OPINION: KCRCC Q&A

There have been a lot of questions concerning the post-election organizing of the KCRCC. I would like to provide some answers with firsthand information.

KCRCC gives half its cash to Idaho GOP

Committee chair, other officers to be selected Thursday

In an unprecedented move, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee voted over the weekend to give half its funds, totaling about $64,000, to the Idaho State Republican Party, days before newly elected precinct committeemen are scheduled to vote on new leadership.

OPINION: A critical decision

As a Kootenai County Republican, you face a critical decision that will have a lasting impact on our county. John Padula is running for Kootenai County commissioner for the second time. Padula has openly acknowledged a troubled past: expelled from school in seventh grade for selling drugs, 17 years of addiction, six years in prison (including one escape attempt) and a pre-conversion claim of sexual relations with over 1,000 women. In 2024 the Kootenai County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge No. 43 placed him on its “Wall of Shame,” calling his background “disqualifying for public office” and stating he lacked the education and experience to manage a $140+ million county budget. The lodge said it “could not support him under any circumstances” and spent resources opposing his candidacy.

OPINION: Little Big Tent

It’s just common sense.

OPINION: Wisdom of the Committee

Operational adoption enforces accountability and reciprocity.

OPINION: Recommended candidates for the May 19 primary

Good decisions require good information.

OPINION: The unreasonable man

It is not possible to counter an extremist agenda by being accommodating or reasonable.

OPINION: Skinsuit Republicans

It’s just common sense.

OPINION: Déjà vu again

Groups like the North Idaho “Republicans” envy the success of the KCRCC and see it as the bone they want.

OPINION: Republican Party Veritas

"Accuse your enemy of what you are doing, as you are doing it, to create confusion." Saul Alinsky ‘Rules for Radicals’

OPINION: Matt Gaetz on the agenda

As for the argument that giving Matt Gaetz the opportunity to speak is somehow immoral, I would point out that if someone doesn’t want you to hear both sides what they are actually doing is trying to prevent you from hearing the truth because their position is in fact a lie.

OPINION: Caucus talk

The three workable solutions seem to be: keep the Presidential Caucus, have the Presidential Primary in early March and a May general primary, or consolidating the two primaries in April. Each solution has advantages and disadvantages.

OPINION: Janus democracy

It seems the politics of the left has embraced Janus, choosing the view that best suits their agenda.

OPINION: Crash Party

What do you call a herd of RINOs?

OPINION: Fraud is a feature

Having titled ownership is an essential ingredient for the prosperity Americans enjoy and others envy. Democrat supported taxation for socialist programs corrodes our idea of ownership.

OPINION: A very Republican gathering

Eighteen resolutions and five rules made it through the committees for consideration by the full SCC.

OPINION: Resolve to be involved

Becoming an Idaho Republican Precinct Committeeman (PC) is one of the most accessible and impactful ways to engage in grassroots politics.

OPINION: A convenient lie

Wasting resources on things that sound good but don’t work seems unwise.

OPINION: High-tech lynching

OPINION: Justice delayed

On November 3rd the Attorney General issued a letter stating the sheriff was within his powers and duty and that the heckler could be charged with multiple crimes.

OPINION: Economy of status

The quest for status influences everything from career choices to social interactions.

OPINION: What to think

It’s just common sense.

OPINION: Design is Destiny

We know the problems can be addressed. In 2023 Gavin Newsom cleaned up San Francisco prior to the visit by Communist Chinese President Xi Jinping comparing it to “cleaning one's house before guests arrive.” In Washington DC, Trump deployed the National Guard and the crime rate plummeted to near zero overnight.

OPINION: Republican factions

OPINION: Election analysis

It’s just common sense.

OPINION: Toolbox Theory

In today's dynamic political landscape, success isn't solely determined by experience or tenure. Instead, when individuals pursue elected offices that align with their inherent personality types and existing skill sets, they often thrive, even as newcomers. When a person’s abilities and characteristics match the demands of public service this fosters higher engagement, quicker adaptation, and superior performance. Studies show that such alignment can lead to innovative policymaking and sustained electoral success, regardless of prior familiarity with the office.

OPINION: Quality wins

The KCRCC stands as a cornerstone of grassroots conservatism in North Idaho. It comprises 73 elected precinct committeemen, representing every precinct in Kootenai County, from rural Athol to urban Coeur d'Alene. With a mission to advance freedom and prosperity, the KCRCC promotes fiscally and socially conservative candidates who faithfully implement the Idaho Republican Party Platform as policy.

