Letters to the editor: LGBTQ rights, climate, guns, Sanders, ballots, Planned Parenthood, transgender rights, flooding, Buttiegieg
LGBTQ rights
Our Idaho legislature needs to do some soul searching regarding their refusal to fully support people who are LGBTQ+.
If politicians claim that their religious beliefs prevent them from supporting anti-discrimination laws, most religions state, “Love your neighbor.” Their actions should demonstrate love for all people by enacting equality for all.
If the Republican majority thinks being LGBTQ+ is a moral issue, first, the word moral implies behavior, so transgender is not included in this category. Being transgender is the essence of who someone is as a person, it’s not a behavior. Second, if it is sexual activity that is distressing to legislators, that issue is nullified by the behavior of heterosexual people.
If GOP members don’t “get it,” perhaps because society is different from what they knew 35 years ago, they can educate themselves and gather information as they would with any topic affecting the Idahoans that they represent.
Lastly, representatives and senators’ need to be comfortable does not surpass the reality of the humanity of people.
Jana Price, Star
Climate
It seems every day the news provides stark testimony that our climate is warming, threatening our communities and environment. Within the community that expanded our understanding of our world and created the many technical advancements to improve our life in it, there is little doubt: The rapid increase of carbon in our environment is the main culprit.
If passed, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA H.R. 763) would implement a carbon fee on fossil fuels such as oil and coal. The fee starts low and grows over time. Imported carbon-intensive products would also pay the fee. All proceeds collected are distributed back to the American people.
This bipartisan bill is gaining wide support, with 80 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. Organizations such as the Presbyterian Church – USA, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship are getting behind it.
We simply cannot afford to wait. This bipartisan, revenue-neutral, good-for-people-and-the-economy bill is today’s best available solution. If you agree, we need action now. Please urge your members of Congress to support H.R. 763. For more information please visit energyinnovationact.org.
Kirk Peterson, Pocatello
Guns
Sixty-plus years ago, my family shared the anguish of family friends whose young son accidentally shot and killed his little brother with a hunting rifle that had been stored in the family vehicle. The memory of a tragedy of this kind is life-altering and lifelong.
Children killed by family-owned weapons are just a portion of the 90 or more gun deaths that occur in our country each day. A recent PBS News/NPR poll indicates that a strong majority of Americans support more funding for mental health screening and treatment for those seeking to purchase guns, mandatory background checks and licensing for gun purchases, red flag laws that would give a judge the authority to remove guns from one who poses a risk to him/herself or others, and a ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines and semi-automatic weapons.
I am hopeful that the Idaho Legislature will carefully consider working across the aisle to craft common sense gun legislation that will help make Idaho citizens safer.
Peggy Bohl, Boise
Ballots
On March 10, voters in Caldwell and Middleton school districts will have two decisions regarding school levies. The first will determine if they support a new tax for projects. The second is if they accept and approve what appears to be blatant electioneering right on the ballot.
Pertaining to the levy, I have no opinion as I do not live in either district nor know the issue. But as to the wording on these ballots, these two ballots are clearly illegal because it appears there is electioneering occurring right in the ballot booth.
My issue is that the ballot includes “extra-curricular” language where these two districts apparently have added “hand selected” financial items to clearly influence the vote. Both ballots list “expected” favorable future financial decisions that may or may not occur. The ballot then says “Therefore, the proposed supplemental levy…” and then draws a financial conclusion for the voter that seems to be favorable if they support the levy. This conclusion is only expected and not guaranteed. What happens if something different occurs than what is “expected?” If conditions change and the district does not come through as “expected,” does the election get overturned or voided?
Brian Stutzman, Idaho Falls
Sanders
Why are people supporting Sanders? The self-labeled socialist has a legitimate chance of being our next president? How so?
The reason is in your wallet. In spite of an improving economy, low unemployment, rising wages, and a record-setting stock market, all boats are not lifting on this tide of good tidings. It depends on how big your boat is. The wealthy, who need help the least, have clean sailing while the lower classes flounder and founder.
