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Opinions / Op-eds

Article V and Constitutional Convention

Recently, I had an exchange with a few patriots on the Convention of the States. I thought the topic was long dead. I must have been wrong. So, I have re-gathered my thoughts on this topic. Article V of the Constitution reads: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Alberta and Keystone Pipeline

You must have heard by now that Alberta is contemplating leaving Canada. From there, many questions will follow. Will it become an independent nation? Will it team up with other Western Canadian provinces to form a separate Western Canada, distinct from the original Canada? Will it seek to join the United States? For clarity, we […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Support the Teachers and Education, Part 2

This is Part 2 of the series, Support the Teachers and Education in Jefferson County. You can read Part 1 here. I teach a constitution class. We have been discussing the book The 5000 Year Leap. Cleon Skousen presents 28 principles of Freedom. Number 4 is Religion. Our churches play an important role in our […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Support the Teachers and Education, Part 1

School Summer break is here. I visited schools in Rigby. They are using this time to reorganize, to clean, and to repair the school grounds. That’s great! Get ready for the next school year. Following their lead, I want to share my thoughts on how we can help our teachers and education from kindergarten to […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

The Math of Ranked Choice Voting

Prop 1, Ranked Choice Voting, will be on the ballot this November. What is it? What impact will it have? Should Idaho support it? The Ranked Choice Voting website explains what it is: “Ranked choice voting (RCV) is an election method in which voters rank candidates for an office in order of their preference (first […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Israelis and Palestinians, Their Origins

The current conflict between Israel and Palestine (or Hamas) prompted several conversations I have had. Rather than who’s right and who’s wrong, the crux of the discussions revolves around the origins of these two people. Both sides claim that the tiny piece of land is the land of their origin. But, both claims cannot be […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

The Truth About the Debt Ceiling

Earlier today, I received a message for me to sign a petition to Congressman Fulcher urging him not to vote for the Debt Ceiling, but instead “to push for a real deal.” I respect Mr. Fulcher, and I also signed the petition. Still, much about the Debt Ceiling is not understood or reported. To begin […]

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News

How Efficient is Government Spending?

How efficient is government spending? Understandably, this question could lead to many discussions. To begin with, government spending can be in multiple forms: first, direct expenditure, such as the government actively funding a project or activity; second, incentives or subsidies, used to encourage certain activities; and finally, the prescribing of laws to outlaw something in […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Goals and Resolutions

Dear Editor, January 2023: A new year. A new beginning, new hope, and perhaps new resolutions. Unlike many people, I do not set New Year’s resolutions. I talked to many people that set resolutions, such as: to go to the gym, exercise, and lose weight. Most of these resolutions, unfortunately, will not last into February. […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Proper Role of Local Governments, Judges and Commissioners

This is the third and last part of the series on the Proper Role of Local Governments. Judges County Judges can be elected or appointed. I have seen both. It varies from state to state, and county to county. In Idaho, County judges are appointed. Nonetheless, the function of judges is clear: adjudication over cases […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

County Positions: Sheriff, Treasurer, Assessor, Coroner

Dear Editor, Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

The Proper Role of the Local Governments

Dear Editor What is the proper role of a local government? A quick review of the 9th and 10th Amendments reveals that the States and the People have most of the powers. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people (9th Amendment) […]

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