by Archie L Thomas & Merry Schrumpf, Corvallis
“A ‘special select committee’ promoting baseless conspiracies may further someone’s political career but would recklessly undermine the public’s trust in Montana’s elections. This constitutes an attack on the integrity of Montana’s election system that I am duty bound to resist. I ask my fellow legislators to do likewise.”
— Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton, an op-ed this week that ran in many Montana newspapers.
I thank David Bedey for the first breath of true fresh air from a Republican office holder in six years.
Tip O’Neil, past Speaker of the House, while not original, was quoted as saying”All politics are local.” I ask that we insist, starting with local candidates but expanding to all county, state, national candidates and office holders do the same. Senator Daines, Matt Rosendale, Theresa Manzella and Jason Ellsworth among others have stood with the naked emperor of the last administration claiming fraud during the last presidential election. They have wasted our taxpayers’ money, avoided good governance, undermined our democracy and divided our country. The Montana “election integrity movement” further propagates this lie.
Thank you, David. I hope you don’t suffer as a result. I only wish your approach was more broadly taken to heart.