The game is tilted to the rich. The numbers are stark. 60% of working Americans earn $40,000 or less. 500,000 declare bankruptcy because of medical expense. Tens of millions are under or not insured. In spite of Raul-care ( ERs) 30,000 die each year because they lack healthcare. Wage growth is not meeting rising costs of living. Jeff Bezos has more money than if you had worked for $7,000/hr, 24/7 since the birth of Christ. Amazon owed taxes for 2019 after two years of not paying any.
Victims of the laughable Laffer curve are tired of being trickled on and are crying “Uncle!” So here comes Uncle Bernie, not on a red horse, but a mule, the one with 40 acres.
Calvin Vincent Weaver, Boise
Planned Parenthood
I am terrified about HB525, a bill to defund Planned Parenthood. I go to Planned Parenthood for my reproductive health care and I have always been treated with the utmost respect and care, something that has never remained true for me when receiving reproductive health care at other clinics. I trust Planned Parenthood providers because they have proven to me over and again that I can place my trust in them and that they will respect me and the people I love. Planned Parenthood providers have NEVER pressured me to undergo any type of care that I was not fully prepared for, and the providers have always answered all of my questions in detail and made me feel competent to receive the kind of care I needed. Planned Parenthood deserves government funding, that includes never having to worry about these ridiculous “defunding” attacks, and it also means that the state of Idaho should fund the crucial work that Planned Parenthood does: STD testing and treatment, annual exams, pap smears, cancer screenings, and birth control access. Planned Parenthood is a crucial resource in our state, and we all should be doing everything we can to fight dangerous legislation like HB525.
Dusty Ginner, Boise
Transgender
We, The National Association of Transgendered People, are committed to improving the health, safety, and life experience of transgender people. We are deeply concerned with proposed legislation in Idaho that would seek to forbid transgender people from changing their birth certificates to the gender consistent with their gender identity, and legislation against allowing transsexuals to compete in sports with others of their perceived gender. This type of legislation is discriminatory and would cause hardships for transgender people who already face a disproportionate amount of stress because of their situation. Regarding attempts to discriminate against LGBTQ in Idaho is a backlash to “Add the Words” and is nothing but hate and bigotry. Idahoans are better than that and need to tell our legislature to spend their time and tax dollars to do constructive things that help, not hurt, Idahoans. I, Melissa Sue Robinson, the President of The NAATP, will take anyone to court that attempts anti-transgender legislation, especially bills that are now before the State House.
Melissa Sue Robinson, Nampa
Flooding
With the recent flooding in Oregon and devastating flooding in Mississippi, I am reminded of the severe impact flooding can have on our communities. In 2017, Boise experienced historic flooding and saw first-hand the impact it can have on our way of life. Flooding is the costliest natural disaster Idaho faces.
Under our current National Flood Insurance Program, properties that have been flooded several times are consistently rebuilt with no plans to reduce future flooding. These repetitive-loss properties make up 1% of those covered by the program but result in more than $12 billion in costs to the federal government.
The Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act incentivizes communities with a significant number of repetitive-loss properties to proactively submit flood prevention plans to FEMA, along with setting deadlines for FEMA to create standards to oversee plans and determine relevant actions.
Passing this legislation will help those who are caught in the cycle of their homes and communities repeatedly experiencing the devastating impacts of flooding. And at the same time, prevent Idahoan tax dollars from bailing out wealthy individuals with second vacation homes who are neglecting their responsibilities.
Travis Thompson, Eagle
Regulations
I’m a big fan of gathering data and evaluating programs. Such scrutiny leads to smarter and more focused results however I have concerns about the Council on Environmental Quality’s proposed revisions on its regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act.
Whew, that’s a mouthful. I’ll admit I had to do some study just to figure out what the initials stand for! Basically the CEQ states they want to update regulations to modernize and clarify regulations so they facilitate more efficient, effective and timely NEPA reviews, reduce paperwork and delays and promote better decisions. Sounds good until you read the details.
