Every elected official in Utah is required to take this oath of office:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.”
Karianne has taken this oath many times.
And she has kept her word.
She has worked hard to be a representative – to listen and respond.
Karianne believes elected official’s should approach the issues with a set of principles.
The following are some of the basic principles Karianne espouses:
- Public officials are accountable to the citizens.
- Ronald Reagan said, “Man is not free unless government is limited.” Karianne agrees. She has consistently worked to limit government to its proper size and scope.
- Karianne believes transparency is essential. She is not beholden to any public or private union or employer. She is dedicated to responding to the citizens she serves.
- The Constitution is the foundation and bedrock of our Republic.
- Karianne believes that the best ideas and solutions come from people, not parties.
- Karianne believes that well-informed voters provide a much needed check on runaway government.
- James Madison in the Federalist Papers spoke of Public and Private Virtue. Private virtue is defined as the moral principles we uphold that form a reasoned foundation for our actions. Public virtue is exemplified by individuals who voluntarily give up a portion of their own comfort and leisure time to serve their community. Karianne strives to exemplify both Public and Private Virtue. She believes these traits are essential to a strong and stable community, state, and nation.
- Government exists by the consent of the people and must be restrained from encroaching on their unalienable rights. Government must protect the people in the free exercise of their rights.
- In our modern society, rights and equality mean something different than they did at the time of our country’s founding. The modern view of equality claims rights without responsibility and freedom from responsibility. Karianne agrees with the definition of equality found in the Republican Party Platform: “We strongly affirm that no individual or group is entitled to rights that exceed or supersede the unalienable rights of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America and as addressed in the Declaration of Independence.”