by Margaret Gorski, Stevensville
“On the Trail to Freedom”… that is what HD 88 GOP primary candidate Alan Lackey’s campaign signs say. It is a typical GOP slogan that, in my opinion, apparently works like a dog whistle that can only be heard by far-right extremists who come running whenever their master calls. In my search for meaning, I listen when he speaks, read his stand on positions, and comb the internet for events where he may have spoken. I’m still left with the question: What makes him qualified to be my State Representative?
I have watched him at meetings (especially with the Ravalli County Board of Health) where he bullied board members and officials who were only doing their jobs. So, does it mean one should have the freedom to brow beat an elected official just because one doesn’t agree with how they are implementing policy?
I have searched the web for information that lays out his philosophy on government. He says he is over regulated, that Christianity should be our national religion, and that States’ rights have supremacy over Federal rights. So… “on the trail to freedom” must be promoting the idea that freedom exists in degrees. His freedom is more important than yours or that your freedom is more important than mine. Regulations usually arise from some form of injustice, for example the need to protect the powerless from those with power. What regulations are the ones he thinks abridge his freedom? Could they be: those that protect our air, water, and wildlife; those that protect our right to worship any way we want, or those that protect us from being persecuted because we may not be white, straight, or male?
And finally, I have searched the web for more information that would reveal what kind of State Representative he would be. I find that he was one of Ammon Bundy’s People’s Rights Area Representatives. Remember Mr. Bundy? He’s the guy that led an armed rebellion against our fellow Americans by unlawfully taking over a Federal Wildlife Refuge in the name of States’ rights. Does Mr. Lackey’s “on the trail to freedom” mean if you don’t like a particular governmental policy you just form a militia and point a gun to get your way? What about our rule of law?
So what does this all say about what kind of State Representative he would be? It’s hard not to conclude that Mr. Lackey isn’t really a Republican at all. It seems like he’s more of a John Bircher or Libertarian. He doesn’t believe in government. Since he doesn’t believe in our form of government, why is he running for elected office?
Mr. Lackey, it’s one thing to spout campaign slogans, it’s altogether another story to know how to actually govern and carry out the responsibilities of an elected official. You apparently have learned campaign sloganeering from the master herself, the one who endorses you, State Senator Theresa Manzella. Unfortunately, you are not going to learn how to govern from her since she apparently has chosen to use her valuable State Senate seat to perpetuate the lie that the last Presidential election was stolen, that the County needs to spend our scarce tax dollars on hand counting ballots in the name of election integrity, and who uses her Senate seat to pressure fellow Republicans into voting for you.
Anyone who follows elections in Ravalli County knows that whoever wins the GOP primary is likely to win the seat. So, if Alan wins the HD 88 primary, he becomes my State Representative to join my Senator, Theresa Manzella. Sadly, neither one appears interested in actually governing. Governing actually means working on hard issues whose solutions could make everyone’s lives better, like affordable worker housing, internet access, or health care? Fat chance of that! A vote for Alan is a vote wasted!