Thursday, October 31, 2013

My Daughter's Letter

GUEST POST by Jim Chmelik (Idaho County Commissioner) — 

This was an essay my daughter wrote for The Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. The rules did not allow any research and the essay had to written in two hours in the confines of the classroom. The participants were given the question and then started to write. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Sorry if there are any grammar or spelling mistakes; I converted it from a PDF file.

Thank You,
Jim Chmelik



Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It
Focus Question: How does one's personal heritage affect one's duties to our nation?

As American citizens, living in a nation of peace and luxury, we often forget where we came from. We often forget the blood and sweat poured into this nation. We often forget that it was our ancestors who risked their necks for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But this is where we come from and this is why we must preserve our American Heritage.

America was founded on a belief, a belief of freedom and justice. Thousands of soldiers died for this freedom that millions now take for granted. It took tremendous amounts of courage to stand up to Europe, the superpower of the world at the time, so that we, today, would not be suppressed. Even after the Declaration of Independence it took years and years of struggling and hard work to make the United State the best! This is our heritage. This is what we believe in.

As American citizens now, it is our duty to fight and believe in those same beliefs of our ancestors, for freedom, justice and pride. We hold these truths to be good. We believe that all men were created equal. We believe in the freedoms of speech, religion and the right to own private property. It is only by our Independence that we can live these freedoms. It was for these reasons why our ancestors died fighting. It is our personal responsibility to honor our heritage by fulfilling the legacy of our ancestors.

Preserving our heritage involves a duty to our Nation. This duty includes building upon our successes and working towards excelsior. As a citizen it is important to participate first in our families, then communities and government. It is by creating a strong base that we can create a strong and prosperous nation. We must instill these qualities of virtue and patriotism so that we can defend these truths. Take up the responsibility to fulfill your duty for the sake of your ancestors.

It is by knowing what we believe in, living our beliefs and educating our own family to live as patriots in America that we will preserve our freedom. Let us not forget where we came from. Let us not forget the lives lost for our freedom. Let us make our ancestors proud. So we hold our head high in this great nation, the land of the free and home of the brave. We stand in the light of those who came before us and build the future for our children to live as we have lived, only better. Remember our American heritage and fulfill the duty of preserving it.

Sarah Chmelik

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

WHO IS "GLITCH GIRL"?

GUEST POST by Parrish Miller (Boise, Idaho) — 

Have you heard of "Glitch Girl"? That is the name being given to the mysterious woman whose face graced the national obamacare website until just this week. Her identity remains unknown and the reason for her sudden departure remains a mystery. Learn more and see some of the latest memes at WhoIsGlitchGirl.com.
OBAMACARE ISN'T FREE? I BLAME "GLITCH GIRL"!


MP² Goes to College

GUEST POST by Sen. Steven Thayn (Gem County, Idaho) — 

Dear College Republicans and others;

This is a YouTube video introducing MP²

We will be in the following locations in November to discuss the MP² project:
  • CDA on the 18th of November at the NIC SUB
  • Lewiston on the 19th site yet to be determined
  • Nampa on the 20th at the Nampa Civic center
  • Boise at BSU on the 21st in the SUB
  • Idaho Falls at University Place on the 22nd
  • Pocatello on the 23rd at the ISU SUB
All meetings will be at 7:00 pm except at ISU which will be at 4:00 pm.

Senator Steven Thayn


P.S. Here is an essay with the flavor of MP²

Cause of Poverty
By
Senator Steven Thayn

America spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year to address poverty. However, this spending is mostly ineffective, even counterproductive, because of the lack of understanding of the cause of poverty. The root cause of poverty is lack of production.

Laborers that produce goods and services, which can be exchanged with their fellow laborer for goods and services, are not poor. The poor either do not produce or under-produce. The key to addressing poverty is to increase productive capacity of the poor. Current government social programs focus on equal distribution of wealth rather than on a more equitable distribution of work.

Poverty reduction requires access to natural resources, ability to work, and ability to accumulate or have access to capital. Natural resources + labor + capital = Prosperity This formula applies to nations and to individuals.

America is doing the exact opposite. It has embraced:
  • entitlements that remove labor from the labor force
  • radical environmentalism which restrict access to natural resources
  • high taxes and deficit spending which destroy capital needed for economic growth
The current system of anti-poverty programs actually increases poverty while wasting billions of dollars of taxpayer funds and indebting the unborn to pay for imprudent poverty programs. It is time to transform entitlement programs.

It is more accurate to say poverty programs cause poverty than it is to say poverty programs cure poverty. The focus must change to helping people become productive. The MP² Project explains how to make the transition from our current system to a productive system.



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

A Letter to Boise's Mayor Bieter

GUEST POST by Tammie Casteel (Boise, Idaho) — 

October 4, 2013

Dear Mayor Bieter:

I attended the Bond Proposal Open House on August 22nd and performed some online research pertaining to the portion of the Bond that will result in additional funding for a fire training facility. I also attended the council meeting on September 11th in which you and the City Council voted unanimously to place the Bond on the ballet in November. The portion of the bond that relates to the fire training facility was $16,900,000 Million dollars.

My online research found that there was a major decision made by yourself and the City Council on November 27, 2012. This meeting was open to the public and was conducted at 12:00 noon on that particular date. You and the City Council agreed to implement Resolution R-401-12.

