This fall I've had the pleasure of teaching a course titled U.S. Government and Politics at Salt Lake Community College.

Because their instructor is the chairman of the Libertarian Party of Utah, my students have a better idea of what a Libertarian is and what a Libertarian believes than do most students.

Over the next few weeks, my class will study political parties, campaigns, and elections.

One of the textbook's upcoming chapters discusses the role of non-incumbent political parties, how election laws favor incumbent political parties, and how many debate organizers exclude candidates affiliated with non-incumbent parties from participating in pre-election debates.

It's understandable why partisans of the two incumbent political parties want to limit a voter's choices. If voters are presented with more viable choices, voters may not choose them.

Although it's understandable why the incumbent political parties have written the election laws to their advantage, it's certainly not fair.

And if elected officials are cheating you out of fair elections, what else are they cheating you out of?

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Richard Mack is one Libertarian who offered an alternative to the Big Government parties last year.

Despite the great initial promise of his candidacy, Mack eventually dropped out of Utah's gubernatorial race when it became apparent that his campaign couldn't raise the resources to overcome the built-in electoral advantages held by the incumbent parties' candidates.

(Fortunately for Mack and the liberty movement, he was invited to participate in a television program that highlighted some of the challenges faced by Americans seeking change outside of the incumbent political parties.)

Still, Richard Mack's campaign left behind a comprehensive Libertarian vision that shows Utahns how we might reclaim our own lives.

Thus, win or lose, Libertarian candidates perform an incredibly valuable role. And freedom-loving Utahns want more "Lights of Liberty" to carry our message of peace and prosperity forward.

The 2006 general election is less than one year away. Do you have a liberty-oriented vision that can help your Utah neighbors? If so, I invite you to contact the LPUtah's Executive Director, Charles Bonsall, or me about running for office on the Libertarian ticket next year.

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Are you ready to declare your independence from the incumbent parties?

If so, check out the new LPUtah Store . . . your source for t-shirts and other products that help support and promote the Libertarian Party of Utah!

Yours in liberty,

Rob Latham, Chair

Libertarian Party of Utah