City Government
David (Frazier) vs Goliath (politicians,media, money)
October 29, 2010 
As we hit the home stretch in the mid-term election campaign, the GUARDIAN position on preserving the right of citizens to vote as detailed by the constitution and the supreme court seems in jeopardy.
Local governments, hospitals, and politicians of all stripes have dumped tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours into their effort to pass the amendments. Why do they not want the voters to be heard?
Editor-activist-blogger Dave Frazier has been labeled a GADFLY, ROTUND, ANTI-TAX MAVEN by media and proponents of three amendments on the ballot, HJR4,5, and 7. A church leader in Pocatello claimed Frazier was funded by business interests aiming to take away revenue generating entities from local government. All the major daily papers in the state have endorsed the measures, often repeating statements from proponents that minimize and distort the truth.
One editor told us with regard to HJR7, the Public Utilities Commission watches over city-owned power companies. The companies are EXEMPT from PUC scrutiny. Uninformed opinion.
Hospital ads favoring HJR4 talk about Washington interference, property tax rates, and preserving your right to vote with a “yes” on HJR4. They are simply not true and none of the media will check it out or report the truth.
HJR5 makes claims of jobs, economic prosperity and the website raises the specter of a National Guard and BLM without bases to from which to operate without approval. Absurd.
We will all lose if the amendments pass.
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Oct 29, 2010, 12:28 pm
The HJR 4 ads are really bad. How does eliminating our rights to vote “protect our rights to vote?
Mayors in this valley want to spend $780 million on airports and no voting here either.
I will not be voting to elininate my rights to vote on public debts, liabilities and obligations created by elected and appointed people. ASK and we’ll decide on long term debts via the ballot box.
Oct 29, 2010, 2:57 pm
Politicians and special interests will be back for more – a lot more – if any or all of these amendments pass. I believe that the water is being tested for an all-out elimination of the 2/3rds supermajority vote, required for major local project funding. If we open this saggy gate even a little bit, it may be very hard, if not impossible, to close later on.
Oct 29, 2010, 4:16 pm
Dave, you were brilliant on IPTV – and thanks, because you really laid out the facts. I voted against all 3.
Oct 29, 2010, 6:03 pm
I, for one, am voting “no” on every one of the proposed amendments.
Oct 29, 2010, 8:52 pm
Isn’t there some kind of statute that keeps public entities from lying to the public? This has become absurd!! Please God, let it be Wednesday!!!
Oct 30, 2010, 12:13 am
Dave, when the scumbags start to get upset and mean, it’s because you are right on target. Keep up the good work.
Oct 30, 2010, 12:27 am
Just to prove that I am stupid – if I don’t immediately understand an amendment I assume it was misworded and I vote against it. I may have voted against something I would have liked.. but I trust the BG to sort this stuff out for me. Thanks, BG.
Oct 30, 2010, 10:13 am
I often talk about changes due in politics and government. This morning, I’d like to address serious concerns about the media of which I am a member.
The Associated Press’ labeling of Mr. Frazier as “a rotund gadfly” in a published article distributed statewide was rude and journalism at its worst. The AP should publish an apology. As a member of the media, I apologize to Mr. Frazier for my profession’s poor behavior.
As long as the AP and other media continue to steal stories from BG without proper attribution of the original source, then I offer them this to steal:
Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society’s principles and standards of practice.
http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
For media outlets to endorse amendments that rob voters of their constitutional rights doesn’t wash. The proposed amendments to the Idaho Constitution are bad for Idaho in its struggle to hold the line on government spending and to help the state recover from the current economic crisis.
We need to FOCUS on JOBS for ALL Idahoans and on improving this state’s nationwide laughable reputation and its low standings on quality of life issues, such as personal income.
Please consider the overlooked Tenth Amendment, which states:
The Tenth Amendment (Amendment X) to the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, was ratified on December 15, 1791.[1] The Tenth Amendment restates the Constitution’s principle of federalism by providing that powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states by the Constitution of the United States are reserved to the states or the people.