The proposed revisions erect roadblocks to prevent public oversight and participation. We the people often have insight and information from the ground level about possible alternatives or impacts of proposed projects because we live near and recreate in public lands.
Let your voice be heard. The CEQ invites comments on the proposed revisions but you have to get your opinions submitted by March 10, 2020. The easiest way is to go to https://www.regulations.gov to read the entire proposal and submit comments on-line. Speak up because we all care about our beloved public lands.
Kayla Dodson, Boise
Buttigieg
The Idaho presidential primary is March 10. My choice is Pete Buttigieg. As a graduate of Harvard and Oxford, Pete has the intellect and critical thinking skills necessary to be a successful President. He served 8 years as the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana where he revitalized a city that had been in decline for many years. As a veteran, he proudly served our country in Afghanistan. His policies are more pragmatic and achievable than others in the race. One example is his Medicare for All Who Want It, which strives for Universal health insurance coverage without mandating individuals to give up their existing insurance. He also has bold initiatives on Climate Change and a plan to reduce gun violence. All of his plans are well designed and paid for.
Also, I am drawn to Pete Buttigieg because of his character. He is empathetic, and seeks to bring our country together. We face many challenges at this moment. I want a young, energetic President who is capable of working hard on behalf of the American people. I hope you will join with me to vote for Pete Buttigieg on March 10.
Sharon Rawlings, Eagle
Reclaim Idaho
Luke Mayville, (“Reclaim Idaho”/”Invest” In Idaho”), Sandpoint High graduate; Ph.D.-Political Science Yale University. Dissertation: “The Oligarchic Mind: Wealth and Power in the Political Thought of John Adams”. Was Intern/Caseworker for Oregon Democrat Peter DeFazio, presenter: $760 B “Investment” in Infrastructure bill. Mayville is Postdoctoral Fellow and educator-civics/political philosophy-Columbia U.; New York. His book “John Adams and the Fear of American Oligarchy” on Amazon, draws on John Adams’ political writings to uncover a unique theory of the political power of wealth. “Oligarchy-government in which a small group (the wealthy) exercises control for corrupt/selfish purposes” (unlike Federalism). He intends on transferring money from Idaho “oligarchs” to “needy” schools. “Reclaim Idaho”; funded by Fairness Project-California labor union, individuals, and “non corporate groups” (?). These Socialist/Democrats are collecting signatures for an Idaho voter initiative for “investment” of $170 million in education. Idaho spends $2 billion on education. Luke’s “needy” labeling may result from teaching methods, the way methods are applied, and to a teacher-parent failure to insure basic education. Many Idahoans, e.g.: Luke Mayville, graduate from prestigious universities. If Dr. Mayville is registered in Idaho and believes our schools are failing, he can petition our state representative(s)/governor asking for submission of a supplemental bill.
George W. Katsilometes, Pocatello
Red and blue
Democrats want to do away with the electoral college. Our Founders gave us the electoral college so the large states could not ride roughshod over the small states. But that is exactly what Democrats want.
In 2004 presidential election maps began to be drawn coloring states red or blue to show the majority vote — Republican or Democrat respectively. The map for the 2008 election indicates that the Republicans won the election handily (http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/ election/2008). However, the reverse is true
Even more dramatic is seeing voting colored by county as seen by scrolling down to the fourth map. Here red is extremely dominant.
In the 2016 election (http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/2016) 2,600 counties were red and 500 were blue. More than five times the number of counties voted Republican as voted Democrat. However, Clinton got the majority vote (65.8 million) to Trump’s (63 million). Because of the electoral college, Donald Trump was elected.
If the electoral college were eliminated, those of us in less populated states might as well not vote. In states with large metropolitan areas, people in the rural areas might as well not vote. That is the problem in California, Oregon, and Washington — the eastern areas feel left out.
Allen Marsh, Post Falls