Vouchers are people's choice

In Jay Evensen's column (April 1) he indicated the public does not "show much interest in being consistent." To prove this point he cited public opinion polls showing "widespread disgust with this year's Legislature over decisions to start a voucher program for private schools." The many other decisions that were made, according to Evensen, fall into an overall approval rating of the Legislature and governor. This does not represent inconsistency, but rather a selective "disgust" for certain pieces of legislation.

Evensen quotes James Madison from Federalist Paper No. 49 indicating Madison was opposed to allowing the people to weigh in when the "government is perceived to have stepped out of line." In that same Federalist Paper, James Madison also states that "a constitutional road to the decision of the people ought to be marked and kept open for certain great and extraordinary occasions." The voucher legislation, which channels public tax dollars to private school tuition, certainly fits Madison's definition.

Gathering signatures has been made almost impossible by our Legislature. But gatherers are making a great and extraordinary effort to let the people's voice be heard.

Sarah Meier

President

Granite District School Board