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Today, although living in a divided nation, I can remember a day when people respected both political parties and the people that supported them.

While having voted for GOP candidates at the local, state and national level if I believed they were more qualified, I feel we should not forget those Democratic leaders of the past who brought us Social Security, Medicare, and the Civil Rights Act.

Most people vote for the candidates who support the issues they believe in. I support the Bonner County Democrats’ guiding principles which call for:

- Honest, accountable and transparent leadership;

- Recognizing that Idaho’s students are Idaho’s future and that the Idaho legislature must fully and equally fund all Idaho public schools;

- Working for a growing economy by providing a living wage and affordable housing, supporting flourishing small businesses, and assuring first class roads, bridges and transportation access;

- Public lands for the public — working for policies that provide recreational and economic opportunities while also protecting this legacy for the future;

- Responsibility for our planet — reducing impacts of climate change and supporting renewable energy;

- Affordable healthcare for all Idahoans, including reclaiming our federal tax money and expanding Medicaid to 62,000 Idahoans who are uninsured. (On the ballot this November.)

If you believe in any of these principles, you should seriously consider voting for Democratic candidates Ellen Weissman, Stephen Howlett, Steve Lockwood, and Steve Johnson for local and state offices this November.

JIM RAMSEY

Sandpoint