Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry. Ah, what is that smell? It truly does run the state. And guess what? No matter what political party you belong to, you don't get to vote for who is on the executive committee of IACI. Oh, and those Republican Caucus meetings, that the press is always whining about being closed to the public? That is a Red herring. What is worse is that the press knows it. It's not nice to upset mother IACI, if you expect to sell ads and get "inside" information. The real business of the state is done at the Arid Club and by the exec committee of IACI (usually at the Arid Club). It was a fun place when Steve Ahrens was the head of IACI and he was married to Gov. Batt's Director of the Department of Administration. I used to be a member, and on a blue ribbon committee, until one day I called the head honcho a liar and documented it 14 ways to Sunday. He was, but that didn't matter. Naively I didn't realize that it isn't about truth, it is about power/money. Heck, I may still be a member, but it has been a very very long time since I was sent a bill for dues. There is a reason why big posters tell all who pass through Boise International that Idaho is a good place to do business. It is. Just don't expect it to be a good place to work for a living.

Oldman

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