Nothing Trump did in office remotely suggests the abuses that Democrats predict | Opinion

Democrats

The Left’s increasingly frantic and apocalyptic predictions of Armageddon should Donald Trump win the election in November would be hilarious if they weren’t being matched by increasingly desperate, authoritarian and clearly unconstitutional actions to prevent it.

Nothing he did during his four years in office remotely suggests the abuses that Douglas Siddoway and so many other Democrats predict.

It is Democrats who have been perpetrating those abuses. From the relentless persecution/prosecution of Trump, his family and his supporters, to the wildly overcharged prosecution of Jan. 6 protesters, including many who never entered the Capitol, to the latest efforts by, as of today, two states to absurdly invoke the 14th Amendment to exclude Trump from the ballot (roundly condemned even by such Trump opponents as Gavin Newsom and widely predicted to be reversed by the Supreme Court); it is Democrats who are undermining and subverting “our democracy.”

“The ends justify the means” worked for Macchiavelli or Marx, but it is anathema to our Constitutional Republic. It is Democrats, not Donald Trump or any Republican, who have adopted it as they thrash away for a way, any way, to prop up the failing Joe Biden and prevent Americans from reelecting Donald Trump.

Stephen D. Leonard, Boise

Rep. Simpson

I recently received a letter from Congressman Mike Simpson bragging about “Idaho wins” from a bill he recently got passed in the House of Representatives.

The “wins” included: 1) “slashing” the Environmental Protection Agency budget by 39%; 2) repealing President Biden’s Waters of the United States rule; and 3) prohibiting the listing of the greater sage grouse. Simpson calls this “bringing Idaho values to Washington.”

Really?

The WOTUS rule attempted to expand U.S. waters subject to cleanup under the Clean Water Act, including wetlands. That rule has already been undercut by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Sackett decision. Apparently now Simpson wants to finish it off.

As you may have noticed, we are experiencing a climate crisis and other environmental disasters, and our birds and wildlife are fading away. The livability of the Earth is being compromised daily.

Simpson’s solution to those problems is to eviscerate federal environmental regulation, allow the pollution of wetlands (and ultimately our drinking water), and send a precious, unique bird to extinction.

Idaho values? Young voters, and older ones, too, is this the Idaho you want? Simpson, not to mention our other federal elected representations, are working hard to achieve it.

Alyson Rene Martin, Boise

Labrador

Raul Labrador is an embarrassment to the state of Idaho. Labrador does not seem to have a grasp on the U.S. Constitution by continually supporting bills that are unconstitutional and bringing his faith into government politics. It’s time the people of Idaho and Labrador educate themselves on the Constitution and the rights associated with it. Labrador may not agree with certain groups and their beliefs, but that does not give him the right to support laws that violate the Constitution.

The judge that stated Labrador was not qualified to represent the state in the latest abortion lawsuit summed it up pretty well. I personally do not think he is qualified to be the state attorney.

The same people who do not want the government in their life are fine with politicians making health care decisions for women and are content with them dying because they cannot get an abortion when needed. These decisions are based on misguided religious beliefs. It’s time our politicians refamiliarize themselves with separation of church and state. This is an important part of the Constitution because it is a fundamental part that keeps fanatics from imposing their beliefs on everyone else.

Randal Hetz, Boise

States’ rights

The Republican Party is usually supportive of states making their own determinations. But when Colorado decided to keep a candidate off its primary ballot because he violated the 14th amendment of the Constitution, the GOP became opponents of “states’ rights.”

The U. S. Supreme Court also cited “states rights” as being important when they overturned Roe v. Wade. In 1964, Alabama refused to allow Lyndon Johnson on its general election ballot even though Johnson was the Democratic nominee for president. The U. S. Supreme Court did not force Alabama to put Johnson on the statewide ballot. There were two choices for president in Alabama in 1964. One was Republican Barry Goldwater and the other choice was “unpledged Democratic electors.” Lyndon Johnson got no votes in Alabama. If Alabama could keep Lyndon Johnson off its general election ballot without the U.S. Supreme Court intervening, why can’t Colorado keep Donald Trump off its primary ballot in 2024? The GOP strongly supports “states’ rights” but only on certain issues such as abortion.

Sidney Asker, Boise

Generous donation

In just days, Katie’s (not her real name) life changed. I met Katie hanging out at Corpus Christi Day Shelter. Her motorized wheelchair had been trouble all year and its replacement was about to be returned for lack of the $140 required co-payment. It was cold outside, she had been saving for months, and was discouraged.

Days later, she excitedly told me a story too good not to share.

The week before Christmas she had been returning to Interfaith Sanctuary, her home for the past 2 years due to a combination of mobility and health issues and loss of a job. She was fighting the old wheelchair and struggling with a friend to cross 16th Street. Without introduction, a gentleman pulled to the curb, approached her, and tucked $100 in her hand. She was astonished then, and still delighted as she tells the story days later.

Sometimes gifts are a combination of mysterious things — the present itself, the thoughtfulness, the recognition and dignity paid to the receiver. She feels TRULY gifted, and days later was driving her fully functional new chair.

Thank you to this unknown stranger, and the many “strangers” among us. Know that you truly change lives with your kindness.

Denise Caruzzi, Boise