Congress may actually pass an economic stimulus bill this week, which is good news for the short-term needs of the country. There is no question the economy is tottering, and could easily tip over from recession to depression, so a bill that focuses on saving jobs and creating jobs is desperately needed. The good news is that the bill will definitely help achieve some of those aims. The bad news is that it will lay a crushing debt burden on taxpayers for the future, which can only be addressed if government becomes far more efficient in the use of tax dollars than it has in the past. That could very well force, down the road, what many of us have wanted for years, a smaller, more efficient government. But somehow, that doesn't seem likely. Because Congress hasn't figured out that the model for government is, and should be, changing. And the best example is the stimulus package. Despite billions of dollars in cuts, it still contains way too much pork. And some of the cuts (to make way for that pork) seem to make no sense, such as dropping $40 billion to help keep schools from having to fire teachers. That's counter-productive. The bill is supposed to save or create jobs, not leave them threatened. Both sides of the aisle bear the blame. The Democratic leadership rolled over on way too many pet projects among its members, losing sight of the long-term goal of the bill. And Republicans kept insisting on sticking to the same failed policies of the past, and playing the same old games where personal and party political power carried more weight than the needs of the nation. One GOP leader actually admitted his goal for the bill, and the amendments he introduced, were designed to divide the Democrats and make them look bad. So much for caring about the people of this country. Both parties should be ashamed. It is time for Congress to look up from its myopic and petty party power games, and its proclivity for pork, and look at the desperate state of the nation, focusing solely on programs that stand a good chance of meeting the goal of keeping people working. Making things work should be a bipartisan issue. This bill should be about America, not the Republican or Democratic parties. -- Kelly Everitt

Get out and demonstrate patriotic spirit at AFAD

Posted Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at 10:10 AM

A 55-year tradition unofficially begins this Friday as the Mountain Home community comes together to showcase its support for the men and women of the armed forces. Air Force Appreciation Day, or AFAD for short, is a celebration whose reputation extends well beyond Elmore County and even our state.

In fact, a number of military members learn about it immediately after they get orders to Mountain Home Air Force Base. But what I think catches most of them off guard is the sheer magnitude of the celebration.

During my 25 years in the Air Force, I served at bases in a number of communities across the United States and overseas. A few of those towns didn't appreciate the military's presence. A few others claimed they supported the military or did what they could to show they were patriotic.

A celebration in Great Falls, Mont., was one that sticks in my mind. It provided plenty of food and prizes for everyone that attended. In fact, the first family portrait I had with my wife and our first daughter was made possible because we won a photo portrait package at that event.

However, organizers in that city made the celebration a strictly military-only event. Just to get through the gate, you had to present a military ID card.

That's not true in our community. No matter if you served in the armed forces, know someone who did or are simply curious, AFAD welcomes everyone to take part in the festivities.

I have to laugh from time to time when I run into people attending AFAD for the first time. Most of them are simply stunned by the number of people lining the streets of this city to catch the parade.

A few were convinced that the state's largest parade -- a reputation Mountain Home is proud to maintain by the way -- ran as long as it does because each entry was making two or more trips through town. Then they see all of the individual parade entries lined up and down the streets of our downtown area, which leaves a lot of them simply speechless.

Then there's the celebration in Carl Miller Park. It not only serves one of the largest (and free) barbecue lunches out there, it also showcases musical entertainment and other attractions well into the late afternoon.

All of this was made possible because people in this community came together wanting to do something for the men and women of the local Air Force base -- something that was not only memorable but also very special. They did it while never expecting anything in return.

It was people like Bill Sanders, Dean Wilson, Jim "Scrubby" Birchfield, Jack Streeter, Lloyd Waters, Roy Watson and Lyle Evans that worked countless hours to make the celebration so successful. Then there were others like Tom Hacker and Larry Ashcraft, who added events like the annual fun run and walk, which brings together people from across southern Idaho for an evening of friendly competition.

I know that I'm forgetting a number of people out there, but please know that your contributions are truly appreciated.

When compared to other communities across the United States, Mountain Home is pretty tiny with just over 14,000 people. But what makes us stand out over everyone else is our unwaivering patriotic spirit.

Sure there are those out there that will occasionally wave the American flag or beat on their chests saying they're proud to be an American. But that patriotic spirit is often fleeting and fades from memory quickly.

Remember all of the American flags that people had on display in front of their businesses and homes following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001? How many of those people still have that patriotic spirit or understand the sacrifices made by not only those in uniform but their families as well?

Mountain Home is, by far, the most patriotic communities I've ever seen. We don't draw attention to ourselves regarding patriotism because we live it each and every day.

Speaking of which, I have just one (hopefully) small request during this year's AFAD parade. When you see the Mountain Home Air Force Base Honor Guard or the American Legion honor guard approach bearing the American flag, please stop what you're doing, stand up, remove your hat and place it over heart and remain standing in silence until the Stars and Stripes pass by.

Be sure your children do the same so they understand the need to pay their respects.

Whether this is your first AFAD or your 55th, take time out of your busy schedule to join the thousands of citizens of our community to showcase our pride in the U.S. military and the ideals it represents.