Voices

Democrats, Liberals…  Just because they’re “progressive”, doesn’t mean it’s progress.

Crystal -

Crystal Young-Otterstrom is a musician, marketer, and political activist. She is the chair of the SLC chapter of Mormons for Equality and Social Justice, the communications director for Young Democrats of Utah, vice-chair of her voting precinct, and vice-chair of the Utah Democratic Progressive Caucus. In her professional world, Crystal is an arts marketer and co-founded The Salty Cricket Composers Collective, a new music group that only performs the works of composers currently living in UT, she co-founded Vivace at the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and serves on the boards of the Utah Cultural Alliance, Young Benefactors, and Studio D. Crystal got her bachelor’s in music theory and BYU and loved her experience there although she understands that it and the culture its part of are not always perfect (like herself).

Phil -

Phil Mickey is a Democrat. The first time he was legal to vote, he voted for Bill Clinton for President in 1992 – and has not looked back since. He is a Moderate Democrat who has conservative views when it comes to national defense, education and States rights. He believes we should respect everyone’s right to their own agency, and that the government of a nation has the responsibility to provide a safety net for its citizens. The past eight years have galvanized him in his Democratic views and he is now looking to take his support further.

“Living in Utah and being a Democrat means that I must be an ‘anti-American Liberal’ living in ‘Real America.’ Well, that’s what they tell me anyway.”

Phil is a proud graduate of Weber State University and is a Communications Professional. He works in the private sector for a large manufacturing company. With roots in the arts, the military, the Teamsters Union and agriculture, why wouldn’t he be a Democrat?

Bryan -

Bio Coming Soon

Independents, Centrists… Is it balance, or indecision? They can’t decide.

Chad -

I’m a firm believer in unity. Nothing is more divisive than the current Democrap and Republiscum politics in this nation. I don’t believe it’s a black and white world, and that goes for politics, no matter how “evil” one party makes the other out to be. I believe they are both “evil” because of the division each promotes. I’m not one of those closet Dems or Repubs who call themselves “Independent” just to seem objectionable while secretly embracing one party over the other. Nope. Good can be found in both parties, but “found” denotes that you have to “look” for the good, becuase it’s not apperant.

When I was 20 years old I was taught by the LDS missionaries and became a very active member of the LDS church. I hope that by drawing from my relgious background and beliefs, and my independednt ideals, I can contribute additional perspectives to the zombies on the left and right of me (Just kidding about the “zombies”. I love you all. Even if Donkeys and Elephants have sucked out your brains).

Nate -

Bio Coming Soon

Paul -

It is interesting, but I would never have never considered myself a centered politically opinioniated person. However, it seems that the left doesn’t want me because of my prolife beliefs; and the right doesn’t want me because of my strong support for socialized medicine. So, basically, I have become a middled child, not exactly positive where my place is in the political family, but still having a vocal opinion on where my idealogy is. 

My political idealogy hasn’t always been clear, and often I have been found guilty of agreeing in ignorance. However, my political apathy was moved aside this last election as I redefined exactly what I believed in both politically and morally. Truly the days for good men/women to be silent are gone.

 

Republicans, Conservatives… Just because they’re “Right”, doesn’t make them right.

 

James –

James is a registered Republican but more importantly, politically speaking, a conservative. His introduction to politics was through the American Legion and Boys State (UT-1989) as a junior in High School. He grew up during the hey day of Ronald Regan in a politically conservative home. Although his father has been a small business owner most of James’ life his mother was a balancing force with a degree in social work and now 20+ years as a high school counselor in the Weber County School district and a maternal Grandmother elected to the Utah House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1960. He became politically active during 2002 when a friend called and asked him to become a Republican Party State Delegate and to vote for Rob Bishop, which he did. Since then he has served as a Precinct Vice Chair, Precinct Chair and State Delegate.

James has undergraduate degrees in Economics, International Business and Latin American Studies as well as a Masters in Business Administration from Weber State University. He is married with four children and lives in Davis County. He spends his free time studying American History, Politics and Alternative Energy and trying to finish his basement.