Letters to the editor: Economy, Gov. Little, Democrats
Relief bills
The government figures released today show the economy contracted 30% and unemployment went up again. These are just another set of facts in this reality of a global pandemic! I urge my elected officials to be an advocate to oppose the McConnell relief bill in favor of the House bill. The Senate bill is simply paltry to meet the urgent need created by this global pandemic!
We have to face the reality of the economic situation faced by millions of Americans and state and local governments. We need leaders who will not govern by the urgent needs of Americans right now in this global pandemic. I honestly don’t know how my friends and neighbors will be able to pay rent or buy groceries (much less any other bills) if they don’t maintain the $600 weekly supplement. What good does it do our economy to strong arm Republican ideals when that policy will prevent landlords, grocers, retailers, and city and state governments from getting payment or taxes on sales? We will face a worse crisis!
Please compromise for the sake of your constituents and this nation’s national social and economic stability and support the vote for the House plan!
Samuel Paden, Garden City
Gov. Little
Governor Little,
I don’t understand why your office is refusing to roll back Idaho’s reopening plan. Clearly with our numbers of cases and deaths we have a need for the Idaho people to roll back to phase 3 at minimum. At first I was so happy with how you were handling the outbreak and it seemed to have great success because you were following the advice from doctors. It shouldn’t be a political decision whether lives should be saved or not. I was extremely impressed at the beginning telling my friends and family you earned my vote for reelection. And then more recent events happened...Basically you caved to the opinions of the minority alt right and others. You changed the reopening of bars to phase 3 which was the main catastrophic event that has led to so many cases. Later, with the lunacy of the Lt. Governor, Ammon Bundy, and other conspiracy theory fanatics, you are unwilling now to roll back a phase. Please show me you deserve your office. When phase 4 began on June 13 we were at 46 new cases per day. Since July 2 we have not been below 300 new cases per day. Please don’t make our fair state a laughingstock because of a loud minority. Save us, your citizens.
Adam Bender, Boise
‘Socialists’
Enough already! Time to stop demonizing Democrats using the dreaded “S” word — Socialism. We Idaho Democrats are your neighbors. We exercise next to you at the gym, patronize your business, send our kids to school with yours. We want the same things in life — homes, jobs, education, health care, peace, a safe world. Originally, socialism was a concept that human society could and should be improved for the benefit of all members. It was the opposite of individualism — a selfish, every-man-for-himself.
The recently elected Republican Party Chairman, Tom Luna, dredged up the “S” word again aiming to unite the splintering Republican Party. Do Republicans really want all those outlying “individualists” who refuse to wear masks, think the virus is a hoax, distrust science, and bully elected officials with guns and loud voices? Idaho is and has been Republican-run. Yet Idaho continues last in the amount of money spent per pupil. One study labeled us the dumbest state. Our weekly average income ranks near bottom compared to other states. Perhaps the Republican Party needs an injection of socialism. We have a two-party system for good reason. Cut the name calling and start working together. We can do better.
Nadine York, Boise