Connor's Conundrums

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A Mormon Leader’s Promotion of Peace

Posted by Connor on February 10th, 2012

Here’s my latest piece published at LewRockwell.com, written at Lew’s request after somebody emailed him an article written by J. Reuben Clark a few days ago.

In October 1946, a high-ranking leader of a large Christian church in America rose to the podium in a tabernacle, during a large conference in which were assembled 7,000 church members, with thousands more listening via radio transmission, and a million more receiving the messages in the weeks and months ahead. His message was scathing—a castigating rebuke of the use of atom bombs just over a year previous:

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Rights Precede and Supercede the Government

Posted by Connor on February 9th, 2012

Here’s my latest op-ed, published at the Davis Clipper.

The Declaration of Independence affirms and clarifies the origin of our individual rights. Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration’s primary author, wrote that we “are endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Thus, these rights – amongst which are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – both precede any instituted government, and supercede whatever laws it may pass in violation of them.

More than a mere game of semantics, understanding the source of our rights is paramount to understanding what government may legitimately do. Do we enjoy our liberty at the good graces of government, or does the government only exist to protect our pre-existing rights? The answer to this, while thankfully obvious to some, has significant implications for everything the government does (supposedly) in our name.

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The “Public Safety” Police State Ploy

Posted by Connor on February 3rd, 2012

photo credit: OfficerGreg

If one pattern can be deduced from the manner by which governments have historically operated, it is that supposedly noble intentions often lead to a violation of liberty; desired and intended consequences ultimately give way to undesirable and unintended consequences. It is how America first crept, and now is running, towards becoming a police state.

In a 1783 speech in the House of Commons, the English Prime Minister William Pitt correctly observed that “necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” Thus, to pinpoint possible infringements of liberty, one need only take account of arguments advanced by those who claim a certain law to be necessary. While clearly not universally applicable, the general rule is enough to prove Pitt prophetic.

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A Mormon People in Need of Reform

Posted by Connor on January 31st, 2012

photo credit: More Good Foundation

In what quickly became one of the most popular opinion articles recently written for The Washington Post, Carrie Sheffield, a former member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lists her many grievances with the church of which she once was a part. Her title, “A Mormon church in need of reform,” makes clear her thesis and end goal.

I understand the grievances she shared, and know many who feel much like Ms. Sheffield. I’ve seen many an “amen!” in social media in recent days as sympathetic former members of the Church, and many heading in that direction, have circulated this article far and wide. Despite that understanding, I believe that this article is misguided and unproductive.

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Latter-day Saints and Liberty: Church Priorities vs. Member Responsibilities

Posted by Connor on January 29th, 2012

While doing research for Latter-day Responsibility, I reviewed some of the First Presidency letters that encourage members of the Church to be politically active and involved. Many of them touch on common themes—support the Constitution, seek out solutions, be anxiously engaged, and support good, honest, and wise men.

One quote, however, really stuck out to me. It’s from a 1978 speech by President Spencer W. Kimball, given to regional representatives of the Church. In it, he clarifies why leaders of the Church have grown more silent on political matters as the organization’s global reach grew. This is a subject I’ve discussed before, and for which there has been plenty of speculation and insight.

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The Signature Heard ‘Round the World

Posted by Connor on January 17th, 2012

photo credit: Vectorportal

In the wake of an undeclared war with France, a Congress full of Federalists passed several bills known collectively as the Alien and Sedition Acts. Signed into law by John Adams, the laws aimed to clamp down domestically on perceived threats to the fledgling American nation.

The executive branch was given authority under these laws to deport any resident alien deemed “dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States,” as well as those whose countries were at war with the United States of America. Most egregiously, the Sedition Act criminalized the publication of “false, scandalous, and malicious writing” against the government or select government officials.

Once the bill was made law, the Federalists got to work. Twenty-five men were arrested under the powers created by the Sedition Act, most of whom were editors of Republican newspapers (the Federalists’ political rivals). Matthew Lyon, a Republican congressman from Vermont, became the first person to be put on trial under the Sedition Act. Lyon had written a letter published in the paper for which he was an editor, criticizing Adams’ “continued grasp for power.”

