Katie, don't feel too bad. I would bet that if you took a picture of current vice president Dick Chenney to the same 500 registered voters only slightly over half could tell you who he was. And if you took pictures or asked them to name the current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, less then 20% could get it right, and I am likely being polite with those numbers.

Fact is, most Americans are completely ignorant of the world around them. Actually, I am glad for your letter. It gives me an idea. I am going to take my Boy Scout troop and we are going to work on our Citizenship in the Community and Nation merit badges by doing a Civics Survey door to door. Sadly, most are going to fail but it will be interesting to see who knows what.

Eighteen people voted in your precinct? Three percent of registered voters showed up? I say "Wow!" too, but "Wow! That's a lot!"

Only one person in my precinct showed up: me. Maybe 40 people showed up for the whole legislative district.

Katie, your concern is also the concern of Utahns for Public Schools. For months they have been holding public meetings and building on the grass roots participation we saw in the Referendum One(voucher)petition signing to EDUCATE the public about the caucuses and their importance in the political process. It is the party leadership, however, that is held responsible for advertising and promoting their own caucuses, not the cities. It often occurs that only "those in the know" are involved in these meetings and aren't all that anxious for expanded participation that might threaten the power base they have built by keeping the whole process to themselves. I'm glad you participated and now know that the real political power for change is held by the delegates elected on March 25th.

It's easier to sit home and watch reality TV and then complain about my representative years later.

"Educator", you just don't get it. Perhaps the problem your groups faces is that everyone knows you're a tool for the union, not interested in kids and their education, just teacher union power. BTW, your anti-voucher message doesn't play with the public when vouchers are no longer an issue. Get over it, you won. Now go away.

How about we modify the economic stimulus package to include a tax credit to those who participate in the election process - caucus, primary & general elections?

A lot of people (I'm one of them) have no wish to allign themselves with any political party. Consequently we have no place to go to caucus. It would be really nice if WE could have a way to be involved in the grass-roots political activities too, without having to sell our souls (join) to parties which do not appeal to us.

Utahns for Public Schools? The organization that held caucus training all over the state to help Republicans? Yup, the Party that endorsed vouchers. For years the news media has printed the locations of caucuses, but not this year.

Educator, real change isn't going to happen by supporting Republicans. But the UEA, and organizations like the Utahns for Public Schools keep thinking they are a party unto themselves. The Education Party. The fact is the UEA takes Democrats for granted because they almost always vote there way. So screw them, let's find closet Liberals and have them run as Republicans.

Same old song. Same old dance.

One Problem, you don't get it. Take one party and make it responsible. You're full of it. So everyone who attends a party function has sold their soul? Get real. The truth is you see the party(s) as the control. The truth is it is the people who get involved that run the Party.

You could make a difference, but not by sitting on the sidelines whinning.

Katie,
First, most Utah voters are not registered with a political party.
Second, maybe most Utahns have discovered that there are more important things in life than politics.
It would be nice if the political establishment that wants the rest of us to worship at the same altar of the State would just leave us alone.

My liberal leanings simply don't match with my more conservative neighbors. (In our area ONLY republicans get elected, so there's no point even doing anything with the dems.)

When I make comments or try to assert my POV in these meetings, I am kindly reminded that they all think differently, and if I don't like it I can always move.

I've been made to feel that it is "their" state, and I'm just an "outsider." It's just not worth it to me anymore to even try. I've simply become content with my current "visitor" status.

I went to the Repub caucus as a casual observer. Average age 90. Big argument about illegals and the "North American Union." What a joke. Say in a creaky voice, "The Constitution is hangin' by a thread." Republicans are idiots.

1 question for your sarcastic response...did YOU show up at your caucus meeting and participate? Didn't think so.

Katie, be glad. We only had 12 people show up in my precinct. As a side note, Sherrie Swensen change the precinct boundaries again (8 years in a row) which actually took our precinct chair out of our precinct. We scrambled and got all the information and completed our duties but Ms. Swensen does her best to keep messing with the boundaries. Inquiries to her office are met with "we are doing the best we can" comments.

This isn't unique to Utah and some dingdongs on these pages will assert, voting is an issue nationwide. People just don't care. I invited about 10 people to the meeting and not 1 showed. Why? Who knows.

For you independents, you can come to the meetings and participate, you just can't vote or be voted as a delegate. Yes, you can maintain your independence and participate. But you should never feel you have the right to elect someone in a party of which you don't belong. Silly thinking on your part.

And yes, that is the same as many states in the USA.

If you wouldn't mind, please give us a list of the liberal leanings that you are holding dear to your heart that your neighbors don't agree with. Let's see what you are talking about - not to criticize but to learn.

Also, there were Democrat caucus meetings too. You didn't want to attend there? Why not?

I hope you share your list for a better understanding of your complaint.

One Problem is just another typical complainer that does nothing. If he doesn't want to be part of a party he could have filed to run for some state or local office as unaffiliated. It would only cost him $16.50, but no, complaining doesn't even cost that much. He could go out with friends and family and convince voters to vote for him. Then he would find that it takes broader support to be elected than he could provide, and then see why parties are necessary. Or he could start his own party, but of course he would be part of what he is complaining about. If he doesn't like the two main parties, there are "third parties" that he could support, but I think One Problem just wants to be a victim and complainer, to justify his lack of action.

