Watching the Democratic convention is a stark contrast to GOP vitriol, anger | Opinion

Convention

Watching Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on TV showed an extreme contrast to GOP rallies. The nation may not be doomed after all. How dare they not urge their audience to hate vulnerable members of society. How dare they want all Americans to be part of the American dream. Instead of a one-man oligarch leading the nation off a cliff to inevitable doom, there is an alternative choice of hope for America. You mean that we might be able to freely lead our lives without checking in with the leader of the Republican Party? In an age where the Republican Party has changed from free enterprise to a one-man autocracy, maybe it’s time to say no to the doom and gloom. Let’s all waltz to the White House with Harris and Walz.

Sidney Asker, Boise

Mussel folly

Two years ago, I brought an out-of-state boat into North Idaho. I stopped at an inspection station, and after the inspection, they said I should get an invasive species sticker for the boat. I went to a store and purchased the sticker. At the store, to my surprise, they did not ask for my inspection; they just wanted the money for the state of Idaho for the sticker. When I took the boat back to Montana, I had it inspected at an inspection site, but they don’t sell meaningless stickers. If this is Idaho’s safeguard against invasive species, we are all in trouble. Seems more interest in the money than the safeguards.

Dennis McDowell, Boise

Join or Die

In response to your column, “Can we save American democracy by simply joining a club?” we heartily say “Yes!”

In 1995, the City Club of Boise launched as a nonpartisan meeting place where citizens of diverse backgrounds and philosophies could further their understanding of local and worldwide issues. Since then, City Club leaders and members representing a cross-section of the community have shared hundreds of public policy forums.

Founder Dottie Stimpson understood that “nothing happens until people start talking…and listening.” She invited prospective members to “welcome the opportunity to hear outstanding speakers who both agree and disagree with your views; listen to a wide range of issues to broaden your exposure to contemporary problems; and look forward to meeting new people from a cross-section of our community.”

Dottie’s spirit and intent live on in today’s City Club forums and after-hours events. They bring people together around a table to share a meal, food for thought and conversation, and come to know each other as whole human beings, not single-issue cardboard cutouts.

We urge everyone to seek out and join organizations that will bring them face-to-face with a variety of the people who share their living and breathing space. Our democracy will be better off because of it.

Members of the Board of Directors of the City Club of Boise

Mike Simpson

I got this message from Congressman Mike Simpson: “Due to President Biden’s policies, we have witnessed a sharp rise in criminal activities which has left a detrimental impact on the safety and security of our communities. With the Liberals’ soft-on-crime and anti-police policies, crime rates in the United States have skyrocketed, putting the safety of American communities at risk and sending our country on a downward path.”

I immediately noticed that he didn’t bother to provide any statistics or any sources, just arm waving.

PolitiFact, citing the FBI and other sources stated: “Overall violent crime and homicides are down during Joe Biden’s presidency, according to official government measures through 2022 and a private-sector analysis of sampled data through 2023. Some types of property crime are also down, though motor vehicle theft notably rose. Experts caution that specific cities have experienced crime spikes even as the national numbers have generally fallen.”

Is Mike just getting lazy, or thinks we will accept anything that he says without any substantiation? Makes me feel like I’m being taken for granted as a voter.

Steven D. Simpson, Boise

Labrador

By suing to address changes in the rules of election, Raul Labrador puts himself squarely in conflict-of-interest situation regarding future campaigns for public office.

This conflict could readily be resolved by Labrador’s issuing the following statement:

“By pursuing the action I have initiated against the Idaho Secretary of State regarding the Proposition One initiative, I hereby state that I will not be a candidate for elective office in Idaho at any time in the future.”

James Eldon Wallace, Boise

Hawk program

I want to sincerely thank the folks at the Ada County Landfill for their hawk program to deal with aggressive seagulls. The article in Thursday’s edition was very illuminating. Most of those same seagulls showing up at the landfill resided at night in Joplin Pond, south of the landfill and the Boise river. Their daily flight path was right over our house and your article is correct that “they were definitely defecating all over” and even in flight. This certainly included on the solar panels on our roof, which I had to frequently clean to keep them functioning efficiently. In July I began to notice that the panels were really staying clean. And, now I know why.

Thanks again to the Ada County Landfill folks.

Sheldon Barker, Garden City

GOP

I’m an 83-year-old, retired Navy veteran and I’m disgusted!

I’m disgusted by the hypocritical actions of the GOP. Their candidates, from top to bottom, say they want to protect our ‘freedoms’ while denying women’s health care needs; minorities the right to vote; people’s right to learn the truths of our history; love who they wish; and, the GOP’s obsequious defense of a proven liar. Our representatives, state and federal, must speak for the majority of their constituents. Not be spineless sycophants for a convicted felon.

This November we have a clear choice of either moving forward or going backwards. This is a choice of being able to fulfill the promises of our Constitution or to lose our democratic republic. The divisive politics of pitting American against American must end. It must not be ‘Us’ against ‘Them’. It’s ‘We the people’ that make this country great.

But, politics is not a spectator sport. You don’t win any medals while you’re sitting in the stands. It requires participation. We must all work to preserve our democratic republic. Everyone needs to look at the issues and decide. It is the duty of every eligible citizen to get involved, be informed, register and VOTE!

Gilbert E Beyer, Sandpoint