A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is running as an independent to become the next Governor of Idaho. Rex Rammell, who is a free-market constitutionalist, came to my notice through an article published in the Rexburg Standard-Journal about a series of upcoming meetings slated for LDS elders only. In January, Rammell will kick off a series of special meetings targeted specifically at "faithful priesthood-holders of the LDS Church" to discuss the White Horse prophecy. KIDK Channel 3 also filed a report.
Rammell says the LDS Church isn't sponsoring the event. The church had no comment on Rammell's meetings, except to remind the public of its official political neutrality regarding political parties, candidates or platforms. In addition, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) questions the legitimacy of the White Horse prophecy. "The only accounts of the alleged White Horse prophecy were provided second hand, years after Joseph Smith died and can't be corroborated with other sources," said Scott Gordon, the president of FAIR. "For many people it is a faith-promoting rumor that been around for a long time -- it's a rumor that never dies."
Rex Rammell's official campaign website is HERE. He actually announced his candidacy back on May 13th, 2009. The core of his Ten Principles revolves around God and the constitution. Government's proper role is to protect our rights to life, liberty, and property. His state platform:
1. Taxes must be cut across the board to stimulate the economy. Idaho currently ranks 13th highest in state and local tax burden and 29th best business tax climate.
2. The size and scope of government must be drastically curtailed to decrease business costs and regulatory burdens. All departments need audited retaining only the most essential programs and personnel. Private contracts must replace government bureaucracy.
3. Major reforms in government welfare are required to shift the responsibility from government to families, churches, and charitable organizations. Currently one out of every four Idahoans is receiving some form of welfare benefit.
4. Health insurance reform must move towards private Health Savings Accounts in order to lower premiums and shift responsibility to individuals and doctors.
5. Eliminate the Federal education program “No Child Left Behind.” This burdensome and unnecessary mandate usurps the parent’s and state’s responsibility to educate our children.
6. Deport all illegal immigrants. The high cost of their cheap labor is costing Idahoan’s more than it is worth. The social-welfare burden imposed by the illegal immigrants on our hospitals, schools, prisons, and welfare system must be eliminated. Those who wish to stay and work legally can do so through a state guest worker program. However, they must pay for their own health insurance, pay to use our public school system, and stay out of our welfare lines.
7. Make English Idaho’s official language. All services provided by the Idaho government must be in English. This will decrease the expense associated with administering Idaho’s laws. Immigrants who want to be Americans must learn our language.
8. Build nuclear power plants. Idaho can be America’s leader in nuclear power, creating new jobs and providing cheap clean energy for Idaho and the surrounding states.
9. Remove all Canadian wolves from Idaho. The wolves continue to slaughter Idaho’s big game herds, kill and maim livestock and pets, and are dangerous to Idahoans. If Idaho's mountains are to be safe for people and if our big game herds are to be the envy of the world, the wolves can not stay.
10. Assert Idaho’s state rights. Challenge the authority of any federal mandate which violates Idaho’s sovereign rights over water, air, natural resources, education, welfare or any other infringement. Idaho must become independent of our failing federal government.
In 2008, Rammell ran unsuccessfully as an independent against Jim Risch, who succeeded the embattled Larry Craig in the U.S. Senate. In August 2009, Rammell was criticized for telling an Obama joke related to the state's wolf hunt at a local Republican group meeting. The discussion was about "wolf tags". When an audience member shouted out a question about "Obama tags", Rammell replied, "Obama tags? We'd buy some of those". Rammell refused to apologize for the crack, saying he was just joking.
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