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Jim Bennett's and Richard Davis' commentaries address political change in Utah.
Davis tells us that the two major parties "have been captured by the ideological extremes." I have seen no evidence of an "ideological extreme" by any Democratic candidate in Utah.
Bennett tells us of his experience in trying to register his party in a one-party state and that there's a need for a party to "stand up to the establishment." I submit that there already is one here in Utah. It's the Democratic Party, and it's been trying, against great odds, to stand up to the Republican-controlled establishment.
What Bennett and Davis fail to mention when talking about that establishment is the elephant in the room — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Utah is not just a one-party state. It's a one-religion state.
I moved to Utah 15 years ago after living in states both east and west. I have never experienced anything like the influence — no, the total control — of a single religion over the daily life of a population. The liquor laws, the Zion curtain, the futility of supporting a non-LDS candidate for any office other than mayor of the few non-LDS-majority cities, and the 88 percent majority of LDS legislators in the state Legislature are all disheartening for those of us who weren't born here but consider ourselves Utahns and actually believe in separation of church and state.
I don't see a need for another party. For a moderate, reasonable approach to governance outside the dictates of a single religion, I find my home in the Democratic Party. I will continue to support those committed Democratic candidates who bravely — and mostly futilely — put themselves out there because they want to make a difference. I know I am fortunate to live in a breathtakingly beautiful state, but I also know a solid majority of its leaders answer not to the people they are there to represent, but to the LDS Church.
Mary Dillon
Park City