I researched this Resolution online and found that it pertained to a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Boise Fire Fighters in which their Union contract was amended for changes made to implement the biweekly payroll system and changes to participation in the social security system.

Apparently, from reading this memorandum from Kevin Borger dated November 27, 2012, it mentions that the firefighters for the City took place in some kind of vote that resulted in the "opting out" of social security.

Article 3 of this contract also states that fire fighters will receive a 2.5% pay increase for the upcoming year.

Article 4 discusses that a referendum was held by the fire fighters in which the fire fighters opting out of social security. The contract specifies that this was a "loss" of social security coverage. In essence, the fire fighters voted to accept this "loss" of social security benefits. I will like to point out that the loss of this benefit actually resulted in a pay raise to the fire fighters of 6.2% (the amount that is no longer required to be paid by fire fighters into social security).

This is also a savings to the City as well. Because fire fighters no longer pay into social security, the City will not be required to pay a matching amount into social security.

This is a huge saving to the City and my tax dollars. Back in December of 2011, the Idaho Reporter reported on statistics relating to fire fighters salaries for the City of Boise. It stated and I quote "Records show 31 firemen earned more then $100,000 in 2011, totaling $3.3 million in salary. Another 42 earned more then $90,000 in a collective 3.97 million. Again, a larger number of firefighters – 66 – earned more than $80,000 annually. In all, the fire department is slated to pay out $22 million in wages this year, with the average worker earning slightly less than $80,000."

If we take the figures provided by the Idaho Reporter we have a cost savings to the city of $1,364,000 per year in Social Security Tax. ($22 million times 6.2%). That is a considerable amount of savings. The Idaho Reporter also stated that the average fire fighter in the State is paid $34,000 a year. Therefore, the City of Boise is substantially higher in salaries.

However, the City apparently decided to give this savings back to the firefighters. The City, per article 4, states that in lieu of paying social security tax the City will pay up to 6.2% of the fire fighters wages into PERSI choice 401(k). I will like to point out that this resulted in a wage increase of an additional 6.2% as well.

Additionally, the contract discusses the fact that the referendum also resulted in a few fire fighters being exempt from Medicare tax as well. The savings to the City would be 1.45% of those particular employees salary. Again, the City decided to give this savings back to those particular fire fighters. For those fire fighters that are no longer subject to Medicare tax the City has agreed to pay 1.45% of their salary into the Cities health insurance plan.

Finally, the contract states that the City agreed to seek for refunds of social security and Medicare taxes for both the City and the employees. The City agreed to pay over all refunds to the employees. I would hope that this would only apply to the employee's share of Social Security and Medicare and not to the Cities share.

I have discussed this matter with a tax professional and was told that there is nothing under the Internal Revenue Code that would require the employer to ever have to pay over their share of Social Security taxes to the employees if they filed for a refund. If the City paid their share of Social Security refunds to the employee it would have been done so voluntarily. Since nothing is mentioned in the contract that the employer was required to pay these refunds to the employees, I will assume that you and the city council voluntarily agreed to pay the Cities share to the employees.

As a business owner and residence of the City of Boise I respectfully submit to you the following questions:
  1. When was the decision made to give the employer share of the refund, plus interest, to the eligible firefighter voter?
  2. Who was involved in making this decision?
  3. What years did the City receive refunds of Social Security taxes on eligible firefighters?
  4. How much was the actual refund amount that the City received for their share of Social Security and Medicare taxes from these refunds?
  5. Were the Boise City taxpayers given information about the vote and the City's decision to voluntarily give its share of the refund, plus interest, to the eligible fire fighter voter?
  6. How long is the City required to voluntarily contribute 6.2% into the PERSI choice 401(k) plan for eligible fire fighter voter?
  7. Did the 2.5% pay increase as stated in the Union contract actually go through?
The eligible firefighter voters legally and voluntarily decided to "opt" out of Social Security. It was not a benefit that was taken from the fire fighters. In effect, if Boise City gave the eligible firefighter voters its share of the refund, plus interest, — whether in cash or as a contribution to a retirement plan — the firefighter received a sizable benefit that the City of Boise taxpayers may not be aware of. I ask the City of Boise to provide the details to this financial transaction by answering the above questions. You can either send your written response to my address in Boise or to my E-mail. Both are shown below.

Respectfully,
Tammie Casteel

Monday, October 28, 2013

Four Years and Counting

GUEST POST by Darr Moon (Custer County, Idaho) — 

It has been a difficult four years for those of us who still believe in well-defined and constitutionally limited government. You'd think by now with all the stones thrown at the tea party that we'd just crawl under a rock and go away. That's what the media and the big government type hopes for, but I'm assured they haven't done the math. There are more of us than there are of them. Four years into the battle of ideals and we are now hardened warriors, not the naïve news junkies of past or the sit around coffee houses and complain types. We've been called "tea baggers", bigots, racists and homophobes by all sorts of political apparatchik but the smear campaign doesn't stick because the truth is apparent for all to see. And so the truth must be told and the white light of reason shone on the fear mongering incendiaries who cling to their big government ideology and their green bibles.

