To conservatives frustrated by the migration of traditionally Democratic voters to the Utah Republican Party:
It is the natural consequence of an ideological majority that (1) views voting Democratic as akin to breaking the 11th commandment, and then (2) mercilessly rules with a gerrymandering fist. Maybe it would be different if so many of you wouldn’t rather follow your “tribe” over a cliff than consider an alternate path.
So that’s what disenfranchised voters are now doing: taking an alternate path. In Utah where political debate boils down to “give me Republican or give me death,” party converts have chosen.
Republican — their preferred version of it.
Perhaps this is how we reintroduce moderate-ism back into our governance. In the future, Republicans will be forced to consider a broader spectrum of ideas to win elections. It’s a surprisingly effective way to dismantle party-first politics. When everyone wears the same label, the leverage of distinction disappears.
Regardless, it’s delusional to think those who fear the path ahead will simply resign themselves to the fate of the majority. In a democracy, our vote is the only power we as citizens are expressly granted. How we choose to cast it is exactly the point. The entire point.
Andrew Graft, West Jordan