I’ve seen 14 presidencies. This is the weakest Congress yet | Opinion

Never thought Congress would be so passive

I’m more disillusioned with the state of our country over these last four months than ever before in my life.

I’ve been alive through 14 presidencies; of these, I have memories of thirteen. I was taught that the three branches of our constitutional republic were designed as checks and balances so that no branch is more powerful than the other. Today, I see our legislative branch not doing its job. I see it ignoring its responsibility.

Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, Reps. Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson, where are you? You have no town halls. You do not respond to your constituents. You appear to be hiding. Are you embarrassed because of your actions? If not, you should be.

From now on, I expect you to do the job that the people of Idaho elected you to do.

When the president issues an unconstitutional executive order, I expect you to call him out on it.

When the president deports people without due process, I expect you to call him out on it.

When the president defies a court order, I expect you to call him out on it.

I want Congress to do its job. If not, then midterms are coming.

Guyle Carver, Boise

Private equity vital

Private equity plays a significant role in driving Idaho’s economy, contributing to growth, innovation and job creation. Between 2020 and 2024, nearly $2 billion was invested in the state, directly supporting over 61,000 jobs and adding approximately $8 billion to the local economy. These investments support livelihoods, provide stability and foster the potential for a prosperous future.

Idaho, however, is currently facing challenges that could impact this economic success. Proposed tax increases on carried interest out of Washington, D.C., could deter investments, limit vital funding for small business expansion and hamper the growth of Idaho’s 87 private equity-backed companies that operate across various essential sectors.

These private equity-backed businesses are integral to the community, offering stable employment and financial security to thousands of families in Idaho. Increasing taxes at this pivotal time could jeopardize these companies, potentially leading to an economic slowdown and diminished prospects for future generations.

To maintain its economic momentum, Idaho must consider the implications of tax increases on investments. Congress must support policies that promote continued investment and economic growth. Ultimately, policymakers need to evaluate whether risking Idaho’s economic future is a viable option.

Brad Christensen, Boise

Lawmakers killing education in Idaho

Now, taxpayer dollars will be spent in Idaho courts to prove that vouchers for the rich and religious are not unconstitutional. Public school classes may be held in Quonset huts with mold. The Women’s Center at Boise State is gone, but the Boise football coach just got a new contract for two million dollars a year. Legislators again prove they really have their educational priorities straight.

Sheila Robbins, Boise

Science being undermined

As a retired research scientist, I am gravely concerned with President Trump’s proposed deep cuts to federal science budgets. Every American should also be.

About 25% of US economic growth since World War II stems from basic research supported by the federal government. Current estimates are that the return on investment for basic research is five-to-one. Government-funded research has consistently enjoyed bipartisan Congressional support and established the strongest economy in the world.

Indeed, there is not a single thread in the fabric of our daily life that has not benefited from science investments. These expenditures also support the education of college and graduate students and thus have produced a STEM workforce that is the envy of the world.

Trump proposes these cuts while our major economic competitor, China, is substantially increasing its basic research investments in science and its STEM workforce. These cuts will have profound negative effects on our national security, global competitiveness and socioeconomic welfare, and they will contribute to and not resolve federal deficits. Make no mistake about it, a decrease in federal research spending will not make America great again.

Crapo, Risch, Simpson and Fulcher know these facts. Why do they remain silent on these cuts?

Thomas Weingartner, Boise

No more rule of law

In the past few weeks, hundreds of people have been arrested, detained and sent to prisons in El Salvador and who knows where. These people have not received due process to defend themselves against accusations, most of which are not based on fact.

This is abduction or kidnapping, not deportation.

Deportation implies that legal due process has been applied to the cases. Not only is it illegal, under our laws as set forth in the U.S. Constitution, but it violates human rights as stated in Articles 9 and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was unanimously adopted by the United Nations in 1948.:“No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.”

Everyone charged with any violation of law is entitled equally to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial court.

William Brudenell, Boise

Let the Pride flag fly

The Pride flag displayed in Boise is not the problem. The Idaho law prohibiting its display is the problem, together with the attitude behind that law, which refuses to recognize the rights of the people the flag represents. House Bill 96 permits “governmental entities” to display only “official flags,” and the Pride flag certainly is not an “official flag.” However, the POW/MIA flag is not an “official flag” either, yet the bill includes it in the list of permitted flags, consistent with the Idaho Code, section 67-2303, which permits display of that flag “on any day when the United States flag is displayed.” This looks like a deliberate double standard. Neither flag is “official” in any sense. Both represent particular groups of Americans. Yet the flag representing one group is included, while the one representing the other group is excluded, and therefore prohibited by default. In other words, in the land of the free and the home of the brave, some Americans, like their flags, are permitted, but others are not. Some Americans are endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Others are not. Is such intolerance who we truly are?

Charles Yates, Caldwell