Occasionally, I and one of my sons enjoy(?) a political conversation. And it is not uncommon for me to have to remind him that I am not a Democrat, that I am registered unaffiliated.
To which he usually replies, “But others perceive you to be a Democrat” (possibly the result of the political signs in my front yard, usually for Democrats running for office).
How do I want others to perceive me? Good question. But a better question would be, how do I not want others to perceive me? Sure, Republicans have a lot of good beliefs, but so do the Democrats.
What bugs me most in Utah’s Republican-dominated government is the way our Republican legislators have in the last couple of sessions passed at the last minute – without sufficient public input or legislative debate — the relocation of the prison (which it appears is going to cost significantly more than projected, with room for fewer prisoners), and the land grab of the inland port. They complain about our public education system, but systematically fail to properly fund the system, even when there is a supposed surplus in the Education Fund.
They have attracted many new businesses to the Wasatch Front, increasing the need for more schools, more teachers, better roads, more affordable housing, more law enforcement, etc., needs that are not being effectively dealt with while we are experiencing increased traffic congestion, worse air quality, challenges with water supply, etc.
So I would rather not be perceived to be a Utah Republican.
Fred Ash, Sandy
