On January 26th, a resolution was presented to the Utah Senate that should have been a no-brainer. It could easily be mistaken for a rallying cry from the Founding Fathers themselves—if only they had the foresight to anticipate Twitter debates and 24-hour news cycles. This wasn't just any resolution; it was a full-throated endorsement of freedom, liberty, and the kind of capitalism that makes you want to start a small business on the spot. Yet, in a plot twist worthy of a daytime soap opera, Senator Luz Escamilla cast her vote against it. Now, I'm not saying she's anti-freedom, but the resolution certainly didn't mince words its purpose. I couldn't find a single phrase or implication that I disagreed with.
Let's take a moment to appreciate the literary artistry of this resolution. It starts with a bang, declaring, "WHEREAS the free market system is upheld by the individual freedoms of this great nation," a line that could make Adam Smith do a joyful jig in his grave. It goes on to say, "WHEREAS socialism and communism when implemented... have led to catastrophic consequences stifling individual freedoms, suppressing economic initiative and resulting in widespread poverty, human suffering and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide." Talk about setting the stage for a dramatic showdown between good (free market) and evil-totalitarian thought police who use terms like "mal-information" to refer to true things that they simply don't like because it might make people ask questions.
The resolution doesn't shy away from the big historical showdown, noting, "WHEREAS history has unequivocally shown that individual freedoms, rights, and democracy cannot coexist with a socialist or communist government." It's the kind of statement that could spark an entire semester's worth of debate in a college history class, or at least a lively Twitter thread.
And for the grand finale, "NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah exalts and celebrates the enduring principles of the United States Constitution, reaffirms our commitment to the free market system, and condemns the destructive and oppressive nature of socialism and communism." This line alone could be a mic drop moment for any legislator looking to make a point about American values.
So, back to our million-dollar question: Why did Senator Escamilla vote against this declaration of freedom, liberty, and the American way? Was it a subtle nod to a deep-seated love for long bread lines and limited choices in stores, with government labels declaring "provided by Socialism"? Or perhaps she wants to avoid offending the Chinese Communist Party and risk her TikTok account?
Jokes aside, the decision to oppose such a resolution is curious, to say the least. It's not every day that you get to stand up and say, "You know what? I think the Founding Fathers were onto something." In the end, this resolution—and the debate it sparked—reminds us all of the importance of understanding our history, and our values, and the importance of debating ideas to allow the best ideas to prevail.
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