Your post is both truthful and exasperating. Many of us campaigned hard (and voted for) for the type of thoughtful, prudent, conservative legislators and governor we need, to no avail. A few good men and women made it through the RINO gauntlet, but so many did not.
We must figure out WHY this happened! Media lies, election cheating, poor campaign messages, out of state money, uneducated voters, apathetic voters, sleeping sheeple, all of the above?
We are quickly descending into the wasteful-spending tyranny that so many of us fled. Idaho's legislators and governor are all too willing to slosh other people's money -- OUR MONEY -- around. And, yes, this IS death by 1000 cuts.
We must figure out how we can elect more Herndons and Lenneys. Perhaps we can shame destructive elected officials (and voters) by shining a light on the profligate spending so everyone will see the enormity of what's happening to Idaho.
Brian, please consider writing a Substack article after the legislative session. The article could include a spreadsheet of all 2023 SPENDING BILLS with columns as follows (show numbers separately for the House and Senate; sort data by Party, then by Name; also show grand totals for counts and costs):
Our legislators must stand up for the people who elected them and the campaign promises they made. Idaho does not need wimps in government! We need people of principle who can say no to wasteful spending and learn the proper role of government -- which is not spending our way to oblivion.
I am so disappointed by the votes of Senator Grow. He by far pisses me off the most. I don't know where you stand on him Brian, but from everything I followed, he always left me so underwhelmed and wanting to do everything when he is up for reelection to ruin his chances. What good are Republicans when they go against the party too? I was glad to see Yamamoto got her ass handed to her by her constituents. We need more of that.
His votes were bad enough, but his attitude about important debates was extremely concerning. His recent newsletter included the following paragraphs:
------
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC)
Abnormally long discussions disrupted the JFAC process. For this late in the session, there were an unusual number of bills that required JFAC attention before the session could end. However, all proposed legislation has passed JFAC and the bills are now being debated in both houses.
The JFAC proposal for Medicaid funding was rejected for a second time in the House. This required JFAC to pass a third proposal for Medicaid which is a large part of the overall state budget. This causes further delays in the whole legislative process. The JFAC legislation now in the House reduces the department’s proposal by more than $150 million.
When our elected red legislature enacts a budget it is not "stealing." Why the provocative rhetoric? Stealing is stealing, like, when someone breaks into my car. Civility is a conservative virtue we should practice.
🎯💯percent, Brian. Taxation IS theft. And taxation without true representation is what we're getting now. When the budget enacted is contrary to founding principles and the desires of the electorate, it's not "enacting a budget," it's "forcing the citizens into financial slavery."
Less government now. Stop feeding the damn beast. Stop with the for the children BS, it’s a good idea, all that crap. I do not want my money stolen/taxed and then used for projects or government that is at odds with my beliefs.
The 1,000 little bills is how liberals/satan gets the goal post moved. And once Idaho has a mammoth sized government employee base there will be no way to rein it back in. All the tax dollar parasites will screech and howl and cry about taking away THEIR JOBS like they own them? Get out and create your own job, then you can call it yours. But sitting in a government desk, or behind a government wheel, is nothing you created, you are a parasite.
Stop spending now. Reduce services. Give the services back to the private sector. Then if a resident wants a service they can pay for it out of their own damn pocket. Stop with all the damn hand holding.
If our elected office holders stop holding the residents hands and left them fend for themselves maybe some of the recent transplants from liberal states will head back. Stop with the hand holding, less government now. Less government now.
In review of Senators Grow's website, it states that he is going to create jobs. I guess he was being truthful, and nobody explained to him that he should give the business sector opportunities to do that, not government.
Government should not "create" jobs; it should let opportunity flourish by getting out of the way except for the proper role of government. (Legislators: See U.S. Constitution and Ezra Taft Benson essay for proper role of government.)
Government-created jobs take money away from ALL taxpayers to give jobs and corporate welfare to a select few, all while government takes its cut. Net benefits to Idaho and America are NEGATIVE.
