In defense of our ballot initiative rights

The Idaho ballot initiative helps ensure that every Idahoan has a voice by providing a realistic arena for citizen sponsorship of legislation that can improve all of our lives. It would be foolish to let Senator Vick take that way under the guise of empowering rural voters.

The last ballot initiative that passed received overwhelming support from rural counties and as a result medicaid expansion has significantly helped many Idahoans. As a rural Bonner County resident, I want my voice to continue to be heard. The ballot initiative makes me feel better about my ability to help make Idaho a great place to live. It helps hold politicians accountable by forcing them to regularly reckon with the will of the people regarding policy. Senator Vick's bill is a farce designed to dodge accountability.

This bill would make me feel less heard and is a gambit under false pretenses to stifle grassroots initiatives that actually make life better for me and my neighbors. Adding more restrictions to our ballot initiative process isn’t freedom, it’s tyranny at worst and misguided showmanship at best.

LUCAS J. MILLER

Priest Lake