Introducing Steve Olsen's New Book

In 2006 First Congressional District candidate Steve Olsen published his beliefs in a small booklet entitled “Why most Utahns are Democrats, but just don’t know it yet.” The booklet was a hit, and continues to be distributed at events like this weekend’s Democracy for America training in Salt Lake City.

Steve Olsen has now expanded upon his ideas in a new book, “Why you may be a liberal (and why that is okay): The political conversion of a Mormon Utah bishop.” This book is available for purchase at lulu.com.

Steve Olsen doesn’t shy away from tackling the difficult issues. He demolishes the notion you can’t be a good Mormon and a good Democrat while simultaneously and courageously taking on issues like taxes, fiscal responsibility, poverty, choice, the environment, and foreign policy.

Don’t let the title deceive you. While Mormons may find this book particularly interesting because they share a common background or beliefs with Steve Olsen, this book offers a perspective Democrats, independents, and even Republicans will find interesting regardless. Olsen provides thoughtful moral arguments for positions often used to divide voters that should give even the most die-hard Republican pause.

Steve Olsen’s passion for the Democratic Party and what it stands for is contagious. His coming out story as a Mormon Democrat will provide comfort to countless Mormons out there that find themselves uncomfortable with the Republican Party’s marriage with the Christian right or a neoconservative foreign policy that has significantly eroded America’s standing in the world. I highly recommend “Why you may be a liberal” to every thoughtful voter considering contemporary problems facing Utah and America, regardless of party affiliation.

Written by Craig Axford for Utah State Democratic Blog.