Rep. Heather Scott made fools of her allies on the flag bill | Opinion

Pride flag bill ridiculous

State Rep. Heather Scott, sponsor of HB 96, sure made of fool out of herself and dragged fellow Republican legislators as well as Gov. Brad Little along with her. Scott’s thinly disguised attempt to ban gay pride flags by listing all the flags that are acceptable was sure to miss many acceptable flags.

As the May 11 Idaho Statesman editorial so aptly put it, “Isn’t it odd that the party speaking the words ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ every chance it gets, also passes so many bills telling everyone what they are not allowed to do?” Here’s a thought: Everyone is, or should be, welcome here and has something of value to contribute to Idaho.

Three cheers for Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and the town of Bonners Ferry.

Noel Schoneman, Star

Ethics aren’t hard

As a federal employee, I had annual ethics training and knew I was prohibited from accepting any gifts, even a bag of potatoes from the local farmer. President Donald Trump is ready to accept a gift of a $400 airplane from Qatar which is apparently OK with the AG who was paid by Qatar in a previous position. Trump would be able to use this airplane long after his term expires. Who should be terminated — the federal employee who follows the ethics rules or Donald Trump who makes his own rules and is supported by his “what’s in it for me” Cabinet?

Pam Johansen, Meridian

Education cuts hurt kids

What are the consequences for a society when local/national governments flagrantly cut or significantly reduce funding for higher and children’s education? The complexities of today’s society demand this most vital investment: educating our children, beginning with early childhood learning, and ardently supporting the challenging work of teachers and parents to fulfill this most essential objective.

Learning is not limited to just the classroom. Such educational media programming as PBS and NPR provides a vast opportunity to learn for parents and children alike. Yet, we have supposed government representatives of the people — GOP legislators serving as President Trump’s lap dogs, shamefully failing to oppose his devastating proposal to abolish the U.S. Department of Education and STEM programming. Delegating such a crucial responsibility to individual states deliberately undermines our nationally “unified” educational institution that should meet the needs of all children in all 50 states.

Though I am not a parent, as a retired teacher and children’s librarian, I believe that quality education is contingent upon dedicated/well well-prepared educators. The responsibility of “principled” elected officials is to fervently fund/support a nationally unified educational system for the benefit of us all.

Susan L. Price, Boise

Thanks, Rep. Simpson

I’d like to publicly support our Congressman Mike Simpson’s recent remarks about the impoundment of federal funds by the president.

As a former fifth-grade teacher, I taught young people about the balance of power established by the framers of our Constitution. That balance has sustained us well (if not perfectly) for 250 years.

I have honest disagreements with Rep. Simpson about many policies, but I have great respect for his leadership on this issue. Congress has the power of the purse and must use it to maintain the balance among the executive, judicial and legislative branches. Each branch has its responsibilities, which, when enacted responsibly, help us maintain a government that represents Idahoans and Americans.

I am grateful for Congressman Simpson’s remarks about the balance of power in our great country.

Deb Eisinger, Boise

Congress playing stupid games

The House just passed a bill, declaring the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of America. It is now headed to the Senate. The economy is in shambles. We have an incompetent Secretary of Health, wasting time on stigmatizing autism, instead of the deadly measles outbreak spreading through our country. The Secretary of Defense is using insecure methods, and including individuals without the proper security clearances, to send confidential military information. Climate change is threatening the future of our planet, while the current administration guts any protective measures taken by the former President. Immigrants, whether illegal or not, are being deported, without due process, ignoring a court order. An executive order was just signed canceling funding to NPR and PBS because they don’t only include programs favorable to the current administration. Is the name of a body of water really what you think concerns every day Americans today? Please vote against this bill, and then get to work fixing all of the above issues, and any others that I may have missed!

Michal Voloshen, Boise

Tax the rich

How about a little history lesson: How long have we had trickle-down economics? Forty-five years.

Now, are you seeing any manufacturing jobs in your country? Nothing? Consider this: The job of a CEO is to maximize profits, now you don’t do that when you hire Americans to do a job that can be done by someone from India, China or Vietnam. And they will do it for one-tenth of the wages you have to pay the American worker.

Now, the non-economist Trump has decided that trickle-down is the way to go. Even though it has been a failure for the last 45 years. What is worse is those Republicans that you voted into office are all for this trickle down, knowing full well it won’t add one job to the American economy. But since they don’t care a bit about you and your family.

Now, I would suggest that we change the tax laws and all income over one million is taxed at 90%. Now, we can use that money to get the Corps of Engineers to design and build a factory that can make some of items coming from China and the rich will subsidize the company.

Jerry Johnson, Payette