Debbie Matheson, center, introduces herself as a delegate candidate during a GOP caucus meeting at Lone Peak High School in Highland. Thousands turned out at their Republican Party neighborhood caucus meetings around Utah, Thursday, March 15, 2012.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Being dutiful and obedient, my wife and I attended our local caucus meeting last week. We came away perplexed and frustrated by the process and bewildered by our lack of representative voice in the coming elections.
Each delegate-candidate was given 120 seconds to espouse their experience and position on current issues and office aspirants; they were given even less time for questions and answers. Most of those potential delegates had few opinions as to issues or those seeking elective office, primarily because they had yet to be defined. We "voted" for individuals whom we did not know personally and had little opportunity to gain even a most basic understanding of their political persuasions or candidate leanings.
We left the meeting not knowing how our delegates would represent our points of view and unsure that our vote at our caucus meeting would amount to a hill of beans.
Surely, in a state as sophisticated and intellectually advanced as Utah there must be a better way to address the lead-up to the primary elections and give each citizen a chance to cast an "up or down vote" for those willing to sacrifice and dedicate a part of their lives to public service.
Neil L. Blackburn
Fruit Heights
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