The Good, The Bad and the Lamesauce

The Good:
It has been a positive month in Utah for the momentum of independent voters and fair open primaries.

Earlier in the month, the Salt Lake Tribune (http://www.sltrib.com/) reported that a legislator speaking on condition of anonymity indicated support for a direct primary. The same article reported that in January, 61% of Utahans polled supported a direct primary. Weekly letters to the editor in support of open primaries are showing up. Here are a few of the links:

The May 12th Tribune article:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/51789351-90/among-caucus-direct-litvack.html.csp?page=1

The letters:
A Republic Indeed

And this gem by Dave Glissmeyer who ran for Utah's 2nd Congressional District as an independent: Glissmeyer

Plus an op ed:
I particularly love this love for independents who are being left out of redistricting considerations: Lundgren

These gems showed up in the Sunday paper on my porch this morning:

http://www.standard.net/topics/opinion/2011/05/21/our-view-voters-should-choose-candidates
be sure not to miss the embedded editorial cartoon
http://cdn3.standard.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/max_800/2011/05/20/story-22-calnet-82769.jpg which hails close to John Avlon's book "Wingnuts" (see my review of the same http://grassrootsindependent.blogspot.com/2010/06/wingnuts-book-review.html)

I can't put this at the end of this blog as it would show up under 'lamesauce'. Stay tuned, I have another editorial cartoon to publish in the morning.

The Bad:

An open fair election process is not a reality---yet.

The lamesauce:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/51830757-82/vote-candidates-caucus-caucuses.html.csp

Democrat insider opposes direct open primaries: http://www.clippertoday.com/view/full_story/13352909/article-Party-Lines--What-should-be-done-about-the-caucus-system-?instance=lead_story_left_column

Republican insider opposes direct open primaries:
http://www.clippertoday.com/view/full_story/13352933/article-Party-Lines--What-should-be-done-about-the-caucus-system