|
|
|
2009 Survey Results |
| |
|
| |
| Over four thousand registered voters in the
legislative 52 district were invited to participate in an online survey
conducted in 2009 by Representative Carl Wimmer. Here are the
results to the survey along with a few
comments from both sides of each issue. |
|
| |
| |
|
ISSUES |
| 1. Please rank the following issues in order of
importance. One being the MOST important issue; ten being the LEAST
important issue. |
| |
| 31.4 % voted "Economy" as their most important
issue. |
| 17.8 % voted "Health Care" as their most important
issue. |
| 16.9 % voted "Taxes" as their most important issue. |
| 15.3 % voted "State's Rights" as their most
important issue. |
| 13.7 % voted
"Education" as their most important issue. |
| |
| Survey Comments:
|
| |
| "I am concerned
that the federal government is interfering where they do not
belong. As a matter of fact, the state government should be
out of the picture too. Let the economy correct itself. It
will always do that." |
| |
| "All you
politicians are afraid to raise taxes. Utah taxes are so low.
Increase my school taxes and pay the teachers. I live in
Jordan School District and I want the best teachers. Pay them." |
| |
| "I'm worried that
Jordan District will have trouble raising the money they need
to provide a good education and extra programs for the
students as well as fairly compensating teachers. However, I
don't think it is wise or fair to raise our taxes by large
percentages. WHAT TO DO?" |
| |
| "United Nations
compiled a list of necessary human rights. Basic health care
was among those. Many would agree that rationing health care
according to wealth, and pre-existing conditions, is a serious
violation of human rights." |
| |
| "I see the
federal government over stepping its rights. I don't believe
it has any constitutional authority to run the health care
system. At least there is a constitutional ground for the
post-office. I don't see anything like that in the
constitution that should stretch to health care. I think it
definitely infringes on individual and state's rights. That's
why those are the top 2 because they are basically the same on
that issue. If health care goes to the fed, I think all the
other issues will only get worse." |
|
| |
| Representative Carl
Wimmer's Comments: |
| It is no surprise that the economy was
ranked the greatest concern, with people out of work and
families struggling to make ends meet. I believe the
best way to help the economy is to lower taxes, and create a
business friendly environment. Health care is a distant
second, and with the focus on the national scene right now it
is easy to see why. I will comment more on health care below.
Taxes, state rights and education rounded out the top five. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
HEALTHCARE REFORM |
| 2.
The
federal government is working on a sweeping health care reform plan. The
plan includes using tax payer’s money to fund government run public health
insurance. Do you support this reform policy? |
| |
|
11.5 % Voted Yes |
| 76.9 % Voted No |
| 11.5 % Voted Undecided |
| |
| Survey Comments:
|
| |
| "Get the lawyers
and frivolous lawsuits out of the way. Clean up the corruption
and abuse. Open state lines for coverage. I have my own
personal insurance - it's dismal - I turned 56, my premiums
went up to over $500 per month and Blue Cross/Blue Shield took
away my dental coverage. So, yes we need some kind of reform -
but within the present workings. I do not have the option of
shopping around for health insurance, but I have never trusted
Government to have my best interest at heart. I think the
government has more important things to do - but, yes, I'd
like to see the health insurance industry revamped." |
| |
| "I vehemently
oppose the current plan. I am not opposed to small businesses
being able to band together as a group to get insurance plans.
I believe that is something we can do as a state. I would also
support a portable insurance plan after leaving a job.
Increasing the availability of insurance plans allowing them
to cross state lines which would allow for more competition." |
| |
| "Yes. I support
public fire protection, law enforcement, libraries, schools,
parks & rec, and government. Health care is a basic human
right." |
| |
| "The health care
system needs two things: 1. Tort reform--we must pass laws to
decrease the amount of frivolous malpractice lawsuits that are
strangling our system. 2. Insurance reform: Health insurance
must be incentivized to move from the current HMO standard
(which is simply subsidizing doctor visits, inflating their
prices) to a traditional insurance standard, where those
insured pay most or all of their doctor bills annually, up to
a set amount, after which most or all of the doctor bills are
covered by insurance. This would decrease unnecessary care,
decrease healthcare prices, and introduce better competition
in the industry, making it more efficient." |
| |
|
| Representative Carl
Wimmer's Comments: |
| I am glad to see that my opinion is right in
line with the overwhelming majority of my constituents.
