by David Bull, Corvallis
As the midterm elections approach, I am reflecting on my 50-plus years of voting. I have supported Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike because I vote based on the issues, not party labels. Voting purely by political tags limits our thinking and divides us.
Montana’s government functions best when leaders work across party lines. Unfortunately, state party leadership has actively penalized bipartisan cooperation. Nationally, we see no pushback by our state or federal officials on Trump’s significant foreign policy errors, his billions in corruption, and his banning of media from the White House.
Why aren’t our legislators standing up for Montana’s interests? Why are they silent on Elon Musk’s sweeping cuts that threaten the ability of the Forest Service to fight wildfires and maintain roads and trails? Why are they quiet about damaging tariffs on our primary trading partner and neighbor, Canada, or the soaring $40 trillion federal deficit? What are they doing to lower everyday healthcare, grocery, and fuel costs?
I plan to look past the “R” or “D” on the ballot this fall and vote strictly for candidates who address these core concerns. I hope my fellow Montanans will join me in putting issues over party loyalty.
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