In reading the Deseret News article on Saturday, June 26,  by Bob Bernick, Jr., (Sec B, Pg 2)it is unfortunate that Speaker Curtis has resorted to name calling (“dissident Republicans”) of those who disagree with him.   But I will not dignify his comment any more than that statement.

Regarding the occasionally recurring comment about the Democrats trying to “recruit” me, I would like to respond.  They did try to recruit me but I told them I had been a Republican for 42 years and could not see myself as anything but a Republican.  They felt that since I had been having disagreements with Leadership that I might be willing to change.  I also told them that there were extraordinary kinds of discourteous and what I thought was unprofessional behavior in our party ranks but I was committed to trying to bring our Party back to the decorum and respect it presented when I joined it 42 years ago.  I told them that I could not be a part of trying to make our Party better, that is be a part of the solution, by quitting and joining the Democrats.  I explained to them that to leave would not correct the problems only allow them to continue to grow.

I believe in our Party.  I believe in the courteous profession decorum  that was prevalent when I joined.  I believe you can have differences of opinions in our part and still have respect for that person.  And that it is not necessary to degrade those who disagree with your opinions.  Instead you respect the difference, debates the merits of the differences, vote and move to the next topic. 

Because of my concerns I have opened a House Ethics Bill that addresses gifts to Legislators, and campaign contributions, -  where they come from, how their used and how the information is made available to the public.  I have been discouraged by Leadership from running this type of legislation for the past three years.  I know there will be some in the Legislature that will find “other “ways to take pot shots” at me because I am running this bill. But I believe, as a State Representative, that is what is expected of me.  It is what I expect of myself.

Rep Steven Mascaro