Here’s why I attended the No Kings rally in Boise | Opinion

No Kings

I attended the “No Kings” protest on Oct. 18 to stand in defense of the principles our nation was founded on 250 years ago. The Founding Fathers created the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to preserve liberty, accountability and separation of powers — principles I believe are being undermined by the current administration.

The executive branch increasingly acts without legislative oversight, issuing executive orders as if they were laws, withholding approved funds and consulting only loyal members of Congress. Even more alarming is the use of military and federal resources against American citizens. Such actions are unconstitutional and un-American, threatening the freedoms our military exists to protect.

Efforts to weaken independent agencies, limit due process and dismantle vital institutions like the Department of Education, EPA, and public health programs further endanger our nation’s wellbeing.

I attended peacefully, out of duty to my family and my country. No one, not even a president, should be above the law. When democracy, liberty, and justice are at risk, it is the responsibility of every American to speak out.

A daughter, sister, wife, mother of six, and a proud Air Force mom and grandmother,

Kanesha Frederickson, Caldwell

Enforcing laws

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, 1776)

The biblical mandate to government authorities is to protect it citizens (Romans 13:1-7). When the government does this, by enforcing the laws of the land, these unalienable rights given by God are within reach for everyone. When they don’t, they aren’t.

So, when government enforces immigration law, arrests and prosecutes child sex rings, protects the unborn and the most vulnerable among us, restricts the flow of drugs into the country, arrests and prosecutes violent criminals, reduces crime in major cities and resists those who promote weakening the consequences to lawbreakers, government is doing their God-given responsibility in upholding the unalienable rights given by God of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for the vast majority of Americans. This is true for any government, no matter the party, who does the same.

Mike Moran, Meridian

Gov. Little

During Governor Brad Little’s recent “productive and patriotic visit” with the President, did he address the government shutdown; the need for Congress to restore vital healthcare provisions to Idahoans under the ACA?

Did he ask the president to do the right thing by ensuring that families have the food they need to survive by backstopping the SNAP program here in Idaho?

Did he speak up for Idaho’s farmers and ranchers who are being ignored in favor of funding Argentina’s economy, supporting their beef and soybean sales at the expense of our farmers and ranchers?

Did he urge the President to reconsider his chaotic tariff policies, which are damaging all aspects of Idaho’s economy and relationships with our allies?

Did he question the harsh treatment of immigrants who put food on our tables, work on our farms and ranches, serve in the hospitality industry, pay taxes, and otherwise contribute to the high standard of living so many of us enjoy here in Idaho?

The people of Idaho are waiting and longing for our Governor to step forward and lead by speaking the truth to power. That would be the “patriotic” thing to do.

Victor Doughty, Nampa

Not conservative anymore

Republicans don’t get to call themselves “conservative” anymore. I imagine our formerly esteemed congressional representatives will take umbrage at this statement but their lack of objection and full acquiescence to the destruction of democracy by the current republican administration is more than enough to demonstrate where their true allegiance resides.

The current administration, led by President Trump, Russ Vought, and other adherents of the ideology of Project 2025 (including the Supreme Court majority) is focused not on a revolution of American government but the destruction and replacement of constitutional democracy with a system dominated by a “unitary executive.” Unitary Executive is a euphemistic term for “Autocratic Dictator.” Trump is busy demonstrating what this looks like in real time.

These people are in a hurry to remake our government in their ideological image because they know that they do not have the support of a majority of the American people. But they regard themselves as the founders of a new way of life in our country and think of themselves as “pioneers” rather than the destroyers that they are.

Brian Goller, Boise

Young Republicans

Idaho’s Young Republicans boldly spoke out against the appalling behavior revealed in the leaked national Young Republican chat group. At a moment when too many remain silent, they stood up and said what needed to be said: Racism, hate and cruelty have no place in public life.

Their statement was strong, direct and deeply needed. They called the racist remarks found in over 2,900 pages of messages “vile, hateful, and frankly, un-American,” and reminded us all that real leadership is rooted in service, respect and accountability — values that strengthen our democracy and transcend party lines.

They showed us all what integrity looks like. And while these young people displayed tremendous courage, as of this writing, our state and federal leaders remain silent.

Speaking up for decency isn’t partisan — it’s patriotic. Idaho deserves leaders as brave and principled as the young people who just led by example.

Georgia Smith, Boise

‘Rubberstamp’ Russ

I write today to commend the awe-inspiring leadership of our very own Rep. Russ “Rubberstamp” Fulcher, a man so steadfast, so loyal, so perfectly obedient to his wealthy overlords that representing the people of Idaho has become an inconvenience.

We must also celebrate his tireless work to keep the Epstein files safely tucked away. After all, transparency is terribly overrated when the powerful might be inconvenienced—another fine example of “representation.”

On tariffs, that pesky hidden tax Americans actually pay, Rep. Fulcher’s silence is endorsement.

And who could forget his enthusiastic support for that “Big Beautiful Bill,” legislation so generous to the wealthy it might as well have been titled The Oligarch Relief Act of 2025. But fear not, ole Rubberstamp knows more trickle-down economics is exactly what working families need as inflation rises and health care costs soar. When he’s not at work “representing” us in Washington (like he hasn’t been for the past five weeks), he’s surely been holding town halls to hear our concerns. Oh, wait — never mind.

Thank you, Rep. Fulcher, for your unwavering service to your true constituents: the rich, the powerful and the perpetually aggrieved.

Ron Nichols, Meridian