Bad Faith and Morals in Idaho Politics

The morally bankrupt plan to rule the empire

Credit Bill Colley

There have always been scoundrels, womanizers, and drunks in politics. But we don’t know all the details about our founders, Warren Harding, and John F. Kennedy. Their histories are better known today than when they were alive. Since Bill Clinton, we’ve all known about the foibles of the present. When I was in college, a sociology professor told us Americans liked to vote for people they considered a cut above. You may have been a working man driving a Dodge, but you were more likely to vote for a well-heeled Presbyterian driving a Buick. I don’t believe that’s true anymore, because even if a candidate fit that profile, we would know about his DUI in 1997, his alleged racial slur in the 4^th grade, and his angry tweets about pizza delivery being late.

You may like or hate Bill Maher, but he got some of it right on his Friday night program on HBO. Check out the profanity-laced link here. He believes we get candidates who are a reflection of ourselves. It doesn’t say much about where we’re at culturally. We’re at about the same point where the Roman Republic was during its final days. I’ve often wondered if a country gets just one Lincoln, and for us, that was a long time ago.

The Ends Justify the Means is the New Mantra

While I enjoy rubbing Democrats’ noses in the poo over Graham Platner, I’m reminded that Republicans have their share of ne’er-do-wells. Matt Gaetz wasn’t railroaded. He’s a strange dude. You don’t want your kids modelling their personal lives on Lauren Boebert. Ken Paxton is a train wreck. Sure, I can do morning box scores and say Platner is leading Paxton by a demerit score of 5 to 3, but that doesn’t excuse the latter.

I voted for a candidate in last month’s primary, even though we differed on illegal immigrants working on local farms and ranches. First, as a County Commissioner, Scott Tverdy won’t be involved in any lawmaking on the issue. Second, I know he’s a devoted family man and devoted to God. I want more people with character like him in government. Growing up, my parents told me there were guys they didn’t want me to associate with, and I wasn’t always happy at the time. But mom and dad were right, and it kept me out of trouble. Today, some politicians are associated with shady folks. Because the shady butter up the politicians. Some politicians and voters put on and take off their morals as if removing a coat during a weather change. My parents told me I would be judged by associations.

The Road to Hell is Paved with Political Realities

Speaking of judgment, I’m not a theologian, but over a four-decade career have talked with a few. I’m told that you won’t be excused for the ends justifying the means when it comes to politics. I see some of you in my own community spouting the Bible, while at the same time engaging in lies about opponents. Some of the worst offenders regularly quote scripture and are in the pews every Sunday. You know better. Maybe that’s why the primary was such a shock to some candidates.

Credit Bill Colley

On another matter, the Idaho Republican Convention is a few days away. As usual, there’ll be shouting, victims, and charlatans trying to influence outcomes. I support Dorothy Moon for another term. We’re not always in agreement on issues (I have a more libertarian approach), but I look at the other two candidates for Chairman and offer a conclusion. One is from a faction that still hasn’t realized the train has left the station. The other represents a group I’ve described. The ends justify the means crowd. There’s a belief among some that party leadership can be used to steer voters to a conclusion a faction wants, but May 19^th should disabuse anyone adhering to that philosophy.

If Dorothy loses, there’s no guarantee a new chair will join me weekly on the radio. The party doesn’t pay for the time. The party isn’t owed the time. The decision is mine. Her predecessor would join me on Friday mornings. Whether or not you liked Tom Luna, he was personable on-air.

I’ve seen quite an array of chairs over the last dozen years. Steve Yates may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but no doubt the man was and is competent. Raul Labrador has a calm demeanor but a fire in the belly. Luna was a good schmoozer. Dorothy is a workhorse.

I’m Sitting This One Out

I had planned to attend the day of the vote, but I badly twisted an ankle two weeks ago. I worry about falling over crossing a parking lot! A lady friend told me the worst would be over in two weeks (she has a background in these things). I’ve noticed quite a bit of improvement this weekend, but I’m still avoiding stairs and long walks across grocery store parking lots. The advantage is I’m not tempted by passing junk food while walking the aisles.

The cat doesn’t seem to understand. I’ll be trying to walk down a hallway at home, and he’ll get in front of me and then come to a full stop. One day, he was on the deck, and it was bedtime, and there was no way I was going to carry him inside. I have been bribing him most days with treats. That wasn’t working. So I prayed. He suddenly stood up and trotted through the door. We’re both old guys, and if I outlive him, I’ll miss his pleasant demeanor.