The Republican Party called for a censure. Maybe it was the wrong word, but the idea behind it was right. When politicians take it upon themselves to make decisions contrary to what the people or their party members want, it is not a representative government anymore. America is not a democracy, but instead, a representative form of government, a Republic. These four legislators did not represent us as a people or a party, whatever their rationale. Nor did they represent republicanism as set out in our platform. The Republican Central Committee’s policy, as established by our own formal resolution, was to reject the State Health Care Exchange. We made it clear that our local legislators as well as the entire state that the Republican position was to reject the Democrat proposal for socialist health care in Idaho. It should be noted that the State Central Committee also voted rejecting the exchange/Melanie Vander Feer, letter to Coeur d'Alene Press editor. More here.

DFO: Vander Feer, I believe, is the power behind the United Conservatives of North Idaho.

Question: Vander Feer closes by saying that the four legislators targeted for censure by local GOP hardliners didn't represent Idaho in their votes for the state health exchange. I'm still trying to figure out why the hardliners don't include the fact that Gov. Butch Otter pushed the exchange with both hands. Anyone?