I have always voiced a neutral, or, more honestly stated, a non-confrontational opinion to the outside world. I am, and have been, in sales forever and find it easier to navigate this way. This is not to say that if something is vulgar, mean-spirited or patently offensive, I just smile or shrug my shoulders. I typically steer away from these people anyway, but if the conversation heads that direction, I change, or try changing the topic. Sometimes an offensive word comes from nowhere, and the look of shock on my face likely stops the perpetrator from continuing. Does all that sound like a chicken-shit? Yeah, it kinda does when I re-read it out loud. My values have not changed dramatically, so what happened? I voted for the first time in 1973, just two after the law lowering the voting age to 18 was passed. Both the democratic and republican parties professed opinions that made little sense to a newly minted high-school graduate. At that point, my only real concern was Vietnam and would I be drafted. I felt a conservative nature to live within your means and thought capitalism was a direct extension of the American dream, but also felt a compassion and empathy to those underserved, and believed they deserved more opportunities. There was always disagreement, but the opposing parties eventually found a common thread. As the years progressed I often described myself as a liberal republican or a conservative democrat and voted as such. I was at peace with that, finding myself voting republican nationally, and democratic locally. Not always, just generally. To me Republicans were generally the more fiscally responsible, and Democrats more socially responsible. Funny part about Utah is that with the exception of Salt Lake City, Democrats are considered the “Red-headed stepchild” and given little voice and even less respect. In my opinion, this is why SLC feels more inclusive. It offers more of a sense of checks and balances with both sides equally represented. Nowadays, I find myself longing for a rebooted Republican and Democratic party. Both have strayed so far from their original tenets, I don’t recognise either one. Democrats seemed to have found a printing press with an inexhaustible amount of paper and ink, and Republicans seem to spend more time worrying about alienating Trump than focusing on what’s in the best interest of the people. Both are hate and fear mongers. With 335 million americans to choose from, is this really the best we can do?

Roe V Wade

I was in high-school when Roe vs Wade happened. I don’t recall having an opinion either way, but do remember, along with the daily dose of Vietnam, it captivating the news. I also remember believing it was considered a victory for women’s rights, happening during the same time the Equal Rights Amendment was passed. My mom, being my mom didn’t say a word about any of it so I didn’t enjoy the benefit of a female perspective. Fifty-years later, here we are again, debating women’s rights. This time around, I have a lifetime of living to help form an opinion. On one hand, I abhor abortions under most circumstances, but believe just as strongly that women, the person carrying that fetus, should be making that decision, not a room full of judges. Initially, I thought individual states should have that right; not the Federal government, but am rethinking that stand. Utah has a difficult, if not impossible, time separating Church and State issues. Of course that fact is denied on every level of state government. Fun Fact: In 2016, 88% of the Utah State Legislature were white LDS men. This is why the abortion issue will never receive a fair and unbiased review in Utah. The fact that a majority of Utahns want to keep the law in place, matters not to them. When studying the reasons behind opting for an abortion, the number one factor by a wide margin is referred to as “Socioeconomic”. If Roe V Wade is overturned, my nieve hope is that along with this comes a commitment to provide accurate reproductive education and easy access to safe contraceptives. This certainly won’t end abortions, but maybe, through compassionate education, we can decrease the number by helping those women that see no other way to survive.