We need a reality-based conservative party
I read Karen Ballash’s guest editorial Wednesday and have some questions for her.
You praised a handful of truckers protesting common sense public health policies who disrupted billions of dollars of business and caused major problems for millions of people. Would your feelings have been different if they had been blocking S.R.s 224 and 248 or if those truckers had been African Americans and had been demanding that public schools teach a more honest version of American history?
You downplay the danger of “violent extremist ideologies, false or misleading narratives, and conspiracy theories.” While one might disagree on where to draw the line between that and First Amendment rights, the fact that about 40% of Americans support the overthrow of our democratically elected government as a result of disinformation would seem to be an area of concern that I expect the government to address.
You went on to say that we no longer have the right to call out our government. Please support that statement with examples.
You regret that “patriots” now means “insurrectionists.” Wasn’t it your party that just recently made those two words synonymous?
What was that about Australia? I’m Australian and keep close tabs on what’s happening in my homeland. Passports that monitor? How? Afraid someone is coming for them? Who? Why should we vote based on the fears of a paranoid Australian?
The Democratic Party strives to create a better America with universal affordable health care and low drug costs, free post-secondary education, universal human rights, a living wage for all workers, a more equitable distribution of our country’s stunning wealth, a livable planet and so much more. I see nothing in your letter that indicates what your party would do to make America great.
You end by saying that we should come to the aid of our country and the Republican Party. I don’t see how one can do both. Your letter stands as testimony to why the Republican party must be replaced by a sensible reality-based conservative party that wins elections by offering competent management and superior policy proposals rather than just disinformation and voter suppression.
Bill Stroud
Summit Park
*****
Dictators don’t understand US military might
The problem with dictator Putin and dictator Kim Jong-un is they are too young to remember how the U.S. mobilized in World War II and fought wars on both sides of the planet, the first time any country had ever been able to do that. We mobilized and the country came together. It was amazing. But they don’t remember that. All they’ve seen since is the U.S. not being committed to our wars.
Putin has the biggest country in the world under his command, and he says, “The U.S., all they’ve done for the last 75 years since the end of World War II is dink around in wars and not get serious about fighting, so why would they change now?” Maybe he is right.
I haven’t seen anything from any of our leaders that even addresses this problem of how we’ve led these dictators to believe that we’re not really going to fight to win anymore. If you’re not going to fight to win, then you shouldn’t be fighting at all.
Vic Rainey
Coalville
*****
Who is city councilor representing?
Now in no uncertain terms, Park City Councilor Max Doilney has shown his full colors, along with what appears to be contempt for the Park City residents he represents.
As if being a fervent supporter of the recently rejected mayor of Park City wasn’t enough, he has now shown he is totally insensitive to the community he serves and is of the belief that, “We are a ski resort community,” implying that as residents of this town we are here at the behest of the ski resort owners.
He then follows it up with another gem, totally disregarding 100 years of our history by stating, “This town was built for this,” as if to say, “Suck it up Park City, you asked for it.”
The article then goes on to state: “There has been empathy for the many Parkites concerned with the situation this ski season.” Empathy clearly not shared by Doilney, who is maybe more interested in the positive influence the overcrowding has had on his business than the needs and concerns of the resident he now clearly doesn’t try to represent.
Andrew Morphett
Park Meadows