IDAHO, THE MOVIE
State’s beauty leaves much to appreciate
I feel sorry for people that believed your TV section as a guide for watching programs on Nov. 30. If they were fans of an old Roy Rogers movie, they were disappointed. However, if they were among the lucky ones that knew something else was playing at 8 p.m. on KTVB, they were in for a treat. I felt it was a nicely done movie, reminding us of all the beauties we have around us in Idaho. It told me of a few items I still need to add to my bucket list ... such as the jet boat ride through the Seven Devils canyon. Also, every time I’m whizzing south down Interstate 84, I should take the time to turn off and see what awaits me at Malad Gorge. I totally agree with Tim Woodward, as an Idaho native. We have so much to appreciate. I have seen many other places, but always come back to Idaho.
MAXINE DUFT, Boise
SOCIAL SECURITY
System is in good shape, good hands
I have heard so much misinformation about Social Security that I feel compelled to set the record straight. I have worked with Social Security employees for 26 years. I have learned a lot about how the program works. Here are some facts for your readers:
1) Social Security does not account for our deficit problem. In fact, Social Security neither increases nor reduces the federal deficit since it is entirely self-financed.
2) Social Security is not a Ponzi scheme, because Ponzi schemes rely on false promises to convince unwary people to give money. Social Security’s funding stream is 100 percent reliable and its promised benefits are required to be honored by law.
3) Social Security is in no danger of going bankrupt. The system has a huge surplus, plus enough to pay full benefits to every retiree for the next 25 years. After 2037, without any changes, SSA will pay 78 percent of benefits, based on conservative economic projections. More optimistic economic forecasts predict that full benefits will be paid past 2086 without any changes. Cuts in SSA’s administrative budget will result in fewer employees, office closures, employee furloughs, longer wait times, delayed claims and difficulties in getting interview appointments.
ANDREA WASSNER, Boise
ROUNDABOUT
Project not necessary
Recently, the Ada County Highway District constructed a roundabout at the Eagle/Amity intersection. I am disappointed in the decision to build it, primarily because it was not needed, or at least not needed urgently. Yes, traffic does flow more smoothly through it, but the pre-existing four-way stop was handling the traffic adequately.
Also, I’m sure Idaho has other projects to spend her tax dollars on — projects that call for attention more loudly than a roundabout does. In my opinion, the Eagle/Amity roundabout falls closer to the category of luxury than it does to necessity.
QUENTIN FREDERICK, Meridian
KEVIN BURKE ROBERTS
Justice not served with light sentence
Take a woman to the desert, have sex with her, strangle her and receive probation. Kevin Burke Roberts did exactly that. Not only did he rape his victim, and strangle her until she passed out, he left her there in the desert (injured, but still alive). And he is given probation? He won’t even have to register as a sex offender! Unbelievable!
Judge Deborah Bail of the 4th District Court is responsible for the probation sentence and should no longer be a judge. This sentence shows not only complete incompetence, but also complete indifference for the safety of Idaho women and young women.
Kevin Burke Roberts, the man who assaulted the victim, should be serving a life sentence. Shame on the prosecutors and defense lawyers who also allowed this to happen. They should all be held accountable as well. Inexcusable.
Let’s not forget the woman who was attacked. She is a victim once again because those responsible for protecting her rights as a human did not care enough to do the right thing. Only the coldest of humans would treat a woman with such hateful disdain.
TAWNA OLSEN, Meridian
FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES
Recruiters don’t know when they should stop
According to NPR, for-profit colleges have targeted low-income households. A speaker for University of Phoenix was at my new job. I have been looking into going to college, they got my phone number.
They spam your email and call nonstop. I told them that enrolling is not a good idea because the job was new. Rebuttal, “Don’t you want to better your life?" After being told that many times, I enrolled. I did not know how long I was going to be attending until six months later.
Every time I submitted information for a scholarship, University of Phoenix spammed my email. Other colleges called me.
They are not showing me what my degree is for and pressure me to get a bachelor’s. I search for a better job without help. They stalk and harass people even after they say no. I’m not the only one this has happened to.
JENNIFER MAUGHAN, Nampa
