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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Opinion & EditorialGuest CommentCreating good paying jobs in Montanaby U.S. Senator Max Baucus In Montana we are used to hard work. We are used to earning our keep, spending carefully and saving for the future. It’s these principles that have gotten us through tough times in the past and will continue to serve us well for generations to come. We are living in unprecedented times. Together we are facing an economic challenge so big, as Montanans we can’t simply put our heads down and work through it alone. The economic downturn is a local, national and global problem. We have a responsibility to act.
Economic Recovery This piece of legislation has many names - the Economic Recovery Package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Jobs Bill. And all of these titles fit - this bill will help stabilize our economy, and it will create good paying jobs.
This Bill is Not a Bailout
Tax Relief
My Economic Recovery Package Tax Provisions Tax cuts for parents through increases in the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit and cuts to help families afford homes and college educations
One-time payments to put more cash in the pockets of veterans receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and beneficiaries of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tax provisions to finance and create jobs in school construction, highways and building projects, and alternative energy- from wind and solar to energy efficiency
Help for Montana Industries
Help for Montana Families
Investing in Montana’s Future Some of the funding for Montana included in the Senate Jobs Bill: · $196,532,000 for the Montana Stabilization Fund to help local governments boost education, public safety and other needs. · $188,242,490 for Montana highway and transit funding · $130,758,061 for Montana schools and students · $37,051,838 for Montana food and shelter assistance
Tough Challenges Ahead We have a tough job ahead of us and it’s a big challenge – one of the biggest of our time. But as Montanans, I have no doubt we have the spirit, determination and pure grit to get through this. Together we will get our economy back on track and keep Montana the Last Best Place for generations to come. Max Baucus is Montana’s senior U.S. Senator. He is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. He can be reached at 800-332-6106. |
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Letters to the Editor61st Legislature - Week 5Dear Editor, The most controversial issue last week was the revenue estimate. It might seem like a complicated bit of legislative jargon, but it makes a big difference for Montana. Our constitution requires that the legislature pass a balanced budget. That's good – I'm committed to living within our means. To do so, we have to know how much revenue we have, and from that a budget of expenditures can be made. The revenue number is contained in HJR 2. It was first adopted by the Revenue and Transportation Interim Committee on November 15, 2008. Shortly thereafter, a new revenue estimate came in $135 million below the HJR 2 number. In mid-December, the Governor submitted a revised budget to match the $135 million reduced number. The legislature has some very good staffers who estimate how much tax money the state will take in over the course of the next two years. They're nonpartisan, and nationally recognized for doing good work. Now, those staffers have analyzed the numbers and arrived at a revenue estimate that's $220 million less than we expected to have in HJR2, last fall, and $85 million less than the Governor’s budget. But some folks are refusing to agree to that estimate. They say we should take the figures endorsed by the governor's office instead, which have a far rosier picture of the economy. Last week the House Taxation Committee attempted to revise HJR 2 to reflect the $220 million figure, but the ten Democrats locked up and voted no. The Democrats then tried to pass the $135 million figure, which matches the Governor’s budget, and the ten Republicans on the committee locked up and voted no. So, HJR 2 remains unchanged from last fall. The current estimate is $220 million below HJR 2, and $85 million below the Governor’s budget. There is a new estimate due the end of this week, and it is only expected to get worse. I believe we should budget for the worst case. Then, if we have more money on hand, we can put it back in the budget or provide tax relief, and it’s a pleasant surprise. But if we just go ahead and set our plans based on the best case scenario, it's going to cause trouble in the long run. That's not the kind of steady hand Montana needs. Another big issue was the collapse of plans to build a coal-fired electric power plant near Great Falls. It might seem like a local issue, but unfortunately it will lead to higher electricity bills across much of Montana. Southern Montana Electric planned to build a coal plant at their Highwood Generating Station. They got all the necessary permits and did everything they were asked to do, but then the environmental cartel started filing appeals and lawsuits. Eventually, the project was regulated to death before it could even get off the ground. Now, instead of employing 500 people, they'll build a natural gas plant that only employs 200 people. Large areas of the state will see their electricity costing 20 percent more. That's not a good way to build for the future. We have a solution for this problem. My colleagues and I are working on bills that will put a time limit on the appeals process, so natural resource development projects can get going faster. We have bills that will require people to post a bond if they want to appeal a natural resource development project, to prevent frivolous appeals. Those ideas and more are part of our commitment to building for a better future through responsible natural resource development. Two bills coming up for hearing this week are of particular interest. SB 46 by Dan McGee (R-Laurel) is an anti-abortion constitutional amendment. It declares that "the protection of unborn human life is a compelling state interest." It will be heard Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Old Supreme Court Chamber. Another bill of significance is HB385, by Rep. Dave McAlpin, (D-Missoula). It will impose a new higher state income tax rate for Montanans with taxable income of nearly $250,000 or more annually. It will be heard Wednesday morning by the House Taxation Committee. Individual bills can be tracked and committee hearing schedules can be found at www.leg.mt.gov. I believe that we in the legislature must be accountable to the people, and that means providing as much information as possible. You can call a legislator by dialing 444-4800, and leaving a message.
