The GOP is always preaching small government. And using government to expand control | Opinion

GOP preaches small government, works to increase its power

For years I have heard the Republicans talking about smaller government. Yet, today all I see is them wanting more and more control over each and every individual.

They want to overturn a woman’s right to decide on the health of her own body.

They want to usurp parents’ rights to teach their children. They want ban books. Shouldn’t it be up to the parents in dealing with their children’s reading matter?

The most confusing thing is dealing with guns. They don’t seem to want to do anything to curb these random shootings. Look at it this way, you have a right to drive a car if you can pass the qualifications. Yet, the Republicans seem to turn a blind eye to any and all requirements to owning a gun. As in the case of driving. We don’t ban all driving by everyone because some people constantly want to drink and drive. If you see a person staggering getting into a car and start it up, you call 911. That is no different than background checks to owning a weapon.

Yet, the very people that want to offer thoughts and prayers never, never want to enact safety measures.

Jerry Johnson, Payette

Idaho mistreats and maligns women

Idaho’s politicians couldn’t make their hatred of women clearer.

Attorney General Labrador has asked the US Supreme Court to allow enforcement of Idaho’s draconian abortion law while a decision is pending in lower courts. Under Idaho’s law, a woman must be dying before a fetus can be aborted to save her life, while federal law requires that a patient be stabilized. Consequently, many OB/GYN physicians are leaving the state.

This year the legislature abolished the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Their reason? The Idaho Freedom Foundation told them to. Never mind that Idaho’s rate of maternal mortality had skyrocketed, nor that Idaho is now the only state without such a committee.

Furthermore, legislators refused to allow mothers on Medicaid 12 months of coverage post-partum. Mothers’ lives apparently aren’t worth the money.

Will Idaho women roll over and play dead, as the politicians expect? Or will we take action?

Mary Mosley, Meridian

Thanks for celebrating the Christmas season

Dear Editor, I want to thank all the residents who put up Christmas lights in their yards and on their houses. It cheers my heart as I drive home each night, eager to see what new wonder awaits me on my journey. The colorful lights lift my weary soul. Thank you.

E.B. Rush, Boise

Medicare payment system needs stabilization

I write to express my deep concern about the potential harm that physician practice closures can inflict on rural communities in Idaho, particularly impacting marginalized groups such as Hispanics and Native Americans. Congress can — and must — take steps right now to help prevent such closures and strengthen access to physician care among patients with Medicare.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a 3.36% cut in pay under the 2024 Medicare physician payment schedule. These cuts are likely to hit marginalized communities the hardest.

To avert a crisis, Congress must pass legislation preventing the scheduled 3.36% payment reduction in 2024. Additionally, the passage of H.R. 2474, “the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act,” is crucial. This legislation would apply a permanent inflation-based update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which will stabilize the Medicare payment system, ensuring rural communities, especially those with significant Hispanic and Native American populations, receive the care they deserve.

But it won’t just happen. We need a leader in Washington pushing for real solutions like these. I encourage Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo to take up the charge and fix the way Medicare compensates physicians.

Nicolette Clark, Boise

Salmon story off-base

The Statesman featured a significantly incomplete and inaccurate story Nov. 24 on Idaho’s salmon, in which Idaho voices and stakes barely appear.

There is no “secret plan” to remove the lower Snake dams, contra the headline. There are confidential settlement talks, standard between parties to tough litigation, to restore Snake and Columbia River salmon as treaty, law and justice require. Outcomes will be public in a few weeks.

The administration is not bypassing Northwest people on salmon policy. Indeed, it has, in my view, more directly and systematically engaged with the Northwest’s first people — the Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and others — than any past administration. The upshot will be clear soon, but good on the Biden Administration for its deep, ongoing dialogue with tribes regarding federal policies that are a driver of salmon extinction.

Idaho wins if the coming decisions stop the extinction of this amazing animal at the heart of first Idahoans’, and a lot of second Idahoans’, cultures, diets, livelihoods, and prayers.

Finally, why does the Statesman think Idaho’s salmon crisis is better covered by reporters from Washington than its own capable reporters? Many fewer Idahoans are now appearing in your coverage of Idaho salmon.

Pat Ford, Boise

Please be considerate with Christmas lights

The holidays are here, and festive lights are burning bright. Although this tradition of Christmas lights brings joy to many, it can also be considered a source of light pollution and light trespass to others. Exterior Christmas lighting not only leads to increased energy consumption but the growing body of scientific research suggests that artificial light at night can negatively affect human health. Please consider the impact on neighbors when placing your exterior lights. Christmas lighting etiquette includes avoiding lights that shine in your neighbors’ windows. When exterior lights do create light trespass on neighboring properties it is wildly inconsiderate to leave them on from dusk to dawn. Consider placing them on a timer. Holiday light etiquette isn’t difficult or complicated. Use common sense when you hang your holiday lights and be mindful of the impact on neighbors.

Mitzi Cieslak, Boise