This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

I have refrained from writing letters to The Tribune regarding the 2016 election, believing I had little to add to the extensive discussion that has already occurred.

Jan Cameron's letter of Nov. 26 regarding George Pyle's op-ed finally pushed me over the edge.

Pyle was absolutely right that Utah blew it in the election. Utah had the opportunity to be a "beacon to the world" to use LDS parlance, and it ended up falling in line with well-worn Republican orthodoxy and the Donald Trump bandwagon.

Cameron said the choice should have been based on issues, not character. I agree, although I do believe that on many public policy issues there is a moral component. Cameron states immigration should be done legally, but fails to add that it should also be done humanely. Cameron espouses the pro-life position on abortion, but fails to mention the Republican Party does precious little to help families and their newly born children. (The denial of Medicaid expansion in Utah comes to mind).

Cameron claims the Affordable Care Act causes increases in insurance premiums. No, insurance companies raise premiums, and the Affordable Care Act provides subsidies to help families that cannot afford the insurance and guarantees that everyone can get care regardless of preexisting conditions.

I would like to add one final point. The right wing media, special prosecutors and opponents in Congress have been going after Hillary Clinton her entire life. After countless investigations, there has never been one shred of evidence showing illegal activity or even unethical conduct on the part of Clinton. As to Trump, there is abundant evidence of crass, crude and shameful behavior coming from his own mouth time and time again. Much of what he said in his campaign was completely contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Yes, Utah really did blow it in the last election.

David E. Lowry

Holladay