by Archie L Thomas, Corvallis
There was a time when Montana and the nation had a Republican and a Democratic party that was fiscally conservative, socially responsible and dealt with public policy issues that contributed to the common community good. I was born, raised and steeped in that Montana Republican tradition before the term MAGA was popular and when the term “red” meant you were a communist.
Montana had a campaign finance law that limited corporate money in politics before the Republican Koch brothers financed the “Citizens United” Supreme Court case overturning the law. We have one of the most progressive and modern State Constitutions in the world, designed by both Republicans and Democrats while seated alphabetically rather than by party during the constitutional convention. This document enshrines, among other rights, Montanans’ rights to a clean environment, the public’s access to government meetings and a strong judicial branch of state government ensuring these constitutional rights. It is currently under full attack by the present Montana Republican Party to remove these rights.
Directly from this time came the Montana Coal Trust Fund that still helps fund our state government, strong environmental regulations protecting our public lands and the public’s right of access to Montana’s streams and rivers. Further, Ravalli County enjoys Senator Lee Metcalf’s (Democrat) Wildlife Preserve and Butte fathered Senator Mike Mansfield, a legendary Democrat Senate leader and past ambassador in Japan. This list is by no means complete or comprehensive.
As a native Montanan, when I’m asked to leave and not stay and screw up Montana like California by James K Rummell (LTE, 11/27/24), I have to ask, where were you the last 70 years and what did you contribute? So you love our mountains, good hunting, fishing and open space; it didn’t get this way because it was MAGA or “red.” Recently even the Montana Republican MAGA legislative rules committee agreed wasting time on gendered bathrooms is not in the interest of good governance. Montana needs help preserving and reserving elements of our hard scrabble way of life while thriving in the unsettled present.
Montana doesn’t need more racist, transphobic, bigoted people running from their self defined crap holes with all the depth of knowledge of a cookie sheet regarding Montana issues and our people.
Bill Cavanaugh says
Nice use of all of the buzz words in your hit piece disguised as “sympathetic”. The Far Left is 1,000 times worse than the Far Right, but the Liberal media and uninformed Democrats do a better job of spreading and propagandizing it. Koch Bros… MAGA… Blah Blah Blah. Meanwhile Jon Tester was the biggest recipient of Lobbyist cash and had the backing of more dark money than any other senator in the recent race. If you weed through the name calling, you’ll find the “MAGA” folks are trying to save this country and establishment Republicans and Democrats are the the slime trying to line their pockets with no interest in the American People.
Helen Sabin says
AMEN – Bill. Mega Americans want a safe, sane, moral, and Constitutional world in which to live. Trump is going to clean house and it has been needed for many years. Now let’s start with our own state legislature and get rid of anti-constitutionalists, those who claim to be Christian and conservative and are not. Then, MAGA USA and Montana will shine and will continue to be a country /state that is a fabulous place to live.
Mike Mercer says
I came here from California 43 years ago for a job and to raise my kids, that was my priority. That time has come and gone and the world has gotten very nasty as we fight over who controls what resources, make no mistake, we all created this mess. Throwing things against the wall to see what sticks won’t get you off the hook.
You speak of government policy as if that were a tool that failed you and favored others; you may be right. You want depth of knowledge about Montana issues? look into how the “Roundabout” on 93 got so popular, follow the liberal outsider money before you go off on MAGA. Then again, Corvallis seems to be the only community that would benefit from that roundabout…hmmm.
Mike Miller says
Please explain how you think “Corvallis seems to be the only community benefitting from that roundabout” when the roundabout isn’t even in Corvallis area proper.
Mike Mercer says
Traffic patterns will change/evolve making Eastside Hwy. a future viable option, in my opinion, making Corvallis a growth opportunity for investors.
Mike Miller says
Just Corvallis, though, even though the circle is not in Corvallis. Okay, sure, buddy.
Mark says
Well put! While a repub, this current crop of far right is ridiculous. Hopefully with time people will clean house on this brand of politician.
Helen Sabin says
I agree.