Editorials
SUCCESS FOR U.S. AGRICULTURE
For almost 75 years, the federal government has worked with U.S. agriculture producers to keep domestic food supplies robust and affordable, preserve food security and promote a globally-competitive commodity market. Major agriculture legislation occurred a few times every decade from the 1930s through the 1970s. In 1973, it took the form of an omnibus "farm bill." The 2007 Farm Bill is the latest iteration of this multi-program legislation that provides policymakers the opportunity to comprehen… Continue Reading
October 24, 2007
IDAHO'S WILD OUTDOORS
This time of year, many Idahoans take to the woods and fields to fill their elk, deer, bear, or mountain lion tags as well as hunting waterfowl and upland game. Whether bow or rifle hunting, Idahoans pack up gear, ammunition and supplies to spend time enjoying breathtaking natural resources with family and friends-the very reason why many choose to call Idaho home. Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway are just a few of the famous figures who have joined us locals hunting or fishing in Idaho… Continue Reading
October 17, 2007
TRUE THEN, TRUE TODAY
"The history of taxation shows that taxes which are inherently excessive are not paid. The high rates inevitably put pressure upon the taxpayer to withdraw his capital from productive business and invest it in tax-exempt securities or to find other lawful methods of avoiding the realization of taxable income. …capital is being diverted into channels which yield neither revenue to the Government nor profit to the people." -Andrew Mellon, Treasury Secretary for Presidents H… Continue Reading
October 10, 2007
OCTOBER: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month; the perfect time to highlight progress we've made and the rough road ahead in our march against domestic violence. We've come a long way in the past few decades concerning public discussions of domestic violence. Women, men and teens are joining community efforts to talk about domestic and dating abuse; slowly, but surely, reducing society's tolerance of these terrible crimes. Violence committed in homes against mothers, children, fathers, or in… Continue Reading
October 04, 2007
GROWING RETIREMENT SAVINGS
Did you know that nearly half (49%) of the half-a-million households in Idaho own at least one mutual fund? That is approximately $35 billion in mutual fund assets for those households. If you are in one of these households, you already know that current law requires you to pay annual capital gains taxes on these investments, even if you don't sell any shares and capital gains distributions are re-invested into fund shares? Even though you own a mutual fund that includes individual stocks, tax… Continue Reading
September 19, 2007
THE WILD BLUE YONDER
September 18 th marked 60 years of an independent United States Air Force. This independence was necessary then, and remains so now in order that, in the recent words of Major General Charles J. Dunlap, Jr., the United States has "one service that focuses on maximizing options for decision-makers by optimizing airpower." One hundred years ago in 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps established an aeronautical division to oversee "military ballooning, air machines and all kindred subjects." Fo… Continue Reading
September 12, 2007
HOMELAND VIGILANCE: AS IMPORTANT NOW AS SIX YEARS AGO
(from CNN transcripts, September 11, 2001) "This all began at about 8:48 this morning. Again, what we know in case you are just joining us, a small plane, not a Cessna-type or five or six seater, but instead, perhaps a passenger flight ran into the north side of the World Trade Center…" "perhaps some type of navigating system or some type of electronics would have put two planes into the World Trade Center within it looks like about 18 minutes of each other…" "Associated Press is rep… Continue Reading
September 05, 2007
WORKING TO KEEP AMERICA IN THE LEAD
For many, Labor Day is the final burst across the finish line of summer. We intend to take time over the summer to relax, but reality can instead resemble a race through June, July and August, our list of things to do (fun and inevitable summer projects), often keeping us busier than we are the rest of the year. Consequently, Labor Day becomes a needed last shot at summer recreation before fall routines begin. Labor Day is time away from work, but also helps us appreciate the fact that we have j… Continue Reading
August 29, 2007
OUR PROUD AMERICAN LEGACY
Remember that our nation's first great leaders were also our first great scholars. -John F. Kennedy And great scholars they were: Arguably the most educated of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson was studying Latin at age ten. In his middle teens, Jefferson also studied Greek language and the classics. He was involved in sports and music, learning to play the violin and becoming an accomplished equestrian before age 20. At 16, Jefferson enrolled in college and studied mathematics,… Continue Reading
August 01, 2007
THE AFTERMATH OF FIRE
First and foremost, I applaud the heroism and bravery of firefighters everywhere. These amazing individuals willingly risk life and limb to protect life, land and property. They deserve the highest commendation for their backbreaking efforts. There is something to be said for a bird's-eye view, especially from the helicopter in which I rode on July 30 over the Murphy Complex Fire. From horizon to horizon, mile after mile was burned black; charred remains of trees and bushes testaments to a pe… Continue Reading
