POLITICS: Why Malek is admired

Kudos to Mike Patrick and his editorial staff in reference to the editorial in The Press on March 1. The question was: Is it that legislators who don’t take a hard line, fist-clenching, spittle-spewing stance on one emotional issue deserve zero support from their party?

If you want to disagree with freshman Rep. Luke Malek on the health care exchange or any other issue, first, don’t demonize him or any of the other freshmen because they dared to think independently and offer a way for Idaho to move forward with an unsavory mandate. Difference over policy is a good thing, but anger is no substitute for debate.

A lot of representatives in North Idaho disagree with some of the most important issues of our party but don’t even recognize the party they once embraced. Disagree but remember that elected officials like Luke Malek are what we need more of, not less.

Please study both sides of the issue before you draw any conclusions and once again let us unite.

Luke Malek is one of my heroes in the legislature, not because I agree with everything he says, but because he dares to stand up and say what he believes.

BETTY ANN HENDERSON

Post Falls