For legislative reform, voters must reclaim political process

Maybe Rep. Kevin Garn has a point. He doesn't like the idea of laws being made by citizen referendum at the ballot box. After all, he said, "If people think special interests have too much influence … voters can change that … they vote on the legislators." He concludes that voters must be fairly happy with what lawmakers are doing, since so many are re-elected (Deseret News, Aug. 14).

If voters are happy, why do 75 percent of Utah voters call for legislative ethics reform each year — reforms such as those contained in the citizen initiative of Utahns for Ethical Government? Why does the Legislature continue to ignore the call year after year? And why is an initiative even necessary?

It's true that voters can vote incumbents out, but they must first get to the polls. Utah has a unique claim to fame in that regard. According to a study released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Utah's voter turnout rate in the 2006 general election was the lowest of the 50 states.

Who among us voted? Aspiring candidates don't stand a chance. New candidates are discouraged from even filing for office because of incumbents' vast campaign chests. In the 2008 election, 82 percent of senators and 91 percent of House members won re-election. Our Legislature has become a bastion of incumbents who insulate themselves from public access and criticism. They do what those in all aging institutions do — they silence dissent by punishing dissenters and labeling them as troublemakers. They limit information, or make decisions behind closed doors. Lobbyists have ready access, while the average citizen is ignored. Lawmakers have created the feeling of futility among voters. "Why bother?" we say. "My vote doesn't count, and they don't listen."

And that is the greatest danger our form of government faces today.

Lawmakers have shown no interest in self-examination and self-correction. No one audits them. It's up to citizens to restore integrity and trust in government. Our government didn't become sclerotic overnight. Rather, it has suffered long-term neglect by citizens who complain, protect their own interests and expect others to speak out. Our forefathers designed our form of government assuming there would always be alert citizens to safeguard the public interest. They knew that elected leaders were not angels. Our government needed to be renewed to keep pace with change. As Thomas Jefferson pointed out, "Institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times."

We forget that freedom is not a given. It must be fought for constantly. And institutions, if neglected, forget their purpose.