Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

A Family physician, former county coroner and former Idaho State Senator

Get Better

Posted on May 26, 2019 by ddxdx

Maybe you’ve heard the statistic quoted that Idaho is last (or near) among states in doctors per capita. If medicine was a simple business that ratio might mean the dearth of physicians would ensure doctors in Idaho are among the … Continue reading →

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Quit Griping; Get to Work

Posted on May 15, 2019 by ddxdx

The favorite pastime of the day seems to be railing against government. Isn’t that what these editorial pages are for? If you can’t find a good word to say about your government, then I think you ought to join it. … Continue reading →

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New Rules

Posted on May 8, 2019 by ddxdx

Darrell had finally gotten his small office just the way he wanted it. When he’d been hired last year as the Coordinator for the Liaison and Edification of Administrative Rules (CLEAR) he’d had a thorough introduction to the state health … Continue reading →

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Blanche and Dennis

Posted on May 2, 2019 by ddxdx

Blanche had the dinner done for the “boys” as she called them. She checked for the ingredients for tomorrows dinner and said good bye to the hashers who would do the dishes and clean up. “Make sure you get that … Continue reading →

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Fighting False Memes

Posted on April 24, 2019 by ddxdx

When a junior high classmate was a fool, we usually ignored him. When he said foolish things, we usually dismissed his statements. But when he spread falsehoods, we knew it was the right thing to do to call a lie … Continue reading →

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Skip and Scooter talk about Brad

Posted on April 19, 2019 by ddxdx

It was a rushed lunch since all the fraternities had gotten together, but Skip wanted to grab a sandwich before O-chem at 1:30. “You got any turkey?” he asked Blanche, the cook. “They’re all labeled out there, just look.” She … Continue reading →

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Entitled

Posted on April 11, 2019 by ddxdx

I can understand legislative Republicans need to put sideboards on Medicaid Expansion. Since many government programs have become labeled “entitlements” we see them differently than if they were earned. I can understand legislative Republicans trying to fight people receiving a … Continue reading →

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Hostages, Leadership and “the Bedke Rule”

Posted on March 27, 2019 by ddxdx

The primary function of the Idaho legislature is to set the annual budget. Our dear representatives love to wax eloquent on policy issues, and that is well within their function. But this year the Idaho voters spoke up on a … Continue reading →

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The Sham of Testimony

Posted on March 20, 2019 by ddxdx

We elect our representatives. They are our voice in making the laws that govern us. Why do they need our input except at the ballot box every two years? What purpose does this public testimony on proposed legislation serve? If … Continue reading →

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Brad’s Right

Posted on March 12, 2019 by ddxdx

While the legislature struggles with modifying Medicaid Expansion, costing more, getting less insured, Governor Brad Little on the campaign trail was beating a different drum. He was looking beyond the twisted shorts condition of legislative Republicans who fought Proposition 2; … Continue reading →

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