It may seem that we are losing every battle, that the confines of government continue to press further, but the truth once again is that government is losing badly. The recent roll out of the ObamaCare website is only a minor example of government failure. Look under the hood and you will see that America is broke with nowhere to hide the burdensome debt now at $17 trillion, young people are unemployed and most people now are under employed. The number of actual unemployed is over 21 million. We live in a society where almost 48 million people are on food stamps and 1 in 5 go hungry and where electronic gadgetry has replace mom or dad in millions of broken homes. Do you think it is free enterprise tapping the life from all these souls?

Now that everyone is talking about insurance coverage within our state health exchange, why haven't we had the conversation about rising medical costs? Could it be that we've been herded once again into a pen by fear mongers? Instead of breaking free our chains of government security and letting the entrepreneurial expertise of the free market lower medical bills as it naturally would, the drum beats for more government involvement sound. Put your trust in government and see the result. Failure after failure.

The great Ponzi scheme is about up though. The youth of America will soon realize that without their diligent effort working a life time at menial jobs will this old and infirm establishment survive. In fact when they realize they've got to pay for the excess the progressive regimes have created, heads will roll. Occupy Wall Street will look like a Sunday picnic in MacArthur park. When those $100,000 student loans can't be paid back because the promise of good jobs is discovered to be just another con job by those firmly ensconced in lucrative ivory towers many will hang from lamp posts.

The world of progressivism is dying and the world of free men is dawning. No amount of media hype or political rhetoric can hide that fact. It sad that the lean forward progressive movement steered by our many leaders over such a long time will cause such havoc, but then again, can you think of any collectivist society that hasn't eaten their own. The simple truth is for all to see and understand, but ignorance has trumped reality in these days of all about me. Just as gravity affects all mass, this bubble of inflated egos and over paid nitwits will burst. This is why we at the Custer County Tea Party have been at it for four years. Only by those who understand the principle of free men will our nation be free again. The task is immense so onward, onward, steadily onward soldiers, we've got a long way to go and many ignorant souls to turn.

In Liberty,

Darr Moon
Custer County Tea Party, Born October 27, 2009

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Update on Idaho's State Exchange

GUEST POST by Rep. Janet Trujillo (Idaho Legislative District 33) — 

On October 16, 2013 Frank Chan resigned from the Your Health Idaho board to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. The same day the exchange awarded his company a no-bid contract worth up to $375,000. The story broke when associated press reporter John Miller posted his story Idaho insurance exchange official quits, gets deal. Chan's company, Boise-based Applied Computing, will serve as the exchange's information technology consultant.

In the Associated Press story Amy Dowd, Your Health Idaho executive director, said she gave Chan the contract without advertising it under an "interim procurement policy." While the policy hasn't gotten final board approval, it now allows her to quickly sign contracts without seeking potential interest from other vendors."

Members of the board commented the award of the contract was a surprise. Why is this such a surprise? Earlier this year Idaho's Legislature exempted the exchange from state procurement rules, allowing its leaders to largely set its own policies on deals with private vendors.

The governor's office didn't sign off on the contract. "Our role was to accept Mr. Chan's resignation before a contract was offered," a governor spokesman said. Earlier this year, Chan was appointed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to help oversee the Internet marketplace. Should the governor's office have objected to such a proposal?

Amy Dowd has said. "Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of time." I disagree with this statement. The Idaho State Exchange has allowed the Federal Exchange to take over exchange functions in order to have the time to get up and running. There is no need to award contracts without following the competitive bidding process.

Monday evening prior to the Tuesday morning board meeting Frank Chan canceled his contract since it has faced a lot of criticism from many legislators (including myself) and the public. The debate over the contracts is sure to be a major discussion this coming session. Not only will the contracts be discussed but so will the fact that the exchange is allowed to raise fees without oversight. The exchange's management has already considered raising the fee it assesses on insurance purchases from the current 1.5 percent up to 2.6 percent within the next two years.

My recommendations, the board should recuse Frank Chan's company from bidding during the competitive bidding process. The state exchange is operating under a "draft" procurement policy. The board must finalize this policy immediately. Due to poor decision making, many are calling for Amy Dowd to resign her position.

Complete lack of accountability is one of the many reasons I chose to vote "NO" on implementation of the state exchange, the citizens deserve nothing less than transparency and confidence in government agencies including the exchange.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

$34 million Boise City Bond Vote

GUEST POST by Pat Felts (Idaho) — 

Three open houses to inform Boise voters about the November bond election had a total of 63 attending.

Recently the city council, with two members absent, unanimously voted to put the following on the ballot: $18.4 million for one of the main votes including 1) upgrade or replace four aging fire stations 2) build a new central fire training facility for Boise and surrounding communities on Joplin Road.

Questions: 1) Can't the existing Intermountain Fire Agency be used? 2) Why not build a new center in a more accessible location, used and supported by all communities?

The other main vote will include $15.5 million a) for more foothills open space, b) develop three new parks and add amenities to two existing ones.

Questions: 1) Why aren't present foothills open spaces adequate? 2) What per cent of proposed open space will be acquired from private ownership? 3) Will the public be allowed to use the new acquisitions, at the cost of $10 million? 4) Why $5.5 million for parks when the 80 existing parks, in the yellow pages, plotted on a Boise map are fairly evenly distributed?

Friday, October 18, 2013

Letter to the Boise School Board

GUEST POST by Katherine Frazier (Idaho) — 

Dear Boise School Board Trustees,

Common Core is intellectually unacceptable. This Common Core is the new name for an old idea, namely, centralized control of America's schools.

