Less grandstanding needed in Helena

Less grandstanding needed in Helena

Editor:

Annual legislative sessions?

I seem to recall a lot of talk during the last election campaign about creating jobs and fixing the economy. Now we witness the introduction of a bill to form another ARMED state militia (in addition to the National Guard) to fight fires and help flood victims? Another bill has been introduced to strip business owners of property rights and force them to allow weapons on their premises. That will certainly encourage folks to set up business in Montana and lower our Workers Compensation Insurance rates.

Now we hear about another bill to allow the use of silencers on weapons to protect people's hearing? (Buy ear plugs). Is anyone else connecting the dots here? I am a gun owner. The U. S. Supreme Court has clarified the Second Amendment. I am waiting for the bill to replace our state flag with that of the Confederacy.

Additionally, we have bills that are an all out frontal attack on the Fish, Wildlife and Parks and sports people. What is that all about? We have well-managed game and nongame populations that are the envy of the country. Why attack a revenue producer?

As if that weren't enough, there are several bills in the hopper that will attempt to overturn the express will of the voters. If any of those become law they will most assuredly result in long expensive litigation that will cost millions of tax dollars, clog our court dockets and they will most likely be overturned. That will sure help the state budget.

I am pretty disgusted at this bait-and-switch game. Legislators, do your duty, fulfill your promises and your sacred trust! Get with the economic issues as you promised you would do — and, by the way, fund our schools first instead of allotting them the leftovers as has been done for decades. Education is the engine that will drive our economy.

So now you think you need annual sessions to get the work done? If you would quit the frivolous nonsense, axe grinding and grandstanding you might be able to get your work done in the allotted time. I for one hope you are not allotted more time and money for more of this mischief!

Leo Beardsley, Havre

Editor:

Annual legislative sessions?

I seem to recall a lot of talk during the last election campaign about creating jobs and fixing the economy. Now we witness the introduction of a bill to form another ARMED state militia (in addition to the National Guard) to fight fires and help flood victims? Another bill has been introduced to strip business owners of property rights and force them to allow weapons on their premises. That will certainly encourage folks to set up business in Montana and lower our Workers Compensation Insurance rates.

Now we hear about another bill to allow the use of silencers on weapons to protect people's hearing? (Buy ear plugs). Is anyone else connecting the dots here? I am a gun owner. The U. S. Supreme Court has clarified the Second Amendment. I am waiting for the bill to replace our state flag with that of the Confederacy.

Additionally, we have bills that are an all out frontal attack on the Fish, Wildlife and Parks and sports people. What is that all about? We have well-managed game and nongame populations that are the envy of the country. Why attack a revenue producer?

As if that weren't enough, there are several bills in the hopper that will attempt to overturn the express will of the voters. If any of those become law they will most assuredly result in long expensive litigation that will cost millions of tax dollars, clog our court dockets and they will most likely be overturned. That will sure help the state budget.

I am pretty disgusted at this bait-and-switch game. Legislators, do your duty, fulfill your promises and your sacred trust! Get with the economic issues as you promised you would do — and, by the way, fund our schools first instead of allotting them the leftovers as has been done for decades. Education is the engine that will drive our economy.

So now you think you need annual sessions to get the work done? If you would quit the frivolous nonsense, axe grinding and grandstanding you might be able to get your work done in the allotted time. I for one hope you are not allotted more time and money for more of this mischief!

Leo Beardsley, Havre