You would not have imagined Democrats have any advantage running for office in Utah, but Jeremy Votaw, the challenger for Utah County clerk, noted they do. Votaw's thoughts came tonight at a political forum I attended.
Votaw noted Democrats are listed first of the ballots, and it has been shown the person listed first has an advantage, the voter being more likely to select that person.
So, I agree with Votaw, the names should be altered on half the ballots.
Next issue: Trish Beck, a candidate for the Utah Legislature, brought up prescription drugs, as well as spice, during the candidates forum sponsored by the Association of Community Councils.
I tentatively favor illegalization of spice -- the drug, not the spice used in cooking. If it is a drug that alters behavior enough to affect a person's ability to function, it should go.
A Libertarian Party candidate proposed using private funding to help education. I'll tell you why I like that idea: Education is underfunded, and often the argument is that there just isn't any money left, no government money left to throw in the pot for education.
Why not then, appeal to the public? Why not have a fund-raising entity to raise private funds for education? This Libertarian, whoever he is, is right. We are screaming for more money for education, so why would we not do this?
And, I weigh in on a fourth issue, garnered from tonight's forum. One person raised his hand, and asked about a lottery to fund education. I do not favor that. I feel the affect on people weighs heavier in the balance than the benefit. I do not believe gambling a good influence on people, and having a state lottery certainly would influence a lot of people to gamble who currently are not.
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