Unable to remove from their hands the metaphorical blood of innocent Afghanis, Iraqis, and misled U.S. soldiers, Utah neoconservatives have turned their attention to undermining fair elections in Salt Lake County.

The neocon presence in Salt Lake County, much less Utah, hasn't received significant coverage by members of the local mainstream media -- some of whom oftentimes seem content to take an uncritical approach and cheerlead when on press tours sponsored by members of the military-industrial complex.

One of the leaders of Salt Lake's neocon camarilla is Dana Dickson. Mr. Dickson and his loyalty enforcer, Charles Hardy, are employed by military contractor L-3 Communications (stock value up more than 200% since 9/11). As one of the larger corporate "pork hawks," L-3 Communications has a vested interest in the expansion of U.S. military intervention ... and spending.

Spouse Carrie Dickson, an organizer of a 2003 Lincoln Day Dinner featuring neocon apologist and points talker Sean Hannity, is seeking the Republican nomination for Salt Lake County Clerk. The position administers, among other things, elections held within the county.

How might Utah neocons administer elections in Salt Lake County if given the opportunity?

In 2001, following the example of several county parties, the Utah GOP instituted instant runoff voting ("IRV") -- a voting process that elects a majority winner in one election -- for its state convention.

In 2002, the Utah GOP nominated its congressional candidates using IRV. In 2003, it elected its party officers using IRV. And in 2004, it used IRV to nominate candidates for federal and statewide office.

Last year, as part of their program to brownshirt the Utah GOP, the neocons worked to eliminate the use of IRV.

Mr. Dickson displayed his hostility to IRV in an essay (a rebuttal from another Utah GOP member is here) opposing majority rule and supporting rule by a minority. "What we have is at least predictable, if not a majority rule system," he writes.

In other words, says Utah's neocon camarilla, so what if the current electoral system isn't fair? It's worked for us! Now run along.

Many Utahns are familiar with a passage from the Book of Mormon describing the end of "the reign of kings" and the rise of democratic self-government ... by majority rule.

Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law -- to do your business by the voice of the people.

--Mosiah 29:26

U.S. soldiers remain in harm's way to implement multi-party democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But domestically many Republican operatives are working feverishly to consolidate state power and place it under the control of "the lesser part of the people" ... the war-wealthy neocons.

Have war-weary Americans been forced to export so much democracy that our native supply risks depletion? Do we need to be reminded of what a post-democratic society looks like?

The Libertarian Party has a platform and candidates offering a peaceful and prosperous alternative to the neocon agenda of "creative destruction."

Among the recently filed candidates in Utah is the LPUtah's own executive director Charles Bonsall, a former manager for the Federal Aviation Administration and candidate for Salt Lake County Clerk, who will champion more inclusive elections and take the anti-democratic Ms. Dickson to task.

Please join us in creating a more inclusive democracy here in Utah.

Yours in liberty,

Rob Latham, Chair

Libertarian Party of Utah