POLITICS

Both parties playthe same silly games

Your front page article on Sunday, June 24, “Obama channels his inner Cheney,” was quite illuminating for what it did not clearly state, i.e., both political parties play the same game. Republicans chastise Democrats for engaging in illegal antics such as issuing executive orders when Congress fails or refuses to act and claiming executive privilege when the president thinks it ought to be asserted or, worse yet, thwarting outright the other party’s initiatives, policies, and programs with stonewalling tactics; distractions; sideshows; etc.

That’s what the Republicans do to the Democrats. And, what do the Democrats do to the Republicans when the shoe is on the other foot? The same “bloody” thing. Both parties should be ashamed of themselves. I’ve spent years abroad serving my country in the military and public service, but when I returned I sensed our national political leadership was no better than the clowns in some Third World country. It truly saddens me to have to say that, but it’s true. There is a leadership crisis in America and it is epitomized by those in national public office.

ROBERT BLEVINS, Garden City

One-party rule in Idahohas Mississippi flavor

It’s past time for Idaho to return accountability to Idaho’s two-party system. I will offer my own brief opinion of Idaho’s dominant one-party rule — as a result Idaho is labeled as the Mississippi of the Northwest. The political sewer state of the nation, the most impoverished state in the nation, leads in federal aid and food stamp use per capita. Its constituency is referred to as sheeple. The people in the states of Iowa and Ohio resent the fact that their states are often times mistaken for Idaho because of Idaho’s inglorious past and its present reputation.

I have dropped my membership in the Republican Party. The reason: lack of integrity, ethics, oversight and accountability at the state and local levels of government. I long for the likes of Robert Smylie, Cecil Andrus and Phil Batt.

Being well into my 80s, I am now of an age that I will not live long enough to see a change in Idaho politics. But I am sure that in time, change will come to Idaho when the constituency finally wakes up.

MIKE BRAVO, Middleton

Take away red and blue;add purple and magenta

Since I first gained the right to vote, sometime shortly after the War Between the States, much has been said about “Throw the bums out!” and “Dump Congress!” The current phrase is “Go Green! Recycle Congress!” Every state in the union keeps re-electing their own. They like their own. Their own elected people bring home the pork.

Perfect solution: put all the names of the 50 states into a computer program. Hit the puree button. Pour out a list of which state will vote for what other state’s elected national representatives to both houses of Congress. Idaho, for example, would vote for Washington state’s senators and representatives. If they have been in office more than two terms, we vote them out. New Hampshire would love to recycle Idaho Republicans, no doubt.

This will drive voters to the polls like nobody’s business. We end polarized gridlock. We stop Red State/Blue State paralysis, and instead create a lovely shade of magenta. We add shades of rose and purple. We get the job done. We save the country.

JEAN LYNN, Nampa

TAXING THE RICH

It’s no wonder whyAmericans are worse off

What has happened to this great country of ours? America is now one of the most unequal advanced industrial countries in the world. This widening inequality has led to a widespread sense of reduced opportunity of its citizens. As of March, some 24 million Americans could not find full-time employment. Millions of people have lost their homes. Income adjusted for inflation is lower than it has been a decade earlier. Most Americans are worse off than 15 years ago.

The past 30 years have been markedly different for the middle class. There has not been shared prosperity. This drop in income level means fewer people are climbing to new income brackets. Top income earners, who make their money through capital gains and stock dividends, pay lower taxes than the average worker. If your income is very high, you ought to pay a higher percentage of your income in taxes as somebody whose income is lower. Speculators should not be taxed at half the rate as those who work for an average income. Of the 1 percent, by the 1 percent and for the 1 percent should not be a new anthem for America.

VICTORIA CLARK, Boise

UNIONS

Same tired phrasedescribes detractors

I was watching the Fox News channel one afternoon recently. I was watching a show called “The Five.” On this show they have a panel of five people that discuss different topics and stories.

This happened to be the day before the Wisconsin recall election for Gov. Walker. The name of one of the panel members is Bob Beckel and they were discussing the outcome of the election.

After quite a bit of discussion, Bob Beckel pointed his finder at the camera and said, “I think anybody that votes for Walker is a scab.”

Gov. Walker was running against a Mayor Barrett, who was strongly supported by the union. Scab is a term the unions use for anyone they don’t like.

I think Fox TV should give Beckel his walking papers and show him the door.

BILL MAXWELL, Wilder

ALZHEIMER’S

Simpson could helpprovide research funds

This is a historic moment — the U.S. has, for the first time, a National Alzheimer’s Plan. I am encouraged to see the nation’s leaders have taken steps to change the trajectory of one of our nation’s most feared diseases.

This plan is the basis for the budget request of $100 million in new resources to fight Alzheimer’s. It is important that Congress provide these resources in the fiscal year 2013 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill.

Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson, an Appropriations Committee member, should support the Alzheimer’s funding.

My grandmother died of Alzheimer’s disease. She had five sons, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Every one of us has the memory of the day that she didn’t know who we were anymore. No one should have to see a loved one slowly deteriorate, knowing that there is no stopping the progression of this brain altering disease.

There are 26,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease living in Idaho, enough people to nearly fill Bronco Stadium. As families shoulder the tremendous emotional, physical and financial toll of Alzheimer’s disease, they are anxiously awaiting implementation of the National Alzheimer’s Plan, and they need Rep. Simpson’s leadership to ensure the resources necessary are committed.

MACKENZIE RODGERS, Boise

PANCREATIC CANCER

Survival dependson congressional action

Cancer can be devastating, but due to progress in medical technology, most forms of cancer can be successfully treated.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about pancreatic cancer. In fact, only 6 percent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years after diagnosis. Seventy-five percent die within the first year.

This must change. Congress is debating the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act. The legislation will require that the National Cancer Institute draw up a long-term comprehensive strategy to address pancreatic cancer, with a focus on increasing the survival rate.

The goal is achievable, but Congress must act. On June 26, citizens from around the country (including Idaho) will unite and call on members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to help bring an end to this deadly disease (visit www.knowitfightitendit.org for more info).

With your support, we can give every person diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a fighting chance. Please join me in urging Sens. Crapo and Risch, and Reps. Labrador and Simpson to pass the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, so that thousands more won’t pass away.

DWIGHT TOVEY, Meridian