The Idaho Constitution prohibits spending public monies without voter approval. The Idaho Supreme Court upheld voter rights in the FRAZIER LAW.
I am “or the people,” YOU are “or the people,” WE are “or the people.”
VOTE NO ON ANY CHANGES TO THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD ELIMINATE VOTER OVERSIGHT.
Remember: You must actually VOTE to preserve these rights.
Disclaimer: If I have factually mistated anything, please feel free to correct me.
Thank you.
KTA
Member, IPC, SPJ
Oct 30, 2010, 7:24 pm
Welcome to Politics 101 in the new era of unlimited spending on political issues — be it people or issues. Is it possible that many of those disgusted at the use of money to influence the outcome of a vote fail to see what is happening with SJR4 is no different than what is happening with the content of advertising in all the political races. That, by the way, IS Constitutional thanks to the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that paved the way for big money to buy big success. Sad.
Oct 30, 2010, 10:19 pm
I am afraid nothing scares and angers the powers that be more than the idea that the citizens might say no…Why next the people might demand some accountability from our betters
Oct 31, 2010, 12:44 pm
Well said KTA. What I find troubling is neither the print nor the television media are willing to set the record straight with the outright lies. HJR 4 is the worst of the lot with their “protect your rights to vote” and approve HJR 4.
All three HJR amendments will constitutionaly end Idaho citizens rights to vote on debt. Where is their inherent responsiblity to point this out to voters? Could it be they like the money for the ads and will point this out after the election.
Oct 31, 2010, 10:14 pm
Paul – you said it. What is amazing about the daily rag and the three tv channels is that NOT A SINGLE ONE has done any work on these amendments. You would think that they would see the importance of what amendning the state constitution means…what is sad is that they are as ignorant about the issues…and the impacts to the constitution as the voters.
It is really sad that they spend more time on who run what negative ads versus why are all the hospitals and cities spending money on ads. That should be the very first red flag that something is wrong. Think about it…don’t you thing something is up when all the cities think they can get in to the pockets of voters through “fees”.
Even the legislators that voted to put this up for a vote got snookered. How did they think any citizen could ever compete with the funding of these groups who stand to gain access to cash…there is no way the citizens can ever compete with the hospitals and the city of boise’s $60,000.
Nov 1, 2010, 11:16 am
Lindsay, I have seen at least 4 television news stories about the amendments as well as newspaper coverage. They are not ignorant to the issues. Just because legislators, who worked on the issue for three years, have a different opinion than you doesn’t mean they were snookered. They simply feel the amendments had enough protections for taxpayers. It is possible to have differing opinions on issues without being ignorant, snookered or misleading.
Nov 1, 2010, 11:29 am
For an overview of public expenditures for PR, please go to http://www.ktvb.com and click on: “7 Investigation, local government and groups spend public funds on public relations.” The second half of the investigation will be aired/posted tonight.
KTA
Nov 1, 2010, 7:10 pm
Lisa – I am with Lindsay – I think they media has not done the voters much good on this. You must watch a lot more tv than most of us.
EDITOR NOTE–As the lead player in opposition to the amendments, I have to say the media in general has been very fair in their coverage and allowing me access to space with my views. They have not been as universal in their comprehension of the ramifications in their news stories…the “spin” has been rare that flat out says, “YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE WILL BE ABOLISHED.”
As for their own editorial opinion it is fair to say that almost without exception every major news outlet in the state has sided with the hospitals and governments. Come tomorrow it is possible they will learn how out of touch with their readers they may be.
Nov 3, 2010, 3:06 pm
…or not.
Nov 4, 2010, 7:30 am
Right wing also wants to abolish the 17th ammendment to the Constitution. Taking away your right to vote on representation. You don’t get it Guardian. Idahoans want a king that will promise them Freedom, God, and more parking.