Letters to the editor: Elections
Editor’s note: Below are a selection of letters to the editor concerning the upcoming election. Other election letters will be found at www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor.
Biden
For seven years (1993-2001), I was honored to serve as the U.S. Attorney for Idaho, the chief federal law enforcement officer in the state. I have watched with growing concern as President Trump has eroded our system of justice and politicized the Department of Justice for his own purposes.
I’m supporting Joe Biden because we need a president who will not threaten judicial independence but protect it. We need a president who will appoint an attorney general who understands that their client isn’t the president; it’s the United States.
We need a president who will not reward his political cronies with pardons and commutations, threaten – without reason – to prosecute political opponents, and interfere in legitimate law enforcement investigations.
We need a president who is committed to providing equal access to justice to all, and who, above all, honors the rule of law. Joe Biden will be that president.
Betty Richardson, Boise
Jordan
The national polls show Paulette Jordan with no chance in Idaho, and that’s an especially sad comment on Idaho’s reaction to the economic and political crisis. Sen. Jim Risch would have us believe he’s done great things for Idaho. He hasn’t. He’s done nothing that any ordinary Idahoan, Republican or Democrat, wouldn’t have done, except in his blind support for a trade war that inflicted such immense damage on our hard-working farmers they needed a government handout, and the tax cut, which will add over a trillion dollars to the national debt and enriched many corporations. As a senator he has silently remained at Trump’s side, an errand boy, not a senator. Paulette is a fresh voice, one that will have compassion, integrity and courage, qualities desperately needed and completely absent in Risch.
Bruce Smith, Ketchum
Soulliere
I firmly believe in the future of Idaho. This is precisely why I believe that Pat Soulliere is the right candidate to lead us to that potential. Yes, Idaho is seeing a surge of Americans making their homes here, but our response should not be to drive them away. Rather than building walls between us, Pat Soulliere wants to build bridges. Rather than throw taxpayer money away on road construction that will be redundant by the time of completion, Pat wants to build a transportation infrastructure that will benefit all in Meridian and Boise. With the current health crisis, Pat wants to make sure that every Idahoan has access to affordable health care, whereas his opponent is seeking to restrict access to health care. With leaders like Pat Soulliere, we can be a shining example of pride, progress, and patriotism.
Don Boles, Boise
Just
As a lover and a user of Idaho’s spectacular outdoors, I have long admired Rick Just, both for his good work at Parks and Recreation and his insightful writing about Idaho’s history and public lands.
Now Rick is running for the state Senate in District 15 in West Boise. I can recommend him to you without reservation.
There’s not much I can say about Rick’s opponent, because he doesn’t do much. Rick won’t be like that. He’ll work to meet your needs for quality education, property tax relief, affordable health care and the right to hunt, fish and recreate on our public lands.
Rick is a man of integrity. As a fifth-generation Idahoan on both sides, he has deep roots in family, community and public service. Go to electrickjust.com to learn about him and his many accomplishments. Consider Rick Just when you vote for the state Senate in District 15.
Jean McNeil, Boise
Hanson
I’m proudly endorsing Rebecca Hanson for Idaho State Legislature District 10A. I have known Becky for over 50 years and have always found her to be an honest, thoughtful, dedicated and passionate person. She has continuously been one who could bring sides together by listening, while clearly stating her opinion. I know that in a spirit of cooperation, Becky will work tirelessly to bring both sides to the table to make Idaho better. As a retired educator, I am particularly impressed with her commitment to fixing the many problems in our education system. We are currently near the very bottom in education funding. Rebecca comes from a family committed to quality education and was a music teacher for many years, so she knows well the needs of Idaho students and has a passion for improving their situation. She will also bring her tenacious spirit to work cooperatively across the aisle to improve our crumbling health care system and out-of-control property taxes. I am very excited and hopeful for the change we will see in the Idaho State Legislature if we elect Rebecca Y. Hanson for District 10A.
Christy Cooper, Caldwell