It is intellectually unacceptable because it is an old idea dressed up to look new. Are American parents fooled by this deceit? I think not. Are educators fooled by this deceit? I think not, but they are willing to be courted by money.

It is intellectually unacceptable because it was, in its present guise, designed by a motley crew that did not include educators—not even one mathematician—but did include another phony, Planned Parenthood.

It is intellectually unacceptable because it was presented and even accepted in an unfinished form. In the South of America we had a name for that; buying a pig in a poke.

It is intellectually unacceptable because the program, written by bureaucrats, is copyrighted. Exceptional students and exceptional teachers cannot escape its dreariness. My children were raised by educated parents who frequently brought out the Oxford Dictionary at the dinner table. How stifled they might have felt under the rule of Common Core. Inquiring children would probably risk becoming "common," floating on the current of mediocrity.

It is intellectually unacceptable because it cannot—will not—employ the term "excellent."

There are many other reasons that Common Core should have been rejected at its first reading, but the Boise School District trustees can halt this dreadful idea before it takes root and ruins the very institution they are committed to serve.

Our schools can be noble, not common.

Sincerely,
Katherine Frazier

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Who Should We Blame?

GUEST POST by Bill van Heukelom (Idaho) — 

Enough of placing the blame and being angry at and on our Politicians. Let's put the blame where it belongs. We all know that the politicians do what they want until they are voted out of office. Wasting time on these individuals is really a waste of time and just gets your blood pressure up. Believe me it has no other cause.

My request to you is to make an attempt to open the eyes of those who have been infatuated by our President and his brilliant speeches. My request is for you to address all democrats directly on the air and on all your other great shows. You and I know that the Conservatives and Republicans agree with you. The Democrats should be your target to be addressed. Help them to become aware how much they hurt their loved ones and neighbors by approving the Healthcare program.

Let them know that it is for strictly selfish reasons without really knowing what they are doing. I am sure that you will be able to reason out what I am trying to ask you to do. At one time they called it being "Brainwashed." Why else are we being bombarded with speeches?

Everyday a blurb here and there and maybe some programs dedicated to all those Democrats who care for their loved ones. Let's stop the rhetoric, name calling, blame and anger.

Just a reminder that it is easier to attract and catch flies with honey then with vinegar. Focus on NBC and CNBC that they are to be held responsible for a lot of what is going on. Concentrate on these guys instead of those who you would like to agree with you. Please concentrate on all the businesses closing the doors. Please spend one show on all these companies and how many Democrats, Republicans and Conservatives will lose their jobs and will be forced to live on unemployment and food stamps. Please focus on our Independence and what made this country great. Independence and Freedom to choose what we believe to be good for us and not be forced to live under the pressure of becoming a criminal if we don't follow what we are being told to do. Just wondering why those in higher places can break the laws without being penalized.

Thanks for considering and applying my suggestions.

Did you watch the debt debate?

GUEST POST by Glen Seamons (Idaho) — 

Did you watch the debt debate? I watched most of it. It was awesome. Like a 2 week super bowl. My wife thinks I am crazy. But the reason I am getting in touch with you is I have a concept that I would like to share. There are Dems and Repubs alike saying that the repubs lost. I just don't see that. Mike Lee and Ted Cruz did a good job of fighting. But the end result looks a lot like surrender on both sides. More of a truce than a deal. We are basically right now where we started. So they fought the good fight. But without votes in the Senate they cannot get rid of Obamacare. So they called a truce……and talks will continue in committee. But nothing is going to change. So……take the fight to the people. Let's get them to launch campaign based on their efforts and how they tried so hard but the missing link is the conservative vote in the 2014 Senate race. We need to launch an all-out total media campaign to get conservatives to join the battle everywhere. We need to get with them and help organize this. I called Ted Cruz. His mail box is full. We have the house. We need the Senate and then Obamacare is gone. The thing is…..Obamacare is kicking in. Obama can no longer hide. The truth is coming out now. Obamacare sucks. So when we get the house and the senate then just remove the mandate. Make Obamacare stand on its own. Poof….It is gone!!!!! I don't have enough clout by myself to get anything done. Maybe you and your group have some pathway to access the people that can work on this. Please let me know what you think of my idea. Maybe they can get a delay in the next 3 months. I doubt it. We have to have people who will fight for freedom. We have to have the Senate. This is perfect time to attack the Senate. All they said was No,No,No!!!!! Let's get them!!!!!!!!

Monday, October 7, 2013

Idaho Land Board vs. Idaho Republican Platform

GUEST POST by Robert Forrey (Former Idaho State Legislator) — 

Land Board¹: Challenge for the trustee (Land Board) is managing revenue-generating activities within a government agency. (Asset Plan² p. 3)
Platform³: "A competitive market, free of undue governmental competition, restriction, coercion, or interference, is critical to Idaho's economic well-being." (p. 9)

Land Board: Currently owns and manages eight parking lots and seven office-retail properties in downtown Boise. They plan to buy more commercial properties to include, but not be limited to, office, retail, and light industrial business, public facilities, hospitality, energy resources (wind, hydro, geothermal), communication sites, ski resorts, etc. (p. 23)
Platform: "The proper role of government is to provide only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations." (p. 1)

Land Board: Change social and political attitudes and values, markets, and products. (p. 26)
Platform: "We believe Idahoans must protect the principles and values that have made us strong." (p. 1)

Land Board: Operating a profit oriented business within a government agency. (p. 26)
Land Board: Add properties to the commercial portfolio. (p. 24)
Platform: "We endorse the review of all government programs and encourage their assumption by private enterprise..." (p. 2)


1. Members of the Idaho Land Board are: Governor Butch Otter, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna, Controller Brandon Woolf, and Secretary of State Ben Ysursa.

