Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

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

Sideboards, Springboards, or Spanking Boards?

Posted on February 27, 2019 by ddxdx

I understand the Idaho legislature has twisted shorts with the Medicaid Expansion initiative approved by 61% of Idahoans. They sat on their hands for six years and did nothing. They might have nodded quietly three years ago that those in … Continue reading →

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Booze, Big Bucks and Buy Outs

Posted on February 20, 2019 by ddxdx

Idaho territory was a rugged place. While LDS settlers were diverting streams and cultivating fields in the southeast, the mining camps in central and North Idaho were raucous, unruly and not ashamed of it. But the drafters of the Idaho … Continue reading →

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Pain and Suffering

Posted on February 14, 2019 by ddxdx

Idaho can’t say we’re winning the war against accidental opioid deaths, but we’re fighting a good fight. As you can see, the numbers are climbing. If you want a very in depth and excellent analysis of the situation, read this … Continue reading →

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The Idaho Way?

Posted on February 7, 2019 by ddxdx

Brad Little has made many statements about how we need to do Medicaid Expansion “The Idaho Way”. The first time I heard it I smiled. The second time I smirked. The third time, I rolled my eyes. C’mon Brad, just … Continue reading →

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Who Does He Work For?

Posted on January 31, 2019 by ddxdx

  If you had a really smart employee, who indeed worked hard, but refused to do the work you had assigned; what would you do? Idaho State Representative Joe Palmer serves the 20th legislative District, a densely populated area in … Continue reading →

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Loyalty: Medical This Time

Posted on January 24, 2019 by ddxdx

I really do value loyalty, despite the things I say about it both last week and this. It’s just that I think we need loyalty to values or ideals, not people or groups. I hate taxes as much as the … Continue reading →

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Confronting Loyalty

Posted on January 16, 2019 by ddxdx

It can be hard to confront a colleague with their misbehavior. I’ve done it a time or two and it sure got me to thinking about my loyalties. When I chose to act, it was out of a sense of … Continue reading →

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Lost Dogs and Outrage

Posted on January 9, 2019 by ddxdx

My daughters don’t use Facebook. They have their reasons, and I agree with most of them: waste of time, privacy, concern for the level of conversation. So, I was a bit surprised when I got a text from a daughter … Continue reading →

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State of the State

Posted on January 2, 2019 by ddxdx

  When Governor Little addresses the legislature Jan 7th with his budget address he’ll be hard pressed to beat Butch Otters charm or delivery. I hope he feels no pressure to. But Brad will have a chance to strike a … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas Idaho

Posted on December 26, 2018 by ddxdx

Ever get a present that made you really happy? Ever get one that disappointed? Well, the Idaho legislature got a present from the voters November 6th they didn’t really like: Proposition 2, Medicaid expansion. This citizen initiative passed in 29 … Continue reading →

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