I have tremendous respect for people who expose themselves and their families to the rigors of a political campaign and the sacrifices that are made while serving in the legislature, or as a government appointee. Putting their ideas and political philosophies on the line takes political courage. I am more often than I wish left to wonder at the end of almost every legislative session if many aren’t more concerned with securing their positions, than they are with voting in a way that reflects the political philosophies of their constituents.
They seem to campaign in the summer on conservative values, and then vote in lock step with the lobbyists and political legacy class. A group that controls the levers of power economically, socially, and in a few cases, it must be said theocratically in our State seems to reflect the values of corporatist interests and even the interests of those not living or working in our State. The only reason to not vote the virtues and values of one’s constituents is because the position of political power is looked at to further one’s own career either in politics or part of the corporate—bureaucratic, symbiotic “deep state”.
Why else would legislative bodies continually vote to increase the size and cost of government and not vote to limit government and decrease taxes? At the same time, they vote in lockstep with a Governor who is cozy with the special interests that helped him to get elected twice—(IMA-IHA), (IEA) and (IACI).
At the beginning of the session there were three issues that those who were elected by the people promised to accomplish this session. I outlined these issues before the State of The State speech by our governor: Grocery tax repeal?
- Property tax reform? All the legislature must do is adopt an owner’s ability to choose between a “mark to Market” or “mark to sale” in State statute that would have to become part of every local tax district’s code.
- Require outside independent audits of government agencies and those private organizations that are involved in giving or receiving over $100million of transfer payments.
I predicted in the first week of January and I again predict today that at the end of the session the Governor and “The good old boys” will stand before the media and declare victory. “It was a tuff session, we won some and lost some, but we did the people’s business”.
We are a one-party State, but the division in the Idaho Republican Party is between the “monied corporatocratic interests”, and the values of everyday Idahoans. There are a few but very few people that represent “We the People” in our legislature.
Federal transfer payments are now approaching 50% of the monies allocated—not appropriated, by our State government. Unless we are willing to be weaned off the Federal teat, we might as well just have our Governor allocate scarce resources like he did with Covid funds during the political pandemic. It would be much cheaper than having to “schmooze”, legislators at the Arid Club or governor’s Cup. The Governor could use all his money in his PAC and give it to the teacher’s unions to use for “Woke” indoctrination programs in our schools. WE wouldn’t have to pay for elections, just let the Governor do what he wants like he does already. Have the Feds allocate monies—reverse Federalism is almost upon us! Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi know what’s best for us. Why fight the trend! It after all is there for us to spend as long as we agree to the terms of the contract.
There is supposed to be tension between the branches of government. When there is not outside forces are allowed an entrée into the process that marginalizes the will of the people. This is where we are today in Idaho. THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS? REALLY!
