Episode 146 A Sit Down with DA Sim Gill

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In the fall of 2018 we had a few moments to sit down with Salt Lake County District Attorney, Sim Gill, during a tag team interview pre-election for episode 126. 20 episodes, and 6 months later we we were excited to have him for a little bit longer for episode 146! We might just have to start making this a regular thing! Sit in with Sim? How does that sound?

During our time with Sim we were able to talk with him right as the brand new Hate Crimes Bill was going through the House and passed 64-9! What a moment to have him sitting there with us! Sim and a team of people have been working on getting this bill through Utah legislation for years.

We love this photo that was taken just two days after our podcast of Sen. Derek Kitchen and Sim Gill. Photo: Derek Kitchen

We wanted to know about term limits for a District Attorney. Sim explained to us that longevity is important for a DA. You cannot have someone coming in and out of that position all willy-nilly. Sim said f there is going to be change there needs to be length to get through processes, bills, etc. One of our favorite things, of the many, is that Sim has such a zen way of looking at his service to Salt Lake County. He looks at himself as a temporary caretaker. DA Gill loves serving his community, so much that every Friday night he has citizen meetings where you can call into his office and set up time to chat. Whether you want to yell in his face or talk about curry, he has made it a priority to talk to citizens face to face. You can find that number on the DA’s website HERE.

Prop 2 came up, of course! Sim is very passionate about it and told us a story on his last visit with us of a patient that helped him see how important the bill was. Sim told us not to be disheartened, don’t be depressed at what happened with the bill. Gill said don’t be apathetic and finish the conversation by voting them all out! We couldn’t agree more!

We don’t want to give all the good stuff, cause we want you to listen… But a cool little tid-bit of trivia about the office that he works in. When you drive by the building at 35 East 500 South in Downtown Salt Lake, you will notice all of the art that is on the windows. If you look closely on the east side you will see two white roses. This is DA Gill’s homage to the White Rose Society and reminding the community that “the institution belongs to you.

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Music By: Folk Hogan. Bootleggers Dance.

Episode 143 Socialist Fearmongering

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Episode 143 is your weekly recap of some of the items that are being discussed up on the hill during the 2019 Legislative session here in Utah. They are half way through the session officially. The biggest win this week is that a hate crime bill, by Sen. Thatcher who has been trying to get this bill through for quite some time, was being heard by a committee 2.21.19.

Some of the other items of note this past week in legislation: update on the abortion on Down Syndrome law,  fake urine law, and allowing nuclear waste in Utah. Also great news, the stupid birth certificate bill has been dropped!! A reminder you can follow along with the sessions on Twitter with the Utah Legislature or on the Utah Legislation website.

Yes, we went down a rabbit hole about socialism in episode 143 because one of our Senators *coughStewartcough* is creating fear-mongering and thinks that it only existed during the Iron Curtain and that it is a threat to the US. So, we pointed out how it is indeed not a threat and how countries actually thrive on it. Bre did some great research and here is what she found:

* China – they are starting to lean toward capitalism but they have a less stressful and more relaxed life than Americans

*  Denmark – they have a wide range of welfare benefits but the highest taxes in the world but equality is the most important value and 70% of businesses have < 50 ee’s

*  Finland – has the best education systems with no tuition and free meals for students.  100% literacy rate and one of the highest standards of living in the world.

*  Denmark – equality is one of the most important values.  Gov’t control remains at a minim but they still have a socialist welfare system.  They believe all people deserve equal rights and opportunities and even bosses do not discipline or treat subordinates rudely.

*  Canada – mostly a free market economy with an extensive welfare system with free health/medical care.  Listed as one of the top five countries to live by the UN.

*  Sweden – has a large welfare system but high national debt requiring much gov’t involvement.

*  Norway – they have one of the best welfare systems in the world and one of the highest standards of living in all of Europe.

*  New Zealand – not really socialist but the welfare system is wide-ranging offering housing, unemployment, healthcare, child care and education support.

*  Belgium – similar to New Zealand with invalid and old age pensions.  They have a budget deficit though.

*  Ireland – arguably one of the best welfare systems in the world.  About 25% of the GDP goes toward welfare as opposed to 15% in America.


Oh yea, and then there is the LDS church system…

We will ALWAYS love your “likes” BUT don’t forget to click that little SHARE button (or retweet) *sharing IS indeed caring* You can find us and subscribe on Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher, or Itunes, and Google Play and TuneIN. Leave us a review and Follow us on the Twitter @tnupodcast, Instagram @Tnupodcast, or on Facebook The New Utah Podcast

Music By: Folk Hogan. Bootleggers Dance.