I’m a Boise State student who’s being left out of the Idaho Republican caucus | Opinion

Caucus

I am a Boise State University student who – like many – can’t participate in the Idaho GOP caucus. We often hear about engaging young voters to develop the next generation of Republicans. It’s one reason I’ve been active in Idaho and campus politics.

The goals of Idaho GOP leadership – keeping Idaho relevant in the primaries and preventing fraud – are admirable. But it seems that young people were forgotten when leadership decided on a caucus this year.

Students like me who work weekends in restaurants, retail, and other industries must skip the caucus in favor of the jobs that pay our tuition. It seems backwards to punish young people who would rather work their way through college than demand our debt be ‘canceled.’

Young Americans are sick and tired of the disasters wrought by Democrat governance in the past few years–we’re waiting eagerly to make our voices heard. Republicans are winning on crime; on the economy; on immigration. This is the time to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat, neither of which is accomplished by a caucus. Instead of inviting the next generation of moderate and conservative leaders and activists into the fold, it feels like the Idaho GOP has hung us out to dry.

Ethan LaHaug, Boise

Clean needles

Rep. John VanderWoude is attempting to address serious issues in Idaho by eliminating a local clean needle exchange. He is concerned that offering addicts clean needles will encourage them — or others — to use IV drugs. As an experienced registered nurse working for a local hospital, I disagree.

We are perennially short of beds. Providing clean needles does not promote drug use. I feel absolutely certain that I could bring home 17 boxes of clean needles and have no urge to try meth. I am somewhat certain that VanderWoude would also refrain, even if he had clean needles available.

Providing IV drug users with clean needles minimizes the percentage of IV drug users who will end up occupying a hospital bed for days-to-weeks while we treat their dirty-needle-caused abscesses or sepsis with IV antibiotics.

Reducing admissions for meth abscesses would increase the availability of hospital beds for those needing admission for other critical medical issues ... who are often now boarded in the emergency room waiting for beds to become available.

Dirty needles don’t stop addiction, clean needles don’t promote addiction. Dirty needles do promote abscesses and sepsis. That’s the wrong direction. VanderWoude’s plan causes problems rather than solving them.

Amy Elizabeth Hugon, Boise

Aid to Ukraine

Sloppy reporting by news outlets on “U.S. aid to Ukraine” is harmful: upon reading it, one would be excused for thinking that cash is simply being expropriated from U.S. taxpayers, then sent to a corrupt Ukraine.

Not true.

In fact, about 90% of U.S. aid to Ukraine is actually spent here in the U.S., where it supports tens of thousands of American jobs across all 50 states.

All major weapons systems being sent to Ukraine are produced in the U.S. by American workers, as are millions of smaller-ticket items: night-vision gear, medical supplies, and small-arms ammunition, etc. Hard to believe that some of these jobs are not being created here in Idaho.

Additional aid would further strengthen the U.S. economy — previous weapons shipments mostly drew down existing inventories; new supplies will provide even more American jobs.

This lazy reporting has bad real-world effects, allowing opponents of aid to “weaponize” the debate, by falsely claiming that we’re simply “sending taxpayer money” to Ukraine. In fact, aid to Ukraine is a massive job creation program for tens of thousands of Americans. It is also the cheapest way to combat Russia, one of our aggressive, geopolitical enemies, without endangering American service personnel.

Allen L Morgan, Boise

Veterans

As a former naval officer and Vietnam veteran I , like all other veterans, signed an oath of loyalty to the constitution of the United States . It read : I solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic.....etc.

So please explain to me how any veteran could possibly support any traitorous person even if he were the leader of a major political party? How is it possible to back an anti-veteran who does not value duty, honor or country? Are some veterans confused by his actions or anti-American behavior? Are they blind? I do not consider those who served their country to be losers. I was taught that true service is to and for your country.

So anyone failing to comprehend how “respect” can only be earned is incapable of ever respecting anything other than himself. Veterans, blue star families, POWs are all simply not worthy of honor or respect?

Have we as a nation lost sight of truth, facts or even reality?

So the question remains, will genuine patriots and honorable veterans forestall that possible outcome that would discard “losers.” We shall see how veterans vote.

James Franklin, Meridian

Abortion

To the Legislature,

Sometimes, it is wise to reconsider actions taken in haste. The multitude of quickly passed abortion restrictions have had two results. Total abortions are up and health care, particularly in poorer, rural areas have been hit hard. It is never too late to correct a mistake. It only takes (a little) courage. When voters are given a choice, they choose overwhelmingly to have their rights restored to pre Dobbs. In your speed (i.e. trigger laws) to take away women’s reproductive rights and criminalize personal decisions you forgot to ask the voters, especially women, what they wanted. I propose that you ask the voters of Idaho directly - Do you want your reproductive rights restored or not? It would be even better if only women could weigh in on this issue. It may be a good time to reflect on “Who do I truly represent?”

Mark Bussolini, Boise