for a seat in our citizen legislature. I am not a political careerist. As a Libertarian, I believe in the people's ability to accomplish great things, when they have the freedom to do so.
   
   
2. Even though I have specific issues on my platform, I will also listen to my constituents and together we will endeavor to implement what is best for Utah and District 53.
   
   
3. As to holding office, I have been CEO and CRR (Chief Refuse Remover) in my own computer consulting business since 1983. I know the issues facing small business.
   
   
4. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. I know the issues facing the family.
   
   
5. I hold three masters degrees. One in Psychology, another in Public Health, and a third in Business Administration. I know the issues facing education. I have the ability to assimilate the facts then produce and implement plans to solve problems.
   
   
6. I have been Division Governor of the Year for Toastmasters International. I know how to work with others to accomplish goals. I have also been a member of Toastmasters International for 21 years. Toastmasters is an international organization that helps develop speaking and leadership skills. As to leadership skills, I have held numerous Club, Area, and District positions, including earning the Division Governor of the Year award.
   
   
7. The Shumways have been involved in Utah's history ever since Charles and Andrew Shumway entered the valley with the first settlers back in 1847. I too hope to follow in their footsteps, building a strong and freedom loving Utah.

The bottom line is that I am concerned about issues facing District 53 and the state, I believe in personal liberty to accomplish our hearts desires, I am not a political careerist, I have the education and wisdom to listen to and work with others to accomplish goals. With your help, we will make a difference for District 53 and the state of Utah.

What's a Libertarian?

See if you are a Libertarian at heart, and just didn't know it! Take the worlds smallest political quiz on-line, it will take just a minute.

The red dot indicates where I scored when last I took the worlds smallest political quiz.

Volunteers / Call to Action

As with any political campaign, we can't do it without your help! We have numerous tasks that must be done in order to run a competitive campaign. If you have anywhere from a couple hours, a weekend or more, we can use your assistance.

We have immediate need for the following help:

1. Individuals to go through this web site and find display problems (using different screen properties), grammatical/spelling errors, broken links, and general "I don't understand this" or "Maybe it's better to do..."
2. Placement of yard signs in yours, your neighbor's or relatives yards. Please let us know if you can help by placing five signs around your neighborhood.
   

If you don't see a task above which you would like to do, please check again in a week or so as there are different tasks that need to be done at different times in a campaign. We will update the list frequently.

Please contact us! We need your help.

Endorsements

Dr. Ken Larsen, Party Moderator for the Personal Choice Party (5/21/2006)
Mr. Rob Latham, Libertarian Party Utah State Chair, Candidate for Salt Lake County District Attorney (10/9/2006)
Mr. Scott Swain, Constitution Party, Candidate for the Utah State House, District 60 (10/9/2006)
Mr. Tom Edwards, Constitution Party, Candidate for the Utah State House, District 2 (10/9/2006)
Mr. Gordon Mella, Constitution Party, Candidate for the Utah State Senate, District 15 (10/9/2006)
Ms. Lynn Badler, Libertarian Party, Candidate for the U.S. Congress, District 1, Utah (10/9/2006)
Mr. Jared Beck, Constitution Party, Candidate for the Utah State Senate, District 7 (10/9/2006)
Mr. W. David Perry, Constitution Party, Candidate for the U.S. Congress, District 2, Utah (10/9/2006)
Mr. Ben Valdez, Personal Choice Party, Candidate for the Utah State House, District 35 (10/9/2006)
Mr. Dave Starr Seely, Libertarian Party, Candidate for U.S. Senate, Utah (10/13/2006)

District 53 Map

The following District 53 boundaries were drawn up in 2001 when Utah went through a redistricting. Note that District 53 includes the Southern portion of Rich County, all of Morgan County, all but a small piece of Summit County, a northern slice of Wasatch County, and all of Daggett County. District comprises an area of roughly 3,700 square miles which contains approximately 40,000 people, some 15,000 of them actually voted in 2004.

Some of the Towns and unincorporated areas in District 53

Daggett County

• Dutch John
• Manila
• Flaming Gorge Ldg

Morgan County

• Como Springs
• Croydon
• Devils Slide
• Enterprise
• Littleton
• Milton
• Morgan
• Mountain Green
• Peterson
• Porterville
• Richville
• Stoddard
• Taggarts
• Whites Crossing

Rich County

• Randolph (Southern portion)
• Woodruff

Summit County

• Atkinson
• Castle Rock
• Coalville
• Echo
• Echo Resort
• Emory
• Francis
• Henefer
• Hoytsville
• Jeremy Ranch
• Jordanelle
• Kamas
• Marion
• Oakley
• Park City
• Peoa
• Samak
• Upton
• Wahsatch
• Wanship
• Woodland

Wasatch County

• Heber (NorthEast portion)
  

Site Map

This Home Page

• Your State Representative Candidates
• How to use this Site
• Contact Information
• Priorities
• Candidate's Message
• My Take-Away
• Campaign Brochure
• Why Vote Shumway
• Who I am
• Why I am Running
• Qualifications
• What's a Libertarian?
• Volunteers - Call to Action
• Endorsements
• District 53 Map
• Site Map
• Links
  
  
  

• Contact Us
• Volunteer
• Receive a Free e-Newsletter "Shumway Campaign Update"
• Request Campaign Literature
• Request a Yard Sign
• Request Campaign Paraphernalia
• Print a Sign
  
  
  

• Mission Statement / My Plan
• Priorities
• My Votes on 2006 Bills
• Candidates' Pledges
• Extended Platform
  
  
  

• Campaign Hotline/News
• News Room
• Campaign Cartoons
  
  
  

• Contribute
  
  
  

• Frequently Asked Questions
  
  
  

• Synopsis
• Jobs
• Affiliations
  
  
  

• Other Documents of Interest
  
  
  

• How do I Register to Vote?
• When do I Register?
• What are the Requirements?
• Am I Registered to Vote?
• Do I Need to Reregister?
• Where Can I Get a Copy of My Voter Registration Card?
• Find Your Polling Place
• Absentee Voting
• Military Voters
• Election Dates
• Detailed Maps of District Boundaries
• 2006 Candidates
• Political Parties
• Constitutional Amendments, Initiatives, and Referendums
• About your Legislature
• Official Web Site of the State of Utah
• Contact your Elected Officials
• Contact the Utah Media
• Contact the White House
  
  
  

• New Stuff
• Must See
• Quick Tour

Menus Found in the Right Column

• Navigation (Events, Images, Polls)
• Upcoming Events
• Recent Blog Posts
• Recent Comments
• Polls
• Forum Topics
• Latest Image
• Latest Audio
• Search
• Change Text Size
• Sign Up/Log In

Links

Utah Voter Information
League of Women Voters (Gary Shumway's profile and responses to questions posed)
Deseret News (Gary Shumway's profile and candidate survey)
Project Vote Smart (Gary Shumway's profile and candidate survey)
Vote-UT (Gary Shumway's profile and candidate survey)
Libertarian Party of Utah
National Libertarian Party

renewamerica.us
americafirstparty.org
utahminuteman.org