Letter to the Editor: From Band-Aids for bullet holes to surgery for solutions

Image composite, St. George News

OPINION – Imagine you have an incredible headache, blood is pounding in your temples, your vision is getting blurry, your breathing becomes rushed and frantic. Now, say this occurs several times a week, even daily. You reach for the apparent solution: a pain killer. But, what if the source of these headaches are really something much deeper, maybe even a tumor, that needs to be removed?

Last week, I submitted an article discussing the existing conditions in our American political scene and the lack of diversity.


Part I: Letter to the Editor: Coloring inside the lines gives us 1 ugly political picture


This second part offers my thoughts on why there is lack of diversity, and ideas to consider moving forward.

I feel there are three reasons for political stagnation: voter apathy, education and business.

Voter apathy

The ability to control politics relies upon the majority of people being apathetic. 

Perhaps the apathy is due in part to busy people working hard to provide for their families and in their community and church, and when they get home they just want to relax or be with family. Or, when it comes to things like the presidential election, they think that their vote doesn’t matter (and because of the Electoral College, it would seem they aren’t wrong).

Perhaps adding to this is the frustration of feeling powerless, the time it takes to study out the candidates and platforms, or how hard it is to get people motivated.

Or, when someone does show up to vote, there’s a long list of things to vote on, like judges or amendments they’ve never even heard of before. One can see the appeal of punching a straight party ticket, and walking out of the voting booth.

Lack of education

Another point to consider is a lack of education; on our current caucus system, the voting process, and being able to sift through rhetoric for fact. Digging to find evidence and statistics and coming to a rational conclusion about any one problem is about as easy as reading the Affordable Care Act, let alone understanding it.

Politicians try to force public education, to add yet another layer of requirements to overworked and underpaid teachers, to teach “civics” when public education was never meant to replace or take responsibility for what should be happening in ourselves, communities and homes.

Power of business

Lastly, consider the power of business in the political system.  During the 2014 Presidential race, when Mitt Romney uttered the phrase “Corporations are people,” many Americans were appalled. Shocked, they couldn’t believe that a presidential candidate would compare businesses rights to the rights of a living, breathing citizen.

As I see it, corporations are even more powerful than a person and it would seem a free market system would denote that.

But the deeper question is: Because that is so, does it make it right? One does not have to look far to see how powerful businesses are in getting a candidate elected or a bill enacted.

It’s hard to feel your personal vote has power, when those with more resources are able to run the show. Critics of this would say “Okay yes, there are problems. But, look at the good things that are happening.”  I would remind these people: A broken clock is still right twice a day.

Opening the dialogue

As Taylor Swift has reminded us, “Band-Aids don’t fix bullet holes.” So, what fixes bullet holes or tumors? Surgery, antiseptic, life-saving support.

This article is the dialogue that needs to help start the discussion, like prepping for surgery. The responsibility to ensure a free and healthy society starts with every single one of us. Hope is in recognizing the problem exists and examining the possibilities to create the solution.

Submitted by Kaleigh F. Bronson, senior at Cedar High School, Cedar City

Letters to the Editor are not the product of St. George News, its editors, staff or contributors. The matters stated and opinions given are the responsibility of the person submitting them; they do not reflect the product or opinion of St. George News.

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24 Comments

  • fun bag August 9, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    I could tell this was written by the same girl after I got about half way through… I’m glad she got a little jab in at Mittens this time…

    • NotSoFast August 9, 2015 at 5:01 pm

      Can’t pull a fast one on politically savvy Fun Bag.

  • Dexter August 9, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    Yeah she didn’t mention REAL LIFE DORK. but did mention mittens.. LOL I’m sure he has something to say about that too. not that anybody cares

  • fun bag August 9, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    I like how the article has the tone of “mormons, it’s time to wake up from your brainwashing”, although most mormons will see the critique of mitt, and immediately brand her as a “liberal”, and turn right back into their default closed-mindedness…

    • NotSoFast August 9, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      Better check the clock Fun Bag. You know you can’t pick up your bottle of gin at the state liquor store after 6 pm on a Sunday girl.

      • 42214 August 9, 2015 at 6:42 pm

        That was mean. I’m sure fun bag knows that and plans accordingly.

        • NotSoFast August 9, 2015 at 9:46 pm

          I was only kidding about the gin Fun Bag. Just trying to get your goat. (hum, Does what I just said ID’s me as a bully?) nah.

          • Dexter August 10, 2015 at 11:06 am

            Can’t wait to see what kind of stupid and ignorant comment REAL LIFE DORK is going to make.. it’s because of people like him why planned parenthood exist..what an idiot he makes it so easy.

    • mesaman August 9, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      Fungus, your logic is to the solution to a problems what a flea is to a Boeing 787. I find it sad that you will continue to fester and degrade your pleasure because of your hatred toward “Mormons” and do nothing to resolve your problem. You haven’t changed a single person’s attitude towards us and certainly haven’t challenged us to consider any changes. You will likely take solace in gathering support from a few who share your fixation.

      • 42214 August 9, 2015 at 8:03 pm

        Oedipus, did you get lucky with the mutt on the paws article? Let me save you the trouble, … Was that good enough? PS, Eaglegate or Dixie J C.
        Ed. ellipsis.

  • 42214 August 9, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    Mesa, why is your church being forced into transparency. Is it because of disillusionment by the faithful when the internet discloses the lies and deceptions your faith is based on. Seer stones, gold plates, angels and a convicted con man. You believe that and try to pass yourself off as intelligent? Laughable. I doubt you’ll respond, you’re a coward and a bully.

    • mesaman August 10, 2015 at 12:48 pm

      It’s not. You are a wimp and a chicken s…*.
      *Ed. ellipses

      • fun bag August 10, 2015 at 1:21 pm

        ooooooohhhhhhh, SNAP! such wittiness from our resident special needs child, MESATARD… 😉

      • 42214 August 10, 2015 at 7:40 pm

        Why the sudden transparency?

      • fun bag August 10, 2015 at 8:50 pm

        What’s with all the anger mesaman? I thought we could have a civil discussion…? no?

      • 42214 August 10, 2015 at 9:33 pm

        It’s not what? Why the sudden transparency? Can you answer anything or just hurl childish slurs? Come on mesa, show off that Howard Cosell vocabulary of yours

        • fun bag August 11, 2015 at 6:14 pm

          i think the mystique of mesaman’s mormonism is fading away, and that has sent him into a psychotic rage…

  • Dexter August 9, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    MESAMAN LOL! Blah blah blah blah yada yada yada ho hum duh uh duh Yawwwwwwwwwwn

    • Real Life August 9, 2015 at 10:58 pm

      Get off the dope son, it’s making you stupid.

      • Dexter August 10, 2015 at 11:03 am

        Awe you poor little thing…..

      • Dexter August 10, 2015 at 11:08 am

        To late for you to get off the drugs you’re already stupid. LOL.! you make it so easy…

    • mesaman August 10, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      You have the idiot language down pat, chumly, or were you snoring.

      • 42214 August 10, 2015 at 10:34 pm

        Mesa, maybe you can borrow the seer stones to find divine guidance so you can say something intelligent for a change. Why the sudden transparency?

  • sagemoon August 10, 2015 at 8:48 am

    More good thoughts, Kaleigh. About what you said in regard to education: Go to college! Public school falls far short of what you will learn about the political process by attending higher education.

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