Letters to the editor: Election

Diana Lachiondo

Ada County continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. I have called Meridian home for most of my life (including a time when it was just 10,000 residents) so I have witnessed this exponential growth firsthand. I know that we need a plan to keep the character of our community, and that’s why I’m voting for Diana Lachiondo for Ada County commissioner.

I have known Diana for over 25 years and can attest that she is a person of the highest integrity. You can depend on her work and know that she is able to collaborate across party lines to come to a common ground for the benefit of all. She is truly committed to tackling issues such as fast growth, to ensure we are responsible and able to adapt while preserving farm lands, open spaces, and quality of life.

Diana is a native to Ada County, an individual who listens to all sides, and executes her word. Diana is truly vested in the county’s best interests. I will be proudly voting her for her. If you’d like to see a positive change in our community, I’d recommend you do the same.

Woods, Goldthorpe

Re-elect Woods and Goldthorpe to ACHD Commission.

Boise Elevated is a diverse nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of Boise through collaboration among business and community leaders, and local government. Four years ago, the Board of Directors endorsed Paul Woods and Kent Goldthorpe for election to the ACHD Commission to diffuse a dysfunctional relationship between ACHD and other local governments in Ada County. With their leadership, the commission now has a much-improved working relationship with the cities and county. Boise Elevated is pleased to endorse Paul Woods and Kent Goldthorpe for their second term as ACHD commissioners.

No on Prop 1

Proposition 1 — laughingly called the campaign to save Idaho horse racing — deserves your no vote because it is full of what horses leave behind on the track.

It is a casino-style gambling proposition, pure and simple.

When I was a commissioner on the Idaho Lottery Commission, we stayed out of the fracas when these same folks with the same machines got called out by members of the Idaho Legislature.

Proposition 1 backers promised legislators these historic racing terminals would harken back to the glory days of horse racing by replaying famous horse races. But as soon as the legislators saw the machines, they pulled the plug because it was obvious they were more slot machine than anything else.

Horse racing is legal in Idaho and will remain so. What isn’t legal, unless Proposition 1 passes, is unchecked slot machine gambling in Idaho.

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office has even weighed in to say there are many legal questions about this proposition.

Proposition 1 is a bad bet for Idaho and will raise more questions than answers if these machines get rolled out.

Go vote

We have to be careful what we listen to these days. If you haven’t noticed the Republicans are planting the seeds against the Democrats. They have forgotten we are all Americans. Be careful what you listen to and don’t let yourself get sucked into believing what they keep feeding into your brain. Forget parties, grow up, vote for the person that will do the best job for us.

All of the real good things Democrats gave us have been taken away. Democrats work on the qualities that keep us and our country safe. I’ve never heard a president demean people of this country the way this one does. He has been rubbing off on Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham. John McCain would never have agreed with that.

You must realize the reason he wanted Brett Kavanaugh confirmed is to help him take away more of our freedoms. Please vote and let’s get out country back. This is for our country, not a party. We need to get our respect back.

Vote Dems

Oh, Idaho Statesman, you’ve done it again. (sigh) I’ve read countless editorials lamenting the GOP’s lock on power and inaction on critical issues like transportation, education, health care and the environment, yet you pick Fulcher over McNeil? The Democrats have put forth many smart candidates proposing good solutions, but you criticize McNeil as inexperienced while Fulcher gets huge credit for a Senate term and a failed run for governor. You also complain about money in politics, then credit him with being good at raising money. You complain of paralysis in the Congress, yet keep endorsing the cause of it. Worse, Fulcher and the rest of the GOP congressional delegation will continue to enable Mr. Trump’s march to authoritarian rule as he gleefully destroys the truth, the national dialogue and our nation’s institutions. Why, Idaho Statesman? Is it political cowardice, malevolence, fear, the desire to curry favor with the current GOP power elite? To the Statesman: Get some courage. To GOP voters: Pull the Democratic lever. Why? Your GOP politicians are behaving recklessly to the point of being a threat to the republic. To all of Idaho: Vote for Jordan, McNeil and Swisher.

Bratnober, Prop 2

From my personal experience I have seen family break-ups, bankruptcy and deaths where there is a family member with a lifetime disease which requires continued care. The stresses on each family member wears them out financially, physically and mentally and usually finally dissolves the family unit. Emergency is most efficient. It is not a system which carries case information or allows the same extended staff to see the patient. To me this means Idaho must expand Medicaid.

We want healthy families. I want candidates for the state Legislature that would back this policy. Every year we resist solving the healthcare gap. This means more families trying to take the health care burden on themselves.

Jim Bratnober believes in expanding Medicaid to fill Idaho’s gap in health care insurance. I support him for the Senate seat in District 15.

