Opposition Paper

                                                                                          Opposition Paper

 

     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a lot of influence in Utah.  Mormons dominate most all aspects of Utah’s Culture, but few issues highlight the state’s culture divide like the legislation’s treatment of liquor laws.  The loosening of liquor laws keeps running into opposition from the most influential political force in the state the Mormon Church.  The Church is highly influential and any changes to the states liquor laws would not happen if the church does not approve them.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has always called for reasonable regulations to limit over consumption of alcohol, reduce impaired driving, and work to eliminate underage drinking. 

     The church adds its voice to this issue as do many others.  Parents inform their children about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.  Teachers and community leaders educate the public.  The cost of alcohol abuse is clear.  Consumption of alcohol is a significant contributor to death and disease in the United States, damaging individuals and families.  Over consumption of alcohol increases the incidences of spousal and child abuse.  More than forty percent of all child abuse cases involve alcohol.  Alcohol accounts for approximately 75,000 deaths in the United States annually and $184 billion in overall economic costs to the nation each year.

    A positive consequence of Utah’s current regulations on alcohol consumption is readily apparent.  According to the US Census Bureau, Utah has the lowest percentage of alcohol related motor vehicle deaths in America.  It also has the lowest per capita alcohol consumption in the nation.

     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believes that by pulling all wine coolers and malt beverages from the grocery stores and only being able to buy them in the state-run liquor stores that it will greatly decrease the amount of underage drinking.  They believe that those specific drinks are targeted to minors. 

     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believes that Utahns can come together as citizens, regardless of religion or politics, to support laws and regulations that allow individual freedom of choice while preserving Utah’s proven positive health and safety record on limiting the tragic consequences of overconsumption of alcohol, impaired driving, and under age drinking.

Intro Paragraph

Utah has some of the most strict liquor laws in the United states.  I believe that is because of the huge influence that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has in this state.  Sixty percent of Utah’s population is a member of the church.  About ninety percent of the legislators are members of the church.  Also the attorney general, governor and former governor Huntsman are all also members of the church.  Typically mormon lawmakers tend to vote with the church.  While Mormons dominate nearly every aspect of Utah’s culture, few issues highlight the states cultural divide like the legislature’s treatment of liquor laws.

Annotated BIB

“Alcohol: A Focus on Health and Saftey.” Alcohol: A Focus on Health and Saftey-LDS Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, September 15, 2008. Web. November 12,2009

 

This is a statement that the church put out regarding changes in the liquor laws.  It says that while the church teaches its members to avoid alcohol altogether, it acknowledges that alcoholic beverages are available to the public.  The church has always called for reasonable regulations to limit the over consumption, reduce drunk driving and eliminate underage drinking.  According to the U.S. census bureau Utah has the lowest percentage of alcohol related motor vehicle deaths in America.  It also has the lowest per-capita alcohol consumption in the nation

Annotated BIB

Dawn House. “Herbert names two new Utah Liquor commissioners.” The Salt Lake Tribune. The Salt Lake Tribune. November 6, 2009. Web. November 12, 2009

Herbert named two new Utah Liquor commissioners Richard Sperry and Jeff  Wright keeping the balance between nondrinkers and drinkers intact at 3 to 2.  Historically, no liquor legislation opposed by the church of jesus christ of latter day saints has passed legislation. Sperry 54 confirmed he is a nondrinker and a mormon.  Wright 38 is a non mormon and a social drinker.

annotated BIB

Rick Ross “Utah’s strict liquor laws might get stricter” Associated Press, January 25, 2008. web. November 12,2009

This article talks about how the church says that selling distilled sprints in the grocery stores and convenience stores promotes underage drinking and undermines the state system of alcohol control.  About 60% of Utahns are mormon and 90% of legislators are mormon.  Huntsman who is mormon is a popular moderate republican who tends to shy away from controversial issues.  Typically mormon law makers tend to vote with the church.

Annotated bib entry

Markosian, Richard, and Steve Auerbach.  “Waddoups Liquor Laws Designed to

Segregate.”  Web.

 

This article is about Mike Waddoups Utah State Senate President who is trying to pass stricter liquor laws.  It says that liquor has been a hot debate in Utah for many years and has produced a great divide in Salt Lake City between practicing members of the LDS Church and non members.  Waddoups is just on senator in a long line who have deepened the religious divide  and worked further to segregate Utahns by imposing their moral values on non-believers.

Annotated bib entry

City Weekly Founder, and Zephyr Club Owner. “Is the LDS Church Directing Utah State

Senate President Waddoups?” Web.

 

This article is about trying to pass the law that would make Utah’s private clubs not private anymore but use a system that would scan your driver license and store information.  It states that Senate president Micheal Waddoups is causing a huge stir about making Utah liquor laws more harsh and not agreeing with John Huntsman to loosen Utah liquor laws.  It says that Waddoups is not opposing John Huntsman on his own but because the LDS church leaders are influencing him.

Possible Survey Questions

1. Do you think that the liquor laws in Utah are too strict?

2. Do you think that the mormon church plays a part in the liquor laws?

3.  If you do feel that the church plays a role in making the liquor laws how much control do you think they have?

4.  Are you mormon?

5. Do you drink alcohol

 

questions

1. Utah liquor laws are too strict and religion plays to big part in making those laws
2. I do not feel that the mormon church should have any control over liquor laws
3. All people who like to drink alcohol with the convince of being able to buy it at the local grocery store
4. Anyone who like to drink as well as the mormon religion
5. members of the mormon religion
their beliefs are that drinking alcohol is a sin
they disagree with me
6. That when the laws are made the mormon church has a huge say in what is passed and what is not
7. How other people feel about the laws
8. I can look for evidence in newspaper articles local government and the church
9. surveys of the local people
10. I do not like having to go to the liquor store to buy wine coolers when a year ago I could buy them in the grocery store

Free Write

I grew up in Utah, but moved away at age nineteen.  It was not until I moved back at age thirty two that I realized how different the liquor laws were here versus other states and how much religion played a role in those laws.  I think that religion should not pay any role when making laws.  When you have such a dominant religion in a state I’m not sure that is possible.