POST-ELECTION

Don’t expect good results

For the party with a primary thrust of seeing the president fail, party pundit Ann Coulter called it correctly many months ago.

The question now is: will the lessons of hubris translate into meaningful governing or will the party of “no” continue to be clueless?

In the good-ole-boy red state of Idaho, we the people shall very quickly see what direction the GOP Legislature will pursue: concern for the people or concern for the party. Education and health issues should be the first test. I wonder, does Vegas give any odds for a successful outcome?

JIM FRANKLIN, Meridian

Winners and losers

The election is over and we have winners and losers and yes, Barack Obama won re-election, but not all were winners. Let us take a look:

Winners: People who want more free stuff.

Losers: Those who have to pay for the free stuff.

Winners (in their illusionary reality): Those who think government can borrow increasing amounts of money forever so they can have free stuff.

Losers: Those who realize economic recklessness will bring a day of reckoning.

Winners: Those who want less freedom for others.

Losers: Those who want more freedom for all.

Winners: Those who want a larger, more intrusive government.

Losers: Those who want a smaller and efficient government.

Winners: Those who still want to blame Bush for our depressed economy.

Losers: Those who have a sense of personal responsibility.

Winners: Those who want the price of fuel to skyrocket so we will be forced to rely on wind and solar.

Losers: Those who are struggling to pay for gas for their cars and fuel for their homes.

Winners: Those who want to dismantle the military.

Losers: Those who believe we need a strong defense and a missile defense to prevent desolation for the planet.

JOSEPH J. DEWEY, Boise

The people had their say

I voted on Nov. 6.

I am an average citizen. I do not consider myself to be political or religious. I possess a number among the many of the unemployed in our country today. I also possess very definite opinions as to who our president should be. Don’t we all?

As I exercised my constitutional right and my duty as an American, I took a moment of silent thanks for the founders of this country and the men and women in uniform for their part in assuring that I have this right.

That we all have this right.

Regardless of our personal viewpoints, political affiliations or lack thereof, we are all bound by citizenship in a country where this is possible, even expected. A country where our duly-elected officials will take office peacefully.

It is my sincere hope that all of the people of this country will take a moment to reflect on how extraordinary this is, and that “we the people” will continue to support and to question those who lead us.

DEBI BLAIR, Nampa

One voter’s wish list

The election is over and a long list of thorny problems await the president and Congress. I’d like to share my wish list with these elected officials.

Mr. President, please adopt the Bowles-Simpson deficit reduction recommendations. While you’re at it, please open up Yucca Mountain and scrap the crummy deal you made with Harry Reid.

To the congressmen and senators, please put the people of the USA before party and politics. That goes for both sides of the aisle. This starts with good faith negotiations and true compromise. Read the Constitution and you’ll see that theme loud and clear. Gridlock has no place anymore. And neither does a pledge of no new taxes to an unelected individual. Our fiscal hole is a deep one and we all enjoyed the spoils on the way into it. Spending cuts and revenue enhancements must all be on the table.

The list of issues you are tasked with addressing is long. You work for us and are called to serve the country and not a party or a rigid ideology. Please get along and find solutions. We can wait no longer for all of you to find your better selves in this effort.

JOHN LODAL, Boise

EDUCATION

Props give prospective teacher second thoughts

In 2011, I was about to retire from the military, had a fresh new bachelor’s degree in hand and eagerly signed up for the “Troops to Teachers” program. Two weeks before retirement, I heard about Props 1, 2 and 3 and decided not to pursue my certification. It was an enlightening read and very disappointing at the same time. Prop 1 would make teaching a five-year career. Once the teacher begins to make more than $35k, get rid of them with no reason — just replace them with recent college graduates.

It is great that the props were voted down by the great citizens of Idaho; they saw through the garbage that Luna is creating. Yes, I am a Republican voter, but will never vote for Luna, and have now lost faith in the leadership of Gov. Otter and the legislators for trying to shove this down our throats. We all have friends that are teachers and we all know that they work hard for their pitiful $30,000 wage. Start paying the teachers, and showing some respect from the Capitol Building, and maybe I will get back in step with the party.

CLIFF MCKEE, Caldwell

Effective reform requires teamwork

OK, the election is over, and now it’s time to get on to the real work of education reform. The guiding theme should be — everyone is at the table and everything is on the table.

Make no mistake, there is no magic bullet here. The journey will be long, it will be difficult, and it will demand hard work from all of us. The process will be messy, and it will need to include teachers, business leaders, politicians, parents, students, farmers, ranchers, academics and all those interested in education. Those who fought for and against the education propositions will need to find a way to work together. The students of Idaho deserve it, and the future of Idaho requires it.

JOHN OWENS, Boise

Reform process should include teachers, parents

As an invested opponent of Props 1, 2 and 3 the vindication we feel is immense. We are hopeful that for the first time reform will actually include and respect educators and parents in the process. So much can be done to make schools amazing. Let’s take advantage of the striking down of hastily-done and questionably-motivated laws, to replace them with the best practices, equity and actually putting students first through ensuring schools are securely funded and educators and school boards work collaboratively.

All teachers have wanted over the years is a wage commiserate with their professional status and importance of profession, to educate students who are willing to learn, parents who are willing to assist their child to the best of their ability and to be heard.

Thank you voters of Idaho, let’s move forward collaboratively to achieve great schools.

SCOTT HALE, Boise