Paulette Jordan

I have voted Republican for almost 60 years. However, the primaries revealed to me the character of Brad Little. I am impressed with Paulette Jordan. I believe that I try to be honest and upright and expect that in our elected officials. I cannot vote for someone who, I believe, is not up to my standards. My vote may have to go to a Democrat for governor. I still believe in the conservative views on the national basis.

Do research

I am a 70-year-old grandmother. I am concerned about not being heard by my representatives . I believe corporations and special interest money needs to be driven out of Idaho politics, so true democracy reflects the voice of the people. I’m concerned that the lack of responsiveness to the individual concerns and the over-servitude to corporations and special interest money has drowned out the voice of the people. I’m concerned about the bitter angry divide as we choose “tribes” between the right and the left instead of the people of Idaho.

I am asking that the representatives that are supposed to, listen to us. I am asking you to put aside the party politics and divisive rhetoric and to find out who the candidates are that have committed to working with and for Idaho (uaidahi.org)

I am asking the people to vote for these candidates. I am asking you to vote on the issues and values that you care about. I guess I’m asking you to be part of the solution.

Steve Berch

I am in support of Steve Berch in District 15. I have met Steve Berch and he will listen to what his constituents want. Our current Legislature seems to represent outside interests or religious preference. Steve will serve without these biases. His support of education is refreshing. I am tired of being last or close to last when states are measured for education and wages. Please join me in supporting Steve Berch.

Third party

I’ve been reading letters to the editor, some urging voters to vote Republican, and others urging voters to vote Democrat.

For several years I’ve been disillusioned with both parties. It seems they try to cut down each other’s candidates. (Mudslinging — people can’t sling mud without getting their hands dirty or losing ground.)

The past several years I’ve voted for third-party candidates, mostly Libertarian. I’d like to urge voters to consider doing likewise. In the last presidential election I thought Gary Johnson had a chance of winning.

Dan Weston

Vote for representation. In District 20 Dan Weston is running against incumbent Joe Palmer (R) for the Idaho House of Representatives, Position A.

Dan Weston is self-financed and does not accept campaign donations from corporations or political action committees. He will truly be your representative.

Joe Palmer is a totally different story. According to Joe Palmer’s 2018 campaign finance reports filed with the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office, to date he has accepted $11,500 from corporate and PACs. There were no private citizens shown as donors.

Dan Weston is not beholden to corporations and/or PACs. This November vote for real political representation, vote for Dan Weston.

Vote for change

Don’t you often wonder why we even have representatives in Congress? Mitch McConnell dictates how those that represent us are to vote while destroying our democracy, and while most representatives have no courage, morals, civility, or thought to fight and to think about country versus party and re-election. People demand our representatives end gerrymandering, Demand it is time to overturn Citizens United (rich corporate donations running our elections), reinstate net neutrality, restore voting rights, restore protection to our environment, and protection for Robert Mueller to complete and inform the public of the continued findings of crimes against our democracy no matter how high they reach.

Do you Idahoans really think it OK for Trump and his family to not pay taxes? Or for him to not put forth his tax returns showing his contribution to our economy? We citizens want good health care, good roads, good eduction for our kids, but unless we all pay our fair taxes this will continue to be a downhill spiral. Vote, vote, vote — but vote for change, morality and civility.

Yes on Prop 2

I am a family doctor in Idaho. Every day I meet people who have no choice but to postpone potentially life-saving medical care because of the cost. Many of my patients work long hours but still can’t afford health insurance. Recently I cared for a woman who kept putting off cancer screening because she had no insurance. By the time she could save up enough money for testing, we found stage 3 cancer. If she had access to Medicaid, her tests would have been covered and we could have caught the cancer years earlier, and probably added years to her life.

For her, and for so many patients like her, I am voting yes on Proposition 2. This ballot measure would expand Medicaid to cover 62,000 Idahoans. The measure would increase the threshold to qualify for Medicaid to 138 percent of the federal poverty line — namely people who earn less than $17,000 a year, or $29,000 for a family of three. Economists predict that Prop 2 would save Idaho $15 million per year, bring 400 million federal tax dollars back to Idaho, and create 5,000 jobs. But most importantly, it could save the life of someone you know or love.

Elizabeth Mahn

We are very fortunate to have such a qualified and experienced person in Elizabeth “Beth” Mahn running for Ada County treasurer. She currently is the acting treasurer and previously was the chief deputy treasurer and finance manager before that. Her experience over 20 years includes accounting, auditing, tax and legal work. Beth is a third-generation Idahoan, grew up in Boise and received both her accounting and law degrees in Idaho. She has the experience, integrity and leadership we need. Please join me in voting for Elizabeth “Beth” Mahn for Ada County treasurer.

Yes on Prop 2

Idaho wants Medicaid expansion. I hear overwhelming support from people on both political sides and from all parts of the state. I rarely see Idahoans galvanized to this extent over any issue. This touches every family and brings out the empathy in all but the most uninformed. Please get informed and join us in voting Yes on Prop 2. It’s good for all of Idaho.