Over three quarters of you oppose the national health care
plan coming forward from the federal government. It is
not the proper role of the national government to run health
care. Health care insurance is not a basic human right as one
poster commented. If it were, where did this right come
from? Who "granted" this a right, the government? The bottom
line is that if government has the ability to "give" rights,
they also have the ability to take them away. This is
wrong. The Declaration of Independence said we are endowed by
our Creator with certain unalienable rights. Although
important, health care insurance is not one of these. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
OPT-OUT OF FEDERAL HEALTHCARE |
| 3.
Some Utah State Legislators, including Rep. Carl Wimmer, want to pass a
constitutional amendment to the state constitution that will allow Utah
citizens to "opt out" of such health care reform and mandates. Do you
support Utah opting out of the federal health care reform and mandates? |
| |
|
70 % Voted Yes |
|
17.7 % Voted No |
|
12.3 % Voted Undecided |
| |
| Survey Comments:
|
| |
| "I think once the
country has voted on something we should all stand behind it
and change it federally if necessary, but not "opt-out" I
think that that would be divisive to our country." |
| |
| "The amendment
had better pass the constitutionality test, or else it will
cost Utah taxpayers even more money." |
| |
| "Would this be a
State tax instead of the Federal Tax? States would have a
better control of creating/improving existing health care
programs. I trust the State more than the federal gov. to
create a health care program." |
| |
| "I am a strong
believer in state sovereignty. The federal government is too
overpowering and controlling. If we can opt out and reduce our
federal taxes that would have paid for the program, I support
opting out." |
| |
|
| Representative Carl
Wimmer's Comments: |
| We had some very intelligent comments
regarding this issue. Again almost three-fourths of you
support my idea to opt-out of the federal health plan. I
consider that a mandate from you, and will move forward with
the legislation. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
TAX
CREDITS FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION |
| 4.
Recently the Jordan School Board passed a large tax increase. Due to the
increasing cost of public education, many citizens have been seeking
educational reform. School vouchers were defeated two years ago in a
public vote. Do you support any further educational reform such as tax
credits for private schools? (Parents would pay 100% of the private school
tuition, but then be allowed to write-off a portion of the tuition from
their taxes.) |
| |
|
56.2 % Voted Yes |
|
32.3 % Voted No |
|
11.5 % Voted Undecided |
| |
| Survey Comments: |
| |
| "Competition is
always better than leaving it to government... which is partly
what's wrong with education in the first place... it's been
left in the hands of government way too much and for way too
long." |
| |
| "The vast
majority of parents who send their kids to private schools are
already wealthy. They do not need any more tax breaks." |
| |
| "You can't get
educational reform with a tax credit. Good society dictates
that everyone has equal access to the best education possible.
I have worked with students in both public and private
schools, and my observation is that the public students are
much better rounded and academically superior. The vouchers
are only a tax break for the wealthy. We don't need more of
that in Utah." |
| |
| "If we can
educate children for a fraction of what is currently being
spent on them, it is a win for all of us." |
| |
| "Vouchers were a
big mistake. Let's put the money into public schools and allow
teachers to teach. We are educated professionals who are
treated like magicians. When we can't perform the magic, we
are the ones blamed. Give us the tools to do what we were
trained to do." |
| |
| "It seems that
every year, "Education" gets a "raise" from the legislature,
but I do not see many, if any changes in schools. I believe
that most all of the money appropriated for education is going
to the administrators salaries and not to help our teachers or
students. I also support doing away with sports programs in
Middle and High schools as I also think that these are wasting
money that is much better spent elsewhere." |
| |
|
| Representative Carl
Wimmer's Comments: |
| It is interesting. Every time I have
ever polled my constituents on this issue, 55-60% support some
form of school choice. It is no secret, and I campaigned
on my support of some reasonable school choice options.
The voucher bill failed by over 60% in our district, but it
still appears there is some desire from the majority to have
more options. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
TAXES |
| 5.
