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Opinions / Op-eds

Skinsuit Politicians

North Idaho is largely populated by good and friendly people. People who volunteer their time for civic and charitable causes. People you would want for neighbors. People who inspired the joke: “I was at the local hardware store and while I was searching for what I wanted, three different people asked if I needed assistance…. […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Policy Matters, Do You?

How much influence do you, the everyday American, have over the policies shaping our nation? If you think your voice drives change in Washington, brace yourself. A 2014 study by Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page, analyzing 1,779 policy issues, delivers a gut punch: when economic elites or organized groups like corporate lobbies want something different, […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Election Integrity

Conducting honest and fair elections is a cornerstone to our Republican form of government. However, only 69% of adults are confident their votes would be counted accurately. Nearly a third of Americans are not confident in our election systems. Why? Elections are conducted by the states where the actual process of voting is typically managed […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Idaho in the Crosshairs

Idaho is one of the most reliably Republican states in the nation, a bastion of conservative values where the GOP has dominated politics for decades. From its rural landscapes to its small-town ethos, Idaho’s political identity is rooted in principles like limited government, individual liberty, and traditional values. Here in Kootenai County the Republicans have […]

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Bob's Words of Wisdom

What’s up with Education in Idaho? More Levies?

I always hear people complaining about taxes and how they keep going up, but when I told a group of our homeowners today that there was an election this Tuesday to raise their taxes, many of them did not know about it. So let me educate all of our readers about the 27 counties that […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Op-Ed: Every Election Matters

When most people think about elections, they think of presidential contests, gubernatorial races, or seats in Congress. These big, flashy campaigns dominate the headlines. But some of the most consequential decisions affecting our communities don’t come from Washington, or even from Boise. They come from local boards and commissions elected in so-called “off-cycle” elections. Less […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Back to College

On Tuesday it was my great honor to participate in the Electoral College as one of Idaho’s four electors. Most people have heard about the Electoral College, with the path to 270, and have heard pundits praise and bemoan its existence. But how does it all work and how does someone become an elector? The […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Big Stick Energy

“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far” Theodore Roosevelt We are witnessing in real time the “Trump Effect” where the implementation of Trump policies began the night of the election. It is almost as if Trump became the president on November 6th and Biden nearly evaporated from reality. Why? There are […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Idaho’s Electoral College Vote and Upcoming Event

Understanding how the Electoral College impacts our elections is essential for every voter. The difference between the Electoral College and the popular vote has sparked debate for decades, particularly during elections where the two results differ. Such splits occurred in 2016, 2000, 1888, and 1876. These instances have fueled questions about fairness, representation, and the […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

NIC Win-Win

Now that the North Idaho College trustee election is over we can set aside the rhetoric and review the facts. At the heart of the NIC accreditation issue was DEI. DEI, alternately known as Social Justice or Woke, had been creeping into the fabric of NIC for two decades. Starting slowly but at an accelerating […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Misrepresenting Idaho in the Media

Idaho stands as a proud bastion of conservatism, its politics reflecting the convictions of a state deeply rooted in Republican values. Yet, recent mischaracterizations of the Idaho Republican Party as extremists by prominent media outlets and opinion writers aim to sow discord and attempt to alienate citizens at a time when unity and collective purpose […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Unintended Consequences

During the 2024 Idaho legislative session, the Secretary of State advocated for changing the March Presidential primary to align with the May primary for other elected offices – ostensibly to save money. However, the legislation passed by the legislature and signed by the governor ABOLISHED the Presidential primary altogether, thereby disenfranchising all Idaho citizens from […]

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