Idaho voters must demand transparency to combat fossil fuel lobbying | Opinion

Fossil fuels

The world as we know it today was built on the back of burning fossil fuels. Unfortunately, this has come at a tremendous cost. Emissions from burning fossil fuels are rapidly warming our world at a rate that has never occurred in the history of our planet. Why do we continue to burn fossil fuels?

One primary reason is the tremendous control the fossil fuel industry has over our government. The industry spends approximately $250 million per year lobbying elected officials. The vast majority going to Republican officials and candidates. During the 2024 presidential campaign, oil interests gave over $75 million to Donald Trump-affiliated PACs.

This lobbying serves as a highly effective financial instrument, yielding unparalleled returns on investments by securing multibillion-dollar taxpayer subsidies, rolling back environmental regulations, and stalling clean energy competition. Furthermore, the federal government spends $20 billion to $35 billion annually on direct handouts, including special tax breaks and cheap drilling access on public lands.

We cannot expect meaningful climate action as long as our representatives are financially beholden to the industry driving this crisis. Voters must demand transparency and reject candidates who prioritize fossil fuel payouts over our planet’s future.

Ron Sadler, Boise

Redistricting

I don’t often praise Idaho’s political processes, but one instance is praiseworthy. Idaho does redistricting with a nonpartisan commission. It’s one of just nine states that redistrict congressional districts this way, and only one of ten that do it with state legislative districts. Of course, our current far-right legislature would love to revert to a partisan system.

With the idiocy going around to further politicize redistricting in red states at Trump’s behest, we need the U.S. House and Senate to vote to mandate Idaho’s nonpartisan system in all 50 states. Call Senators Crapo and Risch, and either Representative Simpson or Fulcher and urge their support for nonpartisan redistricting legislation.

Walt Thode, Boise

Bathroom ban

I read the update on the lawsuit over the bathroom ban. For the past month I followed Statesman headlines, and here are a few samples. “Man accused of assaulting girls at Roaring Springs, He took a plea deal.” “Predatory Behavior, Guilty of sex crimes, Boise man to be in prison for life.” “Former school bus driver agrees to plead guilty to child porn crimes.” “Nampa man held on $1M bond on accusations of enticing a child online.” “Sexual violence thrives in secrecy: Boise police seek victims of alleged rapist.” “Idaho man faces child sex abuse charges, held on $1M bond.” All the perpetrators were men, it can be assumed heterosexual and none of it happened in a bathroom. The bathroom ban is not about safety; it is about prejudice and discrimination. It needs to be repealed.

Julie Kravolec, Boise

Achilles

Most of us can agree that our country is in a deeply divided and damaging state. Leaders in Washington seem unable to solve the problems facing America, with the two-party system contributing to this dysfunction for decades. What we need are thoughtful leaders who can work together to improve our country and our lives, yet the actions of Congress rarely reflect that ideal. Is it possible to move beyond partisanship? Let’s try a different approach and bring in an outsider that is not beholden to any particular party and is allowed to think independently instead of following a party line. Idaho has the opportunity to help put our country back on a better path. Todd Achilles, an independent U.S. Senate candidate provides us this opportunity. He brings business experience, an agricultural background, and service as an Army veteran, all of which reflect his commitment to the country he loves. Achilles is stepping forward at a time when he sees the nation is struggling. Please look past party labels and focus on the person running for office. Visit Todd Achilles’ website to learn more, and consider what this choice could mean for you, for Idaho, and for the country.

Marji Bass, Garden City

Anti-weaponization fund

An open letter to Idaho’s congressional delegation.

Congress has a constitutional responsibility to protect taxpayer dollars and oversee federal spending. Under what authority has the executive branch created the so-called Anti-Weaponization fund? On what basis does it claim the right to unilaterally turn a lawsuit settlement into a massive, discretionary taxpayer-funded payout pool without explicit congressional approval? I know of none.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has made it clear that January 6th insurrectionists, including those who injured law enforcement officers and pooped on the floor in the capitol, are eligible to apply for these funds. This is insanity.

I urge you to support the Bipartisan Transparency for American Taxpayers Act. This legislation would prohibit federal funds from being used to pay any claims submitted to the Department of Justice’s newly announced Anti-Weaponization Fund. No one wants to see members of the Proud Boys and people who ransacked congressional offices (including that of Senator Risch) getting a big pay day.

Does any one of you not have the guts to speak out against this unlawful and shameful gambit? Or are you so cowed by Trump that you’ve lost not only your voice but your mettle?

Betty Richardson, Boise

Iran war

Since the Iran war started, average gas prices for unleaded in Boise are $4.65, Groceries have surged 29.4% so for your budgeted $150, you are probably seeing that you get a lot less. And yet wages stay the same. This, all because of one man’s ego and the unwillingness of our elected representatives in Congress to do or even say anything about it. Trump has currently grifted nearly $2 billion from us, the U.S. taxpayers and has increased his personal net worth to $4 billion and counting due to this war.

Ask yourself: If he has made that much, and people like Jim Risch and Mike Simpson are complicit and actually fully supportive of all policies, how much are these guys getting? If you are incensed like I am from this complicit “scam” of our democracy, call your delegates in Congress at (202) 224-3121. Ask them to give you a figure of how much money they are making off of this grift. Speak out! Rise up!

Alisa Rettschlag, Boise