IDAHO: Leaders talk, listen

When I first visited Coeur d’Alene about six years ago, I found the area to be beautiful. After moving here I learned some of the history of the area.

As an outsider I came to see Idaho as a very independent place. People I met saw themselves as individuals with common sense. The attitude was if there is a problem, we can come together and solve it. We can meet, discuss, argue and reach a conclusion we may not all like, but we can make it work.

Now the newspapers are filled with stories of senators and representatives all across the country avoiding town hall type meetings. When people speak out at any such meetings our elected leaders don’t want to talk, only to give back the same old answers which don’t answer anything. I read earlier that even our Idaho senators and representatives are avoiding meeting with constituents.

The best solution is to listen, talk, argue and work to convince each other of the best solution. Name calling or labeling people as not worthy of such meetings is cowardly. We need some discussions, some back and forth and common sense. I believe that the people in Idaho expect some listening and some answers. Hiding behind the “party line” is not acceptable. If our elected leaders can’t or won’t sit down and meet with us, then they are not the leaders that Idaho expects and deserves.

PHIL WARD

Coeur d’Alene