Some reps truly are too busy during the legislative sessions. Most email replies tend to be canned responses drafted by staffers anyway, especially as the rep moves higher up the governmental food chain. But some reps really do care and take the time to reply to constituents. These are the best ones, of course!
In-person visits, printed letters, and phone calls probably are the best options. Be sure to let the legislator know you want a response.
Meeting someone face-to-face (if possible) creates understanding and rapport. Email (which I admittedly over-use because it's easy) elicits the fewest responses.
Often, if you've met with a representative, the person will be more likely to respond to the "easier" methods of communication mentioned above.
Maybe Brian will have some other better suggestions.
"The conclusion is, that there must be interwoven, in the frame of the government, a general power of taxation, in one shape or another." Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #30.
Are you arguing that we have no right to question and criticize the taxes our Legislature levies and the things they spend those taxes on? Are we a Republic, or an oligarchy? Alexander Hamilton and our Founding Fathers took up arms against Britain for taxation that was much less oppressive than what we endure today.
Your post is both truthful and exasperating. Many of us campaigned hard (and voted for) for the type of thoughtful, prudent, conservative legislators and governor we need, to no avail. A few good men and women made it through the RINO gauntlet, but so many did not.
We must figure out WHY this happened! Media lies, election cheating, poor campaign messages, out of state money, uneducated voters, apathetic voters, sleeping sheeple, all of the above?
We are quickly descending into the wasteful-spending tyranny that so many of us fled. Idaho's legislators and governor are all too willing to slosh other people's money -- OUR MONEY -- around. And, yes, this IS death by 1000 cuts.
We must figure out how we can elect more Herndons and Lenneys. Perhaps we can shame destructive elected officials (and voters) by shining a light on the profligate spending so everyone will see the enormity of what's happening to Idaho.
Brian, please consider writing a Substack article after the legislative session. The article could include a spreadsheet of all 2023 SPENDING BILLS with columns as follows (show numbers separately for the House and Senate; sort data by Party, then by Name; also show grand totals for counts and costs):
Party
Legislator Name
Count of Spending Bills Approved
Cost of Spending Bills Approved
Count of Spending Bills Opposed
Cost of Spending Bills Opposed
Count of Spending Bills Sponsored/Co-Sponsored
Cost of Spending Bills Sponsored/Co-Sponsored
* Link to legislator’s campaign website
Idaho is in BIG trouble and we must fix it before it's too late. Our current path is exactly as predicted in Rocky Mountain Heist at https://www.freedomman.org/video/rocky-mountain-heist/.
Our legislators must stand up for the people who elected them and the campaign promises they made. Idaho does not need wimps in government! We need people of principle who can say no to wasteful spending and learn the proper role of government -- which is not spending our way to oblivion.
* new column suggestion 3/25/23 8:30 pm
I am so disappointed by the votes of Senator Grow. He by far pisses me off the most. I don't know where you stand on him Brian, but from everything I followed, he always left me so underwhelmed and wanting to do everything when he is up for reelection to ruin his chances. What good are Republicans when they go against the party too? I was glad to see Yamamoto got her ass handed to her by her constituents. We need more of that.
I agree with you about Senator Grow. Here are two links that will put the grunt in disgruntled:
Read Sen Grow's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/senate/grow-week-11?e=1ea969fa8f
View Sen Grow's Campaign Website: https://cscottgrowforidaho.com/
His votes were bad enough, but his attitude about important debates was extremely concerning. His recent newsletter included the following paragraphs:
------
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC)
Abnormally long discussions disrupted the JFAC process. For this late in the session, there were an unusual number of bills that required JFAC attention before the session could end. However, all proposed legislation has passed JFAC and the bills are now being debated in both houses.
The JFAC proposal for Medicaid funding was rejected for a second time in the House. This required JFAC to pass a third proposal for Medicaid which is a large part of the overall state budget. This causes further delays in the whole legislative process. The JFAC legislation now in the House reduces the department’s proposal by more than $150 million.
