This is the final stretch, folks! Just two weeks until Election Day. Who wants to help me cross that finish line strong? Let me know how you want to help... I've got fliers to hand out; positive letters to the editor to be written and submitted (you can help from the comfort of your computer); donations are still very needed to fund final mailings; and just sharing my website with your network of online friends makes a big difference. It doesn't get more "grassroots" than this! We want "More Freedom, Less Government!" and we WILL succeed in bringing that philosophy to the Idaho Legislature. Let's do this!

I have long been skeptical that the recent "war on bullying" has just been cover for the schemes of central planners and social engineers, and an increasing amount of evidence is proving me right. Holding that certain actions or behaviors are morally wrong is NOT equivalent to bullying, despite what radical activists like Dan Savage may say. LINK

So these are my answers to the Idaho Freedom Foundation Candidate Survey... Guess who didn't fill it out, though. (Hint: It was the same guy who didn't fill out the Campaign for Liberty Candidate Survey!) I wonder what he doesn't want us to know...? LINK

Why do I doubt that a private company would have "lost" nearly 300 cars? Purchased between '06 and '07, Miami-Dade County left 298 cars undriven and uncared for, and just recently "discovered" their error after reading about the abandoned cars in a newspaper. Government, huh? LINK

I am EXTREMELY unhappy and disappointed that the liberty-killing CISPA was just passed by the US House of Representatives. This law is a huge threat to our liberty to use the internet to share information. It unnecessarily interjects government into a system that should remain free and wholly unregulated. I am particularly irked that this bill was passed with 206 Republicans voting in favor and only 28 voting against. LINK

The Senate wants to remove the word 'lunatic' from federal law. Too bad they aren't as anxious to remove the actual LUNACY from federal laws! LINK

See where your Idaho Legislative Candidates stand on the issues... and take special notice of who refused to take a stand at all! LINK

"It is not true that the legislator has absolute power over our persons and property. The existence of persons and property preceded the existence of the legislator, and his function is only to guarantee their safety." — Frédéric Bastiat

The government's war on business is on full display with a top EPA official threatening to "crucify" oil and gas companies. LINK

"Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me..." Actually, that day is here now! Take 10 seconds and "Like" my page. Thanks. facebook.com/voteforparrish

Are public schools being used to indoctrinate children in liberal ideology? (Hint: the answer is YES!) LINK

Now Obama wants to BAN anyone under 18 from doing farm chores! This idea is ridiculous, absurd, and unconstitutional. LINK

If there is one thing that you can know about me with absolute certainty, it is that (as Milton Friedman said) "I am in favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible."

Have you "Liked" my campaign page yet? Why not "Share" it so that others can too? Thanks! facebook.com/voteforparrish

If you could PASS one law in Idaho, what would it be? What if you could REPEAL one law? Which of the two would be your first priority?

Good afternoon, everyone! Are you enjoying the lovely weather here in Boise?

Have you been to my website yet? If not, check it out! If you have, share it so that others can as well. Thanks! voteforparrish.com

Are unauthorized sports jerseys really an issue of "Homeland Security"? And does their presence at a flea market really justify a raid by heavily-armed federal agents? LINK

The Idaho Republican Platform states, "We believe the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations."

This is the attitude that I will bring with me to the Idaho Legislature. Every dollar of State spending will be scrutinized by asking, "Is what we are funding a critical function that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations?" How often do you suppose that is actually the case?

In 2012, the Idaho Legislature lowered the corporate income tax all the way from 7.6% to 7.4%. At this rate, we will be competitive with our neighboring states of Washington, Wyoming, and Nevada in just 37 years... "It's not that small steps in the right direction aren't good; it's that big steps in the right direction are better!"

Each year, the non-profit Tax Foundation assesses the "Business Tax Climate Rank" of every state. For 2012, Idaho comes in at number 21. "That's not too bad..." some folks say. "We're in the top half, after all." The problem is not as much how we rank NATIONALLY, but we rank REGIONALLY. Every state with which Idaho shares a border is ranked higher than we are. EVERY ONE!

• Oregon — #13
• Utah — #10
• Montana — #8
• Washington — #7
• Nevada — #3
• Wyoming — #1

Meanwhile, California comes in at a lowly #48, but guess where those beleaguered, California-based companies are fleeing? Not to Idaho!

The corporate income tax only accounts for about 5 – 7% of our General Fund, but it is one of the primary reasons why Idaho is not seeing substantial growth in our business sector, and why our unemployment is still so high. Our corporate income tax puts Idaho companies at a severe disadvantage both nationally and internationally and is hampering our economic development.

It is the duty and responsibility of the Idaho Legislature to REMOVE this impediment to economic expansion and job growth! Idaho needs bold leaders who will take the BIG STEPS necessary to make our state prosper. The corporate income tax needs to go, and if I am elected to the Idaho House of Representatives, I will do everything I can to see that goal accomplished.

