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Americans have always commonly agreed that taxes are the price of a civilized society. Only relatively recently has the idea that “taxation is theft” been seriously suggested in the public discourse. People who claim not to believe in government use that belief as justification to not pay taxes to support it.  While tax protesters make up a small minority, few taxpayers probably see supporting government services as a patriotic duty. Part of the reason for this is that many don’t believe they are getting their money’s worth. “Government waste” is practically a proverb, and people need little convincing to believe examples of it. In fact, the...

You don’t appreciate your health - until it’s gone. Gosh this is true, and I’ve learned it the hard way a few times in my life - the most recently last Tuesday. I woke up in the middle of the night, sweating (never a good sign). My body ached and I didn’t know it yet, but the he...

Is it just me, or has life gotten more complicated? So many variables and tough decisions. So many crossroads. And it’s all happening at lightning speed.  Even on days when I don’t tune in to the cable news networks. The world feels like is spinning faster and faster on its axis. Or...

Montanans approved the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in the 2020 election. I didn’t support the initiative, but I accept the will of the people and am devoted to working within the law to benefit all citizens. Following through has not been easy. Federal law still classifies marijua...

The 68th Session of the State Legislature has ended, but the harm done by a Republican supermajority drunk on power will continue to be felt for a long time.  From the very beginning of the session, Montana Democrats made it clear that our priority was fighting for long-term solutions for our state&r...

The 68th Session of the Montana Legislature is one that every Montanan can be proud of. Voters sent a Republican supermajority to Helena and the first thing we did was return overpaid tax dollars to you as well as providing the largest tax cut in Montana state history.   As Republicans our primary co...

And so it begins. The construction crew arrived early on Monday, May 1 and started tearing out the ceiling and built-in circulation desk. The space looks so huge when it’s empty. Our library staff has worked so hard over the past few months to pack up and move out everything we want to save from the bu...

When browsing products sold in hardware aisles, nothing is as universally recognizable as WD-40. The distinctive yellow and blue cans are wildly associated with mechanics, handyman repair, and general fixing. Used for everything from loosening old bolts to fishing lure preparation, there seems there is scar...

My middle son flew in (on a plane) to visit his brothers and me in Florida. As it was just me and the three boys (#testosterone), it fell to reason we’d want to do something both athletic and outdoorsy. Kayaking on a river seemed like a good fit.   I’ve kayaked lots of times - during...

When Americans think of Montana, they picture snow-capped peaks, rolling prairies, and rainbow trout darting through the crystal-clear rivers that run through it. Or they simply think of America’s first national park, Yellowstone – or its popular TV namesake.   There are also some tr...