COLUMN: Former Republican runs as a Liberal
You might have seen a Utah voter information pamphlet in your Statesman weeks ago. It is an excellent resource for the completely uninformed voter. For you it should be the starting point because a few paragraphs do not make you an informed voter.
If you don’t already know who is running for what, find your way over to www.LeaveYourPrint.com, where the same information is available. Then check out their campaign Web site and see where they stand on important issues to you. Don’t become a reflexive voter. Your voice is important, but it should always be well thought out.
Speaking specifically to conservatives here, how can you be sure that you aren’t a liberal? I know I am a liberal mostly because I know that I am not a Republican any more. Testing the water in other political pools to see if it works for you is not hazardous to your health or to your soul. Maybe (just maybe) you are a Democrat but just don’t know it yet.
And that is exactly what Steve Olsen (your Democratic candidate for the First Congressional District) believes. I spent part of an afternoon talking with him. I have to tell you conservatives, a lot about this man might surprise you, especially if you are a return missionary, faithful Mormon and were raised in a conservative environment. Why? Because so is he. Political allegiance doesn’t define spiritual persuasion.
His platform is sound, but at first, his unorthodox campaign strategy looks like a desperate suicide attempt. Instead of pushing for lawn signs or air time like the traditional candidate, Olsen has summarized the Democrat philosophy, his philosophy, in a small 24-page booklet for distribution. This guy’s message is top priority; got to admire that about him. If you have time to review his case for a Democratic Utah, go on his site and download “Why Most Utahns are Democrats but Just Don’t Know it Yet.”
Utahns are logical beings, he contends. His focus lies on quality (not quantity) in distributing campaign literature. And the feedback has been phenomenal. Lifelong Republicans are jumping on board the Democratic ideology. Once the lies and misrepresentations are cut away, things make a lot more sense.
He explains his Republican roots and how he found the Democratic party and then explains what he feels the proper role of our government should be.
He dismisses the trickle-down economic model as a myth. A healthy economy requires a healthy middle class, which we are losing. He advocates a fairer tax code, a raise in the minimum wage, healthcare reform and a rise in the quality of public education.
In the division between the church and state, he defers to Jefferson, who believed a healthy religious environment required that faith remain uncorrupted by politics and that people should have the freedom of religious expression. He calls for finding the balance where religion is a thriving component of society, but remains uncorrupted by the world.
He also addresses issues like the division between church and state, abortion, foreign policy, the proper role of government and other things.
I was most impressed with how high of a priority education is for him. He calls for a public education that puts states back in control of public education, a rise in the quality of education and greater accessibility in higher education for those who traditionally couldn’t afford it.
I won’t go so far as to personally endorse Olsen, but give the guy a chance. Check out The Herald Journal for my spotlight on Pete Ashdown, candidate for Utah senator. Next week’s assignment? Vote.
Class dismissed.