"More Freedom, Less Government!"
voteforparrish.com

Just because Education is publicly FUNDED, doesn't mean that it has to publicly ADMINISTERED. There are ways to bring the efficiency and individual liberty of the free market even to public education. LINK

Just a quick reminder to "Like" my campaign Facebook Page if you haven't already. Thanks. facebook.com/voteforparrish

Today, I will be spreading my campaign platform of "More Freedom, Less Government" to the Ada County Republican Women's Club!

The best way to improve the economy is to cut taxes and reduce regulations. Idaho needs to be more competitive with her neighboring States in order to attract new businesses, and I have a plan to make that happen. I'll post more details soon.

Wish me luck! I'll be participating in the Meridian Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum today at noon. Time to spread the principles of individual freedom.

"I apprehend no danger to our country from a foreign foe... Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter. From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence, I must confess that I do apprehend some danger. I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men, and become the instruments of their own undoing. Make them intelligent, and they will be vigilant; give them the means of detecting the wrong, and they will apply the remedy." — Daniel Webster

Despite all the focus that has been put on the Presidential race, many of the issues that affect your day to day life are governed not by the President, but by the State. I am running for Idaho State Representative because I want to ensure that individual liberty is protected here at home! Every year, the Idaho Legislature passes hundreds of bills, and at least a few of them (if not many of them) chip away at individual liberty by criminalizing more behaviors, creating more red tape, and placing more restrictions on your personal choices. If you believe in individual liberty and personal freedom, I ask that you support me in my campaign for State Representative. In order to get elected I need volunteers and even donations if possible. Please let your friends in District 21 know that I am running, and please visit my website to learn more about where I stand and how I will protect and restore individual liberty in the State of Idaho. Thank you. voteforparrish.com

"Every time you cut programs, you take away a person who has a vested interest in high taxes and you put him on the tax rolls and make him a taxpayer. A farmer on subsidies is part welfare bum, whereas a free-market farmer is a small businessman with a gun." ― Grover Norquist

The government spent over $200k to move a common shrub... Your tax dollars at work! LINK

Do you know how Idaho ranks in regards to our tax structure? What about our neighboring states? Tune in to the Austin Hill show today at 3:30 PM to learn about these and other important topics affecting Idaho's economy.

Please tune in to the Austin Hill Show on 580 KIDO this afternoon at 3:30 PM to hear myself, Lori Shewmaker, and Brandon Hixon being interviewed by Austin Hill on the critically important issues of business and taxes. (You might even have the opportunity to call in and ask us a question...)

This is completely unacceptable. "Eminent domain" should only be used in cases of dire emergency or national security. Building a roundabout is certainly not a worthy enough goal for a highway district to seize owned property. This abuse of "eminent domain" must be dealt with by the Idaho Legislature, and I would proudly sponsor a bill to guarantee that this abuse never happens again! LINK

Please do me a favor by clicking through to my campaign page and clicking the "Like" button at the top of the page. Thanks! facebook.com/voteforparrish

"The government's only proper job is to protect individual rights against violence by force or fraud ... to protect men from foreign invaders ... to settle disputes among men according to objective laws ... The greatness of the Founding Fathers was how well they understood this issue and how close some of them came to understanding it perfectly." ― Ayn Rand

The weather is improving and it's just about time to get back into lawn maintenance... If you're not ready to get started, however, just tell your neighbors that you are maintaining a natural habitat for an endangered species! ;-)

There very well may be a day when "green energy" actually makes sense, but that is a decision to be made by the free market, not politicians and bureaucrats!

Campaigning for office can be a daunting task. If you would like to donate or volunteer to help, please check my official campaign Facebook Page for contact information. ("Liking" and "Sharing" the Page are also quick and easy ways to show your support.) Thank you! facebook.com/voteforparrish

"It is indeed a singular thing that people wish to pass laws to nullify the disagreeable consequences that the law of responsibility entails. Will they never realize that they do not eliminate these consequences but merely pass them along to other people? The result is one injustice the more and one moral the less." — Frédéric Bastiat

Ever since the passage of obamacare, critics have been warning that rationing of medical care would be the result. Now we have a panel of "experts" using financial arguments for ending certain cancer tests and treatments. What's next, telling patients with broken legs that they don't need casts? "Just walk it off!" LINK

Arizona declares war on the First Amendment! LINK

In another excellent example of the money that is being wasted on "green energy," the city of Reno spent $21,000 to install a wind turbine that saved the city exactly $4 on its energy bill. We need to let the free market decide when alternative sources of energy actually make sense. What we are doing now is just subsidizing stupidity. LINK

It's just six weeks until Idaho's primary election! As most of you probably know by now, I am running for the Idaho State House of Representatives, District 21, Position A. To keep up to date on my campaign, please "Like" my campaign Facebook Page. I would appreciate your support. facebook.com/voteforparrish

TSA Waste: LINK

"Socialists make the mistake of confusing individual worth with success. They believe you cannot allow people to succeed in case those who fail feel worthless." ― Kenneth Baker

Obama's repeated and obvious commitment to socialism is beyond disturbing. He is blatantly rejecting the actual values on which our country was founded. LINK