2. Land Board quotes are taken from the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners' State Trust Land Asset Management Plan, Dec. 20, 2011.

3. Platform quotes are taken from the 2012 Idaho Republican Party Platform.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

US Forest Service moves to seize more land!

GUEST POST by Sara Hall (Chairwoman, Boundary County Citizen Lands Alliance) — 

Dear Friends,

I highly suggest that everyone get themselves a copy of the Bonners Ferry Herald this week, as it contains a decision by the Forest Service to manage the Forest with less public access and more areas like wilderness. We have 60 days to comment as of September 27 when the announcement was evidently posted in the CDA Press and the Missoulian. The legal notice can be found on the Forest Planning web site. According to the forest planning website the objection period started September 28, the day after being posted. Here is a link to the pdf document containing the legal notice.

Guidelines for objection process are found in the pdf document and also here. Also on the forest planning site, one may obtain the Revised Forest Plan documents. You have to scroll down this page to find the links.

Below you will find a very interesting notice that was forwarded to me by the Sanders Natural Resource Council. This email notice contains some valuable information and links. It is well worth the time to read. Evidently a couple of groups, the Blue Ribbon Council and the Americans for Responsible Access, are pooling resources to fight back with a lawsuit and by introducing bills into Congress to end what they call "de facto" wilderness areas being established by the US Forest Service. As the writers of the attached notice point out, only Congress has the authority to designate a wilderness area. It's obvious that the USFS has been ruling our lands by policy not law for decades, and we want it stopped. Here is a link to sign a petition to Raul Labrador in Idaho, or to whomever your representatives may be if you don't live in Idaho.

There is also a petition to support legislation limiting these sue and settle lawsuits initiated by Big Green groups that are getting wealthy at our expense and imposing their radical ideas about conservation on the rest of us.

Please feel free to forward this information to whomsoever you will. I will be putting together comments during the next few weeks. Please contact me if you'd like to meet or have ideas about the matter. I am sure open to discussion.



Message from the BlueRibbon Coalition:

U.S. FOREST SERVICE CONTINUES UNLAWFUL "DE FACTO WILDERNESS" POLICY IN TWO MORE NATIONAL FORESTS!

MILLIONS OF ACRES OF PREMIER RECREATION AT RISK IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED!

GREETINGS BRC ACTION ALERT SUBSCRIBERS,

The Forest Service has just released the final drafts and draft Record of Decisions (RODs) for the Kootenai National Forest and the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Normally, these Forest Plans are akin to a master zoning plan, outlining general management guidance for large geographic areas, leaving site specific decisions for a later time or for a local Ranger District. This makes sense, because in today's world the agency simply does not have the resources to render defensible site specific decisions at the Forest Plan stage.

SPECIFICALLY, THE USFS IS CREATING "DE FACTO WILDERNESS."

While the revised Plan decisions are generally programmatic, this Record of Decision also incorporates the following decisions:
  • RESTRICT MOTORIZED (85,800 ACRES) AND MECHANIZED (176,827 ACRES) USE IN MANAGEMENT AREAS ALLOCATED TO RECOMMENDED WILDERNESS AND RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS. This decision authorizes an accompanying closure order as per 36 CFR 261 Subpart B and aligns the allowed uses within the management area direction established in the revised Plan.
  • Restrict the use of hand-held motorized equipment in management areas allocated to recommended wilderness or primitive areas, except for administrative use. This decision authorizes an accompanying order as per 36 CFR 261 Subpart B and aligns the allowed uses within the management area direction established in the revised Plan.
You're probably saying, "THAT'S NOT LEGAL! ONLY CONGRESS CAN CREATE WILDERNESS!!"

Well, just like Emperor Palpatine in George Lucas "Star Wars" films, the USFS wants to make it legal!

BUT LIKE THE PLUCKY HERO REBELS IN STAR WARS, BRC AND THE IDAHO STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION ARE FIGHTING BACK!

Last year, BRC and ISSA joined forces in the courtroom to challenge the 2011 Clearwater National Forest Travel Plan and its rollout of the Northern Region Recommended Wilderness Area ("RWA") Policy. Under the Policy, RWAs will effectively be managed as formally designated Wilderness.

Like a slow moving virus, this unlawful policy has now spread to the Idaho Panhandle and the Kootenai National Forests. The documents are now available on the IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FORESTS PLANNING WEB PAGE and the KOOTENAI-IDAHO PANHANDLE ZONE FOREST PLAN REVISION WEBSITE.

Additional information, including maps, supporting documents, and how to participate in the objection process, can also be found on their website. The FS responses to your comments on the draft EIS and draft Forest Plan are in Appendix G of the FEIS.

