4 days ago
Idaho Rep. Fulcher swore to uphold the Constitution. He's attacking it
I am outraged that Rep. Russ Fulcher recently voted for a bill containing a provision that guts one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy: the rule of law.
Buried in this legislation is a dangerous clause that would effectively shield government officials — including the president — from being held in contempt of court, even when they violate court orders. Worse still, it would apply retroactively, nullifying thousands of existing court orders across the country. This is not just bad policy — it's a direct assault on judicial authority and accountability.
By supporting this bill, Rep. Fulcher has made it clear he's willing to let those in power operate above the law. That's not leadership — it's complicity in undermining the very foundations of our legal system.
One has to ask: Did Rep. Fulcher swear an oath to uphold the Constitution — or to Donald Trump?
Every American, regardless of political affiliation, should be alarmed. This is how democracies erode — not with a bang, but with the quiet dismantling of consequences for those who defy the law.
Rep. Fulcher owes his constituents an explanation — and we deserve better.
Ron Nichols, Meridian
On May 22, the House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would dramatically cut America's clean energy tax credits. I'm disappointed to see the House approve this legislation.
Federal tax credits have been working. Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, Idaho has benefited from more efficient buildings, weatherization assistance and over 3,000 jobs.
But that success story could unravel quickly.
If the cuts become law, household energy costs will increase by $32 billion from 2025-2035.
Households and local businesses will take a huge hit. Rolling back credits for home upgrades like rooftop solar would be a blow to Idahoans who've used these tools to cut energy bills. Incentives have made it easier for homeowners to save money, and even helped stabilize America's power grid. But those benefits are in jeopardy.
By contrast, if clean energy tax credits are preserved, it would be a huge boost. Analysis by American Clean Power and ICF estimates that continuing clean energy incentives will add $14 billion annually to Idaho's economy.
Undoing all of this now would be reckless and harmful. I urge the Senate to protect these vital credits.
Nicole Donald, Boise
During the recent campaign, Vice President J.D. Vance decried childlessness and called for increasing the child tax credit to $5,000 from its current $2,000. But that was the campaign.
The reality of what Trump/Vance would do hit with the so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' which offers a paltry increase to $2,500. Had the credit been indexed to inflation with the 2017 tax cut, it would now be worth more than $2,600.
It is not that there is no money to do what the Vice-President promised. Rather, the bill gives that money away to large corporations and special interests, leaving far less to support families.
I'm sympathetic to the idea that we need more families and more babies. It's not only right, it's a demographic reality. Politicians whose example shows that monied interests are more important than families do far more harm to that cause than the childless cat ladies Vance once attacked.
Adam Graham, Boise
A hypocrite is someone who claims to hold certain beliefs but whose actions contradict those beliefs.
On his website, Sen, Mike Crapo's statement regarding the budget and fiscal responsibility says: 'Our nation faces many threats but perhaps the biggest is our growing, unsustainable national debt.'
He further says: 'It is an urgent issue for many Idahoans who agree we must reduce our spending and balance the federal budget.'
I, for one, certainly agree.
The 'Big Beautiful Bill' not only adds trillions of dollars to our debt by granting tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans but also harms our most vulnerable citizens, including veterans and senior citizens. Some cuts might be worth a bit of pain and sacrifice if the bill did, in fact, began to solve the deficit spending that the senator describes. It does not!
The House bill that sits before the Senate is not only cruel to citizens who depend most on our government's assistance, but is especially cruel to our children and grandchildren who will pay for our excessive borrowing and spending habits.
If you are not a hypocrite, do your job and do not support this bill.
Steve Wirsching, Meridian
I volunteer for a non-profit called Engin — a group of volunteers helping Ukrainians learn English. I have been working with a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman for about 2 years. We zoom every Wednesday.
This morning I got this:
'Dear Dianne,
'I felt that I need to share this…
Today's night was terrible. Almost 400 drones and missiles were launched over Ukraine.
'I was in Kyiv and for 3 hours starting from 1 am up to 4 am explosions didn't cease. I was hiding in the bathroom all that time…
'But the worst — 1 missile struck houses in my hometown — Makariv… I thought it would never happen, but it did… 1 person died (a man) and his wife and daughter are injured. About 10 houses are damaged… It happened about 1 km away from the place where I live…
'I always say it's like a roulette — you'll never know if you live or die.
'Now I'm on my way home, and we are planning to go to the place where the missile struck to offer some help… Lots of people are there helping…'
I'm scared for her and her family. Maybe this personal note will touch some hearts.
Dianne Warden, McCall
