Topics of meet: freedom, morality

By Jacqueline Cheney
Deseret News staff writer

The Deseret News
Copyright July 9, 2000

"Freedom and morality go hand in hand," said Bruce Bangerter, national chairman of the Independent American Party.

That's why Sarah Ward, president of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was asked to speak at the fourth semi-annual National Conference of the IAP Saturday at the Salt Lake County [Utah] Government Complex.

The IAP encourages U.S. citizens to stand up for their liberty and their Christian beliefs, and the WCTU promotes family virtues and abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

Ward said although the WCTU is a non-partisan organization, it does encourage citizens to take a stand against the evils of society through legislation.

"We can make a difference," she said.  "We believe in action."

The WCTU is the oldest continuing non-sectarian women's organization in the world, and Ward said the group is growing stronger each day as more women support moral excellence in their families and communities.

Ward discussed the dangers of drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography and other issues by listing what people can do to change the laws in Utah and in the United States.

Her "wish list of legislation in America" included alcohol and tobacco being brought under regulation of the Food and Drug Administration.

"We need to register our concerns and convictions.  Alcohol and tobacco are drugs, "she said.

Ward also said the WCTU wants to see better warnings and labeling on alcohol and an approval of the legal blood alcohol level to be 0.08 percent.

The WCTU is an advocate of higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco, Ward said.  It also believes advertising alcohol on television and in teenage magazines should be stopped.

"War on drugs?  There has never been a war on drugs," she said.  Education is the primary way to combat drug use, as well as adults abstaining and becoming better examples for their children.

The speaker's forum also included Dan Hansen, Western States chairman of the Constitution Party.  He spoke about building the IAP with citizens interested in maintaining their freedoms and keeping God at the head of their lives and government.

Two speakers, Carlton Bowen and Hartley Anderson, representing Howard Phillips and Curtis Frazier, the U.S. president and vice president candidates for the Independent American Party, also spoke, calling for a return to the teachings of Christ and sovereignty of God.

The IAP is a nationally recognized organization.  Some states call it the Constitution Party.  Both parties have the same beliefs.