Here is an open letter I sent to the Utah Debate Commission.
Utah Debate Commission
Email: debate@utahdebatecommission.org
Dear Ms. Slighting,
Thank you for your letter telling me about the Utah Debate Commission. I am thankful that your website states that “Candidates from all existing registered political parties in Utah will have potential access to debate participation.” I wasn’t sure if that was your goal because your letter stated that while you seek to educate the public about all “viable” candidates, you only promote debates among “leading” candidates. This made me wonder if an unstated goal of the Utah Debate Commission is to maintain the status quo of a two-party system. I was further concerned when I learned that the commission co-chairs are picked from the two major parties.
It is my opinion that the number one goal of the Utah Debate Commission should be to educate voters on all candidates, ideas, parties and causes by promoting only those debates that include all viable candidates; not just the leading ones. The commission should refuse to support any debate that excludes viable independent or “third’ party candidates. In the race for the Utah fourth congressional district seat, there are candidates from the Constitution, Libertarian and Independent American parties that deserve to be heard. And the public deserves to hear their unique ideas and contributions.
I would also request that the co-chairs be periodically chosen from among all registered political parties in Utah that appear on the ballot.
Sincerely,
Collin Simonsen
