Idahoans deserve better
We deserve better representation in Boise when the state legislature meets. Article 2 of the Idaho Constitutions states “All political power is inherent in the people,” however our legislators prefer to promote their own agendas while ignoring the will of most citizens.
To start the 2024 legislative session, Sen. Dan Foreman, R, Moscow from District 6 proposed an absolute and extreme abortion ban. Foreman has made it known that his priority is not representing the people in his district encompassing the Palouse and the Snake River Valley but instead is eliminating all exceptions to Idaho’s abortion ban. He wrote “My top legislative priority is to close the three loopholes in Idaho’s Trigger Law prohibiting abortions. I will seek to make it illegal to have an abortion in Idaho in the case of incest or rape.” (votesmart.org) While residents may want their high school daughters to attend a good school that isn’t crumbling, Foreman wants to make sure she must give birth if she is impregnated by rape or incest.
According to a recent survey conducted through Boise State University, Idahoans are concerned the state is on the wrong track. Most Idahoans favor making abortion bans less severe, not cruel and more severe. Idahoans are concerned about affordable housing, economic well-being, jobs and good public education. We deserve state representatives who focus on issues of importance to their constituents. Remember “all political power is inherent in the people” and remind our representatives, like Dan Foreman, that they are moving in the wrong direction.
Julia Parker
Moscow
Watch your language
As climate disruption becomes more evident, more people are empowered to advocate for climate mitigation. This advocacy is positive, but climate advocates must choose their words carefully for their message to be most effective.
Advocates need humility because we don’t have all the answers. For instance, while the climate science fundamentals are well established, it is a relatively new field and probably still holds plenty of surprises.
Humility is necessary because renewable energy development will make mistakes, just like any other technology development. However, we can be optimistic here because if we compare any early technology with its modern equivalent, we can expect future renewables to be similarly better than today’s interim solutions.
Humility is essential because advocates can lose their audience by implying superior knowledge. So, if you are a climate advocate, please remember: Don’t talk down when you speak up.
Simon Smith
Pullman
