Aug. 5 Letters to the Editor

Just what Carlson wants

I thought Chris Carlson's article "Give keys to an experienced driver" had some good points but I'm kind of surprised that he did not say one word about the Libertarian ticket of Gary Johnson and Bill Weld. There you would have not one, but two experienced former governors.

The current two-party system is corrupt and elitist. Time to think outside the box.

John Schwartz

Lewiston

Idaho bleeds GOP

During the roll call of states during the Republican National Convention, the Idaho delegation members declared when they pledge allegiance to the flag, they say Republican rather than republic.

They further enhanced their red state status by declaring all elected state and national representatives are Republicans as are 80 percent of the legislators.

What I didn't hear them say is Idaho is $6,000 below the national average in median income, has an uninsured rate of 15.2 percent of its population, and one of 20 states with a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Eighteen of those states are headed by Republican governors.

Yes Republicans, you own Idaho, but you do your citizens no favors as many who live in Idaho work in Washington, a state with a $9.67 per hour minimum wage, a state with a median income $7,000 above the national average and an uninsured population of 7 percent.

My dental hygienist, who works in Spokane and lives in Idaho, says the difference in the salary for her profession is almost $10,000 per year.

I recently had surgery in one of the Spokane hospitals. The tech who did the stress test lives in Post Falls, the OR nurse lives in Coeur d' Alene and a doctor I met had just recently left the Kootenai Medical Center for the hospital in Spokane. I did not ask them why, but I suspect I know.

Allen Roberts

St. John, Wash.

Fighting climate change

The spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus is just one adverse effect of warmer temperatures induced by climate change. Now Zika, which has been linked to startling birth defects, has arrived in the U.S. (Aug. 2 Tribune).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel warning for part of Miami, where mosquitoes are believed to have started spreading Zika.

Fortunately, some Florida congressmen understand the threat that climate change poses to their state. In February, Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., and Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., formed the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in the House of Representatives. The mission of the caucus is to explore and develop national policies to address the myriad challenges that our changing climate poses for our country. In a truly bipartisan approach, the caucus must maintain an equal number of Democrat and Republican members. Thus far, 16 representatives have joined the caucus.

The escalation of diseases such as Zika is one of many risks presented by our changing climate. We must limit these risks by building the political will for a livable world.

The Climate Solutions Caucus reflects political will and is a very exciting step toward action on climate change.

Katie Gieske

Lewiston

Already great

One can like Donald Trump or not like him, as one wishes. Since I am a patriotic guy, however, there is one thing Trump does which really irritates me. He keeps saying he wants to make American great again.

Well, here's a news flash: America may have flaws like any human institution but nonetheless, America is still great, always has been great and always will be great because of the greatness and patriotism of the American people.

So, maybe Trump needs to be careful with what he is willing to say to win an election.

Danny J.

Radakovich

Lewiston