Day 5

October 6, 2006

Two politicians joined me today. I use the term “politician” with fondness. My father was an archetype of what a politician should be: honest, competent, and dedicated to serving people.

Steve Olsen, running for a Congressional seat against Rob Bishop, has continually impressed me. This is the third day he has walked with me. Yesterday, I was pushing my daughter in a fancy-schmancy stroller with inflatable tires. We ended up getting two flats. Before I knew it, Steve Olsen was on the ground fixing the leak and pumping up the tire. He’s proud of his engineering background and the problem solving skills he’s learned. He’s even applied these skills to the Iraq problem. Someone today asked him if he had a plan for Iraq and immediately he whipped out a pamphlet titled “How to Get Troops Out of Iraq.” I was so impressed, I could have kissed him. This is what we need, politicians with problem solving skills. Currently, our elected officials seem only to have problem making skills.

Pete Ashdown also walked with me through his hometown of Bountiful. He even took the time to stop in and visit my Granny for a few minutes. He was gracious and polite and has given considerable thought to peace in Iraq. I was very impressed.

I need to state again, that this walk is non-partisan. I invited all the Utah delegation to walk with me, Republican and Democrat alike. All refused. It’s important to note that their challengers do walk with me. Our elected government is too concerned with maintaining the status quo to worry about what their constituents say about the war. Unfortunately, the status quo means that over two U.S. soldiers and over 50 Iraqi civilians die every day. I think it’s time we elect some challengers.