VOTE: GOP has tried - and failed

How many residents of this great state are feeling at least slightly cheated by the management of state government? Doesn’t it seem odd? With all that we have going for us — awesome open country, beautiful scenery, clean water and relatively low cost of living — yet we are still unable to attract business that will pay higher wages and benefits? What effort has the government made to make Idaho, not just Ada and Boise, business friendly?

What’s with the race to the bottom in our public school system? State funding for education has dropped precipitously since Butch Otter took office. School districts are forced to increase levies which are driving property taxes up, and legislators like Barbieri call public education Godless? Jobs and sustainable business development depend on quality and access to education. Throw in deteriorating infrastructure, limited transportation, a disproportionate number of Idaho residents living on $7.25 per hour, plus no cohesive state economic development strategy; now you have a recipe for failure. Sure the legislature runs surpluses, then divvies the spoils out to old boy businesses.

It can’t be all bad in state government, can it? We are proud of our broad-minded legislators, aren’t we? Barbieri, Vick, Medive, Nonini and Sims for example. After all, they brought us firearms in schools, cost taxpayers millions discriminating against American citizens and are eager to waste millions more to challenge the US government’s role in managing our National Forests. For what, so they can sell our lands off to the highest bidders? Your heritage, your hunting rights and your favorite fishing hole, sold for timberland, minerals, big corporation dumping grounds, or just exclusive retreats for the uber rich and more low paying seasonal service jobs. Isn’t it time to wipe some of the red out of the state on Nov. 4?

REID HARLOCKER

Hayden