Editorials
A BETTER PLAN FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM
As I traveled throughout Idaho last month, Idahoans overwhelmingly expressed their concerns over the further encroachment of the federal government into their everyday lives, particularly into something as personal as health care. They shared their distrust of a government plan and their worries about losing their existing coverage and not being able to keep their preferred doctor. Because health care is too big, too personal, and too important to rush or get wrong, many Idahoans would prefer th… Continue Reading
September 10, 2009
SINCE 1787
"Our Constitution is a document in which 'We the people' tell the government what it is allowed to do. 'We the people' are free." -Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address, 1989 September 17th is Constitution Day, marking the day in 1787 when the Constitution was signed. It is a very special, important day in American history, but, unfortunately, it usually passes with little notice. We rightly celebrate the Fourth of July with much fanfare and fireworks, but without the Constitution, we wouldn't hav… Continue Reading
September 03, 2009
EXERCISING OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS
Congress and the President are engaged in a spending spree accompanied by assertions of federal government control over the economy on a scale never before seen in America. This unbridled expansion of the federal government is happening at such breakneck speed that it is causing tremendous unease among the American populace. Many are deeply disturbed about where it might lead. Reactions have ranged from tea party rallies and protests throughout the year, to anger and outrage at town hall meeting… Continue Reading
August 26, 2009
TAX INCREASES COMING YOUR WAY?
President Obama has promised that anyone who makes under $250,000 a year will not see their taxes raised by a "single dime," and that 95 percent of working families will receive a tax cut. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently released its mid-session review, which projects a 2009 budget deficit nearly triple that of 2008 and larger than those of 2002 through 2007 combined. On top of this, trillions in new spending would be added by the proposed government takeover of health care an… Continue Reading
August 21, 2009
FAMILY VIOLENCE IN IDAHO
Last month, I wrote about the rise in the incidence of family violence during times of economic recession. A few days later, a young boy went missing in Boise. Since then, Idaho has learned more about this heartbreaking story, and now, his mother and her boyfriend have been charged with his death. This case is an example of how awful family violence can be and should give us motivation to do everything we can to prevent family violence in all of its forms. The alleged events of this case are s… Continue Reading
August 13, 2009
THE COST OF HEALTH CARE REFORM
Last month, I wrote about my opposition to the proposed takeover of health care by the federal government because of the reduced quality of care it will bring. Government-run health care means that Washington politicians and bureaucrats will make important health care decisions for you and your family. It will also bring rationed care, which means you may not get the care you need or want. This week, I want to focus on the high cost of allowing the government to take over American health care. … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
ENHANCING FLEXIBILITY FOR EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS
Once again, the summer has passed more quickly than many of us have realized and Idaho's students will soon be going back to school. School supply lists are out, many parents have already started their school shopping and many more will be rushing to do so in the remaining weeks before the first bell rings. Preparing for the upcoming school year is critical, but more important is to ensure that we have an education system that works for our varying states, regions, families and individual studen… Continue Reading
July 29, 2009
JUDICIAL ACTIVISM V. EQUAL JUSTICE BEFORE THE LAW
Recently, we had the opportunity to watch the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearings regarding Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. I had the opportunity to meet with her, and found her to be an enjoyable, personable individual. Judge Sotomayor has led a distinguished career and demonstrates one of the greatest things about America-the opportunity to become whatever you want with hard work and God-given abilities. However, after studying her positions and care… Continue Reading
July 22, 2009
AN UNSEEN ASPECT OF RECESSION
Everyone in Idaho - and throughout the country - somehow feels the effects of the current economic recession. Many individuals and families have dramatically reduced spending to make up for fewer work hours and smaller paychecks, while many others have been laid off or lost their jobs altogether. Unfortunately, another less-noticed side effect of an economic downturn is an increase in domestic violence. A recent Washington Post article highlighted the rise of domestic violence in Fairfax Count… Continue Reading
July 16, 2009
UNSUSTAINABLE
"Under current law, the federal budget is on an unsustainable path" -Congressional Budget Office, Long-Term Budget Outlook, June 2009 The federal budget is growing larger and increasingly hard to comprehend. We constantly hear differing numbers cited in different analyses and scenarios coming from many different sources. But few of us have the time to study this information and to place it into context. Most Americans are responsible citizens who work hard to support themselves and their fam… Continue Reading