OPINION: End to tolerance

You can’t cure diarrhea by treating the plumbing in the bathroom. If you want to truly fix something you must first understand the problem and then fix it at the source. The political assassination of Charlie Kirk has been seismic. So many, me included, are profoundly and deeply saddened by our loss, and especially for the loss his loving wife and two children now must endure. I have a granddaughter the same age, so the thought of Charlie’s daughter never seeing her father again, feeling his loving embrace, breaks my heart.

OPINION: Suggestions welcome

Your property taxes fund our schools, roads, and safety services. But who decides how that money is spent? The November 4th local elections give you the power to choose leaders who shape Kootenai County’s future. These off-year elections fill critical seats in local government, including mayors, city councils, school districts, and fire districts, with the occasional levy. When you get your property tax bill, you see a number of taxing districts listed. These elections determine who will serve on those districts and directly impact the money you pay the government for services.

OPINION: Judging judges

In Idaho, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and fairness of Idaho’s third branch of government?

OPINION: Humanity and abortion

Idaho has one of the most comprehensive abortion laws in the United States, effectively banning the procedure at all stages of pregnancy with narrow exceptions. The state's framework consists of multiple overlapping statutes, primarily enacted or triggered after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, returning abortion laws to the authority of the state.

OPINION: Redistrict this

“That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed” The Declaration of Independence.

OPINION: Skinsuit politicians

North Idaho is largely populated by good and friendly people. People who volunteer their time for civic and charitable causes. People you would want for neighbors. People who inspired the joke: “I was at the local hardware store and while I was searching for what I wanted, three different people asked if I needed assistance…. and one was even a store employee.”

OPINION: Policy matters, do you?

How much influence do you, the everyday American, have over the policies shaping our nation? If you think your voice drives change in Washington, brace yourself. A 2014 study by Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page, analyzing 1,779 policy issues, delivers a gut punch: when economic elites or organized groups like corporate lobbies want something different, the average citizen’s opinion has near-zero impact. This elite dominance plays out across the country and right here in Idaho, where we’ve battled out-of-state meddling in Proposition 1, struggled for illegal labor reform against Big Ag and the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI), and faced judges appointed through a process that ignores our values.

OPINION: Taxman cometh

“Don’t tax me; don’t tax thee, tax the fellow behind the tree.”

OPINION: Judge not

They say that a judge is just a lawyer that knows a governor. This is mostly true in Idaho. When a vacancy occurs in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or a District Court, the Idaho Judicial Council, a nine-member body, solicits applications, reviews candidates, and conducts interviews. The council then submits a list of three candidates to the governor, who appoints one to fill the vacancy.

OPINION: Conservative middle

“You only catch flak when you are over the target” comes from the World War II bomber crews who would attract anti-aircraft fire as they approached their destination. In modern terms it describes that if a group or organization is being attached it is because they are effective in their mission. Why bother going after something that’s harmless?

OPINION: Sophistry

Sophistry is the use of fallacious arguments with the intent to deceive. Critics will use sophistry to make an argument when the facts do not support their position. We see this all too often in the political realm where false arguments are epidemic. An example would be “Trump drinks water, and you know who else drank water…Hitler; therefore Trump is Hitler.” You may laugh at that example as absurd but is it more absurd than the Democrats claiming they are “saving our democracy” when they did everything they could to deny Trump a spot on the ballot and depriving citizens the opportunity to vote, meanwhile anointing Harris as their nominee without a single vote cast.

OPINION: Dorothy Moon, fiscal conservative

The Idaho Republican Party has undergone a fiscal conservativism transformation, but some political establishment cronies are so habituated to spending that when presented with fiscal conservatism facts they refuse or are unable to understand. It is outside their world experience, as if you were trying to discuss fire with a fish. What is a “fiscal conservative?” Some say it means someone doesn’t like to spend money and if in a political office they should be against spending, period. But government does have functions that we the taxpayers require so simply not funding those functions is not a practical option. Fiscal conservatives believe in working efficiently. They don’t believe that spending is intrinsically bad, they believe that wasteful spending is intrinsically bad. They believe in innovation and finding new and more practical ways to accomplishing tasks.

OPINION: Spotting propaganda

Politics is packed with propaganda, some blatant and some subtle. Often the propaganda will have a “tell” that makes it easier to spot. Once you are familiar with tells you will start seeing the propaganda. Here are a few examples.

OPINION: Trump flashback

It was 10 years ago this week that Trump rode down the golden escalator to announce his candidacy. In November 2015 I wrote the following “My Turn” essay which the Coeur d'Alene Press editor declined to print claiming my prediction of a Trump victory was laughable.

OPINION: Rules rule, Ms. Tillman

Would you rather live in a society governed by the rule of law or one in which the emotions of the moment govern. All you need to do is watch the lawless riots in L.A. to see what happens when personal feelings are placed above the law. You get mob rule and the lawlessness that the Democrats seem to embrace.