----------
When our elected red legislature enacts a budget it is not "stealing." Why the provocative rhetoric? Stealing is stealing, like, when someone breaks into my car. Civility is a conservative virtue we should practice.
Taxation is theft.
🎯💯percent, Brian. Taxation IS theft. And taxation without true representation is what we're getting now. When the budget enacted is contrary to founding principles and the desires of the electorate, it's not "enacting a budget," it's "forcing the citizens into financial slavery."
This article hits the nail on the head in so many ways. Problem is identified, how to fix is huge issue.
Less government now. Stop feeding the damn beast. Stop with the for the children BS, it’s a good idea, all that crap. I do not want my money stolen/taxed and then used for projects or government that is at odds with my beliefs.
The 1,000 little bills is how liberals/satan gets the goal post moved. And once Idaho has a mammoth sized government employee base there will be no way to rein it back in. All the tax dollar parasites will screech and howl and cry about taking away THEIR JOBS like they own them? Get out and create your own job, then you can call it yours. But sitting in a government desk, or behind a government wheel, is nothing you created, you are a parasite.
Stop spending now. Reduce services. Give the services back to the private sector. Then if a resident wants a service they can pay for it out of their own damn pocket. Stop with all the damn hand holding.
If our elected office holders stop holding the residents hands and left them fend for themselves maybe some of the recent transplants from liberal states will head back. Stop with the hand holding, less government now. Less government now.
Ken Mason
7C
Totally agree with you, Saber 7. The entire attitude of most legislators is encapsulated in District 14 Sen Scott Grow's Week 11 newsletter, here: https://mailchi.mp/senate/grow-week-11?e=1ea969fa8f
His campaign website at https://cscottgrowforidaho.com/ states a goal of "Protecting Our Conservative Values." Really?
In review of Senators Grow's website, it states that he is going to create jobs. I guess he was being truthful, and nobody explained to him that he should give the business sector opportunities to do that, not government.
You're right, of course, TPage.
Here's my explanation for Sen Grow (also working on a letter to him):
Jobs created by the government ultimately reduce jobs and destroy American ingenuity and motivation to work. Government-created jobs are a form of welfare. For good commentary on welfare states, check out the 34 minute podcast from Charlie Kirk: https://thecharliekirkshow.com/podcasts/the-charlie-kirk-show/welfare-will-destroy-a-country-with-sen-josh-hawle
Government should not "create" jobs; it should let opportunity flourish by getting out of the way except for the proper role of government. (Legislators: See U.S. Constitution and Ezra Taft Benson essay for proper role of government.)
* https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/full-text
* https://www.properroleofgovernment.com/
Government-created jobs take money away from ALL taxpayers to give jobs and corporate welfare to a select few, all while government takes its cut. Net benefits to Idaho and America are NEGATIVE.
Thank you for keeping us informed. What would you all suggest when I've contacted my reps several times with no response back at all?
Some reps truly are too busy during the legislative sessions. Most email replies tend to be canned responses drafted by staffers anyway, especially as the rep moves higher up the governmental food chain. But some reps really do care and take the time to reply to constituents. These are the best ones, of course!
In-person visits, printed letters, and phone calls probably are the best options. Be sure to let the legislator know you want a response.
Meeting someone face-to-face (if possible) creates understanding and rapport. Email (which I admittedly over-use because it's easy) elicits the fewest responses.
Often, if you've met with a representative, the person will be more likely to respond to the "easier" methods of communication mentioned above.
Maybe Brian will have some other better suggestions.
I agree 100%. Senator Grow seems to be more like a Democrat with the use of this term and his voting record.
"The conclusion is, that there must be interwoven, in the frame of the government, a general power of taxation, in one shape or another." Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #30.
Are you arguing that we have no right to question and criticize the taxes our Legislature levies and the things they spend those taxes on? Are we a Republic, or an oligarchy? Alexander Hamilton and our Founding Fathers took up arms against Britain for taxation that was much less oppressive than what we endure today.
I'm definitely not saying that! We have the right as Americans to question everything, regardless of one's political persuasion.