Legislators have created a fortress out of myriad laws and regulations to keep their power and protect themselves from "pushy" citizens who think the government belongs to the people but which now looks like it's been sold to the special interest groups. They were able to give the illusion that citizens could, through referendum, change a law, but then created a gauntlet of convoluted rules that make it impossible to let voters' voices be heard. Some legislators appear to have been dismissive with citizens' concerns and allowed themselves to be praised by the professional lobbyists. The regulatory schemes created by them have allowed lobbyists, many of whom were former legislators, to have open access to them while the average citizen is ignored.

More than half the voters opposed school vouchers, yet the Legislature, with help from the proponents, voted for it. Forget voters' having choice. There is mounting discontent over legislators ignoring public opinion on school vouchers and a soccer stadium. So much that there are now petitions for a referendum to put them on the ballot for voters to decide on these two issues.

The reality is, we do have to fight our own government.

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Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net