Uninformed voters led to legislative extremism

Uninformed voters

led to legislative extremism

Editor:

"Why fight city hall when you can become city hall?" So says G. Edward Griffin, as quoted in a release by Montana Oath Keepers, and subscribed to by tea party advocates who are now running the 62nd legislative session. This mantra, promulgated at so-called "liberty" workshops, proves that the admonition to get out and "become" city councilmen or commissioners or legislators has paid off with these well-organized "anti" folks who entered political elections. Close to half of the eligible voters in Montana did not vote in the last election. But the organized right wing of the GOP apparently did, determined to become "city hall," and won. Was it because they had an "R" behind their names on the ballot sheets? Did we know their prescribed agendas? Did we understand for whom and what we were voting? Well, we should have. Now we certainly do!

It is apparent after the first 45 days of the current legislative session, just what extremism can do. Harmful bills that assault our constitution, our environment, our rivers, our health care, our educational systems, our wildlife, our bodies, our personal decisions, our safety, the judiciary, our systems of government, are moving through the Legislature with alarming approval of even the rational members of the Republican party. Along with Democratic colleagues, some of the more reasonable GOP members have dared to stand up and call many bills frivolous, wrong, unnecessary, fear-mongering and, most importantly, unconstitutional. They should be congratulated for their dissent. They should insist to their caucus members that anger is not a mandate and fear is not a guide to good governance.

Far-right ideology abounds in hypocrisy. The majority party says it speaks for the bottom-up government, but wants to repeal a referendum vote of the people. The majority members say they believe in local government decisions first, but override a Missoula city ordinance. They say they believe in fiscal responsibility, but cut social programs and education and offer tax breaks to industry and big business. They cite the preamble to the constitution, but then gut environmental protection that has finally made our state a clean and healthful place after years of toxic exploitation. Ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

All it takes for mischief to run amok and continue is that good people again do nothing. It is time for those of us who are irate at so many bad and time-wasting bills to contact all legislators, ask for partisan cooperation and blow off this fringe element. Progress for Montana only works with sound ideas, leadership and steady political work of consensus, especially now at budget time. We have the money in our state budget and must expend it wisely, within the limits of the constitution for the common folk in Montana, not the ideological-superiority legislation. If we do not turn back this tea party mentality, we will be stuck with some awful legislation for two years. Hopefully, we will remember this vexatious 62nd legislation at the next election and be truly informed voters.

Pat Bradley,

Twin Bridges

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Editor:

"Why fight city hall when you can become city hall?" So says G. Edward Griffin, as quoted in a release by Montana Oath Keepers, and subscribed to by tea party advocates who are now running the 62nd legislative session. This mantra, promulgated at so-called "liberty" workshops, proves that the admonition to get out and "become" city councilmen or commissioners or legislators has paid off with these well-organized "anti" folks who entered political elections. Close to half of the eligible voters in Montana did not vote in the last election. But the organized right wing of the GOP apparently did, determined to become "city hall," and won. Was it because they had an "R" behind their names on the ballot sheets? Did we know their prescribed agendas? Did we understand for whom and what we were voting? Well, we should have. Now we certainly do!

It is apparent after the first 45 days of the current legislative session, just what extremism can do. Harmful bills that assault our constitution, our environment, our rivers, our health care, our educational systems, our wildlife, our bodies, our personal decisions, our safety, the judiciary, our systems of government, are moving through the Legislature with alarming approval of even the rational members of the Republican party. Along with Democratic colleagues, some of the more reasonable GOP members have dared to stand up and call many bills frivolous, wrong, unnecessary, fear-mongering and, most importantly, unconstitutional. They should be congratulated for their dissent. They should insist to their caucus members that anger is not a mandate and fear is not a guide to good governance.

Far-right ideology abounds in hypocrisy. The majority party says it speaks for the bottom-up government, but wants to repeal a referendum vote of the people. The majority members say they believe in local government decisions first, but override a Missoula city ordinance. They say they believe in fiscal responsibility, but cut social programs and education and offer tax breaks to industry and big business. They cite the preamble to the constitution, but then gut environmental protection that has finally made our state a clean and healthful place after years of toxic exploitation. Ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

All it takes for mischief to run amok and continue is that good people again do nothing. It is time for those of us who are irate at so many bad and time-wasting bills to contact all legislators, ask for partisan cooperation and blow off this fringe element. Progress for Montana only works with sound ideas, leadership and steady political work of consensus, especially now at budget time. We have the money in our state budget and must expend it wisely, within the limits of the constitution for the common folk in Montana, not the ideological-superiority legislation. If we do not turn back this tea party mentality, we will be stuck with some awful legislation for two years. Hopefully, we will remember this vexatious 62nd legislation at the next election and be truly informed voters.

Pat Bradley,

Twin Bridges