Letters to the editor: Election | Idaho Statesman

Prop 1

I’m voting yes on Prop 1 because I love gambling and slot machines. Why drive to Nevada? I played when they were at the racetrack. There was a very tiny picture of a horse race on the screen which I never even looked at. It was a slot machine. This whole idea of promoting horse racing is more like what comes out of the back side of a defecating equine.

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Delegation

I cannot express how utterly ashamed I am of President Trump. His rantings about how great it is to use physical abuse against the press is deplorable. The Constitution provides a system of checks and balances. It is our congressional delegation’s job to make sure this system works. What are they afraid of? They would not accept this behavior from your children so why accept it from him? Does he hold some magical power over our delegation? He cannot fire them, but we can.

Steve Berch

I live in District 15 and I’m writing to encourage voters to choose Steve Berch for representative to the Legislature. Of the legislators I’ve met over many years, Steve stands out as one who was is interested in the people he or she represents. Steve has been knocking on doors throughout the district, from the precincts bordering Chinden south to the precincts along I-84, from Maple Grove west to Cloverdale and Eagle roads. So far this year Steve has personally met with more than 5,000 of the voters in District 15.

Steve asks people what they think are the most important issues that the Legislature must address and he remembers the answers. We can trust him to continue to have a personal relationship with the voters of District 15 after he is elected, regardless of their party affiliation.

If you’ve spent any time over at the Capitol, you know that serving in the Legislature is hard work. The hours are long, the bills are complex, and the decisions are some of the most important you will ever make in your life. Steve continues to show the commitment, insight, stamina and ability to build personal relationship with our District 15 citizens.

Yes on Prop 2

As a cancer survivor, I know how important it is to have access to the diagnostic and treatment services needed to fight cancer. That’s why I’m volunteering on the campaign to pass a newly qualified initiative on the November ballot that would close the health coverage gap for thousands of Idahoans who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to afford coverage on the state’s health insurance exchange.

Research shows those without health care coverage are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage when it is costlier to treat and less likely to survive. Increasing access to health coverage reduces overall health care costs and save taxpayer dollars. Idaho is one of 17 states that continues to deny millions of hard-working, low-income residents access to comprehensive and affordable health care coverage.

Idaho is falling short when it comes to increasing access to health care coverage for low-income state residents. Voters can address this critical issue by passing Prop 2 on Nov. 6. It will give an estimated 62,000 Idahoans access to health care — many for the first time in their lives.

Aaron Swisher

Vote for Aaron Swisher. After 20 years in Congress, Mike Simpson no longer represents the views and values of Idaho and this country while he supports the Trump administration. Simpson says he cares about Idahoans. What about those with previous medical conditions? Simpson voted to end that provision of the ACA. Simpson is chairman of a House appropriations subcommittee on energy and water development but votes along party lines to end clean water rules and does not support legislation that will reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change. He has backed Trump all the way, holding his nose, I suppose, to get past the stink and swamp. We deserve better. Vote for Aaron Swisher.

Democrats

Idaho is in the bottom 10 of the poorest states in the United States. Eighteen of 19 of the poorest states have legislatures that are controlled by Republicans. Republicans are notorious at the state and federal level for tax cuts to the rich and corporations, and these tax cuts have been proven not to boost the economy but to add to the deficit. Remember that Gov. Otter wasted millions of dollars on lawsuits that had no chance of winning and cost our economy dearly.

I suggest and implore Idahoans to vote for candidates with D after their name to help move Idaho forward to greater fiscal responsibility that will give Idahoans better roads, school systems and health care. If the Republican legislators in Idaho would have expanded Medicaid five years ago, Idaho would already have benefited $100 million to $200 million in savings.

Vote for candidates with D after their name and you are voting for fiscal responsibility.

No on Prop 2

Anyone who thinks socialism, like Medicaid expansion, will be an improvement, please think about your kids and grandkids. Trying to get government to do what is properly the role of charity dumps more and more debt on them and they don’t even get to vote on whether or not they want to pay for that. It would be nice if everyone could just go to the doctor whenever they want to, but $21.4 trillion in debt is evidence that government is not capable of taking on that responsibility. Money to pay for expansion will not come back to the state. It will come out of your children’s and grandchildren’s paychecks.

Kristin Collum

I am a mother of three young kids in Idaho and I voted for Kristin Collum for lieutenant governor. I ask all eligible voters to do the same. Kristin is a mom of four kids who attended or are attending public schools in Idaho, is a U.S. Army veteran, and has held top positions in the tech sector. Kristin supports funding pre-K programs, paying teachers adequately, and properly funding our school districts. She supports expanding Medicaid coverage to 62,000 Idoahans and has in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity. Kristin is ready to work with all people, no matter their party affiliation, to ensure our children have a bright and safe future. Please help make Idaho stronger by voting for the vet on or before Nov. 6.

Cindy Wilson

If we could start from scratch, what would we look for in an Idaho superintendent of public instruction?

