It’s sad that Mr. Kociela even had to write something like this. But sometimes southern Utah can be so judgmental — even with “their own.”

Contrary to popular belief it's not against LDS doctrine to be a Democrat. The church's First Presidency even said recently that principles compatible with the gospel may be found in ALL major political parties. I know many members of the LDS church who are excited about LDS politicians like Mitt Romney and Orrin Hatch becoming major players in national politics but denounce Harry Reid simply because he’s a Democrat.

However, this idea that Democrats are “evil” in southern Utah is not limited to members of the LDS church. There are many non-Mormons living in this state who seem to have similar feelings. They may even be the same people who denounce the LDS population for being unfriendly or “closed,” yet they do the same thing when it comes to politics, thus living up to the hypocrisy.

Be careful in applying the word “evil” to someone whose beliefs differ from your own. I know many wonderful people with whom I disagree when it comes to politics — many in my own family — yet I treasure my relationships with them.

Ed, I highly doubt that your new neighbors knew, let alone cared, what political party you belong to. My first question when someone new moves in is, "how many dogs do they have?"--not "what political party do they belong to?"

Also, amazing as it may seem, a lot of people don't read the paper. I would bet you $20 of Bill's good money that most of your neighbors have no clue that you are the paper's token liberal.

What I would like to see you explore, from your point of view, is "Are Republicans evil?" Those of us who do read the paper know that you are a Democrat. I would love to read something positive about Republicans in your column. Even one Republican who has a good haircut.

Arlene,
The whole point of my post was not to point fingers at a particular party or religion or whatever. It was to point out how somebody could be so misled that they think all people of a certain religion, political persuasion or anything else can be evil and members of another club are not.

It was to illustrate the fallacy of the neighborliness that is supposed to take place here.

I know a number of Republicans who I like and respect tremendously and I have written about some of them -- remember a couple of columns on our governor? remember comments about how hatch and bennett worked so closely with matheson (or vice versa) during the effort to save hill air force base? I've shared kind words with Republicans, even those I have tremendous political differences with.

I know many neighbors in my current neighborhood do not take the paper, but many in the last three I lived in here did. I saw their paper in their driveways.

I just resent somebody calling me evil because of what I believe, whether it's religion, politics or race.

And, Dwayne, I agree that this is not an LDS thing. I would not cast a net over an entire religion.

My neighbors in the house on on the north side are home for a week or two every three months or so. The ones on the south lived in that house for five or six consecutive months one time in the last three years, but in the past year they only seemed to check in for a day or two every month or so. So I don't know either of them.

I've shared a laugh a few times with the folks in the house across the street, but mostly because their mail box seems to be a magnet for every bad driver in town - it gets taken out at least a couple times a year.

Ed, maybe southern Utah is just changing to resemble most of suburban America. People's social circles revolve primarily around work, school and/or church, and with the constant barrage of contemporary life, neighborhood has been sacrificed in order to gain one tiny respite from the cacophony. It just isn't a priority for most, and for many it's one more unwanted distraction. For most people, church, work and school fully satisfy the need to interact with others.

One other thought I'd like to throw your way is that it's my perception that many of those, like me and my wife, who've come here in the past few years are working from home (let's be honest - not many came here for the local jobs.) The truth is that people who are used to wage-based jobs all seem to think that those are self-employed are really NOT employed - that is, that we can drop everything at the slightest impulse. I've made no great effort to enlarge my social circle because I'm enjoying the fact that I don't often get interrupted while working.

I don't mean that to sound anti-social. I enjoy a good time with others when appropriate (and kinda miss my monthly low-stakes poker game., I just want to be in control of what I do and when I do it, and I suspect that may be true of some of your neighbors too.

Your lack of neighborliness in St. George probably has more to do with the meteoric growth and accompanying population churn than anything else. The same thing happened in Vegas when I lived there. I don't think I knew a single one of my neighbors in the last 6 years that I lived there.

And Dwayne? I don't like Harry Reid for the right reasons. Election after election he'd whip out his MormonCard to coast to an easy victory at the polls, he wouldn't stand up loud enough on Yucca Mountain, and he's become another Orrin Hatch: "Vote for my seniority!" He disgusts me.

Democrats are not evil, just sick. After a few shock treatments they can get well, and start thinking realisticly like consirvitive Republicans

Elder Faust is a Democrat, as was Brigham Young, if you're basing that on religion, Tracy.

I'll check back with others.

Ed, that writers comments and your neighbors treatment of you are wrong. I've heard a few things against Democrats in my church meetings, and I've called the "perpetraters" on it. We all need to speak out.

However, despite the positive columns you've written about Republicans, I get the idea you feel the same way about Republicans, or conservatives. Again, I hate the polarity.

Arlene,
Not true. It would go against my entire belief system. I think there are a number of local (Washington County) party people from the GOP who would agree with me.

Not all Democrats are evil. Just the ones that vote for people who believe in "on demand abortion", gay marriage, the government can spend my money better than I can, more governement equals more happiness, terrorists deserve to be protected by the Constitution, etc. Hey wait a minute! I guess all democrats are evil!

Democrats are evil! Vile bitter people that unless in power attack any one or anything that represents a conservative or even center view. With the press and the Hollywood elite in their back pocket they brainwash us with their opnions rather than their factual reporting. Facts have no place in their world and neither do consequences. Only one thing matters. "POWER" There quest to build a socialistic community is more focused than ever with over 90% of our colleges employing liberal and even far left finatics spinning their conspiracy theories and indoctrinating young impressionable minds into their vision. Compounded this by the same song and dance from the media these kids come out sounding like a media driven sound byte rather than the free thinker we like to believe. Their voting record is nothing but down right scarry when it comes to National Security. Terrorism No detaining , no coerce interogation, no wire tapping, no siezing of funds, no profiling at airports, no securing our borders. What they want is scary to average American.