Eastern Oregon, be careful what you wish for with a Greater Idaho movement | Opinion
Pedestrians
Regarding the article “Pedestrian struck, killed by pickup remembered as ‘unparalleled’ family member,” I am struck by how often such ‘accidents’ seem to happen these days. The reality is that hitting a pedestrian in a crosswalk is completely preventable by an attentive driver who is looking. It is not an accident; it is manslaughter. Yes, there are many demands placed on drivers navigating left turns on busy city streets — right on red, too — but Mr. Reents deserved better. Perhaps it is time to recognize that intersections that give drivers discretion to turn when safe to do so place pedestrians in harm’s way.
Dennis Meier, Boise
Greater Idaho
Half a century ago, people in northern California and south central Oregon were pushing for a state of Jefferson. Their grievances were similar to what people in eastern Oregon are concerned about today in wanting to join Idaho. Be careful what you wish for. How could a small state such as Idaho take on the fiscal responsibility of an area so vast but with a small population. Most of nearly four million Oregonians live in the western third of the state. Idaho’s fiscal policy is dominated by the Freedom Foundation, which annually plots on how to cut education and other services to a vast majority of the populace. The foundation answers only to lobbyists and wealthy donors. In 2018, Raul Labrador was running for governor and in order to gain favor with the Freedom Foundation he floated the idea of cutting state government by 20%. Would eastern Oregon have better schools and better services if they left Oregon? Think again, eastern Oregon.
Sidney Asker, Boise
Capitol Clarity
Recently, I was thrown out of the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s “Capitol Clarity” public meeting for politely asking a question. My question was “How much out of state money did the IFF spend in Idaho in 2022?” I have asked this same question at other meetings and haven’t been given an answer.
If the IFF were the ‘good guys’, they would answer. If there was a leftist group dumping millions into our state they would be the first to complain.
Not answering my question is an admission of guilt. Since most of the money that runs the IFF is not from Idaho, they are not from Idaho and should change their name.
Real Idahoans HATE outsider money, including most Republicans.
The IFF is:
NOT from Idaho.
NOT for freedom — they allow no dissenting opinions from anyone.
NOT a foundation built on a loving Jesus Christ but a hateful one and built entirely upon sand.
I am calling upon all good Idahoans of whatever faith and whatever political parties to join me at the Idaho Capitol Clarity meetings every Thursday at noon to stand up against these hateful outsiders.
Eric Gironda, Boise
Train service
I am writing this because I want train service to come back to Boise. I am a 75-year-old disabled Vietnam veteran with failing health, and traveling by train is an excellent option for me. The Boise Train Depot perched atop Capitol Boulevard is an impressive landmark, but sadly it does not serve the community as originally intended. Furthermore, we have a massive influx of population to consider. Their added traffic will not only tax our infrastructure, but it will also exacerbate our air quality issues especially during Boise’s infamous inversions. Finally, I am hoping to travel to my brother-in-law’s funeral this spring in Salem, Oregon. Traveling by train is my only option at this point. I see that Boise Mayor McLean is working with the Boise City Council on bringing train service back to Boise and I fully support this project.
Larry Fox, Meridian
Voting
Idaho Republicans want to restrict absentee voting for one simple reason. They want to win elections. If they make voting as difficult as possible for younger and minority voters they win. If all residents vote they lose. That is why they will continue to pass laws that restrict our freedom to vote and insure our future of Republican tyranny.
Kurt Smith, Boise
