Letters to the editor: Political power, honest election, developing nations
Political power
When it seemed the current national election cycle couldn’t be more contentious, liberal icon Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died during the run-up to the presidential election. Both sides of the aisle have dusted off history books to help put forth the argument of whether it is appropriate for RBG’s replacement to be made prior to the upcoming election.
If Democrats controlled both the White House and Senate, as Republicans do currently, it is hard to conceive them not moving forward and confirming a nominee who met their desired criteria.
There is irony in the fact that the Warren Court was quite liberal during a more conservative period in our country while, assuming Amy Coney Barret is confirmed, the makeup of the current Supreme Court will be comparatively conservative during a period when some are attempting to take our nation radically far beyond traditional liberal positions.
For several decades America’s liberals have taken comfort that their goals would often be advanced by activist judges, even when a majority of voters were not convinced.
I hope and pray for a renewed appreciation for the values and principles our nation was founded upon and had endured under, and a return to civil discourse.
Joe Russell, Boise
Honest election
For years I’ve seen the people’s will thwarted by Idaho legislators. Now, I’m wondering if the people’s vote for president will actually be counted accurately. Since the president has said he wants to get rid of the ballots so he can remain president, I wonder if our Republican Secretary of State will throw out those votes he believes will be against this president. Will we have an honest election? Will the Constitution be upheld? Or will those votes by Democrats be discounted? Will we continue to be a democratic republic? Or will we end up with an autocratic leader with absolute power like Trump wants. Will there be any Republicans that still believe in country over party? Will there be any Republicans with the spine to stand up and say NO to this insane attempt to destroy what we have had for 244 years? There hasn’t been one Republican representative in the state of Idaho that has shown they have the love of country it takes to stand up against this threat, but it is my fervent hope that they will.
KC Cowen, Emmett
Developing nations
COVID 19 has touched everyone’s lives, but I would like to call attention to the impact of this pandemic on places where health and economic crises have the potential to kill millions. UNICEF estimates 10,000 children a month will starve to death due to COVID 19, as many developing nations lack the medical and financial resources to confront the pandemic.
A bill has been introduced into Congress which, if passed, would direct the International Monetary Fund to provide developing nations with billions in resources to buy the supplies they desperately need. Bill S. 4139, the Support for Global Financial Institution Pandemic Response Act, makes use of existing reserve assets, costs less to the U.S. and won’t add a penny to the national debt.
This bill also acts as a stimulus for the U.S. economy, as it would enable countries to buy American goods. Idaho’s two senators are uniquely suited to help pass this bill, with Sen. Jim Risch being the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and Sen. Mike Crapo being the chairman of the Banking Committee. I urge all Idahoans, especially Sens. Risch and Crapo, to support the passing of this bill so people in developing countries stop suffering needlessly.
Katie Kelshaw, Boise