Democrats abandon values

by Tim Adams, Stevensville

Thank you to Michael Howell for his return to actual journalism—diligently calling local government agencies rather than merely printing talking points from Democrats, as the Bitterroot Star did when Jon Tester promoted the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. It’s refreshing to see curiosity about government resurface—though only when Republicans are in charge. 

I’m baffled by the sudden wave of Elon Musk hate. When he was launching rockets and producing the most popular electric car—with billions in government subsidies—Democrats applauded. Joe Biden even signed an executive order in 2021 pushing for 50% of all car sales to be electric, later raising it to 67% by 2032. Gavin Newsom, whose wealthy in-laws own local property, ordered California to ban gas-powered vehicles by 2035. 

Yet now, the same party that mandated EVs suddenly encourages vandalizing them. If climate change is truly an existential crisis, why is attacking Musk a higher priority than transitioning to clean energy? Surely, one man’s political leanings can’t justify abandoning environmental principles. 

Progressives also betray their values on public-sector unions. FDR opposed them, warning in 1937: 

“All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining cannot be transplanted into the public service. A strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent to obstruct the operations of government. Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government by those who have sworn to support it, is unthinkable and intolerable.” 

Yet today, government workers earn 18-22% more in wages than private-sector counterparts, with benefits that far surpass those in the private economy. In March ’23 the BLS reported public sector workers make on average $17 more an hour than their private sector counterparts. In Montana, many retire with full pensions after just 20 years, often re-entering government for a second pension—all guaranteed for life, funded by taxpayers. 

The real reason Democrats resist transparency? Our tax dollars are funneled into their political machines. Every new bureaucrat means more union dues feeding campaigns. Grants for the “public good” often serve as voter mobilization funds. It’s a gross abuse of government power, betraying the progressive ideal that government should serve the people, not a single party.