Rep. Gary MacLaren |
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Support for airport upgradeDear Editor, On February 4, the commissioners held a meeting with FAA officials and citizens regarding the alternatives for upgrading of the Hamilton airport. It’s a complicated issue with a long history. The airport is an important asset to our community, especially during forest fire fighting season and for medical flights. As such, we must assure that this asset is there for all of us. As your representative, the public hearing process is an important part of making decisions. Questions and concerns arise during hearings that deserve answers. I feel my job as a commissioner is to find answers before making a decision. I do not have the space to address all of the public concerns, but can give you information I’ve found addressing major questions. First, a little background: The current runway is 4200 feet in length, with no safety margin at the ends (cleared areas). Additionally, it is too close to private hangars to be safe. Both the lack of safety margins and the proximity to the hangars make it out of compliance with FAA safety standards. Compliance is necessary in order for the airport to continue receiving federal funds from aircraft fuel and licensing taxes. In 2003, Commissioners Betty Lund, Alan Thompson, and Greg Chilcott applied for, and received, FAA grant money to conduct an Environmental Assessment (EA) to “review future runway expansion alternatives and their environmental consequences.” Based on the EA, the FAA recommends that we build a new 5200-foot runway 400 feet east of the existing 4200-foot runway and turn the existing runway into a taxiway. This alternative provides for additional hangars and tie down area (parking) for aircraft. I have heard many concerns from the public regarding increased air traffic and airplane size if we extend the runway to 5200 feet. At the February 4th meeting, FAA officials stressed that this would not make Hamilton Airport a commercial airport nor would large planes be able to use a 5200-foot runway. Hamilton’s airport will remain a General Aviation airport servicing small planes. Larger, faster aircraft would still have to use Missoula’s airport. Nevertheless, after much careful listening, I believe this proposal creates a larger airport than the county needs or wants for the foreseeable future. According to the FAA, adding another 1000 feet of paved runway is not needed for safety. What is necessary is 4200 feet of paved runway with cleared safety buffer zones at each end. And, while we must move the runway east in order to provide adequate distance from the hangars and to access FAA monies, we are not required to add the additional hangar and tie down space that a 400-foot move provides for. A 240-foot move east adds the distance necessary from the hangars to be safe, allows the current runway to be used for a taxiway and provides some additional ramp and tie down area; especially needed during busy fire seasons and for providing additional revenue to the airport. Moving the runway 240 feet east but maintaining its current 4200-foot length satisfies FAA safety requirements while protecting current airport businesses and private property. Additionally, it addresses community desires that we maintain a vibrant but small airport. The FAA will cover 95% of the construction costs. Montana Aeronautics covers 2.5%. Local pilots and hangar owners have offered to pay the county’s 2.5%. From my perspective, this is a win for county citizens. The county receives the benefit of having a local, small airport for emergency services and the jobs and income it provides but those who use the facility on a regular basis for pleasure or business pay for the improvements. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 375-6510 or email kdriscoll@ravallicounty.mt.gov.