OPINION: Election integrity

Conducting honest and fair elections is a cornerstone to our Republican form of government. However only 69% of adults are confident their votes would be counted accurately. Nearly a third of Americans are not confident in our election systems. Why?

OPINION: Color Revolution

Did we have a Color Revolution right here?

OPINION: Idaho in the crosshairs

Idaho is one of the most reliably Republican states in the nation, a bastion of conservative values where the GOP has dominated politics for decades. From its rural landscapes to its small-town ethos, Idaho’s political identity is rooted in principles like limited government, individual liberty, and traditional values. Here in Kootenai County the Republicans have a supermajority with over 67% of voters affiliating Republican while less than 9% claim to be Democrats.

OPINION: Your child’s safety

The culture war rages on multiple fronts, and for decades, conservatives who champion traditional values have been losing ground. The battle surrounds us, and on May 20, it will appear in the polling booth camouflaged as a community library trustee election. It is a seemingly minor election with only a few local issues on the ballot. No big names or high-profile national races. People forget that the most impactful politics is local politics because it has a direct impact on our lives. If you fail to participate, you will be governed by those that do.

OPINION: Better or worse?

Better or worse? How can we know? The 2025 legislative session is done and our citizen legislators have come home. We thank them for their service. We will hear stories of the bills that were passed, the problems solved, and the issues addressed. Some will say it was a good session, perhaps even great, while some will be less enthusiastic. How are we to know if we are better or worse off for the legislative work that was done?

OPINION: Hey Grok, what is trespass?

People who are pushing a false narrative about the February Town Hall are trying to distract you with irrelevant Strawman arguments. To get a neutral answer I asked the Grok AI a clear question.

OPINION: The truth will keep you free

What should be the consequence if a law enforcement officer concealed the truth to facilitate an arrest?

OPINION: Problem paradox

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them.” Albert Einstein

OPINION: The wave

Legislators may campaign as true conservatives but once elected they usually drift toward the establishment deep state. Surprisingly the reason is psychological.

OPINION: Invincible ignorance

“There are none so blind as those that will not see.” John Heywood

OPINION: Party Dysphoria

“It is not a criminal violation to enter the country illegally. It’s not. It’s not criminal. It’s not a crime. It’s not a crime.” Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas

OPINION: Lessons learned

Wisdom is the thing you get right after you need it.

OPINION: WARNING! New Portland ahead

“So what do we do if someone is unruly and interrupts the meeting?”

OPINION: Who runs Bartertown?

Can a rogue judge stop a president from doing his job?

OPINION: Golden age

We are on the cusp of either a Golden Age or ruin. Will we have the judgment and fortitude to make the right decisions?

OPINION: Tariff-ic solution

Some people are concerned or even panicked about President Trump imposing tariffs on the products of other countries. Progressive economists and world government proponents have loudly opined that tariffs are the destructive option that will harm us more than “them.” In reality there is little cause for concern.

OPINION: Whining

The Trump victory has resulted in a seismic shift in the direction of the country. Domestic, regional, international and economic policies have taken a new direction for the better. Trump has accomplished more in the first 100 hours of his administration than other presidents accomplish in their first 100 days.

OPINION: Winning

Jan. 20, 2025, was one of the best days for Republicans, and the country, in a long time. We now have an actual president, not a titular sock puppet that signs Executive Orders without knowing what they are about. We have a president that can converse freely and unscripted with the press while demonstrating his knowledge and command of the issues. We have a fully functional Commander in Chief.

OPINION: The right to choose

Now more than ever we need to innovate to survive. The Artificial Intelligence Pandora’s Box has been opened. We will have practical humanoid robots by the end of the decade. High minimum wages are incentivizing automation in the service and manufacturing sectors. The number of instances where people can work remotely has skyrocketed. The world’s economy is rapidly being transformed. The only constant, it seems, is change.

OPINION: IDGOP winter meeting

The Idaho Republican Party (IDGOP) State Central Committee meets every 6 months to receive reports from our party officers and to consider new rules and resolutions. The Winter Meeting was held last week in Boise and was well attended.

OPINION: Immigration sanity

America is a land of immigrants, which isn’t unique as this can be said about virtually every nation. Unless your ZIP Code is The Garden of Eden, we are all either immigrants or descended from immigrants. Beginning with the first humans, we have roamed the entire planet and now, facilitated by our technology, occupy every environment. Archeologists tell us there is trace evidence of humans in North America 30,000 years ago during the middle of the last Ice Age when sea levels were 400 feet lower than today and New York was under a mile thick layer of ice.

