April 8 Letters to the Editor

Fed bucks bring debt

The Tribune regularly lambastes Republicans in general and Gov. C. L. (Butch) Otter specifically for trying to keep Idaho's spending within some kind of control. In his March 30 screed, Marty Trillhaase chides Otter for attempting to remove Idaho from the mandates of the federal health care bill: "If it works, Otter will block $380 million a year in federal health care money from contaminating his state."

Clearly, Trillhaase doesn't understand, or care, where "federal health care money" comes from or why Otter is reluctant to accept this bonanza.

Let me help you out, Marty: "Federal health care money" consists of debt. I don't know if you expect to have descendants, sir, but this crushing federal debt that Otter is trying to avoid accepting will be placed squarely on our grandchildren's shoulders. It will be manifested in burdensome taxes and inflation, and inevitably governments at every level will be unable to afford providing the very services you so moralistically demand be provided now.

Trillhaase wonders where the critics were when "Bush and the Republicans" were stupidly outspending shiploads of drunken sailors. What? Are we in the sixth grade, Marty? Are you suggesting that because the last president and his party were unconscionable spendthrifts, it's now acceptable for Obama and his party to spend us into complete oblivion just because they can? And you expect your governor to go along, without complaint? Every governor should show the responsibility and leadership of Otter.

Rick Rogers

Clarkston

Make good choices

The editorial describing the treatment of prisoner Marlin Riggs (March 27) in a privately operated correctional facility in Idaho was shocking. Certainly the abuse of Riggs was terrible and must not be condoned.

I feel for prisoners. Over the years I have written many letters to prisoners and to judges on prisoners' behalf, seeking their early parole. Most of these efforts involved teenagers or young adults. Any effort that makes prisoners more safe and provides opportunity to help them move forward, following release, should be vigorously pursued.

Marty Trillhaase, you are obviously intelligent and a gifted writer. Being a conservative, I read your "stuff" with mixed feelings! As an editor, you do have a wonderful opportunity to share things that could be a deterrent helping teenagers stay out of prison. Your 500-word editorial missed something they needed to hear. You see, except for a very few, everyone incarcerated is there by choice. They have chosen to break the law knowing the risks involved with their choice. They get away with it and continue to offend. Someone said, "Our choices are mingled with the purposes of God and with them we write our own history." Wise words indeed, but oh so true. Surely it is "choice not chance that determines our destiny."

Be smart, kids. Make good choices and you will never suffer abuse in prison, whether it is operated by the state or by a private correction facility. I guarantee it.

Ells Bartlow

Pomeroy

No women's coverage

I was disappointed to find not a single mention of women's NCAA tournament in the April 3 paper. There are, count them, four articles, two photos and the full-bracket results for men's basketball. I'd think at least one article about women's was deserved.

Charlotte Omoto

Palouse