Letters to the editor: Gov. Little, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Lt. Gov. McGeachin, pandemic, climate

Serve Idaho

Gov. Little would serve Idaho better if he would tour St. Luke’s and Saint Al’s hospitals, as opposed to visiting the U.S.-Mexico border. Gov. Little would serve Idaho better if he were to step up and lead Idaho out of the miasma of false information, lies and distortions surrounding COVID-19, the delta and mu variants and vaccination. Gov. Little would serve Idaho better if he were to lead, follow scientific truth or get out of the way.

Jean Lynn, Nampa

True freedom

What are we now, Texas? The Idaho legislature is considering a bill to penalize individuals, not agencies, for following federal mandates. Our lieutenant governor is pulling political stunts again by issuing executive orders when our governor is away. All this political posturing smacks of the Idaho Slavery Foundation, aka the Idaho Freedom Foundation, who wants to have us enslaved to the pandemic for as long as possible. Then they can tout their support of our personal “liberty” stated in the constitution at the expense of the “promote the general welfare” edict in the same constitution, which the IFF conveniently ignores. It would be so nice to have the liberty to shop and go to events without risking getting infected by something that is completely preventable. Aren’t you tired of people telling others that if they are afraid of catching the virus they should stay home? How is that freedom for all? People, please see the IFF for what they really are and how they want to control our lives. And vote out the politicians who are IFF puppets. Then we will truly have freedom.

Glenn McGeoch, Meridian

Scammers

Republicans stated missing workers were due to laziness and unemployment, so they cut off the money. Still no workers. Here’s a thought. The Trump Republicans, as usual, lied about the number of people who’ve died from COVID-19, to cover their desire to put money over American lives. Just like the inaccurate census, the number of workers who’ve died is probably wrong, as well.

More people have died in the U.S. during this pandemic than in the previous one. Why? Because of ignorance and greed. For those claiming masks don’t work or “I won’t wear one because I’m breathing carbon monoxide,” doctors and nurses wear masks all day long. Next time you need a procedure, tell your surgical team they won’t need masks.

Finally, the narcissism of Trump and Lt. Governor McGeachin will only lead this country to become a Mad Max civilization, where laws don’t matter. Like Trump’s attempted coup on Jan. 6, McGeachin tried to illegally seize power. Both violated their oath of office using propaganda to justify their actions for self-gain. They have never been about preserving your rights. Like scammers, everything they do is about them. In the end, they will only hurt you and this country.

Carrie Huskinson, Boise

Irresponsible behavior

After more than 700,000 dead Americans, Idaho ICU’s with less than 15% capacity left, hundreds of U.S. children admitted to hospitals every day, we are still ignoring COVID-19 and allowing irresponsible people who refuse to get vaccinated in order to make a political statement to destroy America. Life-saving surgeries are being cancelled for thousands of responsible people who have been vaccinated. Why are we admitting unvaccinated irresponsible people to our hospitals? Let them stay at home and reap the benefits of the Idaho Republican Trumpian way of life. We have to stop rewarding irresponsible behavior!

Kurt Smith, Boise

McGeachin

Congratulations, Idaho: You got what you wanted. Or at least I assume that Janice McGeachin is what you wanted, since you voted her into office. I personally am ashamed that she is in office in my home state. She is totally unsuited for governance. From her posing with the 3-percenters to her latest attempts to submarine Governor Little’s leadership, Ms. McGeachin has been an embarrassment to our state. Driving around with a gun and a bible does not meet my definition of being a patriot. And of course, even though she willfully and purposely violated state law by refusing to release information from meetings held at public expense, she now wants taxpayers to pay for her defense costs and fine. And if we don’t, she threatens to curtail constituent assistance by furloughing an office worker. I join Shannon Page in thinking that reduced communications with her constituency might be doing the rest of us a big favor. And further, I’m declaring right now that I’m in opposition to her candidacy for governor or any other state office. I’m a lifelong Idahoan and supporter of most freedoms, but the way Ms. McGeachin goes about things is definitely not the “Idaho Way.”

Curtis Stoddard, Eagle

Doctor needed

Paging Dr. Ahlquist, paging Dr. Ahlquist: Emergency in the Idaho Governor’s office. Please report for duty ASAP.

Gary E. Richardson, Boise

Climate strategy

Public attitudes are shifting rapidly on climate, with growing numbers of younger Republicans determined to address it. With severe heat and drought becoming the new norm in Idaho and throughout the West, this trend is only bound to accelerate.

Idahoans are rightly skeptical of climate policy because, all too often, it would burden our economy only to allow emissions to rise unchecked overseas. That’s why I hope to draw attention to a globally effective solution that has earned the backing of conservatives and major U.S. businesses: the Baker-Shultz Carbon Dividends Plan.

This plan is the brainchild of Reagan-era statesmen James Baker and the late George Shultz. Always alert to our national interests, they developed this solution because they knew the U.S. needed a proactive strategy on climate.

The plan’s genius lies in setting the market conditions for large-scale innovation at home that U.S. businesses can export to lower emissions overseas. The plan would charge imports for their emissions, ensuring that countries like China finally pay for their pollution. This would instantly give U.S. businesses credit in the marketplace for their far cleaner operations.

The Baker-Shultz Plan is a roadmap for how America wins on climate. It deserves Idahoans’ consideration.

Travis Thompson, Boise