Letters
Editor, When many opinions swirl about COVID-19 infections, looking at numbers helps me reach conclusions. Montana has a large rural population, no huge cities, and you’d expect that the relatively dispersed population would mean reduced infection transmission. Montana is the fourth largest state in square miles but only has one phone area code, 406. Relatively speaking, there aren’t a lot of people here, and we’re spread out. Wyoming is similar. In Montana, one out of every 603 people has died from COVID since January 2020, and 49 percent of people have been vaccinated. In Wyoming, one out of every 693 people has died from COVID since January 2020, and 38 perc...
Editor, Those of us old enough to remember the shout from the top of the mountain in the 70s, 80s and on: “The federal government does not have the right to tell a woman what to do with her body.” Where are the people who were shouting now? Many are now telling us what to do with our bod...
Editor, I read with interest and dismay articles in the recent (July 28 and Aug. 4) Valley Journal concerning the ongoing conflict between Lake County Commissioners and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes regarding the irrigation project and related issues. From what I can tell, the conflict is ...
Editor, I’m writing this letter to let Walmart in Polson know that what they did by opening their store at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1, to the many residents who had evacuate their homes and property due to the Boulder 2700 fire up on Finley Point was awesome. Donating stuff to the evacuated peop...
Editor, As we approach the beginning of a new school year, many school districts in Montana are ignoring the recommendations of their local public health departments and local physicians regarding a mask mandate. I strongly believe that public schools should follow public health guidance. M...
Editor, Kudos to Gov. Gianforte for dedicating $31 million in ARPA funds to increasing availability of child care for working parents. These funds will be directed to grants to increase capacity and hours of service for existing day care businesses. The issue of child care is personal for us, as ...
Editor, The American Experiment has been a fascinating story and a study in contrasts. We have proven to the world that a democratic republic can work; it provided opportunity for immigrants who faced poverty and oppression at home; it fought a powerful fascist movement and won; and it made our country an...
Editor, Fear is a mighty powerful trait. It grips and motivates all wildlife, including humans. Fear motivates many actions from hiding to fighting. Add to this the human trait of greed and we have what we are presently experiencing in our nation. Greed has always played a role in politics. Today, however...
Editor, Democracy in Montana has been strong ever since the development of our new constitution in the 1970s. After the days when the Copper Barons were able to buy elections, Montanans were ready for a change. With careful reflection, people from across the state gathered to draw up a document that...
Editor, Montana State Republican Senator Greg Hertz sponsored Senate Bill 159 which was passed and signed into law. It cut the top state income tax from 6.9 percent to 6.75 percent until 2024. This tax cut will primarily benefit the highest income earners in Montana. Over 80 percent of the cuts will go to...