July 25, 2007
IDAHO IS BURNING
Idaho is on fire from the Panhandle to the Nevada border, endangering property, wildlife, timber and people. As of July 25, 14 large wildland fires were burning in Idaho, encompassing more than 840,000 acres. Many have lost power; some have had property destroyed. To complicate matters, multiple federal agencies' resources are strained fighting fires of this number and magnitude. The stage has been set for many years for this catastrophe-the frustrating result of forest manage… Continue Reading
July 18, 2007
SUCCESS FOR MORE THAN JUST A FEW
A 67-year federal project came to a triumphant close in June. Our nation's majestic symbol, the Bald Eagle, was officially removed from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list of threatened and endangered species. While ESA protection has only been in place since 1973, the bald eagle has been federally protected since 1940. Today, the bald eagle has been restored to over 9,700 breeding pairs. This historic event happens at a time when Idaho is dealing with protection and propos… Continue Reading
July 11, 2007
CELEBRATING A PIONEER OF FLIGHT
Pioneers come in all shapes and sizes. Our ancestors went west to find a better life and, for many of them, particularly the earliest explorers, they were motivated by that simple human desire to see what was beyond the horizon. Their trek was often dangerous and many didn't make it but no matter what the odds, they kept trying and soon succeeded in blazing a trail to a new way of life. That's what all pioneers have in common. They are full of hope and daring; willing, alm… Continue Reading
July 06, 2007
MAKING IMMIGRATION LABOR POLICY WORK
While not everyone knows for certain the circumstances of their ancestors coming to this country, most can say with certainty that these brave men and women found an opportunity to make the promise of a better life a reality. And, like millions of immigrants before (and after), they shed former allegiances to countries of birth and became-very proudly-Americans. Most Americans share this common heritage: immigrant ancestors coming to this country and enthusia… Continue Reading
June 27, 2007
A LEGACY WE'LL ALWAYS PRIZE
"A sense of Idaho's past will help the present generation understand better the kind of state that evolved in recent years when the modern metropolis intersected with a hinterland rich in beauty and natural resources. It is the continuing juxtaposition of hinterland and trend-setting urban area that will likely shape the course of public debate into the twenty-first century." --Carlos A. Schwantes, in "In Mountain Shadows: A Histor… Continue Reading
June 20, 2007
ENVISIONING AMERICA'S ENERGY FUTURE
Energy is on our minds-with gasoline prices still high, "pain at the pump" is something we all relate to. Understandably, "it's complicated," is a frustrating response to questions about high fuel prices. Easy answers provide easy targets for our frustration, but simplify issues to the detriment of sound policy development. The long answer-where the truth is found-is not the stuff of soundbites. Energy production and consumption must be addressed on the supply… Continue Reading
June 12, 2007
ONLINE AND IN THE KNOW
"YT? TOY" "Hi" "Q. Can we MIRL? "IDK…" "RUOK? … I think ILU" "P911!" "OK…B4N" Even ten years ago, deciphering the language that children and teens used came down to figuring out what new words described old feelings, objects and situations. What was "cool" in the 70s, "rad" in the 80s, and "sweet" in the 90s is "phat" today. Now, with the widespread use … Continue Reading
June 11, 2007
NORTHWEST'S POWER IS STRONGEST WHEN UNITED
When it comes to electric power rates, Idaho and the entire Northwest are in an enviable position. Idaho had the lowest average power rates last year of any state in the entire country, and the Pacific Northwest had the lowest rates of any region in the country - due largely to low-cost hydroelectric power. It has been that way for quite a while. It is worth noticing that Idaho also emitted fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases per capita than any state, largely due to that same hydropower syste… Continue Reading
June 06, 2007
GLORY IN THE MAKING
On June 14, 1914, Franklin Lane, then Interior Secretary, delivered an address entitled "The Flag Maker," in honor of Flag Day. Lane relayed a "conversation" that he had with the American flag in his office that morning. Here are excerpts: 'I know you well. You are the man who worked in the swelter of yesterday, straightening out the tangle of that farmer's homestead in Idaho…or helped to clear that patent for a hopeful inventor in New York, or p… Continue Reading
May 30, 2007
AMERICAN COMPETITVE SPIRIT: ALIVE, BUT WELL?
"Market forces are already at work moving jobs to countries with less costly, often better educated, highly motivated work forces and more friendly tax policies."-"The Gathering Storm," 2006 National Academies Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy report to CongressWarning bells are sounding: â?¢ The U.S. share of global initial public offerings (IPO), where a company makes its IPO outside of its home country (a strong measure of the competitiveness of capital m… Continue Reading
