Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Dear Editor, Constitutional Initiative -132 is a simple initiative that puts one sentence into Montana's constitution: "Judicial elections in Montana shall remain nonpartisan." The reason I will vote YES for CI-132 is to prevent out-of-state billionaires from influencing judges to sell off our public lands. Allowing non-residents to influence judicial decisions could open the door to the sale of public lands or even the elimination of public access in some areas. People of Montana should have...
Dear Editor, Last week I had two opportunities to hear from the candidates who are running to represent Jefferson County in the Montana Legislature. Both the Republican and the Libertarian raised issues that are very concerning to me. Both stated that they do not believe there should be any federally owned public lands in Montana. They would have the state take over the public lands and open them up to development. No more Yellowstone? No more Glacier? What are these people talking about?...
Dear Editor, Don [Lepinsky] and I are occasionally on the same page, but mostly we debate. At least we used to. In the mornings, I would stop at the casino, spend a few bucks, and have some coffee while shooting the breeze with whoever is in there. Occasionally it was Don, and the conversation often turned to politics. It was fun, and there was never any anger. Don has his ways as I have mine, but we get along in the end. But when I read his op-ed about my op-ed, I was confused about what he...
Dear Editor, Supporting Montana workers isn't partisan. Our labor unions have members from both sides of the aisle and across the political spectrum. Creating economic opportunity and putting Montana workers first aren't Republican or Democratic issues but things that affect the everyday lives of Montana workers and their families. One thing Montana's workers agree on is that our courts should remain nonpartisan. That's why the Montana AFL-CIO has endorsed CI-132, the constitutional initiative o...
Billions of people could have been the GOAT at something but never tried. McDonald’s is running their “Monopoly” game again. It first started in 1987. The grand prize is the same: $1 million. With inflation, the dollar's value has dropped, so today’s million has 1/3 of the spending power it had when they started. If you weigh 99 lbs and eat a pound of nachos, are you 1% nacho? If the elite ended up living in bunkers while we all die from some catastrophic event, would they actually have the skills to survive on their own? We have child geniuse...
Did you know that you are a beneficiary? Really, of State Representative Bullock. No, not former Democratic Governor Steve Bullock. Seth Bullock. A Montana Territorial Legislator in 1872. Your inheritance? Yellowstone National Park. This Bullock was a Republican. At 22, Montana's youngest legislator. In January 1872, Bullock introduced Joint Memorial No. 5 in our Legislature, calling on Congress to preserve the Yellowstone region. It asked that Yellowstone "be dedicated and devoted to public...
GEORGIA, I have a question. Is money not money anymore?? The pharmacist told me he doesn’t take pennies anymore. Then he took my pennies. This happened this morning. I (44F) stopped at the pharmacy counter in the big chain store by my office to pick up my blood pressure refill. Insurance covered almost all of it — my total came to seventeen cents. The pharmacist was an older man, early sixties, and before he said one word to me, he did the slow look. Top to bottom and back up, like he was deciding what kind of transaction this was going to be....
On a road I travel most days, I have seen a house pop up in a short time span. Concrete footings are a sturdy foundation. Likewise, a word of advice to those returning to church or starting a completely new beginning: I cannot emphasize the Bible enough. These are unsettling times. If the Christian is to be grounded, then he or she must live committed to Biblical truth. The world is always shifting. Cultural trends come and go, and morals change like the wind. Modern sociologists argue that the human family’s ability to adapt is its greatest st...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Focus your energy on family and home this week, Aries. Although you might feel more comfortable working alone, you may soon find yourself doing group work. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You have lots of mental energy this week, Taurus. You may be pushed into a leadership role that helps you feel independent. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Sports and competitive physical activities might appeal to you this week, Gemini. Teams, friends, and group activities will be priorities, as will sharing ideas. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, you will...
Elections have consequences, and Jefferson County citizens can choose between two vastly different legislative candidates for HD 75. I've personally known Mark Reinschmidt for 35+ years. He's one of us; he grew up and has lived here nearly his entire life. His Christian principles, background, and experiences have shaped his approach to representation. He's a consummate entrepreneur and knows personally about the hard work, risk-taking, and commitment it takes to be in business and sign...
Aren’t people clever? Start by getting massive amounts of dark money from nonresident billionaires seeking to control Montana’s politics. Then run a ballot initiative that claims to control dark money influence in Montana. Bait and switch. Brilliant! Why, it’s enough to get you really cynical about politics… The dark money-funded I-194 signs and advertising are everywhere. It all sounds so doggone good. Too much dark money in politics, you say to yourself. Too much wealthy out-of-state influence. We need to do something about it. Maybe this wi...
Beef is expensive. Shoppers see it every time they walk past the meat counter. Washington has responded with a band-aid solution by opening the door to more imported beef. While that may provide some short-term appeal to consumers, it does nothing to address the underlying domestic supply problem that drove prices up in the first place. In fact, allowing more imported beef actually makes the problem worse in the long run because it artificially manipulates the supply and demand signals that...