July 09, 2009
UNIVERSAL WAITING LISTS
"Access to a waiting list is not access to health care" -Canadian Supreme Court, 2005 Each summer, many people eagerly await the release of the latest blockbuster movies. This summer, many are eagerly anticipating the debate over Congress's summer blockbuster: health care reform. The President and many in Congress are aggressively advocating the creation of a universal health care system and a new federal government insurance company that would ultimately run our health care system. Politi… Continue Reading
July 01, 2009
TAXING TIMES
There is an old adage: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This may be the case with a number of taxpayers who are now reaping a small benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, President Obama's economic stimulus package. The law included the Making Work Pay tax credit, which allows $400 for individuals and $800 for couples. The credit is also refundable, which means that if your tax liability is less than the amount of the credit, you receive a check from the… Continue Reading
June 24, 2009
INDEPENDENCE DAY
"There! His Majesty can now read my name without glasses. And he can double the reward on my head!" -Attributed to John Hancock upon signing the Declaration of Independence "Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people" -John Adams, 1765 July 4, 2009, is the 233rd birthday of this great country, an anniversary that marks our break with the tyrannical rule of King George III. July 4, 1776, marked for the world a break with the common course of human history-… Continue Reading
June 18, 2009
EXPANDING THE DIALOGUE WITH IDAHO
The Internet has brought members of Congress, and the people who elected them, closer than ever before. Since it is important that elected officials know what the people they represent want, this closing of the communications gap between Congress and its constituents is a positive development. In recent years, social networking sites such as Facebook have proven to be wildly popular, as well as quite diverse. It seems everybody these days is logging on to these sites, creating profiles and… Continue Reading
June 11, 2009
AN ENERGY POLICY THAT WORKS
Last year at this time, Americans were watching as the price of oil climbed above $120 a barrel. Four dollars a gallon gasoline was causing "pain at the pump," and Americans were pleading with Congress to craft a comprehensive national energy policy that would result in the creation of American jobs, ensure domestic security, and reduce emissions at the lowest cost to the consumer. Despite these calls to action, a year has passed, and we are no closer to an energy policy that will accomplish … Continue Reading
June 04, 2009
ONE LAST CHANCE?
In a speech to the Northwest Energy Coalition conference recently I said that the conjoined issues of energy, water and anadromous fish recovery in the Pacific Northwest will likely be resolved by a comprehensive regional collaboration. Such collaboration will be necessary to achieve regional consensus that generates broad enough public support for Congress to act and plans be funded and implemented. Based on experience with collaborations, the participants must have the courage to bring all opt… Continue Reading
May 28, 2009
IDAHO AGRICULTURE AND TRADE
We in Idaho understand the importance of agriculture to the state, but many of us don't understand the importance of trade to agriculture. Most of Idaho's agricultural products are exported to other states and approximately 20 percent are exported to other countries. According to statistics from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, if Idahoans had to consume all of Idaho's agricultural produce, each day we would all have to consume 52 potatoes, 240 slices of bread, 38 glasses of milk or 1.… Continue Reading
May 21, 2009
A DAY FOR REMEMBERING
When you go home Tell them for us and say For your tomorrow We gave our today -Message chiseled outside cemetery at Iwo Jima, from Flags of our Fathers, by James Bradley Memorial Day is one of our most meaningful holidays. It is a day for honoring and remembering those who have died in America's many b… Continue Reading
May 18, 2009
IDAHO'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
Idaho's Congressional delegation, even as it changes over the years, has a strong, bipartisan history of working together to address many of the important issues facing Idahoans. Just last week, the Idaho Congressional delegation was notified of our success in maintaining the United States Postal Service's (USPS) contract with Arnold Aviation, who delivers air mail from Cascade to residents in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. On March 24, the owners of Arnold Aviation, Ray and … Continue Reading
May 06, 2009
NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH
Throughout the year America does much to honor the service and sacrifice of our military members and their families. We observe many holidays including National Military Appreciation Month, Military Spouse Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, POW/MIA Recognition Day, Gold Star Mother's Day, National Military Family Month, and Veterans Day. But for all that we do to honor them, they have done and continue to do much more in service to us. For all that they and their families have sacrificed, past… Continue Reading
