BACK IN SESSION
by Rep. Mike Morley
The 2007 General Session of the Utah Legislature is in full swing and nearing the halfway mark. With four committee assignments and sponsorship of ten bills, the time goes by quickly. I have realized yet again, as I begin my third term in the House of Representatives, the honor it is to serve the fine people in my district and the trust that has been placed in me as your elected representative.
The week before Session began, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of 5th graders at Brockbank Elementary. For them, I was probably just another boring speaker. I, however, really enjoyed talking with them about how our federal and state governments work, the balance of power between the branches of government, and the concept of representative democracy.
Each time I consider our Constitution – it’s wisdom, equity, and simplicity – I am convinced the inspiration of Heaven guided our forefathers. Determined to give themselves a voice in their own destiny, they stood firmly against the tyranny imposed by a king. Our Founding Fathers fought a war over not having a voice, not having representation by which to determine tax policy or any other right of self-governance. After winning the war, they still did not have a unified voice with which to speak to the world. With no model to follow anywhere in the world, they drafted a government composed of three branches. Checks and balances granted to each branch protect against a usurpation of power.
There is a natural friction between the three branches as they all jockey for position and fight to keep each other in check which is natural and healthy. The legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch enforces the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws. All are key and important in our government.
It is essential to understand the role compromise played in establishing this great land. The Great Compromise over representation in the legislative branch is an enduring example. Many today do not fully understand the gravity of that provision. Discussion almost fell apart over that one issue. Large states wanted representation based on population and the small states wanted equal representation with other states. The compromise of the Senate and the House, one based on population and the other based on equal representation among the states, was the final key in creating a very strong government, a model for the whole world. The State of Utah drafted its constitution on much the same principle.
What a blessing it is to live in this land of great opportunity. What a blessing it is to have a voice in the process. What a responsibility we each have to understand our form of government and how it works. It is critical to the survival of our way of life.
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