What I want from my elected officials

Dear Elected Officials and Candidates for office,

As we are getting closer to the campaigning season again, I wanted to take a minute to let you know some of my concerns. I am a republican. I don't try to mask that by saying I'm a conservative, I'm not a libertarian or a member of the tea party. I don't always think about politics and most of the time you're right in thinking I don't exactly know what it is you do all day at your job. I hope I can offer you my view on some of the issues and thoughts that are important to me and that you'll see the kind of candidate I'm looking for. I realize my ideas don't resonate with everyone but that is why America is so great.

1. To our local Utah government leaders, thank you for running a state with a balanced budget. I realize we depend on many federal programs for this to be possible but I do appreciate that we try to be fiscally responsible with the hard earned money that taxpayers pay. To our Federal leaders, please find a way to balance the budget. I have been taught all my life not to go into debt and to pay back those I owe money to as soon as possible. I've always been told that is the best way to remain honest and that it just makes good business sense. I realize this might mean that the government might need to stop funding some of the projects we depend on in this country, but possibly there are some programs that need to go, or that the state's should carry the burden on. I understand that may change the way I enjoy my life, but at least I'll know my part of the national debt ($42,000ish) isn't going to get any bigger.

2. Let me worry about being a parent to my kids. I don't need laws that would fine a store for selling a video game that has a "Mature" rating to an underage child. It is my responsibility to handle what comes into my home not yours.

3. I don't own a gun. I probably never will. It's not that I fear them or think they are wrong for others to own, they just aren't something I'm interested in. I am fine with waiting periods and background checks, but let's do more to stop criminals from buying guns on the black market than wasting time doing background checks on a gun hobbyist.

4. I'm for good government. I would like to see the State and Federal Governments do an audit of all their programs. I'm a fan of small and local governments but I do understand the need for a national government. But let's do an audit and eliminate the programs that aren't effective anymore. Let's not just hang on to something because it's the way we've done things for the last 40 years.

5. Please don't be a career politician. I understand wanting to do public service and wanting to make a difference in your community. Plus I understand the pay and benefits aren't bad either, but we need your mind and your ambition back in the workforce. We don't need you always passing bills just so you can get re-elected. We need you working on legislation that is in the best interest of the future of our state and country. Even if it means you will be kicked out of office for doing it, I'd rather you do what's right instead of what protects your tail in an election. I'll then see you as a true hero.

6. Let's get back to passing legislation that will help all businesses succeed. Let's create an environment where we are creating jobs and strong markets. Let's put the power (a.k.a. money) back in the people's hands. Let us as a community worry about the social issues and agenda's, we'll figure it out better than the 535 of you back in D.C.

7. Let's finally do something about education. Not just talk about it, but let's look at all ideas and really make changes (Maybe Sen. Buttars was on to something when he said let's get rid of 12th grade? Let's at least talk about it). The system isn't broken now (I know, I'm married to a teacher), but it can use an major overhaul. I'm not a fan of charter schools or private school vouchers. I understand why we have them and see the good they do, but they only seem like a band-aid to the real problem out there. Don't we owe it to our kids and the kids after them and so forth to try to create a system that can create the next Einstein or Newton?

Finally, I want you to be sincere. I don't want you to say things that polls say you should say to me. I want to hear your ideas. I'll probably disagree with you, that's fine. Just put forward an argument that can show me that you can think. That is what I'm most looking for in a candidate. One that can think, one that will be honest and one that has an honest desire to do the right thing. That would be a refreshing candidate to see. Hopefully, someday, I'll get to meet you.

Sincerely,

Billy Hesterman