Speaking truth to power

by Archie L. Thomas &, Merry Schrumpf, Corvallis

Speaking truth to power is important, and it needs to be acknowledged and supported.  

In 2024, the Ravalli county commissioners held hearings on election integrity. Using these hearings to inform the public that their limited authority stops at the county election process was a good thing. What they did not do was demand that hearing testimony be limited to local election details and procedures. That was a missed educational opportunity resulting in multiple forums to spread election integrity lies. They did not speak truth to power. 93% of American voters now have confidence in the 2024 election results. Is it not remarkable what happens when a presidential loser does not lie about election results? Where are the local election deniers now? 

Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY), when awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, spoke truth to power as follows: “Donald, this is not the Soviet Union. You can’t change the truth and you cannot silence us. Remember all your lies about the voting machines, the election workers, your countless allegations of fraud that never happened? Many of your lawyers have been sanctioned, disciplined or disbarred, the courts ruled against you, and dozens of your own White House, administration, and campaign aides testified against you. Remember how you sent a mob to our Capitol and then watched the violence on television and refused for hours to instruct the mob to leave? Remember how your former Vice President prevented you from overturning our Republic?

We remember. And now, as you take office again, the American people need to reject your latest malicious falsehoods and stand as the guardrails of our Constitutional Republic—to protect the America we love from you.

Residents of Ravalli county, you too can speak the truth to power. Do your part to support local election results to strengthen our democracy. Speak truth to power by calling or emailing the Clerk and Recorders Office to say “Thanks for a job well done.” (406) 375-6555)-(elections@rc.mt.gov)