Kathleen Driscoll |
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Support for community collegeDear Editor, The Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee is having a hearing on the Bitterroot Valley Community College (BVCC) February 11th. There’s a real possibility of moving the dream to reality. Ravalli County Senator Rick Liable chairs the committee. He’s championing this bill but needs our help. For 40 years our county has sought a means of providing an affordable, comprehensive, accountable, and committed means of providing education to those who are motivated to improve themselves. The BVCC plan not only provides these elements, it’s also the best business model for providing the most benefit to the Valley: Affordable: Here’s a concrete example of affordable: I was interested in an Anthropology (3 credit) course offered by the Higher Education Center (run by College of Technology which is run by the University of Montana) and was shocked by the costs. Hardly believing what I saw on the website, I wrote, “I’m 55 and interested in continuing education, not working towards a degree. Do I have it right that the class would cost me $400-plus?” The response came back, “You’ve got it right.” The BVCC could offer such a course for substantially less. By way of example – at Miles City Community College 3 credits costs $165 and $273 at Dawson Community College. Comprehensive: Under one umbrella, the BVCC will offer a wide variety of noncredit and for-credit courses that range from vocational-technical, certificates and associate degrees to transferable general education classes, plus noncredit workforce training, professional development, personal enrichment classes, adult literacy, GED, and college preparatory services. Consolidating all of these offerings is not only a superior business model, it provides you with so much more opportunity and choice. Accountable: A board of locally elected trustees will manage our community college. So, for example, if you call with a question or problem, you won’t end up talking to someone in Missoula who also deals with the UM and COT, you’ll talk to a college representative or board member who is situated here in the valley and concerned and responsive to your needs. In other words, your needs would take priority instead of being sidelined and dealt with when convenient. Committed: The BVCC will be a legal and permanent institution unto itself and that presence guarantees you access to lifelong learning services. Meaning, we wouldn’t be seen as a nagging satellite or branch office groveling for attention. I urge everyone who is interested in seeing the Bitterroot Valley Community College become a reality, to write, email, call, or visit all of the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee members and let them know why a community college in the Bitterroot Valley is important to you, your family members, your business, your colleagues, and your community. Ravalli County can make progress towards a viable future, but it takes all of us working together… it takes the Valley.
Bruce Weide |
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Global confusionDear Editor, Thirty-one years ago I was John Wayne’s nurse. Sometimes I wonder what he would think of this upside down great country of ours. I think he would be ashamed and appalled at what we’ve become. Our “leaders” with their selfish goals offer plentiful empty promises. Our top office is held by a guy who suspiciously won’t present even school or marriage records and even had his birth certificate sealed. He wants to reward failing businesses and people who don’t want to work and declares war on businesses and families who are the very source that provide jobs for them and taxes for too many government programs. Those who think the gov should take care of everyone without considering where the money will come from become defensive when asked how their programs will be financed. Government becomes bigger and more controlling while the working man wonders how he’ll keep the family farm. Educated officials play with our money, rub out our dreams and security, then receive unearned millions for theirs. The worker bees can’t afford health care for our families but within the last 2 weeks are now required to pay for others, including illegals, to use and abuse the system. And to pay for not only our irresponsible citizens to slice, dice and suck out their preborn babies, but for those in other nations, compliments of Obama. It is called paganism and it is nothing new. 54 million Americans missing and we wonder why our economy and Social Security is in trouble. The US pays for 94% of the UN comprised of "leaders" who hate YOU, but keep their hand out for more and more. We are the world's Sugar Daddy and yet, we remain a member of this org. Why? Someone has a "plan" for us. Are you doing your homework? Those who scream “peace” are anything but peaceful, burning down log homes and Hummer car lots. (Is carbon only ok if they cause it?) They are angry at and flipping off those who are pro choice about what car they want and drive an SUV, they term a "baby killer." Grandparents are physically attacked and harassed as police stand by and even jailed for peacefully offering hope to the hurting and then being given even more jail time for refusing to have their private parts examined for “deadly weapons!” Innocent parents whisked to jail for lies from an out of control kid. Guilty until proven innocent. Common actors are idolized as our real heroes go unrecognized, even scorned for their sacrifices. Too many don’t realize our military is over there, so the terrorists don’t cut off OUR heads over here. Known terrorists are treated and fed better than our military, and thanks to Obama, are looking forward to being released to do again what they do best. Our border guards remain jailed for performing their jobs as instructed. How fair is the supposed "Fairness Doctrine" that is being pushed only by those who want to silence Conservatives that have the knowledge and courage to expose liberal lies and confusion to the general public? Do you know what the government's plans are for the closed down military bases? Our public schools with ever increasing dropout rates are a shameful embarrassment and are laughed at around the world. I have been assured personally, that failing students will graduate no matter their grades. Kids grade each other’s papers and are given no homework. Why is there time in class for it? Obama consults with Chavez on how he runs his schools in Venezuela. Once a playground for young innocents, now a long-planned-for breeding ground for disrespectful, self centered whiney ninnies, more concerned with hurting nice kids, in vain attempts to temporarily salve themselves. Too many kids are ill prepared to plan and make themselves a bright future in this dark world. They look forward to hanging out at the mall as opposed to building one, think it is cool to get pregnant, text and sex before ever meeting, having sex in the backseat during lunchtime while their friends drive them around town and doping in between classes. Along with sitcoms and movies, boys are trained to be girly and girls to act like raunchy men. Some work odd jobs and take care of their siblings while their doping parents stay home shacking up with another true love. Teachers wake up students in class who appear to be sleeping when actually they are sometimes leaving their bodies as they perform astral projection. History books are full of omissions and distortions regarding science and American history and way more space is given to Marilyn Monroe than George Washington. People and groups calling themselves “friends” are invited into our schools to teach that man is destroying the earth and animals, even when they die off naturally on their own. Like simple man has such power. Faux “science” is esteemed above reason or regard to the earth’s natural cyclic activity. Sesame Street showed kids hugging trees out in the forest following the example of the lady forest ranger. Some will tell you we are brothers, of trees. Thousands of reputable scientists prove man is not the cause for global warming, some of them receive death threats when they refuse to be silent. Read "Red Hot Lies." Not allowed to use the terms mother, father, family or celebrate the nation’s most traditional national holiday supposedly due to “lack of time” and not wanting to offend anyone, there is plenty time for forcing young minds to accept eastern religions, new age thinking, adopt Muslim names and pray to other gods whose bones remain in their graves while the Prince of Peace is expelled from their schools. They are taught "Separation of Church and State." Even some attorneys believe there is such a thing, until they are asked to point it out in the Constitution. First graders bussed to homosexual weddings, kindergartners learning about unhealthy, destructive lifestyles before they can read, all during school hours. Don’t you know this stuff? Email me. Quick. When I was on the school board explaining how we should not spend any more money on our liberal counselor, I was told, “Well, Cathy, things have changed since you were in school.” My point exactly. We don't live in a different time. We live in a different world. Our tax dollars build Muslims footbaths in our schools and they get to leave during school several times a day to pray. And for “basket weaving” supplies for students’ who can’t afford them (taken to the stores by paid school employees.) As the liberal media gasps for its next breath, it scorns and portrays Jews and Christians as enemies of the world. Now our own government is turning its back on the Jews, God's own. Only one group of people is treated with vile and contempt...Christians. Especially