So, the Republican Party wants loyalty oaths from their candidates. What’s this, some 21st Century kind of McCarthyism — I do now and always will support the party platform, including the absurd plank to repeal the 17th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? Does the Republican Party really believe Idaho voters are apt to be swept away by the passion of the moment and thus incapable and unqualified to select their two U.S. Senators?  

If so, the platform the party adopted is certainly elitist on one hand and disrespectful of Idaho residents on the other. Good grief, who would the Boise gang like to appoint, the guy with the toilet tissue stuck to the sole of his shoe? Do Idahoans really want tax dodgers and other miscreants doing the job of the electorate?  

And, speaking of tax dodgers, two actions the House Ethics panel investigating Representative Hart ought to undertake: (1) refuse to seat him for his tax evasion behavior (which I doubt they will have the will to do) or, at the very least (2) stop paying him any legislative salary or per diem until he makes good on the back taxes he owes the state of Idaho.  

Time to own up to reality, Mr. Hart. You lost your so-called principled case in the federal court system. Time to start paying your taxes like the rest of us.

DALE HENSLEY

Hayden Lake