HONOR AND RESPECT
Schools should return to teaching the basics
In our quest to pacify the minority here in the USA, we have left behind the basic principles for peace and security in search of the almighty dollar.
We need to put back in our schools these basic principles to teach our children about honor and respect for their fellow humans.
People with honor and respect do not commit crimes against their fellow humans (misuse of lethal weapons). These principles are the basis for the laws here in the USA, and yet the Supreme Court ruled against these principles being taught in public schools.
Who's driving this train? By teaching the last eight principles in our schools no one would be required to worship anyone or anything. Those who cannot abide by these principles, at least the last eight, should feel free to move to another country where they have more freedom. If we continue to sacrifice our principles to pacify the minority, we are headed to anarchy, and that is not in anyone's best interest. Let us not punish the many for the few.
DON DUSTIN, Boise
MARIJUANA LAWS
Legalization could bolster state revenues
With antimarijuana legislation powering through the state Legislature, I believe we should take a step back and realize that we are shooting ourselves in the foot in regard to Idaho's future.
Keeping marijuana from becoming legal raises a few problems that we already experience on a daily basis.
For starters, the tax revenue that could be brought in could help fund schools, roads and state employee salaries without taking money out of our paychecks. Second, legalization would keep it out of our children's hands more effectively. Having the state regulate marijuana means that underage kids can't just go to a dealer's house and buy it there. Third, legalization would free up a lot of wasted time in the court system across the state and allow the police to actually focus on issues that are more important than busting nonviolent "criminals."
What Sen. Chuck Winder fails to realize is that keeping marijuana illegal in our state isn't going to stop pot from coming in across our borders; looking back at the past 30 years of the war on drugs could tell you that.
BRYCE KLINGER, Boise
MINIMUM WAGE
Use Senate salaries as the foundation
Some stability in the national minimum wage could be achieved if the proposal in the book "The Second Founders" could be adopted. "Amendment 28: National Minimum Wage: If there is a national minimum wage, the national minimum wage for adults shall be no less than 10 percent of the hourly wage of a senator based on a work year of 2,080 hours, and there shall be no occupational or tip credit exceptions. The minimum wage shall not be decreased if salaries of senators are withheld for inadequate performance, but shall remain the same."
The salary of a U.S. senator is $174,000 a year. This would translate to a minimum wage of $8.36, or $17,388 per year. If the senators get a raise, the national minimum wage would also go up. States could do whatever they wanted with their own state minimum wage.
FRITZ DIXON, Meridian
RAND PAUL
Efforts appreciated
Rand Paul has been practically screaming from the rooftops for three years that the National Defense Authorization Act unconstitutionally allows the president to make anyone he wants disappear without due process.
Until now, the press completely ignored him, to their shame. Now, he took on the president on the simple question of whether Americans should be murdered on their own soil without due process. Finally, he got the president to cave in and admit that he should not have that power.
Who opposed Mr. Paul in these efforts, and made fun of him the whole time? Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, the champions of the NDAA. Rand Paul is the first politician to make me proud to be an American in a very long time. Thank you, Mr. Paul.
RON CHRISTIAN, Boise
ASSISTED SUICIDE
Idaho should act
A recent Idaho Statesman article titled "Assisted suicide on state agendas across the nation" mentioned Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Kansas, Hawaii and Massachusetts, as well as New Hampshire, New York, Arizona and Montana as under consideration. Oregon and Washington already have passed right-to-die laws. Why not Idaho?
WILLIAM H. RILEY, Boise
TAX COMMISSION
Idaho enforcers keep state budget in the black
Any fair-and-balanced journalistic diligence would have uncovered how much information is available at tax.idaho.gov to help people who owe taxes. I like the fact that the commission is the public's guardian for hard-working Idahoans.
They go after people and businesses who don't pay their share. Hooray! I'm working two jobs, like many Idahoans, and I'm tired of supporting the freeloaders. Unlike many states, Idaho's budget is in the black because these taxes are being collected.
