It's beyond Republican versus Democrat and it's beyond Conservatism versus Liberalism, Lily Eskelsen told the Humanists of Utah at the May 14th general meeting. Extremism of the Radical Right poses a very frightening element in the political discussion searching for real solutions to the problems facing our nation. Eskelsen said her professional career gave her many opportunities to work with both major political parties in finding acceptable middle-of-the-road compromise solutions to the serious educational problems that needed addressing in recent years. She fears the agenda of the radical right is a position that threatens the very fabric of our nation's political structure. She sees the agenda of the radical right as the dismantling of our constitution, the demolition of public institutions, and the destruction of public service.

Lily Eskelsen reviewed some of her experiences appearing before legislative committees and talking with individual state lawmakers about the state's educational problems. She said she always felt respected and recognized that conservatives and liberals have honest disagreements but both were genuinely interested in getting the facts, analyzing problems, and finding beneficial solutions. Conversely, she says, the political radical right has a frightening agenda, it is not seeking solutions, and it wants to annihilate opponents, destroy public education, repeal all social programs, and completely change the conscience of America.

Eskelsen says she hopes voters will recognize the dangers posed by the radical right and will support those reasonable candidates who have a desire to enter the political arena of debate and find constitutional solutions to our many serious problems.

--Flo Wineriter