In
2009 the state legislature had to cut nearly 700 million dollars from the
state budget, due to the downturn in the economy. Financial experts
predict continued deficits for fiscal year 2010 and 2011. The state
legislature is constitutionally mandated to balance the state budget. How
to you propose they do so? |
| |
| 1.6 % Voted to Increase
Taxes |
| 78.3 % Voted to Cut
State Spending and Do Not Increase Taxes |
| 20.2 % Voted to Cut
State Spending and Increase Taxes |
| |
| Survey Comments: |
| |
| "Utah families
are feeling the same tightening of the belt. The last thing
you want to do is increase taxes and hurt them more. We can
cut things out of the budget, even if only temporarily just
like Utah households are doing." |
| |
| "Find a happy
medium, then lower taxes again once the economy is stable
again." |
| |
| "There are a
number of excesses to be found in our large, overreaching
government. Especially in Utah, with one of the highest state
income tax rates in the nation, more taxation is not the
answer." |
| |
| "I would be
comfortable with conditional tax increases. I worry though
that once a tax increase goes through it never is decreased.
Re-increasing the food tax temporarily with a plan to reduce
it again may be an idea to consider." |
| |
| |
|
| Representative Carl
Wimmer's Comments: |
| I oppose tax
increases. I have never voted for one and I never will.
This question had the biggest margin, with a massive 80%
saying DO NOT raise taxes! Once again I commit to you
that I will stand with you and against any and all tax
increases. The state has enough money, what we lack
sometimes is the courage to do what is right by prioritizing
items. We can not pay for every good idea that comes
along. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION |
| 6. Several
state governmental departments still implement portions of affirmative
action in their hiring practices. Rep. Carl Wimmer opposes this and is
currently working on outlawing affirmative action policies in Utah
government. Do you support banning affirmative action for government
departments? |
| |
| 71.5% Voted Yes |
| 12.3% Voted No |
| 16.2% Voted Undecided |
| |
| Survey Comments: |
| |
| "I am a female
engineer and consistently people assume I only have achieved
what I have because of being a female. I believe I am fully
qualified for all positions I have achieved, but affirmative
action takes away my credibility." |
| |
| "Of course you
want to outlaw it- your white. You have never experienced
discrimination. You have what they call 'white privilege.'" |
| |
| "I also think
'affirmative action' is an outdated and tired policy that
creates situations where individuals will always question the
reasons why other individuals got the jobs rather then the
hiring being solely based on qualifications and
accomplishments. It needs to be done away with." |
| |
| "Affirmative
action is racism. Every position in the government should be
filled by the most-qualified candidate, regardless of race,
gender, or sexual orientation." |
| |
|
| Representative Carl
Wimmer's Comments: |
| Over two-thirds of you agree that we should
ban affirmative action in Utah. I find it funny that one
of the comments blamed my position on the fact that I am
"white," and accused me of having "white privilege." In
fact, I am running this piece of legislation along side my
good friend Rep. Curt Oda, who happens to be Japanese.
Affirmative action, or hiring based on someone's race rather
than skills, is plain wrong. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
REPRESENTATIVE SERVICE |
| 7.
As
a taxpayer and citizen, Rep. Carl Wimmer holds dear the fundamental truth
that he works for YOU! What can Representative Carl Wimmer do to serve you
more effectively? |
| |
| 68.4 % suggested to
email newsletters |
| |
| Survey Comments: |
| |
| "We really
appreciate what you do for us, also your "work for us"
attitude. You keep us informed and have an open door to
listen. In an e-mail it would be nice to know what we can do
to help you for a cause or let our voices be heard. Often we
don't know were to start or what would be effective. Maybe
send them bi-weekly as to current or up coming issues." |
| |
| "Thank you for
calling to inform us of this web-site. We are grateful for
your dedication to stand by the constitution. You're doing a
great job!" |
| |
| "Be honest, get
some facts before you open your mouth. Republican ideas don't
work. I'm a very financially conservative person. We need more
honesty in Government in Utah." |
| |
| "Keeping us
informed is great...it would be helpful to hear balanced,
truthful information-this quiz is a great idea for the people
to have a voice as well. Thank you for the opportunity to
participate in the decision making. It feels good to have a
representative who is willing to hear and act on the opinions
of the people." |
| |
| "Don't rerun." |
| |
|
| Representative Carl
Wimmer's Comments: |
| I want to thank everyone who decided to take
my survey, including my old opponents who said the best thing
I could do was "not rerun." Your answers help me to stay
in touch with you. I will continue to do periodic
surveys and will start an email newsletter very soon. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
