f 4 m w JL- JL i r I Voters Equality Wont Won't Survive Approval of Proposition 5 c. c t I 1 By Edward Fuller Opinion Editor r Utah sportsmen are taking aim at atthe atthe atthe the Utah Constitution t The good ol of boys want their hunting buddies on the Utah Wildlife Board to declare open season on citizens citizens' citizens citizens' citizens citizens' citi citi- zens' zens initiatives concerning wildlife V V I According to the Associated Press Proposition 5 is a measure V on the Nov 3 ballot that would amend the Utah Constitution so that any future citizens' citizens initiative dealing V f V with wildlife would require a two- two 1 thirds majority to pass Many Republican leaders say say that our government already has too much power It seems strange that so many people in our mostly state Republican support a proposition tion to make decisions on wildlife t f issues the exclusive of Utah lawmakers unless two-thirds two of Utah voters agree on an initiative Wouldn't the approval of Proposition 5 give more power to the state government by reducing the chances of driven citizen-driven legislation becoming law Proposition 5 also known as the Initiative Anti-Initiative Proposition would set an ominous precedent in Utah poli- poli dubious distinction of being the first state to allow one special interest group to manipulate the state constitution constitution constitution to limit the power of the people people people peo peo- to vote on issues of concern to that interest group says the Utah Voting Rights Coalition Many Utah sportsmen support Proposition 5 because they have kept track of wildlife ballot measures in other states Hunters have observed that citizens' citizens wildlife initiatives often result in restrictions on their hunting tactics and on what animals they are allowed to hunt Their greatest fear fearis is that hunting and fishing will be banned in Utah We just felt that it was time to take a proactive position and protect tics That may be allowed to kill why the Utah Voting hunting and fishing Rights Coalition the If this amendment successfully passes in are allowed nation nation- Utah League of wide There are November Utah will have the dubious distinction dis dis- Women Voters restrictions on hunting hunt hunt- Common Cause and of being the first state to allow one ing endangered ani ani- the A American C Civil vil mal mall mals the special interest group to manipulate the state Liberties Union Umon While for strongly oppose the constitution to limit the power of the the people peo peo- Wildlife Heritage A Ant Initiative Anti n t i- i i-I i I n nit i t i a t i v ve e pIe to vote on issues of concern to that interest inter inter- and Conservation Proposition say that they are primarily If this amendment amend amend- est grou group group p. p marily manly concerned ment successfully Utah Voting Rights Coalition with keeping hunting hunt hunt- passes in November ing and fishing Utah will have the the legal leeal their Utah's wildlife and wild areas from w shi DC activists agenda said Don spokesman for for Wildlife Heritage and Conservation According to an AP news report group has raised and strongly supports Proposition 5 In contrast the Utah Voting Rights Coalition has only managed to raise to combat the ratification ratification ratification cation of the Initiative Anti-Initiative Proposition The sportsmens' sportsmens fears of bans on hunting and fishing seem almost paranoid in nature Although in some states there are limits on the size and number of animals that sportsmen are tives lives become more questionable upon closer inspection Reportedly even even Don admitted that Utah voters would likely likely likely like like- ly oppose curbs on hunting just as voters in other states have Sportsmens Sportsmen's defense of their right to hunt is acceptable What is not acceptable is that they may get a privilege that their fellow do donot donot donot not have All citizens' citizens initiatives require a majority to pass even if that majority majori majori- ty is by the slimmest of margins The rules of the political game shouldn't be changed to help Utah's sportsmen defeat their opponents Utah sportsmen are supporting a proposition that would make it possible possible possible ble for the wishes of a few to win out over the wishes of many Affirmative action programs around our nation are being dismantled dismantled dismantled disman disman- as I write but an unheralded minority may receive preferential treatment if Proposition 5 becomes law Utah does not need to take a step backward We cant can't make progress if we let our rights be taken from us by special interest groups Dont Don't let the Initiative Anti-Initiative Proposition escape your notice Be sure to make it out to the polls on November 3rd As US U.S. citizens we have rights One of our rights is equality in the voting booth Think about the long long- term results of Proposition 5 and then cast a vote that will preserve your right to have a say in government government government govern govern- ment decisions