Trib: Idaho Politics Hurt Joe Average

If Idaho’s economic development strategy of cutting taxes and shrinking government spelled success, ordinary Idahoans would be steadily prospering. Just the reverse is happening. The Great Recession stung Idaho workers harshly. Even with fortunes falling everywhere, wages in the Gem State fell to 38th among the states last year, compared to 37th in 2008. But the decline didn’t start there. The last time an average Idaho employee earned anywhere close to the national norm was 1977, when the hourly wage came within 12.4 percent. Three decades later, the average wage was 24.3 percent behind. It’s not the economy, stupid. It’s your stupid politics/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here .

More Idaho Opinion:

• Asbestos settlement a rare piece of good news /SR
• The death of teen suicide /Coeur d’Alene Press
• It’s not easy being green /Steve Crump, Twin Falls T-N
• N-storage not a mission with a future /Statesman
• Local-option tax worth a shot /Idaho Press-Tribune

Question: How have you personally been affected by Idaho politics, either in a good way or a bad way?