This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It seems Todd Weiler wants to decide what I can read on the Internet ("Utah lawmaker wants opt-in requirement for porn," May 20).
What's next? Having the post office open my mail? Removing books from the library that don't support Weiler's views? Preventing theaters from showing movies he doesn't like? What a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.
Todd, if you need something to do, here are a few things you can take a look at. And this is just the short list.
Child suicide: In 2014, suicide was the leading cause of death for Utahns ages 10 to 17 and 18-24. Utah's suicide rate has been consistently higher than the national rate.
Poverty: According to the American Community Survey (ACS), an estimated 13.3 percent of Utah children (approximately 118,789) were living in poverty in 2014. The Utah Department of Health has no program designed to reduce the number of children in poverty.
Prescription drug abuse: In 2013, Utah ranked fifth in the U.S. for drug poisoning deaths with a rate of 21.7 per 100,000 population. Every month, 49 Utahns die as a result of a drug poisoning, 82.3 percent of which are accidental or of undetermined intent, and, of these, 74.8 percent involve opioids.
Air pollution: At times, Utah has some of the worst air in the US. Salt Lake City is ranked sixth in the nation for short term particulate pollution.
Once you've resolved these issues, contact me and I'll update your to-do list.
Carl Woldberg
Centerville