Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Alltus’ nonsense rightly rebuffed

Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden, continues to try to control our freedom, but he doesn’t want others to interfere with his freedom to abuse state government for his political gain. His sponsorship of defeated HB 139 was pure hypocrisy. That bill limited the right of college students to speak out on subjects that impact their education.

Alltus’ bill would have added a new section to Idaho code “to prohibit any person, governmental entity or state university or college that assesses mandatory student fees” from trying to influence public policy issues, even if it impacts their school. Yet Alltus blatantly used state information and state letterhead to distort the Panhandle Health District budget for his political advantage.

His failed bill required certain groups to “publicly disclose a statement of its revenue and expenses” when supporting or opposing legislation or public policy. His campaign attacks, however, involved mailing 12,000 pieces of state letterhead with incorrect information to voters, but did he report the cost of getting the state to do the research for him? And did the state legislative services office authorize the use of its letterhead and research for Alltus’ political smear campaign? If so, at what cost to taxpayers?

HB 139 was correctly voted down and not allowed to waste legislative time or our equanimity because it was indeed an infringement on a special class of citizens: students. Because they can read and write, college students follow politics that impact their future. Was that why Alltus wanted to limit the students’ right of free speech? Thank your legislators who voted no on HB 139, and tell Alltus stop the hypocrisy. Larry M. Belmont Coeur d’Alene

Make term limits message clear

In the 1994 election, Republican candidates, enthusiastically endorsed the Contract With America, which included support for term limits. Since then, most of our Republican state legislators have reneged on that commitment. They have enlisted lobbyists, bureaucrats and front groups to defeat the will of the people. The most recent such expression was in November 1998, when their arrogant “advisory vote” was defeated at the polls and term limits prevailed. Now, our desperate legislators are asking our new governor to repeal term limits or to extend such limits to create virtually no limits at all.

What’s wrong with our Republican legislators? Simple. They love power and do not wish to return to the status of an average citizen. They much prefer to be the rulers with all the attendant perks and privileges. In short, they are intellectually dishonest.

Who rules America and the several states? That is the real question underlying the term limits debate. Is it the general citizenry or a self-styled elite class of career politicians?

I urge Idahoans to advise their representatives not to repeal term limits. Should they not heed this advice, I hope their terms may indeed be limited as a result of the next election. Parenthetically, allow me to suggest to those who believe term limits place hardships on the less populated cities and counties of the state: Support HB-77, which would allow county officials to be exempted, by their votes, from term limits. Philip T. Backer Hayden Lake

Politicians - it’s time to upgrade

Re: “Local school puzzle unsolved,” (Handle, Feb. 28).

Well, people, the politicians have spoken. The facts, as I interpret them, are simple. There are four Republicans who want to tax us again. There are six more Republicans and one Democrat who say nothing in the direction for any type of plan of action. Let’s hem and haw around, make more commissions and think about it. There is a lone Democrat who at least has an idea that could work.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but the picture is becoming more clear to me. Most of our politicians, as I understand the Handle’s article, are working at the same speed as my old computer that was boringly slow and in definite need of replacement.

The old, lifetime-in-office politicians need to go. We are entering the new millennium with fossils at the helm who do nothing but think, “Oh, you wanted action?”

There is only one politician with a plan, Larry Watson of Shoshone and Benewah counties. Old computers get the boot. It’s about time to boot the old politicians. Kurt Scholz Osburn

Where did sales tax revenues go?

Does anyone remember when the state of Idaho had us all vote for the 3 percent sales tax, which would be used for our schools? I do, and I voted yes for our schools. Now, where has that money gone? Not our schools, I’m sure. Legislators, what are you doing with this money? I do know you are really greedy for sales taxes. You make old people pay sales tax on prescription glasses, which I understand should be tax-free. Let’s get answers now for our schools. Mildred R. Smith Kellogg

Revamp school funding now

The supermajority margin of votes to pass a school bond measure must remain in place, unless voters vote to lower the majority to whatever figure. However, this would not be needed if the state Legislature would tackle the real issue, which is state funding for schools.

Why isn’t the state doing more to fund schools? When the National Center for Education Statistics publishes its yearly figures, it doesn’t list Kootenai or Ada counties as being near the bottom of the list in funding for schools, it lists Idaho.

The state must change its policies toward school funding, or our state legislators will continue to present creative ways in which to avoid the issue, like lowering the supermajority. George Rekow Post Falls

COEUR D’ALENE

Groups’ membership shouldn’t be secret

I commend city employee Paula Payne and Officer Rob Turner for successfully fighting for the collective bargaining rights of Coeur d’Alene city employees. It took courage to stand up to this Republican mayor, Republican city council and Concerned Businesses of North Idaho - a shadowy coalition led by Republican water carrier Bret Bowers.

It should be noted that the first 39 signatures supporting the city employees’ right to a vote on this issue came from the local Democratic Party. I am, however, troubled by Payne’s comment to the media. Angry at Concerned Businesses, she hinted that city employees should retaliate by shopping in Spokane. In truth, very few of the hundreds of Coeur d’Alene businesses support Concerned Businesses, and should not be ostracized. Instead, Bowers should provide the public with a current membership list. The rest of us might wish to patronize businesses that support our hard-working city employees.

Knowing Bowers, this disclosure won’t happen. For months, a small group, including myself and a local attorney, demanded the membership list of CLEAN, a pro-mining group supposedly led by Bowers and “community leaders” dedicated to running the EPA out of town. Bowers refused.

I guess those leaders were embarrassed to admit they were more concerned with mining profits than community health.