white male Christians. This world is bad enough but can you imagine what it would be like without all the Christian ministries worldwide helping everyone while not expecting anything in return? American citizens are being innoculated little by little with the most subtle of lies to make sin not seem so distasteful, and so we don't recognize the enemy and its plans. When Christians take a stand we are accused of being narrow minded. Well, we are. God says narrow is the way, not us. One is not "homophobic" or hateful simply for not accepting offensive and harmful behaviors. Everyone has rights, including what to believe, including Christians. Some think we become angels when we die and the road to Heaven is like a map to Yellowstone, with various routes to choose from. One woman was elated to tell how 30 thousand little buddhas elevated her a foot off the ground. Those weren't buddhas, they were not her friends, they were demons. When she found out the truth, the hard way, she threw all of that out and accepted the only One who created you on purpose and STILL causes the dead to come back to life. Think of what He can do for you, now. We are only seeing just the beginning of a unfathomable and frightening social change. We are headed towards a one world government, and some even plan for a one world church. No force has ever been able to destroy God's church. It will never happen. As lives and hopes trickle down the drain we need to recognize and refuse the fear and lies handed to us on silver platters which pit parties and people against each other. Ignorance is not bliss. We need to think for ourselves and get educated on what is really happening all around us, stop crossing our fingers expecting the next guy to do something. Americans need to become “man enough” once again and do the right thing even when no one is looking and it is uncomfortable, unpopular and inconvenient. We need to face our fears, wake up, stand up or shut up, and stop snoozing in our comfy little stale corners. It is unfair for us to place the burden and responsibility on Obama or any other human being to solve our manmade miseries. What would John Wayne think about the condition we’ve allowed ourselves to get into? He said, “Courage is facing fear and saddling up anyway.” We need more John Waynes. What are you yourself going to do for this world before you die? You need to read God's bestseller and the book rightly named, “STAND” by Harris Himes at Amazon...Read it, or weep. Contact me at XposingTheDarkness@yahoo.com.
Cathy Kulonis |
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A call for unity – who am I?Dear Editor, I wish and hope, at some vital level, that some bright day we might all bring, through a unified voice, a thoughtful, giving, kind and guiding manner to our World community. For there, abiding within us all, is the supreme substance of merit - LOVE. My place of passion is for the condition of our human family and the imminent urgency toward our sustainability and that of our sweet all-giving Mother Earth. The escalating aggression of men, styles of material and moral domination and our proclivity toward subjugation and wealth extraction – as I hope you can see – clearly and distinctly sets us against ourselves on all levels... has been so, for the all of our time - a mere blip in all eternity. That's why I come, now, from the Domain of Infinite Love, to our charge in protecting the life, health, safety and welfare of the World public and the domain of the Public Trust - Earth. In the matter of wealth, the real issue is how much we give back in reverent philanthropy. Empire building defeats us at all levels. We are standing divided toward a benevolent cause of cooperation and balance that certainly puts many in dire circumstance - hoping the ethnic cleaners or moral dogma brigades don't come around today. Knowing who they are...we won't say it. Never before has our place of responsibility to each other and all survivability been so imminently urgent. Let's look around. Our Earth is clearly a closed system representing finite offerings when loaded beyond vital balance. How many is too many? Look around. The fundamental "right" to live free – cast upon all sentient beings – is severely negated, deposed and otherwise diminished by male corporeal aggression in all its kinds, types and manners of expression - at all levels and in all the places among us. These, I say, are the essential "findings of facts" – the glaring truths – standing in causation to block any hope we might have toward true sustainability of us and our all-giving Earth. Only through applied mechanisms of LOVE will we become something greater, wider and deeper than we've ever been. Come now, everyone, please... join a voice of reverent unity of noble purpose to bring the issues to the World table for a reckoning. When will we? Who am I? Nobody. Contact me at lee@leekierigart.com.
