Is there a difference between Parties?

Judging from the composite Conservative Liberal Index, it appears the answer is clearly - YES!!!

The Conservative - Liberal Index

"by their Fruits shall ye know them"

There are now several groups "rating" our Utah legislators. They each have different criteria for their ratings, based on votes that those groups consider favor or oppose "their" particular issues. The Conservative - Liberal Index (CLI) is a compiled aggregate of those various ratings to determine who is "truly" Conservative or "really" Liberal.

For simplicity, Conservatives may be defined as in favor of LIMITED Government and PROTECTION of INDIVIDUAL rights and Liberals as in favor of ACTIVIST Government and PROVISION of GROUP rights. There may indeed be "a dime's work of difference" between the parties - well, maybe a nickel's.

Individually, ALL Republicans achieved a CLI higher than ALL Democrats. The Most Conservative Award goes to Rep. Morley at 88.4; the Most Liberal Award to Sen. Arent at 17.0.

All told, we might count 47 Conservatives (above 60), 27 Liberals (below 40) and 30 Mugwumps. Some might declare that a balanced, moderate group, others might yearn for stronger principles.

Please refer to the individual websites for bills considered and further rating considerations which were used.

	GrsRts	GrsRts	UEA	GAY	UTA	V4M	UAR	AccUT	CLI
	Life	2005	2005	2005	2005	2003	2003	life 04
HOUSE
REPUBLICAN	65	69	49	3	78	39	67	-7	65
DEMOCRAT	23	22	95	59	45	56	56	-45	26
SENATE
REPUBLICAN	55	61	40	22	90	45	88	-38	62
DEMOCRAT	20	20	79	73	41	59	55	-45	26

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