Musk thinks Germany should forget the sins of Nazism? Maybe so he can reenact them | Opinion
President Musk’s words on Nazism
I’m seeing shades of Adolf. The de facto president (Elon Musk) addressed a far-right group in Germany and told them to get past the Nazi problem. Did he mean forget about that time or deny it happened or it wasn’t as bad as perceived or as what? Look what Trump/Musk and devotees have unleashed. Trump in his complete forgiveness to all the insurrection/riot idiots created the immediate comparison of Nazi Brown Shirts, subsequent SS Troops, the Gestapo. Previously we all said it mustn’t happen again, but it certainly seems that it is happening. Why?
Janette McFarland, Fruitland
Protect Medicaid expansion
Before I went to college and during college, I couldn’t afford medical insurance. Sometimes, I’d get sick and just brave it out. This wasn’t pretty when I had an ear infection or bronchitis. It surprised me that if I needed a doctor’s office visit, I would pay more out of pocket than adjusted rates paid by insurance companies. Then later on when I got a good job and could afford medical insurance, my health insurance was free — a benefit included with this well-paying job. This all seems backwards to me. I would like to see all Idahoans have medical insurance. To be treated with dignity no matter who they are or their circumstances. We all deserve to have quality healthcare. Legislators, please don’t repeal or add restrictions to Medicaid expansion.
April Frederick, Boise
Trump is worse this time
The foundation beneath our feet is shaken by the arrogant, constantly repeated MAGA continuing big lies, the daily unchecked power of executive orders that silence agencies, the firing of inspector generals that safeguard power that is misused and the narrow confirmation of a totally unqualified Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense.
We are witnessing the disruption of millions of migrant lives waiting for asylum without discretion as they are hunted in fields, schools, workplaces, and churches. Wielding his now presidential signature to suspend membership to world organizations Trump has silenced the CDC and canceled cancer research, pardoned violent hoodlums that killed capital police officers with blatant disrespect for the rule of law. We the people of this nation shudder and dread what is coming.
And still, his bloated ego bad-mouths a prayer for mercy at the National Cathedral by Archbishop Budde and threatens other countries with the extortion of tariffs if they do not cave to his whims. This all in one week. This singular dismantling of our government as we know it. This testing the rule of law. These threats that create chaos, discord and further division. This toxic disregard for the 14th Amendment that ensures birthright citizenship for children born in the United States. This narcissistic grab of unchecked power planned by the unelected personnel that created Project 2025.
Is he making America great again or putting into play motions that will serve the wealthy and extend power to a few on the backs of the working many? Unacceptable! Intolerable! Resist! Regroup! Reclaim! Disobey! Do not give up hope!
Joye Lisk, Eagle
Cutting Medicaid will hurt Idahoans
A young wife and mom, married with two children, became seriously ill. She was admitted to a local hospital, but her infection worsened to the acute respiratory distress syndrome stage. She was transferred to Kootenai Hospital in Coeur d’Alene. After weeks of treatment, she recovered enough to return home. Medicaid expansion covered her treatments and the family did not walk away with a medical debt of six digits.
In 2018, the Medicaid Expansion Initiative passed with 61% of Idaho voters and a majority of voters in 35 counties. In a more recent survey (2023), 73% of Idaho voters opposed repealing Medicaid expansion.
Rep. Vander Woude introduced House Bill 58 to repeal Medicaid expansion. Should HB58 pass, 90,062 Idahoans will lose their access to affordable health care. These folks will find themselves in medical bankruptcy and requesting “Go Fund Me” help. Idaho clinics and hospitals will be forced to cut back on services with the possibility of closures. Finally, Idaho will lose $1.1B in medical funding.
I am asking you to personally email CRasor@house.idaho.gov, JRedman@house.idaho.gov and LMcCann@house.idaho.gov stating your support for Medicaid expansion. All Idahoans should have access to healthcare.
Vickie Fadness, Lewiston
Immigration reinvigorates Christianity
It is a well-documented fact that the church in the US has been shrinking for decades. At the same time, Christianity worldwide is growing. There is a strength and excitement in the Christian church in places like Africa, Asia, and South America that is largely lacking here. Ironically, our new president, and many of those who support him, want to prevent the best hope for transforming the American church: immigration.
There is a lot of talk about halting illegal immigration, but even legal immigration is being curtailed, to our detriment. If the US were to allow more legal immigration, the odds are very good it would be a boon to the church in the US, not just by turning around the shrinking trend, but by enriching our culturally-informed (tainted?) theology and practice. Let them come!
Josiah W. Crow, Boise
Character matters in presidents
When entering the US Naval Academy, Jimmy Carter took the following oath: “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.” I believe he conducted his personal and political life by those principles throughout his lifetime and distinguished himself as a man of unquestionable honesty, character and integrity, values befitting what we should expect of our president and commander and chief.
Contrast that to the convicted felon currently occupying of the White House, who can’t open his mouth and utter a single sentence nor make a decision in his political or personal life that doesn’t violate at least one if not all these simple-to-understand principles.
Add to that the majority of our federal and state elected officials, including our very own governor, the courts, incoming cabinet members and seemly his voters who continue to tolerate his disgusting behavior.
We are defiantly headed down the wrong path to “Keeping America Great.”
Emory Jacobs, Caldwell
This story was originally published February 2, 2025 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Musk thinks Germany should forget the sins of Nazism? Maybe so he can reenact them | Opinion."