These draft decisions are subject to a pre-decisional administrative review process (objection process), pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule (Subpart B of36 CFR 219). That "objection process" provides us an opportunity to challenge this flagrant disregard of the law.

Now, we don't want to be "Pollyannaish" here. The "objection process" is like appealing to the King for something the Prince did wrong. The USFS has "gone rogue" as they say. The fact is, they really are intent on "making this legal."

IN OTHER WORDS, WE'LL FILE A FORMAL OBJECTION, BUT WE AREN'T OPTIMISTIC THE USFS WILL CHANGE THEIR MIND.

That means we're going to need your help fighting this in the courts and also on the political playing field. Toward that end, we have a important 3-STEP ACTION ITEM below.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW!

THANKS IN ADVANCE AND, AS ALWAYS, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT BRC.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED — HELP US STOP THIS UNLAWFUL POLICY

BELOW IS ONE OF BRC'S FAMOUS, INSANELY EASY 3-STEP ACTION ITEMS.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!

ACTION ITEM 1: - FORWARD THIS ALERT, LIKE OR SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK.

ACTION ITEM 2: - PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LAWSUIT AGAINST THIS OUTRAGEOUS "DE-FACTO WILDERNESS" POLICY.

ACTION ITEM 3: - CONTACT CONGRESS IMMEDIATELY.

Our National partners, Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) have created one of their excellent "click and send" action items. This is the quickest and easiest way to send a message to Congress about what the USFS is doing.

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among recreationists. Call 1-800-BlueRib or visit us online at www.sharetrails.org

Friday, October 4, 2013

Thoughts on Common Core

GUEST POST by Senator Steven Thayn (Gem County, Idaho) —  

Dear Fellow Legislators and other interested parties:

I am convinced that Idaho has some of the best educators in the nation. For the most part, they work hard and are very concerned about their students. I believe working together; Idaho can continue to improve the educational experience for our youth.

Common Core is the most important education issue to come before the legislature for many years. Since, I have been active in education issues; I believe that I should share my thoughts with you on this issue.

To begin, there are three different perspectives of what Common Core is. Tom Luna's view and the view of many educators is that Common Core is a voluntary set of benign standards that are superior to the standards currently in place.

The second view of Common Core is that they are a step toward nationalization of the curriculum with the accompanying loss of local control. This view believes that Common Core standards are inferior standards, the testing process will lead to manipulation and control of the population and students will not be ready for college.

The third view of Common Core is what Common Core actually becomes which will be determined by the actions that we take as legislators in the next session. What Common Core becomes will probably fall somewhere between these two extremes.

In my discussion with interested parties, I have learned that there are six major areas of concern which both camps seem to agree on which are:
  1. Parental, local, and state control over the education system is superior to federal control of education and the curriculum.
  2. Protecting the individual student data from third party access such as the federal government, private corporations, and researchers is necessary. The reason is simple. Data can be used to manipulate, intimidate, or give or deny access to education and other services.
  3. The nature of the standards is critical. Are the standards quality standards? Are they sequential?
  4. The nature of the test. Does the test give more weight to process or to the correct answer? If the test gives more weight to the process, then this discriminates against students that were not trained in a specific system and would discriminate against home schooled students and public school students that don't think in the prescribed manner. Subjective answers give power to the graders of the test to favor one thought pattern over another. Finally, subjectively grading tests is more expensive.
  5. Cost. What is the cost of the Common Core system? Where is the money coming from? To my knowledge, a cost analysis has not been done.
  6. The content of the curriculum. This refers to what is taught to students that parents may disagree with, for example: American history, when sex education is taught, the role of global warming, exposure to homosexuality, and other controversial issues. Whose view of the world should be taught? Those of the parents or those of social elites? Common Core currently does not deal with many of these issues; however, they are still an ongoing concern.
Perspective

One camp opposed to Common Core believes that Common Core should be repealed. I like to point out to them that if Common Core is repealed that all six problems still exist. There is still a threat of the nationalization of public education, data mining by the federal government will still be a problem, discussions on standards will still take place, testing is still an issue, cost is still and issue, and what is taught in school is still an issue.

