47 PERCENT

Romney passes test; Richert view falls short

Editorial page editor Kevin Richert offers up a very detailed set of facts showing how Idaho’s economic condition has deeply worsened since 2008. In his own words, he says, “Idaho is a poorer state than it was just a few years ago. It is a state where people are relying on federal assistance in growing numbers.” He then “connects the dots” for readers by stating that Mitt Romney holds many Idahoans in disdain because some of them are a part of the 47 percent mentioned in the leaked Romney video.

So, Mr. Richert, if Idaho is in much worse shape than it was four years ago — and your facts support this — are you still voting for another four years under President Obama? Romney’s edited video montage was about political strategy and how to focus on the independent/undecided 10 percent in order to win an election, not about how he would not care about 47 percent of Americans once he is president. Putting the two candidates side by side, Romney stands out as the one who cares more about Americans’ economic futures and the essential need for debt reduction.

MICHAEL MANGUM, Eagle

Those who don’t pay taxes

I was just reviewing a map showing those red states that are included in the 47 percent of people who do not pay taxes. I wonder how many of them are right-to-work states. After all, if you don't make a decent salary, you shouldn't be expected to pay a lot of taxes.

GARY FAIRCHILD, Boise

ELECTIONS

Republicans not at fault for economic problems

I just have to reply to Jackie L. Aymon of McCall’s letter in the Sept. 21 newspaper. Certainly does a good job of remembering everything except which party controlled both houses of Congress. I do — and which senator, now president, voted for the budget that was championed by the Democratic Party? Therefore I vote for the Republicans.

The day the Democrats took over was not Jan. 20, 2009; it was actually Jan. 3, 2007, which was the day the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and the Senate.

For those who are listening to the liberals propagating the fallacy that everything is “Bush’s fault,” think about Jan. 3, 2007. At that time:

The Dow Jones closed at 12,621.77. The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5 percent. The unemployment rate was 4.6 percent. George Bush’s economic policies set a record of 52 straight months of job growth.

Remember the day. Jan. 3, 2007, was the day that Barney Frank took over the House Financial Services Committee and Chris Dodd took over the Senate Banking Committee. The economic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of the economy? Banking and financial services.

Think!

JIM PRICE, Boise