Ask Them

From Chair Bob Solomon, 2C Dems:

Idaho is now in its 30th year of Republican majority rule. It is a good time to take stock of the state-of-the-state and ask Republicans to explain their policies and actions.

Why do Republicans have no jobs plan?　

Aren't Republicans concerned that 24% of Canyon County residents must rely on Food Stamps?

Is Idaho 49th out of 50 states in education funding per student?

Don't Republicans support an anti-bullying bill?

Did R's cut teacher pay, then offer "merit pay" which has not produced results in other states?

Do some of America's richest corporations, such as GE, pay no taxes at all?

Are wages routinely taxed at double the rate of investment earnings?

Weren't Idaho parents or teacher included in planning education "reform"?

Does Idaho per capita income rank 6th from the bottom in the nation?

Do Republicans want to take away your right to vote for Idaho Senators?

Do Republicans insist that Idahoans declare their political party in order to register to vote?

Did Rs in the legislature vote for the state to pay $100,000 to the Idaho Republican Party?

What do John McGee, Phil Hartt, Tom Loertscher, and John Bujak have in common?

Do ask your legislator...or the Republican next door!

Just what do Democrats stand for?

Message from Past Chair Judy Ferro

Last week a niece doing homework called to ask how Democrats stood on various issues. Immigration? On every side — big tent. Abortion? Big tent. Gun control? Gay marriage? Nuclear power? More big tent.

I began to understand why people have such a hazy view of what Democrats do stand for. On issue after issue the Republicans have taken a stand, and many who disagreed have become Democrats.

Yes, you would have a hard time finding Republicans who are for gun control or gay marriage. That doesn’t mean you’d have a hard time finding Democrats who are against them. Those aren’t our issues.

Democrats share a commitment to strengthening democracy and its base — an educated, informed middle class.

Democracy — broaden registration. Shorten lines at the polls. Give equal weight to votes. Don’t require supermajorities. Make ballots easy to understand. Limit the power of lobbyists and corporations in the election process.

Educated — support education. Support research into what makes schools successful. Support food programs so kids aren’t too hungry to learn. Support earlier education opportunities so kids don’t start school three years behind. Support teaching decision-making and thinking skills.

Informed — support freedom of speech. Fight concentration of media ownership. Support science, even if the findings aren’t what you like. Fight for truth in advertising.

Middle class — support a living wage. Strive for a balance in the power of capital, labor and consumers. Support workers’ rights and safety. Provide a safety net for the ill, handicapped and elderly.

These are the issues where Republicans have a “big tent.” Many Republicans work for a democracy with an educated, informed middle class — but their party is also the home of those who don’t.

Democrats share a deep commitment to our core beliefs.