Would you like to have some fun this election season?
In March of this year I became a candidate for Salt Lake County District Attorney.
Among the many reasons I threw my hat in the ring was my experience practicing law last year. In January 2005, my longtime friend and fellow Libertarian Willy Marshall hired me as a contract prosecutor for the Town of Big Water, Utah, where he was Mayor.
Upon assuming the duties of the town prosecutor I reviewed every pending case and -- with Mayor Marshall's full support -- dismissed every one that lacked a victim. That meant I dismissed every drug charge.
I did take one case for disorderly conduct to trial against a pro se defendant who was causing his neighbors some restless nights, and the judge delivered a guilty verdict.
So, I'm undefeated as a prosecutor. ;-)
And life went on pretty much as it always has in Big Water.
In May 2005, I returned to the practice of representing people accused of committing crimes.
I believe in the principles of restorative justice. Victimizers must account to victims. But in less than a year's time, and more than 100 cases, less than one-third of the people I've represented allegedly engaged in conduct that directly harmed someone else.
This summer, the Journey for Justice -- composed of several bicyclists and a support team advocating safe access to cannabis for medical use -- made its way across American and through Utah.
The fact that these peaceful petitioners must worry about threats to their freedom posed by "peace officers" illustrates why I'm concerned that the priorities of the Utah legislature and many Utah law enforcement officers are dangerously misplaced.
Studies show that the cost to civil society for increased policing of consensual acts among adults is a proliferation in violent and property crime.
As Salt Lake County District Attorney, I could serve as an effective check against misguided priorities and prosecutorial abuses by implementing the following principles:
I'm asking you to join me in advancing the cause of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and a safer Salt Lake County by taking the following steps:
- Promote my campaign and support the Libertarian Party of Utah by purchasing (and wearing) clothing and other items available through CafePress.
- Volunteer, write a letter of endorsement, write a letter to your newspaper editor, let local radio talk show listeners know of your support, register to vote, link your web site to RobLatham.org, invite me to meet with your neighbors and the members of organizations you belong to, and tell your friends.
- Donate to my campaign.
As the Latham for District Attorney campaign raises more money, the campaign will purchase more advertising to inform more Salt Lake County residents about how individual liberty and personal responsibility fosters a safer community. - And finally, please give me your vote on Election Day.
I don't pretend that I have a strong chance of becoming Salt Lake County's next District Attorney. Despite the adoption of more competitive and representative multi-party systems in most of the world's democracies, the incumbent parties in America jealously guard a winner-take-all, two-party system that insulates them from most challenges to their power.
But I will consider every vote in addition to my own vote a moral victory.
With enough moral victories, the Libertarian Party of Utah will retain its status as a ballot-qualified party in Utah.
With even more moral victories, a great number of Salt Lake County citizens will show that they are intellectually inoculated against the emotional manipulations of politicians who seek to bargain away more of our freedoms for their illusory "protection."
And perhaps even more moral victories will translate into an electoral victory and the ability for the liberty-loving residents of Salt Lake County to reclaim our lives.
If that happens, the fun we'll have had during the campaign will have only just begun.
With warm personal regards and appreciation, I am
Yours in liberty,
Rob Latham
P.S.: The Schedule should help you find out where I'll be next. If you're in the neighborhood, please come by and say hello!
P.P.S.: Even if you don't live in Salt Lake County, you are probably reading this because you have a connection to Salt Lake County. Wouldn't you love to see liberty take root and blossom here? If so, please spread the word and show your support.
