by Tom Gentry, Corvallis
I find it interesting that a lot of people writing in the Bitterroot Star are not stating facts but voicing their opinion. When it comes to political candidates, they stress the character of the person and how I hope that you, the reader, is checking out what each writer is saying and not taking it verbatim. I especially ask that no matter who the candidate is (Dave Bedey vs. Kathy Love; Michelle Binkley vs. Kim Dailey; Wayne Rusk vs. Ken Allen) that you do your research in verifying what they stand for and not just voting on the person.
When they say they are a Republican, do they truly support the Constitution of these United States, the Constitution of the State of Montana, the National Republican Party Platform and the Montana State Republican Party Platform. If not, why are they running on a Republican ballot and not as an Independent or another party suited to their beliefs.
You can check out how Dave Bedey and Kathy Love voted on Republican bills for 2025 and their ranking by going to the website https://www.legislatorloyalty.com/. This website will also show the ranking for Dave Bedey, Michele Binkley, and Wayne Rusk in the 2023 session.
You also should check out their ‘conservatism’. There are numerous conservative sites that show how the candidates voted and ranked on certain bills.
I am especially concerned about which candidates want a Sales Tax for Montana and why! I am sure that if it were put before the voters, it would be soundly defeated. It was also mentioned about our drop in property taxes. Mine went down some but I know of others that their property taxes went up, one increasing by $7,000.
So do your research and confront them about some of these issues. Tell them you will hold them accountable for what they tell you.
Tracy says
See, the LETTERS page is an “Opinion” page. Just like an Editorial is an opinion with the very definition of the word. As for the facts, I am Conservative Republican. I am not right wing John Birch Society like many that call themselves Republican. I have no problem with movement to the center if it is for the betterment on the State and those of us that live here or tough it out. I am not so sure today that a Sales Tax would be “soundly defeated” provided the Property Tax was eliminated as well as State Income Tax. I would be all for a Use Tax to replace both. You pay for what you use. I dont use a lot and what I use is mindful of cost. If I had that other money in my pocket I would not mind a FLAT RATE TAX on goods at all. As far researching a candidate by their voting record according to a “site” by all means but remember that site is bias to what their particular agenda is and in most cases they may not match yours. They are in it for the money too.