Letters for Sept. 30, 2023

Idaho primaries should be open

The taxpayers of Idaho fund the total cost of all political elections in Idaho. They pay for everything from the wages of election workers to the cost of printing ballots. The cost of administering elections is millions of dollars statewide. Under the current “Closed” primary election system, thousands of independent Idaho voters are blocked from voting. Literally, they pay for the cost of an election they cannot vote in. Sounds kind of like taxation without representation.

If the Idaho Republican Party wants to have a private club, so be it. If the private GOP club wants to mandate rules and laws for its candidates, more power to them. If the GOP private club wants to hand pick its candidates, no problem there. But the taxpayers of Idaho should not be paying the cost of a private election that not all Idahoans get to vote in.

I support the Idaho Open Primary Initiative. You should too.

Blair Moncur

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Library collection development policy

As reported by The Spokesman-Review, Columbia County Superior Court Commissioner Julie Karl has blocked inclusion on the November ballot of the proposition to dissolve the Columbia County Rural Library District (“Library in crosshairs,” Sept. 21). Petitioner Jessica Ruffcorn said she plans to continue her effort to hold the library board accountable for the district’s collection policies and budget.

How will citizens pursue the accountability of the board? This is not an issue that will die with Commissioner Karl’s ruling.

As I see it, the fundamental question in this matter is, “Who should determine standards – if any – mandated in the collection-development policy of the CCRLD?” It’s certainly a controversial question and, as in all social controversies, citizens should discuss with civility the options available, listening to each other in respect, and negotiate solution(s) in good faith.

In the wake of this court decision, will opponents cool off and agree to come together in peace to work the issue out?

Andy Cilley

Bonney Lake, Washington

GOP House coalition is falling apart

A recent weekly email from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers included a litany of predictable items: Fighting to save the lower Snake River dams, fighting against any California or Washington state green agenda, calling for Oracle Cerner’s VA program closure, honoring Gold Star families, and observing Yom Kippur.

She made no mention of the budget crisis and the coming government shutdown.

Our country faces a shutdown because the House is incapable of crafting its own position to negotiate with the Senate and the White House. The House doesn’t have a GOP majority, it has a GOP/MAGA coalition and that coalition is falling apart.

McMorris Rodgers is unable to provide a solution or even message this disaster so she continues to blow her usual dog whistles.

Washington’s 5th Congressional District deserves better.

Brian Dohe

Walla Walla

Madsen’s ‘labeling’

To be kind, Sue Lani Madsen’s column (“Labeling interferes with ability to think clearly,” Sept. 21) was terribly silly since words have definite meanings which can’t be altered to fit the mood or a campaign’s pet politics.

Objecting to terms commonly used to describe behavior and attitude makes even less sense than trying to disguise abhorrent personality traits under more favorable terms. Both exercises are as common as they are foolish and MAGA presents perfect examples for us all to see.

White Christian nationalism cannot be massaged into anything other than the perversion of all three of those “labels” and normal conservatives, whatever they are, do themselves no favors accepting the narrow ideology and disgusting bigotry encouraged by that type. Why would anyone choose to follow that road?

A candidate snuggling-up to dirt and fear and demonizing their fellows comes off as supporting that filth, and there’s no way around that conclusion even if you strain to invent a nice new label for it.

David Doran

Ferndale, Washington