Daines silent on stand on DeVos

Steve Daines was not elected to make Betsy DeVos’ life easier. He was elected to improve the lives of Montana’s children. He failed them with his vote for DeVos, a vote he made over the voice of Montanans protesting DeVos via phone, email, letter and visits to his offices.

Now his constituents are asking Sen. Daines to meet with us and explain his stand on DeVos and his apparent willingness to blindly follow other Republicans. His response? Silence. Why won’t Daines speak with those he represents? We don’t know. And the only thing he’s shown us is a false smile and an ability to vote for donors, not constituents.

I get it. Money buys influence. DeVos and her family bought influence with their donations, but why did it take so little to buy Daines’ support? While I can’t personally afford to donate $46,000 to a senator, it seems like it should take more than that to buy a vote that impacts the lives of Montana’s children.

According to the latest census data, Montana has just more than 1,000,000 residents, of which 22 percent are younger than the age of 18. So Daines was willing to sell-out Montana children to the tune of 21 cents — cents! — per child. That’s how much our children are worth to Sen. Daines. I think DeVos and her billionaire constituents will take that deal every time. And so, apparently, will rubber-stamp-Republican Steve Daines.

Shawn Lehr

Three Forks