Malek: On the right side of the fight

I am so grateful for Rep. Luke Malek's position and advocacy for both bills pertaining to child support. He acted with reason and responsibility as a public official engaged in the business of governing in the interests of the citizens of Idaho. It seems at times that we now live in the "Wild West."

He is a man of the people. He understands the roles of federal and state government. His child support decisions were based on what is best for the people of Idaho, even if it meant cooperating with the federal government on matters such as child support.

As an attorney, he did his own due diligence and understands due process and federal responsibility for treaties. He relied on the expertise of the Attorney General's Office to fulfill its role in advising elected officials and state agencies on the legislation as it relates to the Constitution and due process. He is an adamant proponent of parental responsibility and proper care of children.

There are 97 international child support cases in Idaho. There are approximately 112,000 Idaho children dependent on child support who are state cases (not international cases). Malek knows the value of the federal tools and what was at stake not in federal money but in the lives of children and families. AND HE SPOKE UP with clarity and strength about what was right in the face of strong opposition from his fellow House members in North Idaho and the "group think" of the Idaho Freedom Foundation.

I respect the legislative process. I respect "due diligence" efforts to make sure we make good decisions. No system is perfect. I totally understand that various legislators have differing opinions on matters of legislation.

What I cannot reconcile is that given: 1) What was at stake for Idaho children; 2) The amendments that were added to provide extra assurances about due process through a special session at taxpayer expense; and 3) The effectiveness of the current child support system, that Representatives Barbieri, Cheatham, Sims, McMillan, Mendive and Scott and Senator Nuxoll and Brent Regan (for Senator Steve Vick) chose to vote "no" in opposition to the HB 1. I don't understand how ideology trumps the practicalities of governing in a civilized society.

To be honest, if the Idaho Freedom Foundation wanted to pick a fight about federal overreach, they really picked the wrong issue. The fight for the sake of a fight with the feds just made no sense, especially with an issue involving parental responsibility for their children.

M.A. Britton is a citizen of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and the good ol' USA.