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The Utah Legislature is back in session. As Will Rogers reminded us, “This (state) has come to feel the same when (the legislature) is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.”
Lawmakers always catch a lot of flak. Much of it is deserved. Yet, what will be taking place on Capitol Hill during the next 45 days, in the context of a worldview, is truly remarkable. 104 men and women from a variety of backgrounds, and representing Utahns of diverse views, desires and values will carry out the peaceful process of changing and making laws. As well, they’ll somehow figure out how to fund the vast services of government for another year.
The stability of this annual process is especially noteworthy in a year when American advisers in far off Iraq and Afghanistan are engaged in the arduous task of implementing similar systems. As they are finding, “government of the people, by the people, for the people” isn’t easy. Which makes what occurs in Utah each year, as well as in 49 other states and Washington, D.C. all the more amazing.
As the Utah Legislature convenes once again, KSL celebrates the wonder of American democracy and the extraordinary nature of legislative process. So let the annual legislative circus begin!
