Letters: The rental market in Boise and throughout Idaho is overrun with vampires
Aloha also means goodbye: Local property companies continue to bring greed into our community, taking advantage of a market drowning in a national housing crisis. As a mid-income, born and raised Idahoan, Boise State Alumni, I’m shocked at the lack of leadership in Idaho to stop the housing issues that resemble a nightmare reserved for a west coast, densely populated market. After trudging around two other states for four years, the housing issues returned me to Idaho seven years ago, to find it overrun with the same problems. To keep up with corporate buyouts, you’ve taken advantage of Idahoans, only to become a highly-priced market, welcoming out-of-state movers who can afford your inflated prices. As I exit the rental market in my 40s, after buying a home, my reflection on the struggle sinks my heart for the younger generation and my family. My recent departure from my Idaho-based apartment company saw an increase in the hundreds for rent, in addition to, irregular and unspecified fees. You’ve taken advantage while Idahoans suffer and out-of-state, wealthy immigrants, fill your pockets and change our state for the worse. You are part of the problem.
Taylor MacFarlane, Boise
Abandoning Ukraine
Republicans calling for cutting aid to Ukraine is not a surprising development. Trump called Putin’s invasion of Ukraine “genius” and described Putin as being “shrewd.” After Republicans take over our government, the aid will change to Russia. Why would the United States, a country that does not support democracy, send money to support a democracy in Europe? Our taxpayer dollars should go to Putin. A Russian victory over Ukraine will bring down gas prices and reduce inflation, just what Republicans are calling for. We will be able to stop illegal immigration of brown people and Illegal drugs by invading and annexing Mexico. If Putin can do it so can we. The annexation will eliminate all drugs and criminals from the United States. Our economy will be strong again and we will have one strong Republican government. Democracy will be dead and we will have a trifecta of strongmen ruling the world, Trump, Xi Jinping, and Putin. Life will be great without Democrats and democracy. Vote Republican, and we may never have to vote again.
Kurt Smith, Boise
The economy
People who are worried about the economy are going to vote Republican? Doesn’t history show that the Republican party has actually been a nightmare for the middle class and working class? The wage since 1980 for the average American has gone down dramatically while today’s real wages continue to nose dive as compared to the days before supply-side economics. CEOs and the one-percenters have made a killing in increased wealth while most Americans’ road to the poorhouse is accelerating under the “tax cuts for the rich” policies of the GOP. In 2008 the economic meltdown was caused by the deregulation policies of the GOP. It took several years for the whole impact to kick in. How do we know that today’s inflation isn’t being cause by the old GOP “snake oil salesmen” who concocted the “trickle-down economics” that was passed by the Trump administration? Senator Crapo along with congressmen Fulcher and Simpson will no doubt join the GOP leadership in proposing “tax cuts for the rich” which will continue to eliminate the middle class and help the one percent to control even more of the country. Was P.T. Barnum right? Will voters be suckered again?
Sidney Asker, Boise
Democracy or not?
With the upcoming midterms, the American electorate will decide the direction of the nation. Will we choose the anger, fear, hatred, lies and division as was exemplified in 2016 by selecting a Republican Party which has since morphed into a cult? Or will we instead choose a lighter, positive path for our future?
From all the polling, the darker path ostensibly seems more possible and to many, more attractive.
The two choices have much more to do with the moral fiber of our citizenry than the respective policies or platforms involved.
Facts, figures, even nuggets of the truth that are available to all those willing to seek the truth are insufficient to jar many out of their purposeful slumber.
Unfortunately, I submit that either we can’t handle the truth, or we simply choose to reject the truth.
Regardless, whatever we as a nation select, we will richly deserve the consequences: No rapture, maybe no revolution, but possibly no democracy either.
So be it. Watch this space.
James Franklin, Meridian
Get ready to pay
Idaho taxpayers better get ready to open up their wallets again. Members of the Legislature are preparing to introduce a bill that would outlaw public drag events. If such a bill were to pass and be signed by our Governor, be assured it will be challenged in court and be ruled unconstitutional. The right wing of the Idaho Republican Party has a long history of passing ill-advised legislation, defending it in court and losing. If history is an indication, in addition to losing, they (or rather taxpayers) may be ordered by the court to pay all legal fees. This type of litigation can quickly get into the millions of dollars.
Drag events do not interest me, so I don’t attend them. Perhaps our zealous elected officials could try that strategy and see how it works. Considering their judicial record of losses, I suspect some are slow learners, and will proceed anyway. A winning strategy for Idahoans would be to not elect such people this November.
Dale Merrell, Boise
‘Vote climate’
What does “vote climate” mean? These signs are appearing around our area: “Vote like Earth depends on it” and “There is no Planet B.” How do we respond?
Consider climate impacts at the local and state levels in the upcoming election. For example, the Idaho Legislature in its last session voted (H660) to forbid municipalities from passing stricter energy codes than state standards, and voted (S1254a) to remove vehicle emissions testing requirements in the Treasure Valley (which has the worst air quality in Idaho).
These laws barred local communities from taking positive action on climate. How did your incumbent candidates for the Idaho legislature vote on these issues? If elected, how will candidates vote on similar issues?
Political action at all levels is critical if we are to prevent the worst effects of climate change: it all begins with your vote.
Mary DuPree, Moscow