by Helen Sabin, Corvallis
Well, well, well… grab your popcorn, folks.
Two Montana legislators — Theresa Manzella (SD44) and Kathy Love (HD85) — just made their big move on the national stage.
Was it bold? Sort of. Was it courageous? Not even close.
They signed a resolution (gasp!) politely asking Congress to stop insider trading.
Yes — asking. Not demanding. Not calling them out. Not backing their “pretty please,” with action. Just a good ol’ fashioned, weak-sauce, “please” that isn’t pretty nor powerful.
Spoiler alert: Congress won’t stop enriching themselves because Kathy Love and Theresa Manzella sent them a Hallmark card.
Manzella and Love claim to be “defending freedom” and “fighting for Montana,” but what they’re really doing is defending a rigged system and giving themselves political cover with empty gestures.
A resolution has as much power as a wet napkin at a BBQ.
But hey, it gives them a nice talking point for campaign season:
“Look what I did for you! Now donate to my re-election fund!”
Meanwhile, back in the real world, they had a chance to actually DO something — by supporting THREE Article V Convention of States bills that would’ve sent a clear, constitutional message to Congress: the people are DONE being ignored.
But no. They voted against them. Because apparently, real action is scary and might offend the swamp monsters. Oh and the John Birch society told them to stop a “con-con.” Yeah in their monthly “action” items that all loyal foot soldiers get, they were told to be strong and vote against Montanans. After all, if Montanans ever used an Article v gathering of states and put teeth back into the constitution, there would be no need for groups like the John Birch Society.
Even Alexander Hamilton — yes, that Hamilton — expected states to use Article V when Congress ran off the rails. He’d be appalled to see “constitutional conservatives” like Love and Manzella treat the Constitution like a decorative coaster.
• They voted FOR a toothless resolution.
• They voted AGAINST a meaningful Article V call.
• They FAILED to stand up for the people.
• And they EMBRACED business as usual.
This isn’t leadership. This is political game playing. 83% of Americans want term limits and they want congress to do their job – and that doesn’t include insider trading.
But Love and Manzella won’t even send that message to Washington — let alone lift a finger to make it happen.
Why? Because real change threatens the comfort of career politicians and the backroom buddies who pull their strings and fund their elections.
Montana doesn’t need more spineless seat-fillers who confuse performative politics with patriotism.
We need warriors – not whisperers. We need effective legislators -not lackadaisical losers.
Next election, let’s vote them out. Remove them from office. And let’s send a message that Montanans are DONE with cowards in conservative clothing.