Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

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

How Do You Know?

Posted on December 9, 2016 by ddxdx

Our last forum was for students at the university. We had forums in small towns, two in the city, at a Christian college, and a call-in radio session (not a one in Benewah County). Forums are not really debates; there … Continue reading →

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Losing

Posted on December 4, 2016 by ddxdx

  So I lost my bid for reelection. I worked hard, didn’t take it for granted, but still lost. I’m trying to sort out how I feel. I’ve run for public office seven times now, thrice for county coroner (four … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Reflection | Comments Off on Losing

Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse in Idaho

Posted on December 2, 2016 by ddxdx

As the Latah County Coroner for 15 years, and as a practicing family physician, I was well aware of the prescription drug abuse problem long before I came to the Idaho legislature. Over 200 Idahoans die annually from prescription drug … Continue reading →

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Fathers

Posted on June 19, 2016 by ddxdx

Our legislative leadership will sometimes schedule events to educate us or augment our skills as legislators. This last session we started with a half day mandatory meeting on civility. I guess they thought we needed the help. Early in the … Continue reading →

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Push or Pull

Posted on May 19, 2016 by ddxdx

It was August 2nd 1979 and we were about to head into a fire of incredible magnitude. But there was no smoke to be seen, just 4 or 5 helicopters in Bruce Meadows of the high central Idaho wilderness and … Continue reading →

Posted in Idaho Politics, Reflection | 1 Comment

All Votes Count

Posted on April 16, 2016 by ddxdx

  There was a recent Opinion Piece that got me thinking. In it, Idaho House Majority Party Assistant Leader Brent Crane was cited: He offers caution to those who think Troy’s district would be better served by a Democrat, who … Continue reading →

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Tragedy and Public Policy

Posted on February 8, 2016 by ddxdx

  We had a hearing this last week to consider whether Idaho should change Medicaid eligibility so all folks in Idaho can have insurance coverage. This sometimes gets shortened to “Medicaid Expansion”. The hearing was short and mostly civil. One … Continue reading →

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Choose your Blandishment

Posted on January 22, 2016 by ddxdx

“We look to the States to defend their prerogatives by adopting the simple expedient of not yielding to federal blandishments when they do not want to embrace federal policies as their own.” Justice John Roberts in the Affordable Care Act … Continue reading →

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Highways and Hybrids and the Man Behind the Tree

Posted on August 25, 2015 by ddxdx

    The Idaho legislature made a great leap in highway funding this last legislative session. It was years in the making with many failed attempts and some painful last minute compromises. But the years of discussion built an awareness … Continue reading →

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Ghosts and Governing

Posted on August 11, 2015 by ddxdx

      We finished an extraordinary session last May to address some unfinished business. The legislature had adjourned and left a bill in committee that would have made enforcement of Idaho child support payments impossible. Some thought this was … Continue reading →

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