Utah’s Caucus / Convention system is true grassroots politics.

In neighborhood elections, we select delegates who commit to study candidates and issue. Those delegates have opportunities to meet candidates in small groups. They can look them in the eye and ask the hard questions and demand answers.

Without delegates, candidates would get their message out with mass marketing. Everyday people would not have access to ask questions and have discussions. We would only have 15 – 30 second TV and radio adds. and campaign speeches with hundreds or thousands of people there.

As a party delegate, it is my obligation to support the Party Platform. I do so with enthusiasm. More so, I support the Constitution of the United States. I spent over 20 years in service to this Country as a Soldier; I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. No one has released me from that oath; even after I retired from the Army. I want our Party, its leaders and Representatives to stand firm on the principles of the US Constitution and our party Platform. Regretfully, I have not always seen this, and hope this changes.

I firmly believe in the principles of freedom and liberty. I believe our Constitution is a divinely inspired document, and that the center theme of it (and the Bill of Rights) is to protect “Individual rights”. Human Rights, Civil Rights, Women’s rights, race rights, and even including such things as gay rights, are all meaningless unless our government is able to first and foremost protect Individual rights.

An Individual has the Natural (God-given) right to life, liberty and Property. A person also has the right to protect their rights. A person acting in good faith should never suffer the loss of these rights from the collective of their society. I believe that each person should be treated with dignity and respect. This is not a human right, but rather an INDIVIDUAL right.

As I have silently watched politics in the country for 35 years, I have become distressed at the lack of understanding for the need of Individual rights. Politicians from both parties often talk of Democracy, and Human Rights. All grand and noble ideas, but do not focus on the important issue.

Our form of Government is a Republic, not a Democracy. We elect both leaders and representatives; we do so (mainly) by the democratic process, but we are a Republic. We as a people are losing sight of that. Whether it be by a misunderstanding, or maybe even a deceitful intent to mislead, the distinction between a Republic and a Democracy have been blurred. A true Democracy lives by majority rule, and a majority can vote to deprive individuals of their rights.

I have watched the Democrat party move further and further to the left, but what is distressing is how I have witnessed the Republican Party chasing them. I hold no ill will toward democrats for following their conscience, but I am not impressed by Republicans that wish to emulate them. I believe in the words of Ronald Reagan: “Bold Colors and no pale pastels” Let our party distinguish itself from other by standing firm on such issues as Liberty and individual freedom; standing for the principles of the Constitution, and even our party platform.

I want to make a difference in our party. I want to see our party hold firm to the values and principles that made this nation great. Too many leaders in the Republican Party are apologizing for our traditions and values, they are unable to articulate our values, nor do they have the backbone to defend and support the truly noble ideals of our party.

Most of this nation expressed conservative ideas, yet as a party we are unable to connect with these voters. We need to do a better job. There are several things that need to happen:

1.       We need to do a better job in articulating who we are and how we share similar ideals.

2.       We need clear, clean, simple messaging on our principles and how they are superior.

3.       We need to vote in Republican politicians that live up to these standards.  

4.       We need to stand firm on who we are, and not try to chase a moving target of changing ideals and values.

I want to be your State Central Committee representative because I believe I have the will to stand firm on correct principles. I will not live in the past, but rather move into the future standing on correct values and principles.