Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

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

Harass, Uncivil, Who Cares

Posted on January 10, 2018 by ddxdx

My last session in the Idaho legislature leadership decided legislators needed training in “civility”. It was a required afternoon and I attended, though some skipped it. We all first met in the lunch room before being assigned to working groups. … Continue reading →

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A Modest Proposal

Posted on January 7, 2018 by ddxdx

It’s hard having discussions about difficult issues, but we need to. The state legislature should be a place for our elected representatives to have these difficult but necessary conversations. Getting the discussion going is an art. Advice can be helpful; … Continue reading →

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Health Care and Justice: No Slogans

Posted on October 24, 2017 by ddxdx

I want to applaud Director Cameron and former Director Armstrong for their creative and courageous work to bring down health care costs for all Idahoans and bring more of our neighbors out from under the threat of medical bankruptcy. If … Continue reading →

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Nobody Minding the Store

Posted on June 9, 2017 by ddxdx

Democrats are getting their hair on fire about all of Trumps executive orders. Well, I’m an Idaho Democrat so I’m concerned with Idaho’s Acting Governor’s executive orders. My hair isn’t burning, but I can see why the public isn’t paying … Continue reading →

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Idaho’s Unfair Religious Shield Laws

Posted on March 30, 2017 by ddxdx

We just had a woman here in our county convicted of animal cruelty to her horses. They were found starving, dehydrated in a pen here in town. How people treat their animals is regulated in Idaho law. And all people … Continue reading →

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Let’s Fix our Roads

Posted on March 28, 2017 by ddxdx

photo KHQ local news   The Idaho legislature is tied in knots at the end of a do-nothing session. They got their budgets filled out with very small exceptions to the governor’s recommendations and want to head out of town. … Continue reading →

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Abortion: Can We Please Talk about it? Please?

Posted on March 21, 2017 by ddxdx

I’ve seen this from so many sides. I’ve been yelled at as a politician, I’ve delivered babies as a doctor, and I’ve investigated deaths of infants as county coroner. But none of this makes my perspective more valid than yours. … Continue reading →

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Keep the Puppy

Posted on March 8, 2017 by ddxdx

The ObamaCare replacement plan the House Republicans are offering gets me off the hook for paying the penalty for being uninsured, but it’s like they want to give me a puppy. There’s a bigger obligation behind this little cute furry … Continue reading →

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Connecting with Constituents

Posted on February 28, 2017 by ddxdx

It seems our Idaho Congressional delegation was ducking some heat last week. I can’t blame them; who likes being called to task? But such is the duty of the public servant. At least I thought so; but it’s tough work. That’s … Continue reading →

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Packer John and Idaho Politics

Posted on February 24, 2017 by ddxdx

I have been wondering about Idaho and how voters here are so inclined to vote by party. Maybe they are everywhere, but I’m here so I tend to think about Idaho. A recent trip to visit my daughter in Utah … Continue reading →

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