Ben Franklin was said to answer – when asked what kind of government he had just helped to create
“A Republic, if you can keep it.”

This quote has become popular in many various political circles in recent times. Everyone from the conservative American Thinker to Jon Stewart has referenced Ben Franklin’s words. Thursday night Keith Allred, Democratic candidate for governor, closed with the remark as he spoke in Twin Falls to a diverse group of supporters at the Turf Club. Candidate Allred was challenging each and everyone, in his soft-spoken statesman like way, to rally and be accountable. I woke up this morning way too early thinking about the implications of Franklin’s warning and the coming midterm elections.

The possibility of this ultra conservative legislation coupled with Butch Otter at the helm is too much for this progressive to envision. As an educator with ties to social action and the Hispanic community, I am appalled at the ideas coming out of the right wing legislators: state’s sovereignty, adoption of Arizona racist policy of stopping undocumented people, loyalty oaths and repealing amendments. We already have unneeded voter ID and hate filled rhetoric in the statehouse. And they are vowing to make things even worse.

Stephen Hartgen warned of additional cuts to education and poo poos problems with Medicaid billing by Molina at a local chamber meeting. The mishandling of insurance billing and understaffing of the State Tax Commission, in my opinion, are grounds for investigation. The favoritism to special interests revealed in audits of the tax commission is scandalous. Under the Otter’s watch we have dropped from 6th to 12th in being a desirable place to live while our neighbor Utah climbed to number one, Idaho is now 50th out of 51 states in spending per pupil in the nation, and the budget was balanced by gutting education and stopping Medicaid payments. Instead of looking to the future, Otter recently focuses on mining, farming, and forestry without considering new technology and the new for a better educated work force.

Keith Allred made the point that looking only resource based economy might have worked 30 years ago, but the states around us like Utah are growing and getting new businesses by reducing sales taxes and promoting education and courting new industries. Otter is more worried about having a throw down with the Feds over wolves. He shoots from the hip and makes decisions like the recent stoppage of Medicaid payments to dentists without even consulting with the caregivers.

So I was honored to be among the crowd at this fund raiser for Keith Allred and at the Stan Olson event put on by the CSI Democrats last night. These candidates are well-educated and well-versed in management and business skills. Keith Allred worked for years as an advisor for corporations like Simplot and HP about conflict management. Olson ran the largest school district in Idaho, managing personnel and students, transportation, and taking care of everything from building maintenance to curriculum. The young student who introduced Dr. Olson thanked him and all adults who work to make education better for young people.

Olson put it all in perspective when he complimented the CSI students in attendance for their interest and support. As an educator, he knows that the young students that care enough to get involved are the true future and the agents of change down the road. At the Turf Club, I had the shocking, in a good way, realization that I was one of the older ones in a room full of Allred supporters.
So as I pick up a morning paper filled with doom and gloom for Democratic candidates nationwide and a ridiculous endorsement of someone who led our educational system down the wrong path, I am buoyed up by the young faces of college students that go out an organize events, make phone calls, and tilt at windmills here in Idaho. I see the young spokeswoman for the China Mountain Wind Farm and I say “Yeah, you go girl!” My daughter Jenn’s face recently appeared on the front page of the Statesman in an article about shared living space and living collectively and smartly in this difficult economy. I see the beautiful, hopeful young faces of CSI Democrats that take risks and stay positive and believe that they can change elections and the community and the world and I say “Keep on Trucking (that is “keep going” in baby boomer speak)!”

So I am stealing Stan Olson and Marilyn Howard’s idea. I am asking everyone out there reading this blog to get your Christmas card list out and think of all your family and friends in your circle of influence. Then contact them and ask them to vote for Keith Allred for governor, Stan Olson for State Superintendent of Schools, and Gary Eller for County Commissioner on Nov. 2nd. Best to call them because everyone gets too many emails, but if they are younger than 35 you should get on their Facebook page or MySpace, or if you are really up on it, go to Linkin or Twitter and make a case for these outstanding candidates.

There are yard signs for Allred and Educators for Olson signs and more at the local Democratic office located at 161 6th Street South. It is across from Pandora’s and Red’s. Office hours are 4-7 pm Tuesday through Friday, Saturday from 1:00-4:00.
Remember that this election is really about the future. We have a chance to elect dedicated and intelligent candidates that can effect positive change in Twin Falls, in the state of education in Idaho, and in the Statehouse. This is not the election to stay home. This is the election to fight for the “republic” that you want to keep