Who do they trust?
Closely watching this year’s legislative session, I have been dismayed at the arrogance of Republican legislators who say they represent their constituents and yet have no trust in the trained professionals from whom they should be seeking input before making decisions that impact all of us.
Who do these legislators trust? Not doctors to make decisions in the best interests of their patients. Not women to make choices that impact their personal health. Not libraries or educators (at any level) to develop curriculum and choose age-appropriate materials to share with our children. Not judges to determine sentences which reflect the unique circumstances of individual cases. Not county clerks, or even the Secretary of State’s office, to provide safe and secure elections. Not our local elected officials serving on city councils, school boards and library boards. Not our health districts that work to keep us all safe. Not employers to set hiring policies that will consider potential employees based on a range of lived experiences and perspectives. Not voters to propose ballot initiatives which address very real problems of concern to us.
During this session, Republican legislators have demonstrated yet again that their focus is to follow an agenda which proposes solutions to nonexistent problems, accepting advice from organizations and out-of-state “experts” who do not represent the views of the majority of Idahoans, often with unfortunate and costly unintended consequences.
You’ll have choices in November. Consider carefully who you trust to represent you when you cast your votes.
Gretchen Wissner
Moscow
Celebrate AmeriCorps
March 10-16 is National AmeriCorps Week and this year is even more special: We are celebrating our 30th anniversary.
AmeriCorps Week recognizes the more than 1 million AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members who have made the commitment to “get things done for America” and dedicated themselves to serving at least one year in their communities.
It’s hard to exaggerate how much stronger our state and nation are because of the contributions from hundreds of AmeriCorps members who have served Idaho communities since 1994. AmeriCorps engages people of all ages and backgrounds in volunteer service meeting critical state needs.
It’s a great investment. For every dollar spent, AmeriCorps returns $11 in value to the community.
In Idaho, more than 900 AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Senior members serve in more than 200 locations. They are tutors; senior companions; provide conservation education, maintain trails and provide fire mitigation in the Salmon-Challis National Forest; deliver after-school services and STEAM education; conduct health screenings and distribute healthy living information; work to bring broadband to our rural communities; and support first-generation and low-income college students.
Please join me in thanking these selfless individuals for their service to our community, state and country. If you feel the call to service, but the military isn’t for you, check into AmeriCorps at AmeriCorps.gov.
Charlette Kremer
Lewiston
