Opinion

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Our View Taking hostages is no way to govern

In the game of politics, the majority wins and sets its agenda. The minority gets a seat at the table. At least it works that way unless the minority holds the power to rig the game.

Americans are frustrated. Their children are gunned down in school. Family funds are being drained by inflation not seen in decades.

Summers bring smoke in the air and evaporating lakes. And the government in Washington

D.C. seems unable to do anything to help.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, has spent a lifetime in government. The people of Kentucky, or the rest of America for that matter, have not been top of mind.

As Republicans have become stuck in minority positions, McConnell has become the poster child for finding ways to advance his agenda regardless of norms or the public interest. Last week, his use of this power was particularly brazen.

After more than a year, senators from both parties were nearing the finish line on the $52 billion United States Innovation and Competition Act that could rein in China and help American companies, especially in the domestic semiconductor industry. McConnell threw up a giant stop sign, tweeting that he would not allow the bipartisan bill to go forward unless Democrats stopped “pursuing a partisan budget reconciliation bill.”

McConnell cannot filibuster a budget reconciliation bill that would limit the ability of drug companies to set prices. So, he has decided to hold hostage a bi-partisan bill to strengthen America’s tech industry against an increasingly aggressive China.

Democracies depend on two values. First, the majority rules. As important in the preservation and functioning of a democracy is the second value: protection of the minority. The majority cannot use its power to usurp the rights of the minority.

America’s problems with government today are not political. They are structural. The Constitution, legislative procedural rules and complex election laws too often allow the minority to rule. Rather than needing protection, the minority now should be reined in.

The Electoral College and two senators from each state no matter the population give outsized power to a small number of voters. The Senate’s filibuster rule gives ten senators power over the other 90. Supermajority requirements, intended to ensure that most of the people will favor a new law or tax, allow a minority that votes no to control everything.

Nothing is happening in Washington these days because the Senate cannot act unless McConnell wants it to act.

The most immediate solution to the structural problems is elimination of the Senate filibuster. McConnell isn’t likely to give up hostage taking.

Voters should elect only senators who will agree to call a halt to that game and re-establish majority rule.

Protect your brainbox

Emergency workers don’t want to scrape the contents of people’s brainboxes off local trails. Even so, innovations in wheeled conveyances seem to be increasing the odds that they will have to.

Users love the valley-long Wood River Trail and its extensions. Three seasons a year, the trail is full of people on bikes, skateboards, scooters and the electric versions of each. With every new e-device, speeds go up. At the same time, helmet usage seems to be going down.

Summer in the Idaho mountains is exhilarating with warm sunshine, cool breezes and the beckoning of the wind-through-yourhair experience of riding the trails. Unfortunately, the exhilaration too often overrides good sense.

More cyclists and boarders on local asphalt trails are not wearing helmets and leaving themselves in mortal danger should their heads hit the ground, or anything else for that matter.

The statistics out of emergency rooms are clear. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, most head injuries during cycling are brain injuries. These range from minor concussions to traumatic injuries that can leave victims severely impaired for life.

The U.S. has become more educated about the consequences of brain injuries because of research into NFL players. Even so, the information doesn’t seem to be registering with recreational riders.

Summer in the Sun Valley area is enchanting. Memories of it last forever and are the only things that should last. No one should come away from a summer here with serious injuries that could have been prevented with little fuss.

Brains belong inside skulls where they are useful. Do your best to keep them there. Wear a helmet.

“Our View” represents the opinion of the newspaper editorial board, which is made up of members of its board of directors. Remarks may be directed to editorialboard@mtexpress.com.

Other Views Freedom in the West, but not for women

By REBECCA JOHNSON

Writers on the Range

Imoved to Wyoming a few years ago for its outdoor recreation, but I also liked the state’s history of championing equal rights for women. As early as 1869, it codified women’s voting rights, 50 years before the 19th Amendment did the same thing. Western women in the 19th century quickly proved their mettle, helping to build communities in rugged and isolated landscapes.

But now, sadly, Wyoming has agreed to subjugate women. In March, Wyoming’s governor signed a “trigger bill” that would ban abortions in the state five days after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which it did June 24.

Around the West, other states—including

Idaho, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma—also passed bills restricting women’s reproductive health soon after the Supreme Court acted. Texas had a tough law that banned virtually all abortions since 2021, although their new law, set to take effect in the next month, introduces even harsher measures: a near-total ban, even after incest and rape.

Fortunately, some Western states recognize the needs of women, and are already being sought out by women seeking abortions who are blocked at home. Colorado passed an act in March giving anyone pregnant the “fundamental right to continue the pregnancy … or to have an abortion.”

Three coastal states, California, Washington and Oregon, said they would be havens for women seeking abortions. In addition, Oregon allotted $15 million to help cover abortion costs even for non-residents.

Corporations are also becoming allies. Apple, Citi and Yelp adjusted their corporate policies in Texas to include travel for abortions as part of health insurance packages. Lyft and Uber have promised to pay legal fees if their drivers are charged with the crime of “assisting” abortion patients.

Ironically, when COVID-19 was rampant, I often heard Westerners express a common sentiment about getting vaccinated, or not: “It’s my body and my choice.” I almost laughed, as that’s the cry of women who want the choice of becoming a mother, or not.

Before the Supreme Court decision was announced, I began talking to people about their views on access to abortion, and as you would expect, reactions were mixed, though no one I spoke to for this opinion agreed to be quoted by name due to privacy concerns. At a block party, a 22-year-old Jackson man, who self-identified as Hispanic, said he thought of abortion as “one of the worst sins.” Then he surprised me by adding, “But a woman should be able to make that decision.”

At a pizza joint, a fourth-generation Jackson resident I’ve gotten to know, said, “I don’t think the government should have a say about your individual body … The government should be building roads. We don’t believe in big government.”

An Indigenous man in his late 20s said, “Humans should be able to make choices for