Going to the spring fair today. Are you?

Doing the first barbecue of the year at the Nugent household. The weather is that nice. Chicken Breast, Rib-Eye Steak, Hot-Dogs and Grilled Cukes. What are you having for dinner?

Absolutely gorgeous day in Pocatello. Going to go for a motorcycle ride and enjoy the spring day.

Off to a town hall meeting…

Wow what an incredible crowd at the Pond Ballroom tonight. 2500 ballots printed, all were given out and some people were turned away, I estimate about 3,000 people there. Its great to see so many people involved in the process. People want things to change.

#republican; #election; #idaho-caucus; #pocatello; #Brian-Nugent

I’m off to the caucus. Hope to see 51% of Pocatello there tonight!

I am officially registered as a candidate for Idaho House of Representatives District 29 Seat A.

The Idaho Senate passed a bill today making it a crime to text while driving. I doubt that the accidents caused by distracted drivers will decrease by enough to actually make it worth the loss of freedom imposed by it. Because the law is on the books, will it prevent people from being selfish and stupid? I don’t really think it will. Having the law on the books does however absolve the cellular industry somewhat of culpability should someone who is injured by a distracted driver decide that the industry has deeper pockets than the one actually is responsible; it also allows insurance companies to deny damage claims in accidents caused by texters, as the driver was violating the law when the accident occured. It is a sad fact that legislatures all over the country pass laws that feel warm and fuzzy on the surface, but actually serve to protect a special interest who has lobbied for the bill. The PEOPLE are not served or protected by this bill. Words on paper will not create a shield around a toddler on the sidewalk who is in the crosshairs of a selfish, innatentive texter. If no one is protected by the words on the bill, why write, debate and pass the bill in the first place. A better solution would be to educate the public to the dangers, and severely punish those that engage in patently stupid behavior. Common sense cannot be legislated, but stupidity can and should be severely punished.

#texting; #big-brother; #Idaho-Legislature; #freedom; #conservative; #Republican; #Brian-Nugent

When you have political ambitions, you can either take a stand on issues and remain true to who you say you are, or you can go with the flow of public opinion and only say things that will be popular and non-controversial. I am at that point right now and what I am about to say will not be popular, and will not be prudent concerning my ambitions for both political office and possible career paths, but saying nothing would be pandering to the lowest common denominator simply to avoid losing face. Saying nothing would be a politically wiser move, but then by saying nothing, I become a part of the problem.

Hoku Corporation is poised to be a major employer in Pocatello, and many privileges, as well as outright gifts in the form of land, access, and revised zoning to accommodate have been afforded to the company to bring them here. They have been given major breaks, and have also already gone through a round of lay-offs because construction and production have been delayed. Now, unable to meet their utility bill with Idaho Power (a private, for profit company; just like Hoku,) they have gone to government through the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to keep the power on through use of a temporary injunction. Here is where it gets tricky and controversial: If government is used to coerce (force) one company to provide a product or service to another company in the name of "public good," where does it stop? This is purely socialism at its finest, and I am disgusted that it has happened here in Idaho.

The power of government has been used, right here, in our back yard, to steal from one company and give to another. If you just do simple math, at the standard rate of 18% for a late bill payment, and the 41 day late bill, the government just allowed Hoku to steal $38,416 from Idaho Power. This is just from the November bill, this doesn’t count what accrued in December, or what has already been used this year. We will all be paying for this through higher utilities, and it is courtesy of your government. If they can steal from one company, one with many many employees, and their own legal department to protect them from things like this, what is to stop them from stealing in the name of public good from a much smaller business that doesn’t have the legal defense ability that a company the size of Idaho Power has. If you are a small business owner, you need to be concerned about this. The government has turned socialist right in front of our eyes, and NOTHING was done to stop them.

See article:

www.journalnet.com/news/local/article_50cefad6-365….html

#corporate-welfare; #Idaho; #Brian-Nugent; #Hoku; #Pocatello

Nanny State, decisions made from cradle to grave. I think that people are smart enough to make their own decisions and don’t need legislators to legislate away every possible risk in life. If you agree, elect me. I will resist these bills that control every aspect of your life and take away your freedoms. usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/13/9418504-us-c…tooth