United Utah Party

[Mars]

In a country where both main parties are failures, this idea can't hurt.

[nuk13]

Here is the platform in its entirety:

Faith
Protecting the role of religious belief in public life as well as the constitutional right to free exercise of religious expression for all.
Government Reform
Promoting government reform that furthers greater responsiveness, accountability, and transparency. This includes greater transparency of proposed bills, open legislative caucus meetings, ethics reform, open primary elections, term limits, campaign finance limits, more non-partisan elections, and independent redistricting.
Education
Supporting increased funding for and reform of public education as a vehicle for creating good citizens, preparing Utahns for the future, and improving the economic prospects of all Utah citizens. Favoring significant education funding increases along with accountability from Utah’s education system for its role in educating Utah’s future generations.
Immigration
Endorsing federal action that creates an immigration system that respects the sanctity and dignity of families while enforcing the law.
Taxes and Regulations
Supporting a simpler tax system that minimizes loopholes, reduces negative effects on working class families, and demands a fair share be paid by all regardless of wealth. This also includes instituting a regular review of government regulations to assess their continued value in a changing society.
Economic Growth
Preserving the free market system as the engine for future economic growth. However, such economic growth must “raise all boats” and therefore public policy must promote economic opportunity for all, regardless of social and economic class.
Environmental Stewardship
Advocating the importance of human stewardship over Utah’s environment that conserves natural resources, promotes renewable energy, and leads to clean air and water to sustain and improve human life.
The Second Amendment
Endorsing the right of Utahns to possess firearms, as well as regulations that limit firearm possession in the hands of those who would use them irresponsibly.
Family
Supporting the family as the traditional unit of society and upholding the sanctity of human life that includes opposition to abortion except in cases such as the life of the mother or serious damage to the health of the mother, fatal fetal deformities, rape, or incest.

But, assuming they get their party off the ground, expect it to be heavily amended/revised in the first few years

I agree with a simpler tax system, fair share be paid by all regardless of wealth. Reducing negative effects should be for everyone not just who they think are working class.
If they want to increase funding for education where will it come from? It has to come from taxes so how will they work the tax issue and the education issue? They'll either have to shift areas that now recieve taxes (that should be done anyway) or simple or not they'll have to increase taxes.
I agree with Ddawg's questions. Why don't they join with the tea party movement for smaller more accountable government? Yes the tea party has been under attack but that doesn't make them wrong.

[HoosierCougar]

There is no tax on wealth in the US today. There is a tax on income (and sales, and property...) And wealth can generate income in many cases. I wonder what they mean by "demands a fair share be paid by all regardless of wealth".

As Speaker of the House Greg Hughes says to legislators who aren't comfortable with the GOP party line, "go ahead and run without the party's backing and see how well you do."

[Cougarfan87]

My two cents. I have been very dissatisfied with both parties, but can't go far enough to be a libertarian. Everyone of the items on the platform I would support. I would also add that as for taxes, I still think abolishing the income tax and doing a national sales tax (except on housing, groceries, medicine, and second hand clothes) is the way to go. It adds an element of freedom--you literally choose to pay the taxes you want to by what you purchase, and it does not tax the poor or anyone else on necessities. In the alternative, I would accept a flat tax.

[imuakahuku]

Here is the platform in its entirety:

Faith
Protecting the role of religious belief in public life as well as the constitutional right to free exercise of religious expression for all.
Government Reform
Promoting government reform that furthers greater responsiveness, accountability, and transparency. This includes greater transparency of proposed bills, open legislative caucus meetings, ethics reform, open primary elections, term limits, campaign finance limits, more non-partisan elections, and independent redistricting.
Education
Supporting increased funding for and reform of public education as a vehicle for creating good citizens, preparing Utahns for the future, and improving the economic prospects of all Utah citizens. Favoring significant education funding increases along with accountability from Utah’s education system for its role in educating Utah’s future generations.
Immigration
Endorsing federal action that creates an immigration system that respects the sanctity and dignity of families while enforcing the law.
Taxes and Regulations
Supporting a simpler tax system that minimizes loopholes, reduces negative effects on working class families, and demands a fair share be paid by all regardless of wealth. This also includes instituting a regular review of government regulations to assess their continued value in a changing society.
Economic Growth
Preserving the free market system as the engine for future economic growth. However, such economic growth must “raise all boats” and therefore public policy must promote economic opportunity for all, regardless of social and economic class.
Environmental Stewardship
Advocating the importance of human stewardship over Utah’s environment that conserves natural resources, promotes renewable energy, and leads to clean air and water to sustain and improve human life.
The Second Amendment
Endorsing the right of Utahns to possess firearms, as well as regulations that limit firearm possession in the hands of those who would use them irresponsibly.
Family
Supporting the family as the traditional unit of society and upholding the sanctity of human life that includes opposition to abortion except in cases such as the life of the mother or serious damage to the health of the mother, fatal fetal deformities, rape, or incest.

