An Open Primary System - A Better Option? (Part 1 - Intro)

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/705311657/Pros-cons-of-Utah-going-with-open-primary-system.html

This editorial in yesterday's Deseret News caught my attention and I wanted to write about it. I've been involved with the Republican Party's Caucus/Convention system for over 20 years, from my first caucus meeting in Minnesota, to a student precinct at BYU, to neighborhood caucuses in West Jordan, Sandy, and now Eagle Mountain. I think I'll respond by taking Frank Pignanelli's arguments (he's for an open primary) and turning them on their head, although it may take me a week or more to finish. So, let me nutshell my ideas here and I'll expand on them throughout my upcoming posts.

• The Einstein Quote - A cynical response to a very philosophical argument: Is mankind capable of self-government?
• The Few vs. The Many - Is America a Democracy or a Democratic Republic?
• Powerful Special Interest Groups Pouring Millions Into Influencing the Few - However, to influence an open primary system, won't they spend billions? Will it be more effective?
• Everyone's Doing It - Many other states have adopted the open primary, but has it helped them or hurt them? Why jump on a band wagon that is falling apart?
• Those "Shrewd Politicos" Working the System - Don't we want candidates, and ultimately, our elected officials to have the intelligence and "shrewdness" to get results in a very complicated, difficult, and sometimes "toxic" political system?
• The Wackos and Purists Out There - Are they going to go away with an open primary system? Is it so awful to hear what they have to say?
• The Archaic System of Neighborhood Discussions Is Over - Don't we need these discussions more than ever? If some feel the system is broken, let's fix the problems, not throw it out completely in favor of a different system with its inherent weaknesses that could make the situation even worse.
• The Caucus System Favors Incumbents - Doesn't the open primary system favor incumbents just as much, if not more so? What's wrong with an incumbent as long as they're working hard, staying honest, and still representing the majority of their district?
• Higher Candidacy Barriers Weed Out Weak Candidates - Don't these barriers (higher filing fees, sponsor signatures) favor the wealthier and more well-known candidates? Don't they discourage grass-roots types of candidates, even strong, honest, qualified ones?
• The Role of New Technology - Isn't new technology (Internet, talk radio) still very "self-selective"? How would this help an open primary system more than a caucus/convention system?

I definitely have a lot to say on this issue. I'm looking forward to writing more tomorrow!