CHEERS ... to state Rep. Shirley Ringo (pictured), D-Moscow. She not only flunked the Idaho Freedom Foundation's "legislative freedom index," but Ringo got the lowest score of any of Idaho's 105 lawmakers - a negative-125. Most of north central Idaho's lawmakers didn't fare much better. For example, Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, got a minus-111. The region's highest score came from Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, who got a 46. The Freedom Foundation advocates constant legal warfare with the national government, undermining public services and making certain tax laws coddle the comfortable. Topping its scorecard were the ethically challenged Sen. Monty Pearce, R- New Plymouth, who got a plus-65, and Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, who got an absolutely stratospheric 117. That's no agenda for ordinary Idahoans/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. Marty's weekly Cheers & Jeers column here.

Question: Would you rather have your legislator ace the Idaho Freedom Foundation "legislative freedom index" or flunk it?