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Latter-day Saints for Ron Paul

Posted by Connor on January 14th, 2012

I have the pleasure of being on the “Latter-day Saints for Ron Paul” nationwide coalition for the Ron Paul 2012 campaign. The press release (included below) received a mention at Politico, and local coverage by the Deseret News and KSL.

From notables to neighbors, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members prefer Dr. Paul

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign announced today new members of its “Latter-day Saints for Ron Paul” nationwide coalition. Included among the new additions are prominent author Connor Boyack, and two Ron Paul campaign staff working in western states.

Focusing on a large western-states voting bloc, the continued use of coalitions will build capacity in a manner that proved pivotal to the 12-term Congressman from Texas’s top-tier finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The launch of “Latter-day Saints for Ron Paul” reveals a voter segment not monopolized by any particular candidate. Voters of an LDS background are in fact investigating the limited-government message of Dr. Paul and turning toward his candidacy. Their support and that of many other affinity groups proves Ron Paul can win the votes required be the Republican nominee for the presidency.

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Should Mormons vote for Mitt Romney?

Posted by Connor on January 12th, 2012

The following is an op-ed I had published at The Daily Caller today.

This election cycle, like certain others in the past, has generated a significant amount of discussion regarding the intersection between politics and religion. While some consider the two to be irreconcilable and dangerous when mixed, others see a symbiotic relationship that can and should be allowed to flourish.

For example, Mitt Romney’s membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided plenty of fodder for commentary. Pundits have questioned whether his faith is a help or hinderance, with opinions running the gamut. And while the talking heads discuss at great length the impact his Mormon religion will have in conservative, southern states where evangelical Christians dominate the political landscape, they tend to believe he has automatic and near-universal support from Utahns and his fellow Mormons nationwide.

As both a Mormon and Utah resident, I find this assumption to be misguided and disappointing.

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The War on Drugs is a War on American Citizens

Posted by Connor on January 12th, 2012

I’ve been asked to contribute a monthly op-ed to The Davis Clipper. Here’s my first, where I argue that the war on drugs is a war on the American people.

Over 100 times a day, militarized police officers throughout America raid the homes of individuals suspected of possessing, using, and sometimes distributing drugs.

These increasingly frequent raids subject many peaceful individuals, including innocent people such as family members, roommates, and bystanders, to the horror of having their homes invaded.

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Government, a Defective Product

Posted by Connor on December 31st, 2011

The following is an op-ed I wrote, published in today’s Salt Lake Tribune.

I’m a frequent patron of Amazon.com. As I browse their wide selection in search of a product, one of the first criteria I apply to determine if a given product is worth what’s in my wallet is the customer reviews. At a quick glance, I can see the community’s rating of the product as well as the total number of reviews that calculated the overall rating. It’s extremely rare that I purchase anything with three or less stars (out of five total).

This is the market at work. Competition yields a better product, and increased selection offers a consumer such as myself the opportunity to rate the different products based on criteria I deem important, such as price, durability, brand recognition, and the reviews of individuals who have previously purchased the item in question.

With that context, consider the question: why should government be any different?

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Highland’s Justified Food Freedom Ordinance

Posted by Connor on December 26th, 2011

The following is an op-ed published in the Daily Herald, in response to their editorial. See also my Tenth Amendment Center post on the subject for background on the Highland city ordinance.

I write to point out the many inaccuracies in the Herald’s recent editorial (“Highland tilts at D.C. windmill,” Dec. 15) regarding the recently-passed Highland food freedom ordinance.

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Persuasion vs. Coercion: Taking a Real Stand

Posted by Connor on December 16th, 2011

photo credit: ViaMoi

Earlier this month, the National Organization for Marriage—one of the groups who put a lot of effort into supporting Proposition 8 in California—tweeted:

“I’m personally opposed, but…..” Is @RepRonPaul willing to take a real stand for #marriage?

The quote at the beginning was a reference to a recent presidential debate, where Rep. Paul argued that states—and not the federal government—should determine what they will do about marriages. He noted that he was personally opposed to same-sex marriage, but did not see a role for the federal government in deciding one way or the other what should be done about it.

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