VOTE: For Idaho to move forward

Earlier this year it became known that Idaho ranks 49th in per capita income, 48th in education state funding, and 49th in the highest percentage of minimum wage jobs. So what has Gov. Otter accomplished in his eight years? Nothing worthwhile.

Two years ago State Senator Steve Vick and State Rep. Barbieri co-sponsored SB1387, the bill that would force women who seek abortions to submit to an invasive vaginal ultrasound procedure. That bill made no exception for victims of rape or incest.

Barbieri, as chairman of a crisis pregnancy center in Coeur d’Alene, was quoted in the media that this did not concern him. Specifically, he said: “My perspective is that it’s a life. It does not matter how the baby was conceived.”

Outrageous. How could Vick and Barbieri sponsor as Republicans and by definition opponents to government regulations such an intrusion into the private lives of others? This is utter hypocrisy.

How can Idaho voters with common sense elect people with such medieval views ?

Vick and Barbieri also have extremist views on public education, guns on campuses, federal lands, etc.

They oppose an increase in minimum wage as well as federal help for expansion of Medicaid insurance even though this would insure many more Idahoans and would relieve local tax payers from having to cover medical expenses for the uninsured.

Hopefully this election is moving Idaho closer to the 21st century.

Unfortunately Steve Vick is unopposed, but we hope that Barbieri is replaced by Cheryl Stransky who is definitely the better candidate.

JUERGEN NOLTHENIUS

Coeur d’Alene