WWJD when it comes to politics?

By TOM HASSLINGER

Staff writer

Nobody will accuse North Idaho's newest political group, United Conservative of North Idaho, of soft-soaping its true feelings.

At Monday night's inaugural meeting, several of the speakers colorfully described where they stood on political issues - it's on the conservative side, for those still wondering.

While familiar sounding stones echoed through the packed clubhouse in Rathdrum describing Democratic policies - "socialist, Marxist" - some speakers gave it a fresher tone.

Hyperbole?

Some may say yes, some may say no.

Rep. Vito Barbieri, of Dalton Gardens, has championed for nullifying the federal Health Care Reform Act in Idaho.

Monday, he described what he believed the ills would be if government became too involved in the medical profession.

Long story short, it would lead to too much debt, which mean medicine would have to be "rationed," which is the first step before government run "euthanasia," he said.

"The take over is happening," Barbieri said, calling it the ‘socialist agenda.' "Now we see it."

Chuck Reitz, Shoshone County Republicans Chair, told the crowd that conservatives should not compromise with moderates or Democrats when it comes to policy.

Policy is principal, he said, and you don't negotiate with what you believe is wrong.

While Conservative radio talk show personality Rush Limbaugh has been quoted saying the same thing, Reitz didn't use the former Monday Night Football talking head to illustrate his point.

Instead, he used the New Testament's central figure.

"Jesus didn't compromise,' Reitz said. "He was always straight, and he knew where to go."

Political talk, on both sides of the fence, tends to turn toward the eye-popping.

But it does beg a two-pronged question for readers: Are the comparisons astute political observations, or over-the-top gunk?

And for the biblically-versed, can you point to a story where Jesus did compromise?