Unbelievable! For years I have counted on The Salt Lake Tribune’s interviews with candidates in each election to help me understand their positions on issues important to me. In a recent edition of The Tribune, I was excited to see that the candidates for Congress were asked a series of questions which would allow voters to understand how well each candidate’s views aligned with their own.
Imagine my dismay when every Republican running for national office did not answer any of the same questions asked of all the candidates.
How can you run for election to a national office and refuse to answer questions about your positions on issues important to your constituents?
Is the Utah GOP so arrogant that they believe it is not necessary to campaign?
That their candidates are so certain to be elected that it is not necessary for them to state their views on such things as preserving the Great Salt Lake, retaining Utah’s share of Colorado River water or immigration?
What kind of democracy is it when citizens are expected to blindly vote for anyone who is a member of the predominant church, conservative and with an (R) after their name.
The leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has clearly stated that routinely voting for all candidates from a single party is not acceptable. Members are charged with finding the best candidate for each office by carefully researching their positions on how well they align with the voter’s expectations.
How can they do that when they are not given the information they need?
As a registered Republican I can tell you that I will never vote for any candidate for any office who will not state his/her position on issues important to me — not ever!
Elizabeth Tubbs, Holladay
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