Our voices and choices are in jeopardy
As intelligent citizens, we all know that education and health care are the building blocks of a skilled labor force and a solid economy. These factors are also the primary considerations for families looking to relocate for work and raise a family. However, the efforts of this Legislature and “Freedom Party” are clearly working to ensure a dearth of qualified medical practitioners, as well as a lack of a skilled labor force.
This year, our legislators decided that government is needed to interfere with any medical or educational decisions facing families.
Medical: They have banned all abortions with no exceptions. They have also declined to extend postpartum Medicaid expansion as well as slashing Medicaid by $150 million. In this past session, they have also cut funding for child care and family support. The pro-birth party has zero interest in promoting the health and well-being of families past the birth canal.
Education: Our voices and choices are also in jeopardy with the proposed ballot initiative restrictions, book bans and an ongoing effort to dismantle North Idaho community college. The Legislature also wants to interfere with child rearing by banning gender-affirming care for trans youth. The most deeply personal family decisions are being legislated by the “personal freedoms” party.
But thankfully we’ll be able to goose-step while brandishing our weapons during the Fourth of July parade. Thanks to the “Don’t tread on me” and “body autonomy for adult males” banner wavers, we’ve stamped out all sense of sanity and common sense.
If only they’d make a law against lunatic fringe.
JEANELLE SHIELDS
Sandpoint