Today I changed my life-long party affiliation from
Republican to Unaffiliated. As a result,
I am also resigning today my position as a Utah County Republican Party
delegate elected by majority vote in March of 2012.
I will limit to this paragraph the reasoning behind my
resignation. For some time I have been
concerned about the divisiveness of partisan politics, to wit, General
Washington in his farewell address warned us against such parties and factions. Additionally in a nation built on checks and
balances, I have been concerned about the concentration of power of Utah County
into the hands of a sole faction: I have
witnessed the corruption that such power begets. Finally, while I support the Preamble to the Party Platform which quotes Jefferson and our Declaration of Independence, the body
of the Platform contains some items I reject as a conflict of Preamble and thus
at odds with the words of the Declaration.
As a member of the Party, Article 2 of the County Constitution states
that I am to support the Party Platform; this requirement is amplified for
delegates with a stern, final-line warning in bold letters against anyone who
might have disagreement with the Platform:
“All Republican elected officials, candidates and party officers are
expected to endorse these principles and agree to be held accountable to the people
and to the party.” This statement
creates an obstacle for all delegates who wish to be accountable to their
constituency but whose views differ time to time from those of the Party or
Platform.
I delayed my resignation so that I could report to you that
I did serve you by happily attending both conventions--last year and this--and
did my best to leave you with honorable elected officials and party
officials. I greatly enjoyed interacting
with both the candidates and other Republicans in general. In nearly all my interactions with other
Republicans, I have been treated with respect and attention. There is much value in us meeting together in
these neighborhood political meetings we call a caucus to talk and to listen. In my leaving there remain reasons for me to
stay; yet I view the road of Unaffiliation as a freer, more noble course. I wish no ill upon my Republican friends and
will associate with Republicanism when and as it embraces truth. Indeed, I leave the County Party today in
what I feel a better place than it was when you first elected me in 2010.
I remain very involved in the political process and am
retaining the non-partisan office as your neighborhood chair. Indeed, with municipal elections Tuesday,
August 13th, we need to elect among four candidates a mayor and among
five candidates a city-wide council member.
By my resignation, I am directing our Precinct Chair to fill my position until the next caucus meeting in March. If my opinion is wanted on whom to replace
me, I shall offer it to the Chair in private.
For those wishing more contact, you may always email me, Facebook
me, or call me, anytime. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity this has been
to serve you.
Regards,
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