Its all corruption anyway. Our votes don't mean anything, because the people who campaign, don't keep their word, and sell out to the highest bidder.

When you are ready to storm the capital building with torches and pitchforks, and throw every last one of those liars out on their keesters, and tell them they are FIRED, call me. I will lead the way. Until then, life is a lot more than two sided, right and left.

I openly appreciate the "liberal" positions of Gov. Huntsman. I appreciate the state making an effort to more fully support schools, those struggling in poverty, and those needing medical care and health care insurance.

I don't support the Eagle Forum agendas. I don't appreciate government interference into personal decisions, like who someone choses to marry, or what clubs may or may not be established in schools--just think that should be a school decision.

I'm not gay, but I do know people who are, and I have great empathy for their positions. Because of these feelings, anything else I say gets labeled as "invalid".

Thanks for asking.

First, I am glad no one is arguing to get rid of the caucus/convention system. If they ever do that the chance for an average Jane or Joe to get elected is zilch. They will have to be either personally wealthy or owned by a special interest group.

When I first got into politics you could go down to the County election clerks office and get copies of both Republican and Democratic delegates and caucus info. No more for some counties. That needs to change. That should be public record again.

And, all caucuses should be held in readily identifiable places. I have heard nothing but horror stories around Salt Lake County of meetings being in someones garage and magically almost no one but the 'right' people knew about it so the usual suspects get all the delegate slots.

Simple changes like that need to happen so all have a chance to participate. I do think you should have to choose a party so each party doesn't take over the other one. Candidly, if we Republicans wanted to we could take over just about any Democratic Caucus. That would be dishonest. It shouldn't go the other way as well.

There should be no caucuses. Other states do not pick their candidates this way, why does Utah?

All caucus information is readily available. Call the offices of the Repub or Demo party and get the information. Or get online and find out.

As mentioned before, part of the issue is that Sherrie Swensen changes the precinct boundaries on a regular basis so there isn't any consistentcy of precinct chairs, etc.

It's not hard to find out where the meetings are or the platforms of all parties. Offer to hold it at your home. Have you run to be a delegate? Why not?

I'm not wealthy by any means and I've been a delegate a few times. You have to want to get involved. I do agree that too much money is being spent to gain "power" that doesn't necessarily stay with the people. So work to change it. Complaining about it and not working to improve it is the lazy man's way out.

To Rational, your comment is anything but rational. You complain about the system in Utah but offer no solution. And yes, other states do, do it like Utah. Can you tell us why Utah does it the way they do? Maybe a little Utah history lesson would be in order. Now go do it.

I'm sorry, but I guess I'm one of the "complainers", "whiners", and "lazies", but you people on your soapboxes about caucuses let me know when the political climate changes in the U.S. as a result of your actions, because by and large, every position in politics, especially in Utah, is like a large cast, which when the mold (you) is poured in, no matter what it was before, it changes to fit in, and thus the status quo continues. Systems need reforms, not new riders on the same old dead horse.

What would your life be if you didn't sit on these pages and complain about everyone else making your life miserable? YOU have no accountability in your life and your circumstance right?

Complaining that everyone else is part of the mold that you don't like is childish. Get off your derier and do something about it. Did you go to your caucus? Did you become a delegate? Did you host the meeting? Did you become precinct chair?

If not, then go away. YOU ARE the problem, yet you BLAME everyone else.

The dig of "especially in Utah" shows you have no depth of information about anything outside your little house.

You want us to tell you when the political climate changes in the US, yet you don't want to do anything to assist in the change. Sounds to me like you want everything done for you and you can't put any effort in. Government handouts suit you just fine don't they.

No soapbox my friend. Just someone who is out trying to make life better by being involved. You could too, but then what would you do with your time every day......Poor, poor BeeGee

@ Poor BeeGee...
Come get me when you change the world, pal. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were SuperDell with all your hot air. Go on and be a delegate or a precinct chair or whatever, and then when Utah suddenly wakes up to reality as a result of your baloney, come to call, but until then, leave your Limbaugh-esque diatribes to someone who cares to hear them.

Katie-First, thank you for your comment. I attended my caucus and voted. I agree that it is a sad state of affairs when responsible, capable people are not involved in a fundamental process that makes our democracy great. I call for political parties, governements, and citizens alike to take upon themselves the responsibility of informing. Why not tell your constituents when the caucus is? Why not invite your "independent" neighbor to join you in sharing opinions at a local caucus? I can guarantee you that the Founding Fathers were not all of the same mindset when they held their "caucuses" to establish our country!

Enough ad-hominem attacks and fatalistic, deterministic apathy. Imagine how Katie's caucus outcome would have been different if 97% of the registered voters showed up for an hour. Imagine how many more would have been present if radio stations had aired PSAs, and if reliable information was published online and in print. Imagine how lay people would develop opinions and gain information following their participation in a caucus, regardless of whether their viewpoint was accepted by the majority or not.

"Is it not strange that ignorance and complaisance are stronger than wisdom." (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, p31)

All the information WAS published and is readily available. You show your lack of knowledge when you make suggestions that are already being done.

BTW, once you get involved, YOU will SEEK OUT the information. It is there for those who really want it.