Letters to the editor: Trump country, McGeachin, carbon tax, carpetbaggers
Trump country?
The recent flood of negative election ads is concerning, one in particular is disturbing. Bryan Smith claims that “Idaho is Trump Country.” Idahoans believe in honesty, fidelity, responsibility and transparency in government, not lying, cheating, bribing, ridiculing and self-aggrandizement. Idahoans believe in family and charity and self-reliance, and yes, we strive to be successful, but not at the cost of others’ success. At least I hope so. The Idahoans I know believe in these values. It saddens me to think that the rest of the country might think of us as Trump country and all the negative values that term conjures.
Linda Bowen, Eagle
McGeachin
The reasons I’m supporting Janice McGeachin to be the next governor of Idaho. I personally met our lieutenant governor and she told me that she took an oath, the kind of oath that many politicians have turned their backs on in the form of political correctness. The Constitution and laws have a purpose to keep things in balance, between justice for the people and have accountability for those in power.
The Covid has been a glorified sickness that’s affected Idaho’s economy. The Fake News continues to exaggerate the facts for ratings. Politicians throughout the country continue to politicize it, making mandates that force citizens to choose between the vaccine or forfeit their jobs and their family’s education. Lt. Gov. McGeachin has fought to lift the mandates for people to live their lives again. The economy and our way of life should not be decided by politicians, for they answer to the people.
Pandemics should be dealt with properly, not exploited for those who have authority. McGeachin stands for the people of Idaho and has fought back against the tide. It’s a rare thing in our time to fight progress when what’s right and wrong is being redefined by political rhetoric.
Eric Martin, Boise
Carbon tax
On April 25 I received the latest National Geographic Magazine sounding the alarm that climate change was already killing the world’s forests. However, that same day, your carbon tax editorial by Judy Peres gave me hope. A carbon tax is the fastest way to shift the world from fossil fuels to wind and solar energy. And, giving the funds back to people in dividends will erase the pain for consumers. Plus, creating a carbon border adjustment would force China, India and the rest of the world to follow suit. A carbon tax (now!) is the climate smart thing to do.
Don Kemper, Boise
Carpetbaggers
As a seventh-generation Idahoan, I am increasingly angry at the contemptuous tone from candidates who have recently arrived in Idaho to “fix” it. These candidates display a breathtaking ignorance of the respectful history of our state. I grew up admiring Cecil Andrus AND Phil Batt, Jim McClure AND Frank Church. As an Idaho Senate page in the 1970s, I learned how legislators comport themselves from the likes of Norma Dobler, Walter Yarborough, Israel Merrill, David Little, Edith Miller Klein, Mike Mitchell, Mark Ricks and Chick Bilyeu. Equally competent, dignified lawmakers who still exist in our legislature are now under siege.
My anger boiled over during a recent forum where transplant candidates said they “love Idaho” repeatedly as prelude to their screeds about how much it needs THEM to fix it. Whether I agree with incumbents or not, newcomers who actually disdain Idaho have no right to “serve” it. One word befits these mean-spirited opportunists: carpetbaggers. Newcomers who respect and invigorate our state richly deserve welcome. The others merit the same contempt the original carpetbaggers received.
Jean M. Henscheid, Star