by Diane Thomas-Rupert, Stevensville
As we all know the present Montana legislature is controlled by Republicans. From their present action of censuring legislators from their own party, it would appear they do not believe in or respect bipartisanship.
If that statement is true and it appears to be from the Republicans’ recent action, then why do legislators bother going to Helena? What did I just say? Of course, they go to debate bills that are presented and try to develop consensus. No, they do not!
Think about it. That is not what is happening this session. What appears to be taking place is that the present political party in the majority tells the members of their party, “you vote for or against the bills we the party tell you to and if you don’t, we will punish you.”
What ever happened to deciding to vote for the “good of the people”? That requires bipartisanship, in other words, working together to develop a plan that works for all. It seems that concept has died with this legislative session! We cannot allow this to continue.
We must revive the bipartisanship aspect of our legislature. If we don’t, then back to my original question, why do legislators bother going to Helena? If the goal is to NOT present and discuss bills with the idea of using compromise to come to consensus, then why spend the money and time to be there?
Ask yourself, is this about doing what is right for the people of Montana and then being censured if the legislator does not comply with the rules or is it about the power for those in the majority leadership to do as they please? As far as I know, doing as the majority leadership pleases is not bipartisanship and therefore not democracy.