The idea of “separation of powers” is expressly mentioned in Article II, section 1, of the Idaho Constitution. It states that “persons in one branch shall not exercise any authority belonging to another.” The idea is that the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) are to be kept separate to provide a system of checks […]
The Post Register’s Editorial Board recently invited people to “defend their” right to propose and vote on legislation through Idaho’s initiative process. The Board expressed concern the legislature will usurp the initiative process by placing conditions on the initiative process in “violation” of the people’s right to propose and vote on legislation. Unfortunately, the Board […]
Labrador: Right man, right time
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the state GOP summer meeting where we elected a new state party chair. Together with 110 other voting members, I was honored to cast my vote for Raul Labrador. I’m also happy to announce Labrador won the razor-close contest by only two votes. Bonneville County Republican […]
Fair. It’s one of the most debated words in the political lexicon, and one that can be used as a euphemism to dupe unsuspecting listeners into supporting policies that hurt. Case in point: Later this month, Idahoans for a Fair Wage, a left-wing group led by a Democratic community organizer, will launch a ballot initiative […]
Idaho lawmakers: Enroll in Budgeting 101
I’m taking up a collection. We need to send Idaho lawmakers to school. I’m not talking about college, but rather Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, which teaches wise fiscal management. I suggest this because few in the Capitol understand money management, and their skill deficit harms all of us. If we can send lawmakers through […]
The Freedom Cycle
Alexander Tytler was a Scottish historian who lived during our country’s founding. Tytler identified the sequences of the “Freedom Cycle” as follows: A society starts in bondage; from bondage it moves to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to affluence; from affluence to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; […]
Unless you live in a cave without access to news, you have probably noticed the Democratic Party has morphed into the contradiction in terms known as the “Democratic Socialist” Party. Long gone are the famous words of Democratic President John F. Kennedy, “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can […]
Post Register Half-Truths Continue
A friend of mine went fishing and didn’t catch a thing. When his buddies asked how he did, he responded, “I didn’t catch anything less than 12 inches.” My friend’s response was to cast himself in the best light possible without telling the whole truth. Essentially, this is what the Post Register Editorial Board did […]
A Supermajority Has Spoken
Mark: Hey, Bryan, did you hear the Idaho Falls City Council is considering eliminating city council run-off elections? Bryan: It doesn’t surprise me. Once politicians are in office, they want to be able to stay in office even if they don’t get a majority of the vote. Doyle: It sounds like the “Incumbent Protection Act” […]