But, assuming they get their party off the ground, expect it to be heavily amended/revised in the first few years

I don't think I like how a lot of this is worded. Seems to easy to sucker people into things. For example, Taxes - what do they mean by ?fair share"? Right now to Libs it means the rich (but not liberal rich) need to pay 90% or more and the poor (at least those that vote democrat) should pay nothing but actually get a tax refund even it they paid no taxes.

Economic Growth - "raise all boats"? Does that mean that if they contribute nothing they should still have their standard of living raised? So reward laziness?

Abortion - Pretty much every single partial birth abortion done is done for the "health of the mother".

There is just way too much wiggle room in there. If they want to go center then they need make the Constitution the center because that is actually the middle. Libs keep going further Left and that leads to the fallacy of the misplaced middle. Do not trust Liberals even an inch. They deceive and lie (usually white lies and half truths) to get their way.

[nuk13]

Thanks Imaukahuku. I see the flaw in my statement. "Fair share" needs to be strictly defined or it'll be the same kind of fudging (and suckering) we have now.

Your last paragraph is a very good one. The libs need to be called out on their deception and half truths. For instance raising the minimum wage takes incentive for improvement from people and raises prices which they blame on the "rich". It buys them votes as well.

They are very loose with what they call environmental stewardship.

Who do they think are irresponsible in the use of firearms. It looks like not liking them means you don't get that guarantee.

The Constitution is essential and that is what really needs to be done. Go back to and live the Constitution instead of putting this forward as something new and improved.

[Brayden Green]

I haven't found something better than the libertarian party for my beliefs. I personally want government so small it can fit in a box.

Just based on their platform that Sno shares, it seems like they want some interesting controls of free market regulations and restrictions.

I'm strictly against equality of outcome, and anyone pushing for that is evil in my mind. This feels like it comes from that kind of camp with language like "education for all" and paying "fair shares".

[Ddawg]

I haven't found something better than the libertarian party for my beliefs. I personally want government so small it can fit in a box.

Just based on their platform that Sno shares, it seems like they want some interesting controls of free market regulations and restrictions.

I'm strictly against equality of outcome, and anyone pushing for that is evil in my mind. This feels like it comes from that kind of camp with language like "education for all" and paying "fair shares".

It's because the United Utah Party is primarily put together by disgruntled ex-democrats. The cloak their beliefs with ideas like "preserving the free market" as the engine to raise all boats, and promoting economic opportunity for all. We have that now - thought the actual achieving of economic success is a genuine challenge. It's veiled heavy handed government intervention and control = socialism. Its the way this social justice works. Say all the nice fuzzy buzz words and expand the "borg." It all leads to a more invasive government that's like the universe - always expanding.

[Brayden Green]

I haven't found something better than the libertarian party for my beliefs. I personally want government so small it can fit in a box.

Just based on their platform that Sno shares, it seems like they want some interesting controls of free market regulations and restrictions.

I'm strictly against equality of outcome, and anyone pushing for that is evil in my mind. This feels like it comes from that kind of camp with language like "education for all" and paying "fair shares".

It's because the United Utah Party is primarily put together by disgruntled ex-democrats. The cloak their beliefs with ideas like "preserving the free market" as the engine to raise all boats, and promoting economic opportunity for all. We have that now - thought the actual achieving of economic success is a genuine challenge. It's veiled heavy handed government intervention and control = socialism. Its the way this social justice works. Say all the nice fuzzy buzz words and expand the "borg." It all leads to a more invasive government that's like the universe - always expanding.

I got that feeling too. I don't want anyone in the room to have the power of a gun over me. I don't care what your party name is if you point a gun at me, I'm not signing up for you.