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Letter to Curt Bramble
March 22nd, 2008
Hello Curt!
Just letting you know—we share a sentiment. I’m crazy to run against you. I know it—you know it, but frankly I couldn’t stand by any longer and watch what is happening in our district.
I have met many voters who feel that they and their opinions are not respected by our elected officials. Many feel that our elected officials do not actively seek to engage the large silent majority in community issues and concerns. We have watched as a few politically active members of the local Republican Party decide what the solutions are to our community problems without seeking broad community input or discussion.
I filed on Monday to run as a Democrat because I could not be part of the silent majority any longer. Despite people’s urging to run as a Republican, I believe that we weaken our American democracy if we work to create a ‘one party system’. A one party system assumes that there is a right and wrong side to every political question. A good and an evil position. This assumption creates huge barriers to working towards the best solution. There is a chilling effect on people participating in the political process if they believe that they will be seen as ‘evil’ if they propose ideas or solutions that are different from a single party’s ‘good’ idea. I think the temperature of our local political climate is much ‘chiller’ for this very reason.
I’ve watched as our community and our nations’ politics have become more and more partisan. I fear for the divisiveness this has and will create in our country. Political parties should not govern our country—elected representatives of the people should. Political parties should remain a tool for organizing and simplifying the political process—for individuals as they seek out like minded individuals to represent them.
On Tuesday, Rep Cannon suggested I consider the political platforms of the National Parties to decide where I belong. I believe that the most important decisions that affect my family are made locally. For that reason I have considered and studied the political platforms of the Utah County Democrats and the Utah County Republicans. I am far more comfortable and aligned with the positions and statements in the Utah Co. Democrat platform then I am with those of the local Republican platform. I will be urging my neighbors and friends to consider the planks of our local political parties as they consider the candidates they want to represent them. I think they will be surprised at the differences in both local party platforms from their respective national party platforms. (Someone has suggested that the Utah County Republican Platform reads like a National Libertarian Platform—is that true?)
Our two-party system, the ‘tool’ that helps the people govern, is in need of sharpening. I am going to work to re-activate the Utah County Democrat Party. Though I’m nuts, I am going to run against you for the Senate seat in our district. It is my hope that my effort will generate opportunities for more individuals to engage in the political process and increase the energy and resources we need to elect representatives and find solutions to our community concerns that reflect the strength of our people—not our Party.
See you on the campaign trail.
With Regard,
RaDene