Lee Kierig, Architect |
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Two bicentennial celebrationsDear Editor, This is the bicentennial of the birth of two men born on February 12, 1809, each famous for vision, clarity of thought, and ability to persuade others to their point of view and it is curious to see how each is celebrated. Abraham Lincoln was born into a poor family in Kentucky and received little formal education, but he pulled himself up by his own bootstraps through “reading the law” to become a lawyer, a politician, and a founder of a political party. By force of will, political acumen, and oration President Lincoln unified a nation torn by regional jealousies and war. Yet poor old Abe does not even get a day of his own with parades and celebrations. Instead, he must share a day with George Washington, a day on which neither was born, but one called President’s Day and scheduled to provide a convenient three-day weekend for an unconcerned citizenry. Charles Darwin was born in England to a family of privilege and wealth and was accorded the best possible education. A man who never held a job or public office, by today’s standards Darwin was an amateur scientist, yet he provided the unifying theory that underlies all of biological science. Accordingly, the British are holding a year-long celebration of his achievements that is attracting overflowing crowds to lectures and exhibits. This year is also the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s most famous book “On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection.” At the time, the idea of evolution had been around in one form or another for nearly 100 years. In fact, his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, published his own ideas about evolution in 1796 in a book titled “Zoonomia; or the Laws of Organic Life.” Scientists of the day realized as new discoveries in geology, paleontology, and biology accumulated that, rather than being independently created all at one time, each species had evolved from earlier forms. What was lacking was a theory to account for the working of the evolution of species. Charles Darwin was well aware of those discoveries and arguments when, as a 22 year old university graduate, he set sail in 1831 on H.M.S. Beagle. The young man boarded the vessel as merely a dining companion for the captain—an officer only four years his senior. Beagle’s task was to map the coastal waters of South America to improve the safety of British trade. Darwin’s unofficial task was to serve as the expedition’s naturalist with his father paying his expenses. The voyage lasted four years, nine months, and five days, and when his diary was published in 1839 (later re-titled “The Voyage of the Beagle”) it made him famous. Darwin spent the next twenty years studying the fossils, plants, and animals collected on the voyage and discussing them with other English naturalists. During that time he was educating himself, much as Abraham Lincoln had done, by reading, exchanging information by letter, attending lectures, and presenting papers at meetings of learned societies. Charles Darwin published papers and books on geology, fossils, the origin of coral reefs, and a four-volume work on barnacle taxonomy for which he won a Royal Medal in 1853. All the while he was developing his theory of evolution through variation, competition, natural selection, and extinction. Finally, in 1859, “On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection” was published and was an immediate success, with all 1,250 copies being sold the first day. The book went through many printings and five more editions in his lifetime. Chares Darwin wrote for the public and this was no dry scientific tome; he wrote to persuade by using easily understood examples from the breeding of domestic animals and plants. Only once, on the last page, did Darwin mention man when he wrote, “In the distant future I see open fields for far more important researches. … Light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history.” His book ends with this sentence: “There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” Only in the United States is there any controversy over that.
H.W. Gabriel |
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Concerns about doctor-assisted suicideDear Editor, There continues to be a great silence since a district judge decided it was OK to have a doctor help commit suicide. Perhaps she was a law graduate from Oregon where this has been accepted for several years. The silence of our political leaders and for that matter the clergy is surprising. Could it be that this subject is some sort of political 3rd rail? It seems to me that this is an issue that affects Republicans and Democrats alike as well as atheists and Christians. This is an issue that deserves vigorous debate in our legislature; yet, there appears to be no move to address the questions raised by the judge's decision. Surely most citizens think the issue should not be determined by the decision of one judge. If she is correct and it is legal for a doctor to assist in the cause of death then where are the codes that will govern the process? For example, can a doctor who refuses to provide the 'assistance' be sued for refusing service even if such service defies his or her convictions? What are the implications for insurance? Aren't there ethical issues concerning the value of human life which would necessitate criteria and safeguards expressed in our codes? I don't have answers, but I have questions and concerns and believe that many other citizens share my feeling of unease. What does our Governor think about this issue? Shouldn't the legislature be planning arguments about the implications of the judge’s decision? As this legislative session started I approached my representative on this and I encountered a lack of interest. As the session continues, it now appears my representative was not alone. Silence and lack of leadership isn't going to hack it; some serious misdeeds are in our future unless the matter is thought through by legal, religious, and ethical authorities. Time is wasting - the legislature is meeting now!
Ed Sperry |
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