Letter: Invest time and effort in politics

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Americans love competition. Let the best person win.

In Utah, we volunteer time and donate to churches, youth sports, scouting and the environment. These worthy endeavors need dedicated volunteers and financial donations to achieve their goals.

Another volunteer effort many of us take for granted affects the many ways we are taxed and charged fees for government services. It determines the laws and regulations we must obey. It's politics. All political parties are run by volunteers and financed by donations. The parties recruit candidates, develop party platforms, constitutions and bylaws, conduct caucus meetings and nominating conventions and support campaigns.

It requires thousands of volunteers giving tens of thousands of volunteer hours, thus ensuring all Utahns can go the polls and vote for candidates who are recruited, endorsed, and supported by a party. As the 2014 election cycle moves toward the Nov. 4 Election Day, please get to know candidates running for all offices that affect you. Volunteer and donate to the candidates and parties of your choice. If you do, you can make a difference to ensure the best person wins and determine how all levels of government will affect your life.

Dale Ash

Chair, Salt Lake County Republican Party