From Deseret News archives:
The 7 freedoms espoused by Anderson
Issue: Freedom to be safe from gun violence.
Target: Utah legislators who have made several juvenile gun offenses class B misdemeanors, the same penalty Salt Lake City residents face for growing their weeds too high.
Quote: "This is outrageous — growing weeds too high and littering are also class B misdemeanors . . . the Legislature seems to worry primarily about the rights of gun owners, without imposing concomitant legal responsibilities," Anderson said.
Issue: Freedom for working people to make a decent living.
Target: The Utah Legislature, which passed a law in 2001 forbidding cities from requiring contractors to pay a wage higher than the federal minimum wage.
Quote: The move constituted a "freedom which has been taken away from municipalities by the Utah Legislature," Anderson said.
Issue: Freedom for adults, especially tourists, to obtain alcoholic beverages without facing inhospitable, unfriendly obstacles.
Target: The Utah Legislature, which has authored strict liquor laws for the state.
Quote: "Unfortunately, the Utah Legislature refuses to step into the 21st century by repealing antiquated and bizarre laws related to the consumption of alcohol," Anderson said.
Issue: Freedom to adopt children in households with unmarried partners.
Target: The Utah Legislature, which passed a law last year forbidding unmarried couples from adopting children.
Quote: The law was "tragic and bigoted legislation" that was "aimed at prospective gay and lesbian parents," Anderson said.
Issue: Freedom to teach children about family planning and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
Target: The Utah Legislature, which has cut or prevented funding for AIDS and teen pregnancy education.
Quote: "In recent years the Utah Legislature has demonstrated support for a policy of ignorance when it comes to providing young people information about AIDS and pregnancy prevention," Anderson said.
Issue: Freedom from government telling us when we can listen to music, sing and dance as long as we don't disturb others.
Target: The City Council, which, in 2001, refused to back Anderson's plan to allow dancing at clubs past 2 a.m.
Quote: "This archaic law represents a prime example of the absurd local restrictions on personal freedom," Anderson said.
Issue: Freedom to breathe clean air.
Target: The Utah Legislature for supporting car-friendly transportation projects and the city's private clubs for allowing smoking indoors.
Quote: "Unfortunately, the Utah State Legislature continues to support transportation policies, such as construction of the Legacy Highway, which makes our air unfit to breathe . . . Smoking should be banned in all private clubs and at large-scale public events."
