His innocence is fleeing, with me.
But, Gov. Gary Herbert may be no more guilty than many others.
Reading today's Salt Lake Tribune article, I come to something I think could have been its own story, rather than being buried 20 paragraphs deep. Last October, Merit Medical's Greg Fredde, according to records obtained by the Tribune through an open records request, asked for a meeting with the governor to discuss the status of Merit's application to the Industrial Assistance Fund.
A week later, Merit donated $25,000 to the Herbert campaign, and within weeks the application was approved.
Connecting the dots, Herbert took the money even though he must have at least wondered if Merit might be hoping for a political favor.
And, Merit's Fred Lampropoulos is now stumping for Herbert in commercials currently airing.
Do not fault Herbert and Lampropoulos too much. It is the system that is corrupt, not so much them. They are simply playing the game the way it has been played all these years.
When somebody decided the game was wrong, Herbert got caught in the spotlight. Could as easily have been someone else.
Other office holders take money even though the people offering it will be the very ones approaching them after election, hoping for legislation to help their industry. Most of these politicians are good souls. Most of the contributors are also good. Would any giver be considered in higher favor than the UEA? But, just because it is good people doing the act doesn't make it right.
Wrong is wrong regardless who hooks up to the favor.
Oh, that voters will accord me votes for committing not to accept any such money. I am not only nixing special-interest money, but to be sure I do not take money that ends up having a favor later down the line, I am not accepting any political contributions.
-- John Jackson, candidate for Utah House, District 41 (which stretches from northwestern Sandy to a part of Herriman).
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