Congressman Cannon addresses UVSC

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The Center for the Study of Ethics presented Congressman Chris Cannon on Centre Stage on Friday, Jan. 11 for a speech on democracy and civility in relation to ethics.

The Congressman was welcomed by the Center for Ethics and was presented with a gift for his help in fundraising efforts to get new equipment for the science and health department.

Cannon began his speech with history of how he was cordial friends with ethics professors on campus and his relations to Utah’s economy. He credits the growth of Utah’s economy to technology and science.

The congressman made several statements that simply made his opinion clear on issues in government today. In relation to immigration, Cannon said, “Immigration laws don’t work. If you have the law you must obey it.” He also noted that he was trying to become the leader of the immigration committee in Congress.

Cannon also made his opinion clear on the issue of welfare stating that, “Welfare was a stupid program.” He then added that a reform to the welfare program is highly important to the country’s economic success.

With the election season becoming such a topic of concern for governmental officials and citizens alike, Cannon was not shy about the candidate he has chosen to endorse. He spoke fondly of presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The congressman spoke of how he heard Romney speak in church and that the candidate has a lot of charisma. Cannon said that the problem Romney is having is the ability to connect with people.

On the topic of the presidential campaign in general, Cannon said, “Anyone ambitious enough to run for president should be disqualified. Elections draw us from civility. Lawmaking draws us into civility.”

The congressman was asked if he believed the election process was a broken system. Cannon agrees that the election process is flawed and that things are always changing in the way candidates attempt to be elected. He said the most important thing is to “Know [the candidate’s] track record and push for someone that stands for something.” In defense to the current election process, he said that it “produces people who are capable.”

Representative Cannon then switched gears as he talked about the college generation’s need for free information. Cannon said that as the media has progressed, so has the nation’s attitude for entitlement of knowledge. He compared this attitude to the issue surrounding illegally downloaded music.

Cannon ended his speech by saying that these type of situations are what are going to be hard for this generation.

Cannon is now in his 11th year as a member of congress.