Pete Ashdown

It looks like the opposition effort to define me because I somehow haven’t defined myself is already underway.

The front page of my Collaboration Wiki explains, “Pete uses the input from these pages to form his official policy, which can be found on his official campaign web site at issues.” It is arrogant to go to Washington believing that I am an expert on everything. Most politicians today are educated by their staff, lobbyists, and special interests. The people come in a distant last, if at all. I prefer to put the people first and will use every method at my disposal to measure and understand their needs and interests. My education on issues will involve the people who are affected by my decisions.

Private meetings and gated town-hall discussions are the marks of despot, not a leader committed to the best interest of the people. Jefferson stated at his first inaugural address, “The diffusion of information and the arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason, I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government, and consequently [one of] those which ought to shape its administration.” Jefferson’s vision is not shared by many in government today.

People ask what assurance they have that I will remain committed to them as a representative, rather than being wrapped up in the culture that is Washington. If you want to know what kind of Senator I will be, look at what kind of businessman I have been. Throughout the past thirteen years of running XMission in a very difficult industry, I have consistently held the needs of my customers, my employees, and my community above my own. This has been the secret to my success. Instead accepting frequent offers to sell that would have enriched me for the short term, I have thought of what will keep customers consistently voting for my business with their pocketbooks. To some, thirteen years of running a successful business is something that should be demeaned as insignificant or “little”, but that is what got me started on the political road to begin with. My representatives rarely listened to my and other Utahns thoughts on the issues because we do not figure into their reelection or fund raising campaigns. I will not follow this same path for it is not what American leadership is.

I ask all Utahns to consider experience in this election. Born and raised in Utah and running a successful business verses the experience of perpetuating a dysfunctional federal government that knows no financial restraint. The choice is yours.