Whoa! Did I read Senator Fred Thomas’ editorial right? Does he really have the nerve to advance giving my national public lands to the states so the land and its resources can be sold to corporations for pennies on the dollar?
This is the same state senator, who 20 years ago, at the behest of Kenny Lay of Enron infamy, told us that unleashing the engines of competition would make energy too cheap to meter. He then barn stormed energy deregulation through the legislature before we could take a breath. Next, Montana Power, our publicly regulated energy company, used its “freedom” to sell itself to out of state competitors. Before deregulation Montanans had the cheapest energy rates in the region and among the least expensive in the United States. Now our energy rates are the highest in the region and right up at the top nationwide. The current state of affairs was completely foreseeable. And some people got very rich. Unfortunately, for most of us, increased utility bills every month for Fred’s handiwork.
So now I’m supposed to listen to Fred sing me sweet lullabies about the wonders of transferring my and your national lands to the states? No thank you, Fred. I’m wide awake.
Pat Tucker
Hamilton