We’d want someone with a solid teaching background, since ultimately the quality of classroom teaching makes all the difference in a student’s life. Cindy Wilson has been an outstanding and award-winning teacher.

We’d want someone who has spent time thinking about how to reform and improve our schools. Most recently, Cindy Wilson served on the governor’s Task Force on K-12 Education.

We’d want someone actively involved in the community. Cindy Wilson has been on various committees and commissions most recently appointed by the governor to serve as a member of the Idaho Board of Correction.

We’d look for someone who is articulate, goal-oriented and open to new ideas. Go to Cindy Wilson’s website at www.cindyforschools.org and you’ll be able to read her ideas.

We’d want someone familiar with all parts of Idaho. Cindy Wilson has lived and worked in north Idaho, southeast Idaho and southwest Idaho. She’s a proud Idaho native.

In other words, Cindy Wilson is exactly what we’d want, which is why I hope you will join me to elect Cindy Wilson as Idaho’s new superintendent of public instruction.

Vote Democrat

When I was a kid, I had a paperback called “Serpico” about a New York cop who refused to be corrupted, and was almost murdered as a result. Decades later, I’m still wondering if we can ever overcome this same problem of corruption in our political system. A government that serves the rich, legalizes bribery and rewards politicians for denying health care to working families. Cowardly, hypocritical U.S. senators who put a drunken, preppie alleged rapist on the Supreme Court, while ignoring violence against women and giving a free pass to the most immoral, dishonest and hateful president we’ve ever had. Is this the best we can do for ourselves? We can and will do better, starting on Election Day.

I’m an older white man, and an Idaho citizen no less. Will I be suckered into voting based on racist smears? Nope. Will I vote based on attacks against female candidates, or women generally? Not a chance. Will whipped-up, phony fears about immigrants drive my vote? Not this time. I’m voting for health care, for honest government, and for a decent, equal society. That means I’m voting Democrat this time.

Graham Paterson

As a District 16 resident and voter, I am casting my vote for Graham Paterson. Graham’s experience as a dedicated public servant is what we need in the Legislature. I have known Graham for 13 years. He is passionate about the environment, women’s issues, education and the economy of Boise.

His tireless campaign efforts are appreciated. Graham understands the value of voting for Medicaid expansion. And, he has been transparent on the important issues that affect all of us in Boise. He is retired and has endless energy in making sure that our needs in Boise get met. My belief is he will be a true advocate for all humankind to have equality and will help ensure that Idaho children get the much needed education to reach their goals. I wish him success to win on Nov. 6 and I ask my district neighbors to cast their vote for Graham Paterson. He is a voice not an echo.

Aaron Swisher

The topic of climate risk featured prominently in the Oct. 13 debate between Mike Simpson and Aaron Swisher. They were questioned about a new intergovernmental report showing that the climate is rapidly worsening. We need dramatic solutions to prevent the worst scenarios.

The candidates have very different solutions to climate change.

Simpson’s solution is to continue federal funding of long-term research. Swisher supports a tax that reduces carbon usage and lowers the cost of transitioning to cleaner energies by factoring in the true environmental impact of fuels entering the economy.

Simpson claims that a carbon tax would hurt the economy. But independent models show that carbon pricing would actually help the economy. A proposal (backed by Republicans such as George Shultz) starting with a $40 per ton fee would reduce pollution, yield billions per year, and provide incentives to reduce fossil-fuel use. When the money is rebated directly to households, a family of four would receive approximately $2,000 per year to offset increased energy costs.

We don’t need big government money to begin switching to renewables. We need innovative solutions. Swisher understands the economics of carbon pricing and the power of market forces. That’s why I’m voting for Aaron Swisher.

Jill Humble

On Election Day, I will be casting my vote for secretary of state candidate Jill Humble. Jill represents a lot of values that embody Idaho and is bringing fresh ideas to an office stuck in stagnation. One of Jill’s main platform points is to ease access for voters to participate in our democratic system, and to get citizens actively voting. Unlike her opponent, she is not OK with the status quo and is ready to work to update aspects of Idaho’s voting system. This includes improving absentee voting in Idaho, enhancing and streamlining same day registration, and actively working to increase voter turnout. She wants the secretary of state to offer candidate information for Idaho voters, so that voters can enter elections informed and excited to vote. Overall, Jill Humble presents an exciting candidate for the secretary of state: a driven individual ready to improve Idaho.

Go vote

Almost 80 years of my life so far has been lived in Boise. Let me make a comment. No one comes into this world with the ability to walk. Yet everyone who possibly can acquires this ability, from a first step to complacency. The came can be said for the ability to speak a language.

It is my observation that the same can also be said about voting. It takes practice and persistence and it’s just as important. You will never feel you are confidant to vote until you have voted and voted. No one ever learns to walk without falling. The more you walk, talk and vote, the better you get. I know of no other way. One doesn’t acquire very much skill in any of these by watching.

Further for your information in voting in this nation, there are two major political parties. The Republicans, which are the party of “Me,” and the Democrats, which are the party of “We.” You learn to vote mostly by voting. Prove this to yourself on Nov. 6.