Bowers has previously refused to give Payne the Concerned Businesses membership role also. Who is he hiding and why? Nancy Lynne Coeur d’Alene

I oppose public employees striking

Please, let’s set the record straight. I opposed the city of Coeur d’Alene’s collective bargaining initiative because I have never believed in public employees having the right to strike. Several months ago, I said that if this were to become a ballot issue, I would oppose it.

The only association I’ve had with Concerned Businesses, which I understand is made up of 60-70 employers in Kootenai County employing 10,000-15,000 people, is with a very personable young man named Bret Bowers, the association’s manager. I asked him for a donation if those in the group were so inclined. As interested local taxpayers, some contributed to our campaign.

Now, my question to you as editor and to the reporter, is about the real story given to you and why you didn’t follow up on it. Why does an out-of-state union contribute more than $20,000 to pay for public employees’ campaign and legal fees? You have a publication in your hot little hands promoting the unionization of all city, county and state employees. That’s the real story - trying to buy control of the country.

It always seems to be too late when the employees of Bunker Hill, Kaiser and many other unions find out the bosses in Chicago, New York or San Francisco continue to live “high on the hog,” while your company goes out of business. Who knows, in the future we might end up with “rent-a-cops, rented city, county or state employees or even rented editors and reporters. Hale Ashcraft Coeur d’Alene

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Enough of trespassers’ `antics’

Spokane resident Patricia Hoffman and Janet Tenold were convicted of criminal trespass on Feb. 24. Fresh from her success at helping shut down Eastern Washington grass stubble burning, Hoffman has now taken on the wheat industry. Acting as an unofficial undercover “burn cop,” she and Tenold were caught trespassing on two Franklin County farms on Aug. 7.

Hoffman, should get a life and cut her state’s farmers some slack. Let the legislatively enacted Agricultural Burning Practices and Research Task Force do its job of finding economically viable alternatives to burning. Bruce A. LePage Pasco

Let’s cite deserving Democrats, too

James Baker’s March 1 letter presented numerous sarcastic awards to Republicans who tried to unseat his dishonest pal, Bill Clinton. Here are some awards for Democrats whose actions lowered their reputations by nearly the same degree Clinton diminished the stature of the presidency.

To the absurd James Carville: the Raving Lunatic Award, for promising swift revenge on anyone who’s ever dared accuse Clinton of anything - regardless whether the accusations were true. To Sen. Byrd, the so-called conscience of the Senate: the Oh, Did I Say That? Award for acknowledging Clinton committed impeachable offenses - then letting him off the hook through his vote. To Sen. Tom Daschle: the Incredible Stretching Senator Award for implying that Oval Office sex with a subordinate and repeated lies to White House staff, House and Senate members and the American Public are inconsequential and something any average guy would do in the same situation.

To Rep. Barney Frank, who was offended by Ken Starr’s “pornography,” yet didn’t seem to mind that Clinton actually performed the acts described, goes the Kill the Messenger Award for his misplaced bile.

Finally, to Americans who wouldn’t trust Clinton with their own daughters, yet look the other way as long as the economy prospers, goes the Unbelievable Abandonment of all Principle Award for allowing the most powerful man in the world to get away with tawdry affairs, blatant lies and the most inconceivable lack of shame or conscience ever witnessed on the American political scene. John Soennichsen Cheney

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Form letters not appreciated

I recently wrote to Sen. Larry Craig and Rep. Helen Chenoweth about my concerns about the deficit. I expressed my opinion that any deficit should not be used for tax cuts but instead for the benefit of education - new schools, more teachers, etc. I believe this would have a more far-reaching benefit for all of us than a tax cut.

The only response I have had is the one that is automatically sent to all who contact them.

I would appreciate something more personal. Norman Schroder Moscow

SPOKANE MATTERS

Make this the year squabbling ends

A group of almost 70 businesses and organizations is planning a series of events to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Expo `74. The theme chosen by the group, Living the Legacy, focuses on the future and what legacies and treasures we will choose for the new millennium.

Truly extraordinary leaders made Expo possible just 25 years ago, when Spokane was transformed into a world-class city. It was their model of shared vision fueled with single-minded focus and determination that created miracles.

If the same idea were proposed, given our current Hatfields-McCoys polarized factions, would we be able to host an international event for millions of people? Earn an All American City Award?

It’s time to end rivalries that waste valuable creativity, time and resources. Those involved have the same priorities: an established commitment to improving our city. They could live anywhere in the world and they could certainly spend their energy in more selfish pursuits than revitalizing downtown and contributing to community causes.

1999 can be the year for healing. Our leaders can meet quietly and speak directly, instead of through the media and others. They can seek common ground - a shared vision worth taking into the new millennium, built on a proud heritage of philanthropy and accomplishment. Bring us together again with single-minded focus and determination to create new dreams. Lucy Forman Gurnea Chewelah, Wash.

Ordinance about all humans’ rights

Re: “New rights law under attack” (Feb. 27) and Bill Murphy’s objection to the city of Spokane’s decision to “not discriminate toward anyone, for any reason,” most commonly known as the human rights ordinance.

Obviously, there are still some Americans who are against human rights, a situation that has made necessary the spelling out of who should not be discriminated against, for what reason and to what extent. Murphy and his group are obviously among those who do not fully believe in human rights or they wouldn’t object.

This is not about anything more complex than treating all of our fellow human beings with the same respect, privileges and rights that we want for ourselves.

This is not a “gay rights” ordinance, it is a human rights ordinance.

I applaud our City Council for its progressive move in this direction. As a lifelong resident, I have faith in our city that its people will choose to move forward also, rather than regress with such a prejudiced, negative group. Peggy Murphy Spokane

Correction

A letter that appeared Wednesday, “More money needed for education,” was written by Thomas D. Keenan of Coeur d’Alene. The name at the end of the letter was incorrect.