A Conversation with IFF President Ron Nate & Tea Party Bob
Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer
Idaho’s Battle for True Pride: Celebrating Heroes While Confronting Rising Costs
The Idaho Freedom Foundation’s Pride in America series has struck a nerve with the mainstream media, generating both criticism and unprecedented support from conservative Idahoans. What began as a celebration of American heroes has evolved into a broader conversation about values, taxation, and the direction of our state.
Media Bias Exposes Cultural Divide
When the Freedom Foundation launched its Pride in America series featuring George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Sowell, and Frederick Douglass, the Idaho Statesman responded with predictable hostility. Their op-ed labeled these American heroes as “bigots,” revealing the profound disconnect between traditional Idaho values and mainstream media perspectives.
The response from Idahoans was swift and decisive. Donations poured in, to the IFF demonstrating that conservatives are energized and ready to fight back against media bias. The Statesman’s subsequent publication of what amounted to a fundraising letter for Pride organizations—complete with donation links—while refusing similar treatment for conservative causes, exposed their partisan agenda for all to see.
Economic Principles Behind Rising Utility Costs where “We Pay More” and Corporations pay less.
The timing of Idaho Power’s proposed rate increases couldn’t be more telling. While households face 17% increases, corporations and agriculture receive preferential treatment with only 7% hikes. This reflects the economic principle of concentrated benefits and dispersed costs—corporations have the resources to lobby against rate increases, while individual families bear the burden.
For the average household, this translates to approximately $260 annually in additional electricity costs. Combined with rising water and gas rates, Idaho families will see their recent tax savings completely erased by utility increases. The situation becomes more troubling when considering that major investment firms like BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard—owning 26% of Idaho Power stock—have pushed the company away from cheap coal energy toward expensive renewable alternatives.
Idaho Power’s strategy of building infrastructure to export electricity to other states compounds the problem. Idaho families will now compete with California customers for power, that was once 41% coal-generated electricity has dropped to just 9%, while families pay the price for this forced transition. Why do our legislators allow this to happen?
We desperately need Property Tax Reform as it is “A Moral Imperative”
Property taxes represent perhaps the most immoral form of taxation facing Idaho families. After working a lifetime to pay off a mortgage, homeowners discover they never truly own their homes. Government maintains a perpetual lien, seizing property and keeping all proceeds—not just the owed amount—if taxes go unpaid.
The solution exists within reach. Natural revenue growth from Idaho’s population increase and economic expansion could eliminate property taxes within seven years if legislators exercised spending restraint. Instead of increasing budgets by 55%, dedicating natural growth to property tax relief would free Idaho families from this burden without raising other taxes.
A phased approach might begin by exempting primary residences while maintaining commercial property taxes. This addresses the moral imperative that families should own their homes free and clear while providing transition time for local governments to adjust budgets.
Local Elections Drive the Problem of Higher Taxes
The root cause of rising property taxes lies in local elections where only 13% of registered voters participated in the May 20 election which consisted of mostly school bond issues. This motivated minority—often those benefiting from increased spending—passes levies and bonds while the taxpaying majority stays home. School districts, cities, and special districts exploit this low turnout to expand budgets and justify new construction projects.
Education infrastructure provides a stark example. Districts continue building schools despite slowing population growth and the emergence of school choice options. These facilities risk becoming underutilized as families gain alternatives to failing public schools that achieve only 32% proficiency rates across core subjects.
So what is “The Path Forward”
Idaho’s reputation as a beacon of freedom attracts refugees from California, Oregon, and Washington. However, rising costs and expanding government threaten to undermine what makes our state attractive. The challenge lies in matching reality with perception.
The solution requires engaged citizenship, particularly in local elections where voting makes the greatest impact on daily life. While presidential elections receive attention, May primaries and local elections determine property taxes, school policies, and municipal spending that directly affect families.
The Freedom Foundation’s accountability systems have successfully exposed legislative failures through their Freedom Index. Similar oversight of local governments could provide voters with the information needed to make informed choices about candidates and ballot measures.
Reclaiming American Values
As we approach July 4th, the contrast between authentic American pride and manufactured cultural movements becomes clear. True pride celebrates achievement, sacrifice, and the principles that built the greatest nation in history. It honors Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and countless others who secured our freedoms.
This stands in stark contrast to pride movements that embody the seven deadly sins: fault-finding, harsh spirit, superficiality, defensiveness, presumption, attention-seeking, and neglecting others. These characteristics manifest in ideologies that demand tolerance while showing contempt for traditional values and Christian beliefs.
Idaho has the opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating that limited government, individual liberty, and traditional values create prosperity and opportunity. The growing conservative movement, energized by media overreach and government excess, suggests that tide may be turning.
The question remains whether Idaho will fulfill its promise as a freedom beacon or allow the same forces destroying other states to take root here. The answer lies in the choices we make in local elections, the businesses we support, and our willingness to defend the principles that make Idaho worth defending.
