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The Census Is Getting Personal

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:58:06 +0100

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsDhkPym01k

"Throw the rascals out!" say voters

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:50:28 +0100

Americans Turn Against Congress, Want Incumbents Tossed Out

A CBS News-New York Times poll taken Feb. 3-9 indicates deep discontent with the statist quo:

* Only 8 percent of Americans want the current members of Congress re-elected.

* Fully 80 percent said members of Congress are more interested in serving special interests than the people they represent.

* 75 percent disapproved of the job Congress is doing.

* Congress's job approval rating was 15 (out of a possible 100).

Poll: Most Americans Are Unhappy with the Federal Government

Fully two-thirds of Americans are "dissatisfied" or "angry" with the federal government.

That's one of the findings of a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, reported February 11.

This is the highest level of public unhappiness the poll has found since March 1996.

Dissatisfaction with both the Democratic and Republican parties is also at near-record highs.

Further, Americans feel a majority of the tax money seized from them is "wasted," the poll finds. The average amount considered "wasted" was 53 cents out of every tax dollar. (Which sounds like a seriously low estimate to us.)

The most visible public opposition to Republicrat and Demopublican business-as-usual in the past year has been the Tea Party movement. How do citizens feel about that movement?

While nearly two-thirds of those polled say they don't know much about the movement, they nonetheless find it appealing.

The Washington Post says: "About 45 percent of all Americans say they agree at least somewhat with tea partiers on issues, including majorities of Republicans and independents ... Overall opinion is about evenly split, with 35 percent of all Americans holding favorable views of the movement and 40 percent unfavorable ones. A quarter expressed no opinion. Nearly six in 10 Democrats have unfavorable views, while independents are split, 39 percent positive and 40 percent negative."

Republicans are divided on the Tea Party movement: "Two-thirds of those calling themselves "strong Republicans" view the movement favorably, compared with 33 percent among "not very strong Republicans.""

Adds the Washington Post: "Among those who identify themselves as conservatives, those who are angry about the federal government and those who say they know at least a good amount about the tea party, about two-thirds said they agree with the movement."

MORE GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS

Shame on Simpson

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:43:31 +0100

Jumbo, full-color postcards recently prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense:

Our incumbent politician, together with his cohorts in Washington, are taxing, borrowing and spending us into oblivion and they have the audacity to abuse their position at our expense. When will it end? Enough already!

Send this all over Idaho.
Call Simpson's local office at 233-2222 and tell him what you think.
Simpson will be in Pocatello on Saturday night for the local GOP's Lincoln Day Banquet.

Utah Governor Signs Nullification Legislation

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:19:57 +0100

SALT LAKE CITY - After careful deliberation and thorough legal review, Governor Gary R. Herbert has signed SB11, "Utah State-Made Firearms Protection Act." In making his decision, the Governor weighed the constitutional aspects of the bill with its fiscal impact on Utah taxpayers.

"There are times when the state needs to push back against continued encroachment from the federal government. Sending the message that we will stand up for a proper balance between the state and federal government is a good thing," Governor Herbert said. "But in these challenging economic times, when Utah families continue to struggle and our Legislature must account for every dollar it spends, we must also be thoughtful about the cost of that message."

The Governor has expressed his support for the intent of SB11, sponsored by Sen. Margaret Dayton, which is to challenge the U.S. Supreme Court's expansive interpretation of the federal Interstate Commerce Clause and assert Utah's authority under the U.S. Constitution to regulate wholly intrastate commerce.

"As Governor, I took an oath to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the State of Utah. I take that responsibility seriously, as well as my obligation to act in a fiscally prudent manner," the Governor said. "In order to feel comfortable attaching my name to this legislation, I felt it necessary to reconcile the laudable intent of this bill with my responsibilities as Governor."

As part of a thoughtful review process, the Governor sought opinions and analysis from many legal experts, including, but not limited to, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

"I am satisfied that Utah can stand confidently with other states that are taking a stand against the federal government's overreach in this area," he said. "The Attorney General has assured me that, should a legal challenge be filed against the state, his office can take a variety of actions to ensure the defense of this legislation will have a minimal cost to the people of Utah," Governor Herbert said.