I believe there are issues that need to be addressed in all six areas. I have suggested several possible solutions. Some require legislation while others do not. Let's take each area one at a time and go over potential fixes.
  1. Nationalization of the curriculum. Few want the federal government to control curriculum. While this is not a threat this year or next, there is a real concern in the next 5, 10, or 20 years unless active steps are taken to protect Idaho from this threat – real or imagined.
    1. A solution would be to strengthen the power of parents in choosing the curriculum. It is contrary to federal law for the federal government to control the curriculum. Placing parents in a stronger position would be a good first step in this process. I have written a bill that allows parents to choose any curriculum for math in elementary school or any curriculum for government class. This means that the curriculum does not have to be approved by the feds, by the state, or by the local school board. The bill states that if 10 or fewer students desire the same alternative curriculum, the school district does not have to provide the instructor but must facilitate parents teaching the curriculum within the school. If 11 or more students desire an alternative curriculum, the school must provide the instruction. It could be a class within a class. The cost of the curriculum would be paid for by the parents and the students would need to take the same final test as the students that take the approved curriculum. Finally, strengthening the role of parents in choosing the curriculum creates a culture of parental control and involvement that would protect Idaho from many future federal actions.
  2. Data mining. A bill needs to be written to address some of these concerns. I have not written such a bill; however, Senator Goedde indicated he was working on such a bill.
  3. The nature of the standards. This will be an ongoing discussion. I have some concerns with the Common Core math standards. In the first grade math standards, it says the first graders should be able to reason abstractly. This concerns me at several levels. First of all, most first graders do not reason abstractly. They reason concretely. In Ray's New Arithmetics, which was used over 130 years ago, great care is given to explain to the teacher when a child can reason abstractly and when a child cannot. One of the biggest clues concerns numbers. Rays Arithmetic always uses numbers with objects -- one apple, two birds etc. It never uses numbers by themselves because numbers are abstractions, until the child starts using numbers abstractly. For example, when talking about an object, instead of saying 2 birds, the child simply says 2. I am greatly concerned that educators have not raised this concern. My concern about the education establishment is that educators tend to follow the crowd rather than raise concerns that are not accepted by administrators or education experts. They tend to yield to peer-pressure rather than raise concerns. I do not know if this is because they are afraid of losing their job or they lack confidence in their own ideas or if they have been conditioned to go along.
    1. I believe that Common Core Standards need to be compared with standards from high performing nations and states such as Massachusetts Language Art standards of several years ago or previous year's California math standards. Common Core standards will be in place for a couple of years even if we decide to change them; never-the-less, an ongoing discussion is needed to decide if Common Core standards are the standards we actually want to keep. The legislature has not debated this issue and it needs to be debated.
    2. Math path – One of the concerns of those opposed to Common Core is that Common Core math standards do not support STEM careers; namely, Common Core only supports Algebra through high school. In order to correct this concern, I would suggest publishing a Math Path or the math classes that need to be taken by students beginning in the 7th grade in order to take calculus their senior year of high school. This is a simple solution.
    3. Allowing the parents to choose the curriculum for math in elementary school would also address this problem.
  4. The nature of the Test. I am so concerned about this issue that I would recommend delaying the beginning of the Smarter Balance test for a year to ascertain if this is the test that we want. Another option would be for legislators and concerned parents to take the test to see, for themselves, if they approve of the test or not. Maybe we should keep in place the ISAT for another year. At the very least, correct answers on a test must count more than the process. I would suggest that any test that gives a wrong score for the correct answer (because the process is lacking) while giving credit for the wrong answer if the process is correct should be prohibited within the state of Idaho.
  5. Cost. Superintendent Luna and other Common Core supporters need to tell the legislature what are the costs. This is simply a prudent question and area of discussion.
  6. The nature of the curriculum. Allowing the parents to begin to choose the curriculum in math in elementary school and government class is a good first step. In the future, if this concerns continues, parents may need to be able to choose the curriculum in other areas as well such as literature, science etc.
These thoughts are a summary of some of the major issues that I see with both Common Core and education in general. My hope is that they may be helpful in framing the discussion and addressing some very important issues.

I spoke with Tom Luna about the issues raised in the paper. He agrees with most of the concerns and is supportive of many of the proposals. He pointed out that:
  1. Common Core is, in his opinion, the floor and not the ceiling.
  2. The ISAT test only tested through algebra; yet, students still took calculus.
  3. The Smarter Balance assessment has a three year role out. Last year it was tested in 120 schools, this year students in all schools will take it, and next year will be the first year of full implementation. He indicated that the questions will be available to review.
  4. Superintendent Luna would see if parents and legislators could take the test after the students took the test.
  5. One last concern was the sexually explicit nature of some of the recommended literature. I requested that he contact the Smarter Balance test creators to see if passages from these books could be barred from tests in Idaho. If they can, then we have some control over the nature of the test. If they cannot be barred, then the test is of real concern.


Thursday, October 3, 2013

A Necessary Rebuttal

GUEST POST by Jim Chmelik (Idaho County Commissioner) — 

NOTE: Rebuttal written in response to this editorial opinion.

I agree with Governor Otter and his proposal to manage a swath of federal lands within the state of Idaho, however, this is where the agreement ends. The Governor has missed an historic opportunity to integrate a strategy of supporting state management of public lands and also the constitutional duty of the federal government to dispose of public lands within in each state; to join Utah in its struggle to lead this charge and bring us to an equal footing with the rest of our 39 sister states; and the opportunity to provide adequate funding for our children's education and leave a legacy for future generations.

A recent article in Forbes Magazine clearly points out how a state like North Dakota stands in stark contrast to Utah and our other 10 western states.

"In North Dakota, the federal government gave up almost all of its land holdings. North Dakota can innovate and utilize the state's natural resources while Utah is prevented from doing so."

"Freeing once-federal land sparked North Dakota's economic growth. North Dakota was the fastest-growing state in 2012 with a GDP growth rate of 13.4 percent. No other state in 2012 saw double-digit GDP growth. North Dakota enjoyed an oil and energy boom from the lands given back to the state. During a time where jobs are a key issue in any political debate, access to the land previously owned by the feds provided the state with 18,000 new jobs."

"Economic growth allowed North Dakota to collect more revenue from its oil and energy industry and use it for the betterment of its residents and communities. North Dakota saw an improvement of $1.4 billion to its infrastructure and school buildings and spending on education in the classroom exceeds the national average by $3,700 per pupil."

