I recently met Scott Rosenbush, a Republican candidate running for state representative in a district that is largely Democrat.
He argued that since he was a moderate (not conservative) Republican, he shared similar views with the more liberal district’s constituency in areas such as air quality and education — with the benefit of not being a Democrat because, as he pointed out, Democrats are such a minority in our state Legislature, they don’t carry the political might to be effective.
That statement is offensive and counter to what representative government is all about. Sure, it’s easier to govern in a one-party state, but in order to have all voices heard, we need representatives that reflect the population of our districts.
It’s that diversity of ideas that leads to well thought out policy for all, not just the majority. That’s how our government is meant to work.
Beth Chardack, Salt Lake City