By John Crowder | Originally published at the Pocatello-Chubbock Observer
Politics can be a dirty business. We’ve all seen it. Misleading ads twisting the truth and outright lies. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Those of us who, as Teddy Roosevelt said, are “actually in the arena,” have weighed the cost and have determined to fight for a worthy cause. That was certainly the case for Idaho Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld and her husband, Tom. As Senator Zuiderveld has said, “Before deciding to run for the Senate, Tom and I did not make that decision lightly. We spent an entire year weighing what it could cost us.”
Knowing what was at stake, Zuiderveld and her husband determined to move forward in a cause greater than themselves, to represent the regular Idaho citizen in the legislature. Not corporate interests. Not big money entities looking to use government for their own profit.
Now those corporate interests have taken steps to not only try to shut her up, but to send a message to anyone who might dare challenge their stranglehold on Idaho’s political system. And in doing so, they’ve sunk to a new low. Just prior to the end of the legislative session, Glenneda’s husband Tom received an email from his employer telling him that “multiple customers” would “no longer work with you as their representative.” They went on to say that “these customers have aligned with others in a coordinated effort to no longer direct business through you.” But even that wasn’t enough. The email also stated, “One customer indicated they would consider moving their business…if we did not terminate you.”
What did Senator Zuiderveld do to invite such wrath upon her husband? As stated in the email, “The concerns raised are tied to your wife’s political role…” These customers are part of Idaho’s dairy industry, and, as it turns out, according to their own lobbyist, the industry employs many illegal aliens. What Senator Zuiderveld did was to take a stand against the open border crowd, those who, for profit or power, seek to aid illegal aliens entering and remaining in America. She took a stand for the average Idahoan, the average American, who bears the cost of open borders: higher taxes, less affordable housing, higher health care costs, and lost opportunity. And those who benefit from this existential threat to our nation, it is now clear, will take any action, no matter how vile, to prevent her and others from standing up for the American citizen.
In the 1960 Stanley Kubrick-directed movie Spartacus, a dramatic scene unfolds when a Roman general announces to a group of former slaves that unsuccessfully fought against their rulers that unless Spartacus is turned over to them, all of the slaves will be crucified. They respond by standing up, one after the other, and proclaiming, “I am Spartacus!”
This is our Spartacus moment. I’m honored to be able to stand in support of Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld and her husband, Tom. I invite you to join me in expressing your public support for this warrior for the people of Idaho.
You can learn more about “the people’s senator,” Glenneda Zuiderveld, and lend your support by going to her campaign website, here: Re-Elect Glenneda Zuiderveld
About John Crowder
John Crowder is the publisher of Observer News Group and a Republican candidate for Idaho Senate in District 29. He lives in Pocatello.
