POLITICS
Sheep-like people get what they deserve
The saddest thing about “New Amerika” is the collectivist authoritarianism practiced by both left and right. The population exhibits near-complete obedience to unnecessary authority. They demand their government do unto others what they have no right to do as an individual. The people that built America from scratch would be disgusted.
The masses are indeed sheep and getting more sheep-like everyday. It is so embedded that nine out of 10 have no idea the level to which they’re knee-jerk serfs to the illusory system of convenience, actually only one of control. They sleepwalk through life like drones on a treadmill, wondering why things are going wrong, waiting for the next great leader to come along to save them. They don’t think about how to save themselves.
It shows up in their supporting and voting endless tax increases to force others to pay for what they want. They want endless ordinances and rules to tell others how to maintain their property so it looks “pretty.” They take little responsibility for their own children, health, eating habits, financial affairs and livelihood. They believe lifelong “jobs” are a right and have no idea what an entrepreneur is. It is pathetic.
JEFF WRIGHT, Fruitland
Independent voters left with bad choice
Ayn Rand, the great guru of causes conservative, had a prime principle in her advice to all thinking persons, that they vote their personal interest in politics. Diehard conservatives and Republican wannabes will surely vote their interest, i.e., the Golden Rule. Which rule in conservative-speak is “them that has the gold, make the rules.”
Democrats, on the other hand, who will vote the helping hand to those who need it, interpret the Golden Rule as “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Independent voters, who will likely swing the election, need to consider: Would they rather help the rich with tax breaks they will invest overseas? Or would they rather help our elderly, poor and the handicapped?
Since Gov. Scott Walker’s questionable win in Wisconsin, the usual Republican hardline has taken a particularly mean and vicious right turn.
Where do you stand? Is that where you want to be?
DR. RAY HEIDT, Marsing
Time to kick out Dems
As Democrats said of the 2008 election, “America is at a crossroads.” Well, America is at a crossroads in 2012. Americans can vote once again for the single-party liberal dominance of the White House and Congress that gave us the likes of the stimulus, health care reform, financial reform, and cap and trade in the U.S. House.
I don’t think Americans want to go back to a government that spends far too much, panders to a privileged minority few and passes legislation that the majority of Americans oppose. I don’t think Americans will go back to a president who famously said of rural Americans, “They cling to their guns and Bibles.” I don’t think Americans want another four years of trillion-dollar deficits, empty promises and skyrocketing unemployment.
Perhaps the administration and the left should talk about their real accomplishments and then let voters decide their fate. Then again, they appear too smart for that. But voters are smart as well, and in November they will vote to put America back on the course to prosperity.
GABE IACOBONI, Boise
CLOSED PRIMARIES
Cross-party voting skews process
Civics lessons: It amazes me that so many do not understand the reason for closed-party primaries. The cross filing or deceitful voting by those not belonging to the political party holding the primary is simple. Cross-party voters usually have one intent in mind: To cast their vote for the weakest candidate they want to oppose their own party’s candidate. Your involvement in your party’s success or failure should never be skewed by outside influences.
RONALD LARSON, Star
CHURCH AND STATE
Religions discard reality
Analysts should not have been surprised that the Russian Orthodox Church has aligned itself with President Vladimir Putin (May 14). This “alignment” is consistent with the behavior of churches throughout Western history. In exchange for supporting the rulers, the churches get “hefty government donations and tax immunity.” Remember Bush’s faith-based initiatives?
Until the nonsectarian American revolution, the corrupt entanglement of rulers and clergy was pretty much the case throughout the Western world.
If Stalin had implemented Putin’s approach to the clergy, communism would probably still be in control of Russia. Religions are good at getting people to think about otherworldly fantasies instead of dealing with the reality of this world.
The great American philosopher-novelist Ayn Rand repeatedly warned us of this unholy alliance between rulers and clergy, terming these twin pillars of control “Attila The Hun” and the “Witchdoctor.”
Complementing political-religious control is the rise of so-called charter schools, where youngsters are trotted out like members of the young communist league to sing patriotic songs and pledge their loyalty to the state (June 2).
Thomas Jefferson wrote, “In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to liberty.” Now you know why successful rulers support them.
GARY L. BENNETT, Emmett
COYOTE PHOTO
Killing trapped animal shows cold indifference
Re: Picture of leg-trapped coyote being attacked by trapper’s dogs. To the trapper: What does it take in a human heart to leg-trap a coyote, set your dogs on the helpless animal to literally tear it limb from limb, while you take pictures and are not haunted by that creature’s screams? It requires a cold, callous, depraved indifference to suffering that is more reptilian than human, that is closer to the conscience of your dogs than it is to that of a normal person.
ROBERT ENGLE, Ph.D.,
psychologist, Boise
BICYCLISTS
Watch out for walkers
I hear a lot about watching out for bicyclists, but maybe should hear more about bicyclists watching out for people.
There is a little park at Avenue C and Warm Springs. I have almost been knocked down by bicyclists that ride through there on the sidewalk. There are a lot of seniors in the area and they have also encountered this. Last week on another street I was walking my dog and two kids came riding down the sidewalk as fast as they could. I was almost hit and also my dog. They never slowed down. It is especially hard for us seniors as we fall trying to get out of the way. It could be disastrous for us. I also see them go through red lights and take away the right of way.
When they ride in the middle of the road and cars start to back up, they should be courteous enough to move to the side. Some are not.
BONNIE QUAIFE, Boise
