DISTRACTED DRIVING

Leave pooch at home for safer traveling

OK, I’m glad that we have a ‘texting while driving” ban. About time, Idaho Legislature. What took you so long (other than completely frivolous endeavors)?

Here’s a new one that’s desperately needed: A “Doging While Driving” ban.

This is aimed at all the idiots who drive with a pooch (usually a miniature mongrel) hanging off their left arm.

From my observations, it’s usually a white-haired senior woman or a “Get-a-Life-Challenged” male. Unfortunately, they probably don’t (or can’t) read the newspaper.

In my opinion, this is the epitome of “distracted driving.” I predict someone (a child?) will die as a result of this idiocy. Hey Idaho legislators — we can do better. Your move.

JOE NUMBERS, Boise

GOVERNOR’S MANSION

Put Simplot property to constructive use

The Simplot property has been such a subject, why don’t the gods in charge make this beautiful setting a resource for homeless moms and kids, or a rehab unit of some source to make it useful for the state of Idaho?

The Simplot family has always been such giving and caring people. This would be a terrific use for the home on the hill and tribute to Mr. Simplot.

DONNA WIGGINS, Weiser

GOVERNMENT

Socialists take note:Read the Constitution

America is exceptional because of our Constitution. We are a self-governed nation, not governed by an elite set of people who think they know what’s best for the dumb masses. That’s socialism.

The Constitution guarantees our rights to freedom of speech, religion, private property etc. Progressives call it a living Constitution. Progressive: to move beyond, getting over something. Why would we want to move beyond our Constitution that has enabled people to come here and be free from oppressive governments? When they speak of a living Constitution, they mean that the Constitution should evolve because the founders didn’t foresee the industrial age, immigration, or the warming of the planet. The checks and balances are put there because the founders knew the nature of man and that nature has not changed.

Our Declaration of Independence states “We hold these truths to be self-evident … men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights … Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This is the crux of it all. Socialists think our rights are derived from the government not our creator. Don’t be duped by the propaganda. Know your history.

RENE MCSHERRY, Boise

Government can’t solve all problems

We’re asking government to provide us with more services than we can afford. Whether it’s our health, education or welfare, we look to government for funding. We used to give government what was necessary to take care of its needs. Now we give the government what is necessary to take care of our needs.

Somehow, we feel government can take better care of us than we can ourselves.

Over the years history has taught us:

1. Giving power and money to government is like giving whiskey and the car keys to teenage boys.

2. A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. (Shaw)

3. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. (Churchill)

4. A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. (Jefferson)

5. In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of citizens to give to another. (Voltaire)

6. Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. (Bastiat)

MORRIS BASTIAN, Boise

ENERGY

Healthy environment should be first priority

Idaho Power’s LaMont Keen remarked “energy is the lifeblood of the economy.”

My response: Environmental health is the lifeblood of being. People don’t eat, breathe, or walk on economy. Short-term gain with long-term pain: near-sighted economics.

Natural gas fracking contaminates groundwater with toxins. Coal plant emissions poison air, water, animals, including people. Now, gas plant Langley Gulch provokes one of the largest rate increases in Idaho history.

Coal and gas, too long subsidized themselves, clearly carry collateral costs to humans and environment. They are demonstrably neither cheap, clean, nor sustainable. Therefore, mocking wind energy as “swindle” is deception, privileging polluting interests over cleaner, sustainable prospects.

A monopoly, Idaho Power must be made accountable, offering progressive, conscientious customer service, by supporting not thwarting sustainable energy development, replacing fossil fuels, lest we become future fossils ourselves.

Factual critiques to current untenable, destructive policies merit integration, not repression. Spurning clean-energy advocate Snake River Alliance from the IRP Advisory Council demonstrates insincerity and bad faith.

Though typical, such arrogant tactics are deplorable. “Business as usual” sucks lifeblood from everyone, going way beyond just “bad” economics!

SCOTT HYDER, consumer/shareholder, Boise