by George Corn, Hamilton
I’m voting for Jon Tester because of his support for veterans, our public lands, our Montana economy and because of Jon’s honesty and integrity. As an Army veteran and avid outdoorsman, who has lived and worked in Ravalli County since 1981, I know that Jon is a tried-and-true.
Jon supported these issues when he served in the Montana Legislature. In the Senate, Jon has continued his successful work on them. Jon recently shepherded the “burn pit” bill through Congress which finally addresses the toxic exposure many veterans suffered while serving our country. Also, thanks to Jon, a new, expanded Veterans’ health care center will soon be open in Hamilton. As the VFW pointed out, Jon was the only member of the Montana Congressional Delegation to support the bill that authorized it. As an Army veteran, I’m glad that he did and appalled that the others did not.
Jon’s opponent, Tim Sheehy, in contrast, has recklessly called for “pure privatization” of the VA. Sheehy’s statement is shocking and irresponsible. Privatization would destroy VA services for veterans and shut down rural hospitals in Montana.
Jon also voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The bill provides funding for our road system which improves our business economy. This summer, Jon also secured the emergency funding to make emergency repairs to the St. Mary Canal, which supports 800 irrigators in the area. Additionally, Jon ensured long term funding to rebuild the system.
Jon has consistently supported our public lands. He knows it is critical to keep our public lands in public hands. In 2019, he supported a bill that permanently funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund which uses offshore oil royalties to support and care for our public lands. Not only does the bill provide us our great outdoor opportunities, it also helps support our outdoor economy.
Tim Sheehy, in contrast, has called for the transfer of our public lands to the state and even the counties. That’s no surprise. Until a few months ago, Sheehy was a board member of an organization working for the privatization of our public lands or having them managed like private lands.
Jon also has a proven public record for honesty and integrity. The same can’t be said of Sheehy. Sheehy’s start-up business venture, Bridger Aerospace, obtained a $160 million bond issue through Gallatin County. Sheehy represented this public money would be used for “hanger expansion and additional aircraft.” But instead of more jobs and expanding the business, $134 million of the $160 million went to buy back shares of the early investors. Shamefully, Sheehy allowed these investors to cash in, saddling the company with more debt instead of using the bond money to expand the business. Expansion might also have given the company the means to repay the debt. Sheehy has never explained his corporate shenanigans or identified the early investors. While this might be legal, it sure stinks.
For these reasons I’m voting for Jon Tester and urge you too as well.
WMA says
Does anyone else notice how ultra conservatives are happy to believe the worst disproven lies about Jon Tester but happily ignore the ugly truths about Tim Sheehy?
Bill Cavanaugh says
Zzzzzz. Thanks for reciting the talking points from the TV Commercials.
The V.A. will never go away regardless of what lies the East Coast funded Last Best Place says. Veteran’s will always have health care, and Sheehy is an actual veteran who knows what no man left behind actually means.
The Infrastructure Bill? This week, Biden sent off $27 Billion from that “Bill” (Scam) to a multitude of Non-Profits (some in business less than a year).
It was a payoff to his cronies, nothing else.
$42 Billion in that bill for rural internet. To date not one dollar spent.
Stop believing Tester’s lying commercials.