“Dark money” is the buzzword of the moment in Montana politics. It is on activists’ lips, in fundraising mailers, and on signs and billboards along Montana highways. But “dark money” is more than a buzzword. It is becoming a political weapon—and providing cover for a hostile takeover of Montana politics. The takeover is not happening in secret. It is happening in plain sight. Some of the wealthiest people in America are spending millions trying to influence who represents Montanans. At the same time, they invoke the “dark money” mantra to portr...
Imagine the state legislature passes a law that says this: “A Montana driver’s license allows you to drive on all state roads—except not to church services. People can still go to church, but they have to walk or find other arrangements.” Would that law be constitutional? Or suppose a law says that a barber’s license allows you to cut hair, but you can’t talk politics in your barbershop. If you do, you lose your license. Would that be constitutional? Or suppose the legislature says a business may incorporate in Montana, but it can’t opera...
Dear Editor, The passage of the ballot initiative CI-132 is so important. CI-132 simply puts into the Montana Constitution that judges will remain non-partisan, as they have been for the last 90 years. It's that simple. Judges should not declare support for one political affiliation over the other, whether they are a candidate for Montana Supreme Court or a District Judge who will preside over civil cases, felonies, and probate. As our judges deal with everyday Montanans, we need to know they...
Dear Editor, Montanans are being bombarded with television and other political ads in this year’s congressional races. Voters should understand an important limitation of ballot initiative I-194: it would not stop much of the political spending we are seeing today. I-194 restricts political spending by certain “artificial persons,” including corporations, nonprofits, partnerships and trade associations. But the initiative expressly exempts political committees, and its restrictions are aimed at state and local political activity—not the federal...
Anatomically, horses' legs are essentially long fingers, which is why their hooves are made of keratin, like fingernails. If Godzilla attacked a city that isn't (near) yours, your life wouldn't change one bit. Just memes and news updates. If you’re wealthy enough, the lottery just becomes a low-yield investment opportunity. A nasal voice is when all the air passes through the mouth. A septic tank is one big bacterial battle for species supremacy. You can tell who is winning by the smell. Because of time dilation, your blood cells age more s...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you have some free time this week. Focus on social outings and keeping things light. Use the time to relax and recharge. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Tact may be required in the days ahead, Taurus. You have strong opinions about how to approach a situation, but present your views with kindness and express a willingness to be flexible. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, save up your energy for something fun instead of getting swept up in someone else’s drama. Patience is your best friend this week, even if it doesn’t always co...
The “church” has existed since approximately 33AD, following Christ’s resurrection on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in the book of Acts. Here we are 2000 years later, and the church is now worldwide and growing, fulfilling Christ’s words, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Many are accustomed to referring to the “church” as a building or place of worship; however, the longer I have been a pastor, the more convicted I am that Jesus' love requires more. The church must be better understo...
GEORGIA, I have a question. I just want to run a scenario by you and see if I overreacted. I am 31. I had been chatting with a guy, 34, for about two weeks, and yesterday we finally met in person. The plan was an afternoon in Bozeman, walking downtown, starting with lunch at my favorite cafe. He was fine in person. We did the awkward half-hug, a little stiff, but nothing horrible. Normal first date stuff. We walked up to order, and he patted his pockets and said, “Ooh. I left my wallet in my car. Do you want to walk with me to get it?” Now...
Dear Editor, $6.00 a gallon for diesel??? By the time this goes to print, it will probably be higher. It is time to think about our elected officials. For what reasons were they elected? To represent us? Listen to our concerns? To do their job and hold the president accountable? Our Montana Congressmen and Senators are not doing any of these things! I am a Montana cattle rancher and have watched fuel prices skyrocket, fertilizer prices go through the roof, and now I am facing a $ 500-per-head re...
Dear Editor, As I've received and perused the many 8.5 x 11, glossy, card-stock political advertisements in my mailbox this summer, I've been both bemused and irritated by their content. Some of the copy sure "sounds" good. They all purport to be on my side, to be representing my interests, to want the things I want, to like the people and policies I "like" and to hate the people and policies I "hate." They all show pleasant faces and big smiles. They all use the "right words." They all promise...
Dear Editor, I am very proud to be a resident and citizen of Montana. Among the many examples of courage and principle that make this state great is its independent, nonpartisan judiciary. Let's keep it that way by voting yes on CI-132. In the 43 years I've lived, worked, or owned property in this state, raising my daughter here, I have come to admire many things about this state and its people, including Montanans' inclination to be fiercely independent in all matters. An established principle...
Dear Editor, The League of Women Voters of Montana, along with local Leagues in Billings, Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula, supports our democracy in multiple ways. As a nonpartisan organization, we do not endorse individual candidates or parties, but provide educational opportunities to the public on the candidates and issues, including ballot initiatives. One important source for information on candidates is our online Voter Guide, VOTE411.org, a one-stop shop where you can find nonpartisan,...
Dear Editor, Montana's small business owners work hard, create jobs, and build communities. They are also some of Montana's most likely to face litigation as they navigate the complexities of employment, contracts, partnerships, and insurance disputes. They need judges who are experienced, fair, and consistent in their application of the law. Montanans value fair, unbiased courts and judges who interpret our laws and constitution consistently and reliably. That's why we've elected our judges in...