"With the confidence that SB11 will further the dialogue on this important issue without unduly burdening Utah taxpayers, I chose to sign the legislation."

Harwood’s gun fight stalls for now

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:09:26 +0100

By Dustin Hurst
http://www.idahoreporter.com/2010/harwoods-gun-fight-stalls-for-now/

Rep. R.J. “Dick” Harwood’s, R-St. Maries, gun fight with the feds has stalled on two concerns raised by lawmakers: one being that it may be unconstitutional, and the other being that the marking to be engraved on guns produced in Idaho might not be specific enough.

According to the text of the legislation, the bill would seek to make Idaho “the freest state in the Union” and would prohibit the federal government from regulating guns in Idaho which meet certain conditions. Under the provisions in the legislation, any firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition manufactured in Idaho owned by a citizen living within the borders of the state would be exempt from federal authority. All guns built in Idaho would be required to have a “Made in Idaho” tag engraved on a “central metallic part.”

Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, questioned Harwood on the engraving, asking if the marking goes far enough. Luker said that if the plan is to be enacted correctly the gun would also need to contain the phrase “For use in Idaho.” Harwood said he would need to consult with the bill’s co-sponsors to see if the change would be in order. The legislation has 10 co-sponsors.

The bill also contains a provision that allows the Constitutional Defense Council to use state funds to enter into litigation with the federal government should a challenge to the law arise. According to Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, the state has set aside approximately $240,000 in that account.

Some legislators objected to the possible costs of a lawsuit, including Rep. Elfreda Higgins, D-Garden City. Higgins questioned Harwood on the necessity of potentially costly litigation during a time when the state needs to be funding other programs, like education and social services. Harwood replied, saying that the general fund of the state would not be impacted by a lawsuit and that the state needs to work to protect the right to bear arms.

Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, provided committee members with an opinion for the attorney general’s office which said that the power to nullify federal laws is not within the scope of the Idaho legislature. The opinion also said that Harwood’s bill may actually be unconstitutional.

To that, Harwood replied that he feels “the supreme law of the land sometimes is maybe not always right.” Harwood said that regardless of the opinion, he would press on with the legislation and challenge the federal government’s role in intra-state commerce.

Luker’s motion to hold the bill to allow the co-sponsors more time to work on the bill and retool language if necessary passed and the issue will be pushed to a later date.

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. - Mahatma Gandhi

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:35:17 +0100

The Founding Fathers would be proud of us...

Tea Parties, Town Halls, and now...

Tar & Feathers (a.k.a. Public Shaming)

Political parties don't hold incumbents accountable so we do by alerting the public about bad behavior that deserves the people's disdain. It's bipartisanship at its finest - public scolding courtesy of the people's special interest group.

Join the fun! Pick a deserving target and send us a short description with a way for subscribers to chastise all miscreants. No personal attacks or immature name calling. The only other limit is your imagination.

Judging by the reaction we're getting from politicians and their defenders, our Public Shaming feature is a smashing success.

The "incumbent protection" wing of the GOP was in for a rude awakening because they arrogantly thought the Tea Party would forget how irresponsible Republicans have been with power.

The Tea Party is not beholden to the political establishment of any party. Who's responsible for the mess America is in? Reckless Republicans and Dangerous Democrats! Politicians and their defenders should be ashamed. Don't let them browbeat or sucker you into submission. Throw the incumbents out!

Hey! Hey!
Ho! Ho!
The status quo
Has got to go!

Tar & Feather Rep. Elaine Smith

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:26:10 +0100

Last year the Idaho Legislature passed a mandatory midwifery licensure law that has put at least 22% of traditional midwives out of work and has left many mothers and their babies without midwifery services for their home births. Pocatello has lost its only traditional midwife because of this law.

Representative Pete Nielsen introduced legislation in the House State Affairs Committee on Monday, Feb. 21st, that would restore to the families of Idaho freedom of choice for their home births by allowing traditional midwives to provide their low-cost services the way they always have without state interference. Over 50 parents (with children in tow) came from around the state and packed the committee room.

Pocatello Representative Elaine Smith, who sits on the State Affairs Committee, voted against the legislation - denying women the right to choose who can help them with a home birth.

The legislation died in committee by one vote.