Having been a tax preparer for decades, I know our Tax Commission is easy to work with, friendly and knowledgeable; other state taxpayers/agencies have exclaimed how easy working with Idaho is compared to other states. Delinquent taxpayers are afforded many opportunities and options to get current before matters escalate to levies and garnishments - same procedures as IRS.
As for the input from some of our legislators, they already have little remaining credibility with the public, so this "I heard it from a friend/dead uncle ..." sounds ridiculous, even for them.
SUSAN FRICKEY, Boise
WORK TOGETHER
Accept differences
Why is it that we as people spend our times trying to one up each other on a daily, hourly and even minutely basis?
Is it the natural competitive instinct in our genes or just a simple thirst that is dramatically increased by pressure of society to have more and want more?
I have been trying to come to a state of understanding of this constant competition and I can see and understand why there is competition among people, but why can there not be cooperation, understanding and teamwork?
If we as people all worked together and strived to better understand one another, our end goals, our beliefs and morals, and learn to accept that we are all different, we could all achieve greatness.
By accepting one another based on who we are, what we are, and what we want to accomplish, we can use each other's strengths and weaknesses to build a stronger sense of community.
We can help those in need, help to better ourselves and those around us.
By accepting each other's differences, flaws, positive traits, as well as the drive to help others, we as people can change the structure of humanity.
JAMES BOYETTE, Boise
GUN CONTROL
Points fall flat
I am surprised by the number of comments, such as, "they didn't have AR-15's in the revolutionary days, so they couldn't have been one of the subjects of the Second Amendment." Well, they didn't have penicillin, cellphones, polio vaccine, automobiles, etc., either. So, what's your point?
ROGER JONES, Eagle
A bizarre strategy
Quality Arms, Idaho's very own AR-15 manufacturer in Rigby, has adopted a very peculiar strategy in opposition to sensible gun reform.
From their website:
"We at Quality Arms are against any politician, law enforcement official, and any other organization who feel it is their right and purpose to destroy the freedoms and liberties of the citizens of this Country. As such we consider such acts as TREASONABLE. Therefore, Quality Arms Idaho will not supply any firearm or product, manufactured by us, or any other company nor will we warranty, repair, alter, or modify any firearm owned by any state, county or municipality who infringes on the right of its citizens to bear arms under the Second Amendment."
www.qualityarmsidaho.com/
In other words, they'll provide anyone but law enforcement with weapons that might outgun law enforcement.
And if we pass magazine limits and universal registration nationally, they'll stick to their guns and refuse to sell product to any U.S. law enforcement?
I thought that the NRA meme was: "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun."
Quality's newly adopted rhetoric is bizarre, if not "treasonable."
JOHN R. LOVE, Boise
Protect our rights
The Second Amendment protects Americans from foreign and domestic threats. History tells us that in some future generation, America will be invaded.
Do you feel safe from foreign threats? The international terrorist network is growing, North Korea has nuclear weapons and Iran is closer to nuclear weapons. China and Russia seldom support NATO sanctions against rogue nations.
China disregards America's copyright and patent laws and commits cyberattacks on America's Pentagon and private sector businesses. China controls the strategically located Panama Canal.
In recent years China has increased its military budget. China believes it was put on earth to control the world. Radical Muslims teach their children to hate and kill Americans.
America's south border is a swinging door! During good economy millions of illegals come north.
For concerns on past domestic threats, Google Wounded Knee - 1890; Battle of Athens - 1946; Bloody Sunday (Selma to Montgomery) - 1965; Kent State University shooting – 1970; Rodney King beating - 1991; Ruby Ridge - 1992; and Hurricane Katrina shooting on Danziger Bridge - 2005. Wounded Knee and Hurricane Katrina both included gun confiscation.
Our Second Amendment can't be compromised. America's private militia needs the same technology weaponry as an invading army!
MARTIN V. DUARTE, Kuna
