Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Do These Elections Matter?

Dear Editor,

Having been a volunteer, low-level party officer, campaign worker and financial contributor through numerous campaigns for at least 30 years, I am usually vocal and enthusiastic regarding election season. However, when considering Montana's Federal, State and County campaigns this year, it appears to me that election day is only a formality with results already determined in some cases with candidates bowing, scraping and licking the stylish sandals of the tourism, recreation, environmental and real estate lobbies if not avoiding public land issues altogether.

With that said, please allow me to present a few observations illustrating my cynical attitude:

We have a State Senator leaving due to term limits. His mother is running for his seat unopposed while he seeks another place at the trough, running for an attorney position in a neighboring county.

The candidate who won the Sheriff primary election was forced to withdraw due to the currently popular sex offense craze, resulting in a presumable “slam dunk” victory for a perennial candidate over a warm and fuzzy write-in challenger with a background in nursing and janitorial supply sales; I don’t have a dog in this fight...whose turn is it?

One congressman for the six or more distinct State-sized geographic and political region comprising the current State of Montana is inconsequential token representative to large swaths of empire. The current officeholder is arguably in office as a consolation prize after an unsuccessful bid for governor, his strong suit being able to self finance a campaign. He and other candidates parrot the tourism, recreation and environmental positions or in the case of the moderate left lady lawyer from the “L” party, ignoring and avoiding land use issues altogether.

In the Senate race the attack on both sides appear truthful. The only questions for the candidates seems to be, “Whose self-serving sycophantic carpetbagging coattail sniffing opportunistic yes man are you?” The third party candidate hasn’t made enough campaign noise to present a viable alternative.

Finally, opinions are like cigars in a smoke-filled room. Everybody’s got one and they all stink. Please hold your nose and go through the motions of voting.

 

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