OPINION: Government opacity

Much of what our government does is designed to hide the truth. The bureaucrats, lobbyists and lawyers that actually run the government act as if they don’t want you to see or know how they are performing, by design. I say “design” because if the true goal was transparency then we would see the system evolve towards that goal. But we don’t see that. What we do see is repeated behaviors that are specifically engineered to hide the truth.

OPINION: Back to College

On Tuesday it was my great honor to participate in the Electoral College as one of Idaho’s four electors. Most people have heard about the Electoral College, with the path to 270, and have heard pundits praise and bemoan its existence. But how does it all work and how does someone become an elector?

OPINION: The demise of identity politics

“Identity Politics” is a blanket expression covering elements such as Social Justice, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Cultural Sensitivity, Implicit Bias, Critical Race Theory, Tokenism, Structural Inequality, etc. where the focus is to classify individuals into ever shrinking groups based on some attribute. The very nature of Identity Politics dooms it to ultimately fail. The only question is how many institutions it will drag to their demise.

OPINION: Big stick energy

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" - Theodore Roosevelt

OPINION: NIC win-win

Now that the North Idaho College trustee election is over we can set aside the rhetoric and review the facts.

OPINION: Trump flashback

I wrote this in December 2015, nearly a year before Trump was elected the first time. How did it age?

OPINION: Democracy needs election standards

Design is destiny; the standards we set determine the quality of what we achieve. Our Constitutionally guaranteed republican form of government relies on free, fair, and honest elections to select our representatives and leaders.

OPINION: MAGA mania

Traditional Main Stream Media has committed suicide, but the corpse will be with us for a while.

OPINION: NIC accreditation facts

You can never really understand a situation until you understand the people involved and their financial interests.

OPINION: KCRCC recommendation facts

You need to make decisions on how to vote in the upcoming local election on Nov. 5. Who should you listen to for advice?

Former CLN trustees, Kootenai County GOP settle lawsuit

More than a year after two former Community Library Network trustees sued the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee and several of its members for defamation, the matter has been resolved.

OPINION: They told us

They told us that Trump’s 2016 win was not legitimate and the result of Russian interference. Turns out that the Russia conspiracy was invented by the Hillary Clinton campaign.

OPINION: Evaluating polls

In the run-up to the November election we are bombarded by polls allegedly telling us how the candidates are doing. Results often vary widely which makes it confusing and difficult to understand the true situation. If you know how polls are done and what the numbers really mean you can better evaluate the information.

OPINION: DEI would strangle North Idaho College

It is a Darwinian fact that North Idaho College, or any organization which embraces Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) is doomed. I will explain why.

OPINION: Candidate recommendations

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) held a special meeting on Tuesday to review the candidates for the November election and then to vote by secret ballot on which candidates the KCRCC would recommend.

OPINION: Why RCV is BAD

Ranked Choice Voting will be on the ballot in November as Proposition 1, but what is RCV and what will it do to Idaho and you?

OPINION: Prop 1 fact check

About a third of all the visitors to the Republican tent at the North Idaho Fair had no idea about Proposition 1 and were unaware it was going to be on the November ballot. So what is Prop 1 and why should they or you care.

OPINION: Ignorant, brainwashed or lying

When I hear a progressive say something that is obviously untethered from the truth I consider whether that person is ignorant, brainwashed or lying. Ignorant if they simply do not know the truth. Brainwashed if they have been convinced their fiction is fact. Lying if they know the truth, but simply chose to ignore reality.

OPINION: True cost of Prop 1

Do you want Idaho to spend $40 million dollars on new electronic vote tabulation machines made by Dominion Voting Systems? According to the Secretary of State, Phil McGrane, if Proposition 1 passes this may be our new reality.

OPINION: Democrat democracy

From the president on down, the Democrats have been claiming that Donald Trump will “end democracy.” There are two problems with this claim. One is that they won’t say HOW Trump would end democracy and the other is they don’t tell us what they mean by “democracy.”

OPINION: Lather rinse repeat

Most of the country is brainwashed and about half are severely brainwashed to the extent that they no longer operate in reality. Of course, YOU are not brainwashed…or are you? How could you tell? Here is a test.

OPINION: Natural born leader

“No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five Years, and have been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.” The Constitution of the United States, Section I of Article II.

OPINION: Trifecta of lies

Biden’s now infamous performance in the presidential debate was devastating to the media narrative and a shock to those they had brainwashed. Biden supporters were confronted with the fact that their media outlets had been lying to them for years and that Joe Biden was significantly cognitively compromised. Subsequent Biden-isms that could have been dismissed are now on full display as the supports and donors rush for the exits.

Regan: Assassination try 'galvanized' party

Says mood at Republican convention is one of resolve

Regan joined Idaho delegates and other party leaders at the convention in Milwaukee to show their support for Trump.