Redneck 101!
No. 101 - 3/27/2017
The title of this review is quite coincidently RN 101! Why? It is quite well known that any course labeled "101" contains the most basic beliefs on which is built a particular theory. Below, a review will be made of some of those earlier basic convictions.
In last week's article, an attempt was made to identify some characteristics of the 1950'swhich were relevant in those days, and which can be used to compare to modern times and what is found today! And as a bottom line, to ask if anything can be learned by the study.
Wow! How times have changed! Then the concern for a coming "ice age" made the news, and population growth coupled with diminishing carbon-based fuels like diesel, gas, and oil signaled a critical need to curb population growth and consumer consumption. Today it is "global warming," or perhaps safer, "climate change" which is supposed to threaten our very existence, and all around the world we read of population shrinkage; China, Japan, Russia among others, due to death rates exceeding birth rates there and in other parts of the world. In our own U.S., we are told that our original white race will be a minority by 2050, as people of other races flocking into this country are slowly changing the basic culture.
So what were some of the most basic beliefs found in our country during the mid 1900's?First, over 90% of our citizens claimed to be Christians who believed in the Bible, with a solid conviction that there was one God in control, and that individuals were given life, an intellect and free will, with responsibility for their own conduct Thus, most problems were expected tobe solved at the local level, by people acting out of concern for themselves and their neighbor. Only a few that involved national concerns were relegated to a national government.
Compare that to today, when national governments are expected to solve all problems, from conditions at birth, quality of education, health care, minimal living conditions... you name it. The responsibility has been slowly shifted from the individual to the experts in charge. A belief in evolution as an explanation for all existence is promoted with the "antiquated" idea of direct creation relegated to the uniformed and the ignorant. Prayer for solutions to big problems is replaced by a conviction that governments can and must solve all problems at every level.
Second. How has this changed our idea of government? Traditionally, the relationship linking the citizen and his national government can be understood by studying the following diagram: God-->People-->State governments-->the national government. Proof of this can be easily found, and the fact is that we, the people, guided by the Commandments and other rules for living coming from the Creator were expected to be the HOLDERS OF ALL THE POLITICALPOWER. Originally, that power was given to the states who reluctantly gave away some few powers to the national government, retaining most for themselves, to be used only when wanted by the people.
How has that changed over the years? Today, a more accurate diagram of the relationship between our national government and ourselves might look more like: Gov-->People! We doof course, still vote for our national government, but the unexpected results in our last election suggests that the national government often fails to respond to the wishes of the people. One might ask here, for example, is there any possible solution to the current hassle over a healthcare program that is affordable, and at the same time can satisfy current individuals who are given free care or at reduced personal costs? I doubt it! And what do you think?
Jake Wren

Give Idahoans Tax Relief - Eliminate the Tax on Groceries
I congratulate the legislature for voting to eliminate the tax on groceries! Now, I encourage the Governor to sign the grocery tax repeal, and I invite the Lt. Governor to join me in this effort. This could be a great day for struggling Idaho families!
Currently, Idahoans can get a grocery tax credit when filing their tax returns. Senator Cliff Bayer and I championed the effort to put that credit in place in 2009. But as Sen. Bayer recently explained, the grocery tax credit has done all it can do. The next step, which I also advocated for when I ran for Governor in 2014, is to completely eliminate the grocery tax.
Getting rid of this tax will help Idaho families by allowing them to keep more of the money they earn. Not only does this provide badly needed financial relief to struggling Idaho families, but it also means local Idaho stores will see an increase in business. Retail stores in our border towns badly needed customers, and Idaho has a lot of border towns. Historically, Idaho’s grocery tax has encouraged Idahoan customers to buy from retailers in Ontario, Spokane, and other towns that surround us.
Some people have concerns about the potential impact of lost sales tax revenue to the state budget if the repeal goes into law. I understand those concerns, but the impact will not be as much as some people think. This is because most of the cost has already been offset by the grocery tax credit Sen. Bayer and I got passed in 2009.  Also, consumer spending will increase… exactly how much is not clear, but if people know they will pay less when they go to the grocery store, they’re likely to spend more for other items - some of which will be subject to sales tax.
The reduced tax burden makes every Idahoan better off, which is in line with proposals I’ve outlined for boosting economic growth:
1. More high-paying technology and natural resource-based jobs. I played a role growing jobs at Idaho technology companies and I see the potential to replicate this process when I visit towns all over the state. I understand obstacles our economy faces and know how to fix them.
2. A better, more modern tax and regulatory policy that is truly business friendly. I saw what a good tax and regulatory climate can do when doing plant site evaluations and implementing sales channels for Micron and other Idaho companies around the world.
3. Re-direct education efforts to focus on careers for the future, especially in cutting edge technologies. An average wage of $1,900 per month for new hires is just not good enough for the highly talented people of Idaho.  We can do better!  And we must…
4. Ensure that government does more with less.
Reducing tax burden on citizens has been a passion of mine for some time.  We can do it! Idaho, this is only the beginning!
Russ Fulcher
Editor’s note: The above opinion piece by former gubernatorial candidate Russ Fulcher was submitted by Marge Arnzen.

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