It's a double standard to say it's a woman's right to choose to abort her baby, but women don't have the right to choose who can help deliver their baby at home.

In the last three years, Rep. Smith has voted against:

S1082: requiring parental consent for an abortion
H0654: making it illegal to coerce a women to have an abortion
H0559: requiring abortionists to provide informed consent material
H0248: requiring abortionists to tell mothers they have the right to view an ultrasound prior to an abortion

It's disgusting that Rep. Smith always votes against the right to life while also voting to strip mothers of their unalienable right to bring new life into the world in the safest way possible for their unique circumstance.

Contact Rep. Elaine Smith

Why DC politics matter in Southeast Idaho

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:50:57 +0100

By Layne Hansen
http://www.examiner.com/x-39072-Idaho-Falls-Conservative-Examiner

It used to be that the further you got away from Washington D.C. the less what goes on there affected you. No more. The federal government's reach into 'Everyday Americans' lives is becoming more profound, more recognizable, and more expensive.

This change has happened because modern technology allows us to see events as they unfold, federal lawmakers are passing bills that will directly affect every American, and has created programs - and infiltrated others - that involve local communities.

Many local community programs use grants from the federal government to operate. While the goals of these programs may be noble, local Tea Party members feel that the federal government should not be involved in local issues.

Local Tea Party organizer, Pocatello resident Chris Stevens, has gotten involved because he feels things have gotten out of control at the federal level.

"The biggest thing that got it going was the banker bailout, the stimulus, and big spending under Obama."

Stevens also feels that the Democrat agenda was like throwing gasoline on the fire that started under Bush.

"Things were already bad and then the Democrats stepped on the gas pedal. They are accelerating and that is what has got people upset."

Locally, the Tea Party gathered on 'Tax Day', the 4th of July, September 12th, and most recently, they held a 'Converge on the Capitol' rally in Boise that pushed for state sovereignty.

Read the rest of the article

Pocatello's DUI

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:27:32 +0100

Democrats Under the Influence (DUI)
What an embarrassment!

Edgar Malepeai

BOISE - Pocatello Sen. Edgar Malepeai pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in Boise on Thursday. He will pay a $732 fine, serve one year probation, and lose his driving privileges for 90 days. He was also ordered to attend educational classes and a DUI victim's panel.

It gets crazier. After being arrested in December, Malepeai was elected minority caucus chair by his Democratic colleagues. Are they all DUI? These are the same people who want to redistribute the fruit of your labor.

Tar & Feather Rep. Ken Andrus

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:26:04 +0100

Rep. Hart’s Illegal Immigration Bill Killed in House State Affairs

BOISE - In a one hour Thursday morning hearing, the House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on House Bill 497 which would penalize businesses that employ illegal aliens. The bill was patterned after legislation first passed by the Arizona Legislature in 2007. Immediately upon passage, the Phoenix business community sued the state of Arizona over passage of the measure in Federal court. In 2008, the law was upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The authority for the legislation comes from the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, when Congress created an exception where states could deal with the employment of illegal aliens by denying business licenses to those employers who hire the illegals. According to Rep. Phil Hart, “This is a federal issue, but the feds have allowed states this narrow area of jurisdiction. And because we have a serious problem with illegals (aliens) in Idaho, I believe we need to use every tool that is available to us.”

The legislation took a three strikes you’re out approach. A business that was determined to “knowingly employ an unauthorized alien” would receive a warning. If a second violation occurred within a three year period, any business license could be suspended for up to ten days. And for a third violation in a three year period, any business license could be suspended for up to one year.

“We tried to balance the need to solve our illegal alien problem by removing the magnet of jobs that draws people to Idaho who are here illegally, while at the same time not being so punitive that we are closing down businesses,” said Rep. Hart.

Representative Lynn Luker of Boise made a motion to remove the employment and business license provisions out of the bill, leaving only the part of the bill that dealt with manufacturing and using false identification. That motion died on a 6 to 11 vote. Then Rep. Ken Andrus, a rancher from of Lava Hot Springs, made a motion that successfully killed the bill.

For the third time in three years, similar legislation brought by Rep. Hart has failed to advance out of committee. However, in addition to Arizona, Missouri and South Carolina have enacted similar legislation.