Idaho GOP behind times

This past week we saw three amazing Idaho news stories. First we hear about Rep. Anderson’s bill to eliminate all regulations related to sewage systems in North Idaho, thus potentially contaminating the sole-source aquifer which supplies all of us, Spokane included, with drinking water. Then we learn that the Idaho governor plans to sue the federal government if health care reform becomes law.

Apparently Mr. Otter feels that insurance companies should be able to continuously raise rates, cancel coverage when you get sick and deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Apparently the 18 percent of Idaho residents without health insurance don’t need any coverage, and it is wrong to reduce the federal deficit by over $320 billion in the next 10 years.

Finally, Bill Sali argues that childhood immunizations are unnecessary – he apparently favors a return to the “good old days” of diphtheria, polio and pertussis deaths in children.

Each of these politicians is a Republican (as you might have guessed). My comments to each of them: “You are an embarrassment for the state of Idaho; get some much-needed education related to public health and then join the rest of us in the 21st century.”

Michael C. Jessup

Colbert