Letter to the Editor in today’s Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
The freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, and freedom of assembly are liberties endowed to us by our creator – not granted by the government, but rather recognized and protected by our government. These liberties are among a person’s most fundamental rights (right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness) and being so, should be protected fiercely and jealously. Carl Berglund understands the importance of these rights. Patrick Henry famously said, “Give me liberty, or give me death.” While he was not speaking specifically about freedom of speech or freedom of religion, he was expressing the intensity at which we should defend them. The framers of the U.S. Constitution along with the writers of our Idaho state constitution agreed with these sentiments.
The 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Section 1 Article 4 of the Idaho State Constitution both protect the freedom of speech and freedom of religion. We as residents of Idaho, more specifically as residents of Idaho District 5, should expect and trust our state representatives to protect those fundamental rights. Some would question how far we protect them. I would say as far as they do not harm another person physically, damage their property or impede their own freedoms.
That is why this election, as the manager of a small, family owned business, I will be voting for Republican candidate Carl Berglund, who is currently running for Idaho House Seat 5A. He is challenging the Democrat incumbent Paulette Jordan. I trust he understands a lawmaker’s role in these protections and will live up to the expectations put forth. I would implore you to do the same.
Joshua LaFon
Moscow