ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT

To fix this system, think before voting

I certainly understand and agree with the public’s admonishments of our elected politicians such as John McGee, Phil Hart, Ron Crane, etc., etc. But I also believe admonishments are warranted for members of the leadership and how easily they seem to overlook, especially along party lines, their colleagues’ behavior and lack of ethical representation of their constituents.

And not only does it seem that unethical behavior is too easily swept away, those who do question leadership’s decision making, or lack thereof, are often disciplined. We keep re-electing these people and then do nothing about how they represent us. Maybe we should reconsider how we choose who to vote for and think about voting with an open mind and not just along party lines. That way we might get people elected who represent and serve the people instead of the party. One-party unethical government is bad government.

TOM C. FARLEY, Star

JOHN MCGEE

Disgusting party loyalty

Remember Fibber McGee and Molly? I don’t know about Molly, but we’ve sure got Fibber McGee. Shame on those members of the Legislature that voted to keep John (Fibber) McGee in his leadership position. I watched the smirks on some of those faces on TV as caucus members came out of that meeting room after voting to retain Fibber in his leadership position. Party loyalty is supposed to be a good thing, but I was disgusted.

Apparently the public outcry was louder than their touching vote of confidence for Fibber McGee. Some people in leadership positions seem to think they are accountable only to each other and not to the public.

CAROL BACHELDER, Boise

POLITICS

Some questions to consider

Based on the past few months of Statesman coverage, I’m wondering:

• If the 4 percent pay raise due Gov. Butch Otter and other elected officials is incumbent upon funds being available (the stipulation Otter’s budget proposal puts on raises for teachers and other state workers). If not, why not?

• If crimes/transgressions committed by Idaho’s elected officials will ever be punished in accordance with the seriousness of the act? (Sen. John McGee should be relegated to entry-level status within the Idaho Republican Party but be allowed to earn his way back up).

• If Idaho voters will hold their elected officials responsible by voting on what each has accomplished during his or her term, regardless of political affiliations/connections/viewpoints? If not, the good ol’ boy system is here to stay.

• If increased compensation for teachers does not equal higher achievement for students, does increased compensation for judges equal a reduced crime rate and/or recidivism rate? If not, why increase compensation for judges but not for other professionals paid by the state?

• If a frequent letter writer from Kuna listens to shock-talk political radio on a daily basis? I think readers know the answer to that one.

CHRIS WOOD, Boise

TAXES

Article failed to explain Americans’ ‘low’ tax rates

I thought there was some sort of journalism writing ethics. The article titled “Americans’ tax rates lower than they think” in the Statesman, sourced from the New York Times News Service, completely failed to address the reason why “most taxpayers’” federal income tax rates are lower than 15 percent. More and more taxes are the burden of a smaller and smaller portion of taxpayers. Today, 86 percent of federal income taxes are paid by only 25 percent of people filing income tax returns. Nearly 50 percent of the returns filed pay no federal income taxes at all. The problem with the tax system is that it is not broad enough. Nearly everybody should have some skin in the game and pay some sort of minimum federal income tax. The article represented poor journalism.

GREG SWEENEY, Garden City

KEYSTONE PIPELINE

Obama’s defining issue

In every presidential administration there is one key issue that defines it. With Nixon it was Watergate. With Obama it is the delay and perhaps cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline. This pipeline would have linked the oil-rich tar sands of Alberta, Canada, to U.S. refineries, created jobs in the U.S., been privately funded, tied the U.S. closer to a reliable oil supplier, and reduced our dependence on oil from afar.

In rejecting the pipeline now, President Obama peevishly stated that his hand would not be forced by congressional Republicans. It is useful to point out that this pipeline has been in the planning stages for years. Not only did rejecting it now show that Obama clearly favors the environmental gentry over working Americans and U.S. consumers, it demonstrates that he is willing to turn his back on a key ally. A personal appeal from the Canadian prime minister fell on deaf ears.

The pipeline delay shines a light on the real Obama; the Chicago community organizer who is petty and mean-spirited, a man with no powers of statesmanship or executive flair, in short a man who should have never been elected president.

FRED BIRNBAUM, Boise

ANTI-OBAMA BILLBOARD

A dark, disgusting message

I write this letter with some hesitancy. I don’t like giving voice to ugly ideas or the people who spread them. But what I saw recently was troubling. It was a statement on the late Ralph Smeed’s billboard near Caldwell’s Farm City entrance. I appreciated his independent orneriness. However, this statement was one that would make Mr. Smeed, I believe, turn over in his grave and recoil saying “Take that ugly thing down!” It read something like “Obama loves America like O.J. loves Nicole.” That is, at many levels, dark and disgusting. Though not illegal, it certainly violates rules of human decency and should be reviled. It belongs in the annals of something similar to what Richard Butler would proudly have said as he pounded his hollow chest. Hoorah for our freedom of speech but just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should. Remember that the Aryan Nations and Mr. Butler left our state in disgrace. You should do the same. This is the proud state of Idaho and we are too big for that kind of ugly “bloodslinging.” Shame on you.

DON THOMPSON, Caldwell

GENERATIONS

The honesty of a 4-year-old

I have a bright, good-looking 4-year-old grandson. On his birthday, I picked him up so we could see each other in the mirror. I said, “I used to look like you and someday, you’ll look like me.” With the innocence of a 4-year-old he said, “Grandpa, I don’t wanna look like you.” I gave him a kiss and a hug and said, “Neither do I, sweetheart, neither do I.” But he will someday. Someday he will look in a mirror and see a tired old man on whom lifestyle and gravity has taken its toll.

The color in his hair and the bounce in his step will be gone. That twinkle in his eye will have faded. And who knows, maybe someday he’ll pick up his 4-year-old grandson so they can see each other in a mirror. And if by chance his grandson says to him what he said to me, then he too will not only see the innocence in a 4-year-old, he will also hear the sincerity and honesty in being told, “Grandpa, I don’t wanna look like you.”

ROY LUNSFORD, Kuna