Recent actions by several Utah Republican leaders reminded me why I left the party years ago.
It is definitely not a place where free-thinking people with original thoughts and ideas are welcome. Members are told what to think, say and how to act. If they fail to fall in line, consequences are quick to come and very severe.
After all, this worked really well for the Nazis in Germany, the Communists in the Soviet Union, and the radical Muslims in Iran. No reason it won't work for Republicans here.
Watching President Trump hurl insults at Gov. Gary Herbert at the recent governor’s conference in Washington was embarrassing. Did Herbert stand up for Utah, his constituents, or his good friend Sen. Mitt Romney? Nope. He sat there meekly and took it. It was hard to watch.
Romney has my respect. He stood up for his beliefs regardless of the consequences. His legacy will be remembered long after Phil Lyman, Stuart Adams and Greg Hughes are trying to explain to their grandchildren why they thought Romney’s actions were wrong.
I’d like to see them play Romney’s speech on the Senate floor while they are trying to reconcile their actions toward him. Even a 10-year-old would understand that hypocrisy.
Jim Pedler, Salt Lake City