Those who would argue we couldn't manage these lands are foregoing the opportunity cost as realized by North Dakota. Rather than having a meaningful discussion they use language like "meaningless showboating" and say "Millions of acres of now freely accessible public hunting, fishing and hiking grounds would be sold off or lent to the highest bidder."

We all understand the need to preserve nature and the recreation that goes with it, and also our need to balance this with our need to have places to work and live. No one involved with the discussion concerning the Transfer of Public Lands has said they wish to stop the access we have come to enjoy concerning the opportunities our public lands provide.

Under federal ownership we will always be subject to the fancies of Washington D.C., and the whims of the other 39 states. Under state management we might run the program however the feds will call the shots, (i.e. Idaho DEQ Vs. EPA). We in Idaho cannot intervene into Maryland's affairs, why are they allowed to interfere in Idaho's?

Governor this is a question of Federalism Vs. Socialism, the idea of returning the government to a more local and accountable representation not a central bureaucracy 2700 mile away. Have you lost the passion for the fight; you caved into Obama Care and we are seeing the results. Governor your new campaign is to thin the threat I agree thin the threat of the federal government from the state of Idaho

We get the government we tolerate.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Boise land grab demonstrates need for significant reform

Have you noticed in the recent past that the borders of Boise City are reaching out, in all directions? At a recent City Council meeting, with two members absent, the remaining four voted to annex 97 parcels of land of varying sizes into the city.

Most of the parcels were entirely surrounded by Boise City, which meant that the owners purchased it before the present borders were in place.

Two couples came to protest the annexation. Both were annexed as planned. One protester, a lady, and her son who was dressed in his army camos had owned and improved their acreage for 25 years, with no request for city services.

The 2013 Boise Bond issue will bring $10 million to the city's planners for the purchase of additional land toward the foothills. The land will then not be available for private purchase and normal taxes.

Another development settling Boise borders and shrinking tax base, is the purchase of land and businesses by the Idaho Land Board. Add to that the recent Council-approved expansion of city property by Boise State University.

Councilman Elaine Clegg voted against the BSU acquisition, commenting that it was not good stewardship of Boise's money.

We citizens are going to be feeling the tax pinch. It all adds up to a bond issue that shows our need of more restraint.

Regards,
Chad Inman, President, Tea Party Boise

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The growing US Debt shows a lack of integrity

GUEST POST by Michael Bowman (Boise, Idaho) — 

WE THE PEOPLE ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE AND CONGRESS HAS NO QUALMS ABOUT SADDLING US WITH MORE IRRESPONSIBLE DEBT, AFTER ALL WE KEEP ELECTING AND RE-ELECTING THEM TO LINE THEIR OWN POCKETS, SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE RICHEST IN OUR NATION ALL ON OUR DIME.

It is time for ALL concerned, patriotic and freedom loving Americans to seriously look at what we have allowed to happen. The solution to our economic woes MUST begin with an acknowledgment of our part in this mess. We are reaping the results of well over 60 years of ignoring the underlying problems that that an unchecked governmental presence in our lives has created.

We have allowed both Congress and the Executive Branch of Government to completely quit serving the needs of our nation. This was done while too many of us were too absorbed in living what we believed was Camelot, and somehow we also managed to deceive ourselves that is was perpetual and nothing we could do or not do could ever end it. These were merely thoughts of delusion.

Our unchecked government has long since divorced itself from the needs of our nation, the fact that they were to have been elected as servants and their charge of duty was to be the best stewards of the monies of a free market society were providing them to spend. They have long since become intoxicated with the power they have taken from the hard labor of every honest American.

The problem I see with where we are is less about the national debt and it is more about the total lack of integrity in those we have elected. Our apathy has allowed them to quit being our servants and they have nearly completed the transition from servant to master. We The People have also been making a transition too; we have gone from a free and self-reliant people, people of great pride and integrity to a people that can barely survive without the handout from the same people who are at an alarming rate confiscating our hard earned monies. Indeed many are now willing to grovel at their feet for a few morsels.

If we as a nation are to survive we must take control of ourselves, we must exercise our God given duty of citizenship. We must stand up together and we MUST reclaim our freedom and independence. We must take the reins of government back into our hands. The only way this can be accomplished is by removing the whole cancer of this current government. Just like a battle with cancer in your body if we allow one living cancer cell to survive we will end back in the same predicament. There are a few good people now serving, however in order for US to make a complete and fresh start we must begin anew. We do not need any chance for corrupted ideas to survive. We The People can IF we are willing to come together and work both hard and intelligently can in a short time overcome the debts and challenges of survival of this great nation.

Where do you stand? What are you willing to do? Is this great nation worth the fight for you? Is leaving a legacy of freedom bought with hard work and integrity or enslavement caused by apathy and no ambition and dependence the legacy you want for your children and grandchildren. The brave men and women of the WWII era rose up against insurmountable odds and defeated enemies that were after our freedom and wealth simultaneously on two separate continents. How can we do less?

Join US as we work together to ensure both the freedom and survival of our nation. ~Benghazi ~MLB

facebook.com/NationalVoteOutIncumbents

HERE IS WHAT 15 TRILLION DOLLARS IN ONE DOLLAR BILLS LOOKS LIKE IN COMPARISON. OUR CURRENT DEBT IS NEARLY 17 TRILLION.