than our illustrious representatives of millionaire status who contribute thousands of their own $ to get elected. Maybe Risch would like to explain why a person would spend that much of his own $ to get elected, especially a republican in Idaho? I'm sure he wants to serve his country. That's a hot & just another lie on a long list.

Risch is in the pocket & in bed with contributors, a perfect politician. End of story? Sorry but not until he's out of office & can do no more damage to America & the people.

Risch didn't care about the people when I reported unsanitary transportation & warehousing at Darigold, could care less if kids drank rotten milk.

Maybe Risch should be asking the GA Peanut producer the tough questions. Like, how much $ would you be willing to contribute to my campaign so this little problem goes away?

Risch's true colors are shining bright in DC.

Thank you for saying what so many have been unwilling to say for too long. But what is even more delightful is Risch's true persona is now becoming more evident.

The big spending arguement is weak.
Any budget is going to increase every year based on inflation. While a R budget might be big, the important question is would it be BIGGER under liberal budget writers?

For Obama to say I inherited this from Bush is inaccurate as well for media to relay the message. Obama inherited this mess from Congress. It goes back many years.

If Obama wants to claim inheritance from Bush, he ought to claim he inherited Iraq current status from Bush, because Bush was the only one pushing to stay in Iraq. Iraq by the way just had their SECOND elections and WOMEN were more than 1/3 of the candidates.

***
If also goes for media. This is as much media's problem and some might say the result has been magnified by media.

was Risch's embarrassing performance at the nomination hearings for Adm Blair (Dir of Nat'l Intell) and L. Pannetta (Dir of CIA) -- at each hearing when Risch was called on -- he had NO QUESTIONS!! Risch needs to get off the Select Committee on Intelligence and stop emabarrassing Idaho.

I just tried to post the following comment in response to the story, "Risch says Idaho will take the stimulus money he calls a "giant fraud"," but the comment feature seems not to be working. So I'll post it here, even though it was not written as a response to your commentary, KR.

The Times-News reported this week that “Idaho's Congressional delegation has written U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to urge assistance for the Idaho dairy industry, … Crapo and … Sen. Jim Risch, as well as Rep. Mike Simpson and Rep. Walt Minnick are asking congress to revive existing federal programs that would support dairy pricing, reduce herds and protect domestic milk producers...” (http://tinyurl.com/dad5bw)

Mr. Risch, his colleagues in Congress, and our state elected and appointed officials are the real perpetrators of fraud. They will continue to be contrarians and obstructionists while the economy collapses because they know the stimulus plan will be implemented regardless of their lack of cooperation. This time provides a wonderful opportunity for them to pander to campaign contributors and issue intellectually empty attacks so that when election time rolls around again, they can reassure their electoral base that they remained steadfast “fiscal conservatives.”

and Minnick is nothing more then a Republican in a Democrats clothing. What a joke... just a bunch of hill billy's pretending they have power. When the stimulous package works, I cannot wait to see all four of these arrogant politicians eat crow.

Hey KR,
The Guardian is really beating you guys up on local issues!

How about some coverage of ACHD Sara Baker's new blog? http://sarabakerforachd.com/blog.html This is good stuff and lots better than your typical link to some lame blogger repeating your own message. I especially like her honest and transparent disclosure of ACHD's money transfers to The Statesman. Although it's still unknown how much ACHD pays you for their little dumptruck on this online version.

How about some online reporting of VRT's bus give away to an employee and other 'missing' buses? Another good report by The Guardian- boiseguardian.com

This is what a local newspapers should be doing.Give us some good local content. You preach of local governement transparency and accountability, but if YOU don't tell us moron citizens about it, we can't do much.

Otherwise you and your compadres might be on the unemployment line soon when McClatchy sells your hang-out.

I find it startling for Senator Risch to say in the same breath: The stimulus package is a fraud and I will take the money.

It appears as if the new tone being promoted by President Obama has not quite made it to these comment pages.

Everyone is problematic about the present situation of our economy today. Our economy is in shamble that’s why we need a financial option that could help us during this time. The land of payday loans and honey could be making an inroad to peace with Iran before you know it. Obama had promised from the beginning that he would enter into dialogues in a very diplomatic fashion with other countries, provided they'd listen. This is a good sign for free trade. President Ahdmadinejad of Iran gave Obama a well wishing note after his inauguration, something not done between Iran and the U.S. since before payday loans existed. This represents the kind of up front democracy and openness that he promised – the kind of disclosure that you'd get from payday loans lenders.

"In the end all the money we supposedly saved in taxes (actually we borrowed it from China) with Bush's tax cuts will have to be repaid along with interest on the borrowing we'll be doing this year."

So the solution is to borrow 3 trillion more? Where do you think Obama is going to get the stimulus money? He had better hope the Chinese don't stop lending us money.

Deficit spending has been going on ever since the 16th Amendment was ratified. The political class is addicted to spending, war or no war. They never pay off loans, they just roll them over and pay on the interest.

Oh, and let's get that credit flowing again so consumers can borrow money to buy new cars or toasters or whatever. The American consumer is already in debt up to its eyeballs just like our government. Propping up a phony economy run entirely on credit is insane. We need a 12-step recovery program for abstinence, not more hair off the dog that bit us.

Why are you all so rude? Why can't you write comments in a civil way like your mother taught you.