If you still harbor doubts that fanaticism is close to gaining the upper hand in Idaho's government, look no further than the current dust-up on the Idaho Land Board. Made up of Idaho's top state officials - Gov. C. L. (Butch) Otter, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, schools Superintendent Tom Luna and Controller Donna Jones -- the board manages the state endowment trust. Ever since that group purchased Affordable Self Storage of Boise as an endowment investment, it's been under fire. How dare the board put government in competition with private businesses, complained conservatives led by Boise activist David Frazier and the conservative Idaho Freedom Foundation. They got Otter and Luna to back down. Jones, Wasden and Ysursa are standing their ground/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Is the state in competition with private business by going ahead with purchase of Affordable Self Storage?