Electoral elitism | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Utah State Republican Central Committee recently rejected proposed changes to its caucus-convention nominating system, in part by arguing that America is a republic and relies on informed party members to represent the people ("Utah GOP rebuffs changes to caucuses," Tribune, April 14).

Such arguments are an embarrassment and insult to today's adult population in Utah. When the Constitution was formed, the lower education level of citizens and primitive communication system in our country required elected trustees to run our government.

But today, with increased levels of universal education and rapid high-tech communications, every Utahn is likely to be capable of informed decision-making and has a right to participate in a democratic system of government where every vote counts.

Such conservative, traditional elitist arguments against caucus reform support those individuals who believe they are more intelligent and deserve access to power and don't trust the general public, who they believe are easily persuaded by special interest groups and money.

Unfortunately, even these elitist conservatives themselves are representative of special interests that promote extreme conservative views that do not reflect those of a majority of Utahns.

Tab L. Uno

Clearfield