Andy Larsen recently noted that polls show Utahns keep electing Republicans who embrace positions contrary to the wishes of the majority of their constituents. I believe the polls are accurate and that they raise a simple question: Why?
First, in our caucus/convention/primary system, right-wingers show up in force to support Republican candidates who are strongly opposed to abortion rights, women’s rights, gun-safety laws, funding of health care, protecting the environment, taxing the wealthy, workers’ rights, higher wages, etc.
Second, in the general election campaign, these right-wing candidates briefly pretend they aren’t extremists while demonizing their Democratic opponents as big spenders, baby killers, comin’ for your guns, lettin’ criminals roam the streets, takin’ your freedoms away, anti-God, socialists, etc. In doing so, they tend to engage in grandstanding for Jesus, which goes over well in Utah.
Third, after these briefly less-extreme right-wingers are re-elected, they go back to legislating and governing in their extreme way, thereby ignoring the majority of voters but allowing themselves to enter the next caucus/convention/primary season with gung-ho support from the same extremists who showed up last time.
Why the hypocrisy? Simple. Staying in office allows them to support measures that benefit themselves and that favor wealthy corporations and donors who bankroll their campaigns.
Steve Warren, West Valley City
from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/0GbTH8p
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