Who, What & Why

My name is Frank V. Pedroza and I am a Utah Liberal. I grew up in a middle class family. I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, but now refer to myself as a Jack Catholic. My parents voted for both Dwight D. Eisenhower and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. I remember where I was the day President Kennedy was assassinated, fourth period gym class as an eight grader at Kearns Junior High School. I attended the University of Utah however I did not graduate. I was a member of the Utah National Guard 19th Special Forces Group Airborne United States Army during the Vietnam War years. I have been married and divorced. I have two fine grown sons of whom I am very proud. I voted mostly Democratic but not a straight ticket. I regret a vote for Richard M. Nixon as a young man. I have been in the sales field most of my adult life and have owned and operated a few small businesses.

I was born in Utah and have lived here most of my life. But since I am not of the predominate faith here and have lived in California for six years I am not your typical Utahn. My live experiences have led me to become a Liberal. This is not a dirty word in my opinion and in fact I am proud to say I am a Liberal. This means I am for most social programs, Pro Choice, a woman's right to chose and make decisions regarding her own body. I vastly prefer Democratic over Republican leaders. I am for the preservation and protection of the Constitution of the United States of America. I am for a independent judiciary as provided for in said constitution. I favor a balance federal budget, something which I've been told was a conservative virtue but they seem to have forgotten on the federal level. I was never for the invasion of Iraq. President George W. Bush's administration's handling of the Iraq war is appalling at best and rises to high crimes and misdemeanors at worst.

Because all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men do nothing I must speak out. Because the Salt Lake City Tribune believes a sound bite, 200 word maximum Letter to the Editor, that probably won't be published, is all it's readership can comprehend and digest at a time I must write these words. Because a bigoted, opinionated group and their loud obnoxious leader is given credence and television news time and newspaper print space I must stand up and say loudly there is another opinion. Because every year when the state legislature convenes I cringe at the thought and consequences of some of their proposed legislation. Because every time I have to go to a special store hidden away from public view, to stand in line to pay over priced and double taxed amounts for the spirited drink of my choice I must say something. Because the mostly Republican leadership at all levels of government here can see public polls which show seventy percent of their constituents do not want to spend tax dollars for a private business venture and spend the money anyway I will ask why. Because those same representatives are in the legislative process of using tax dollars for private school businesses while Utah's public school funding per pupil is close to last in the nation I will rise up to challenge such folly. Because legislation targeting a select group of people for fewer rights is not what the founding fathers of the United States of America intended when they declared their independence I will speak my peace.