Monthly Archives: March 2010

The Circus: Act VI

Step right up ladies and gentlemen; the Great Falls International Airport Authority Board has added more fuel to the circus atmosphere in Great Falls by not selecting the current airport director, Cynthia Schultz, for an interview.  They selected four men to interview.

I’m sure most of my readers are probably saying to themselves, “What the…?”  Rest assured I feel the same way.

Of course, I must offer my humble opinion about the latest shenanigans from this mismanaged circus called the Great Falls International Airport Authority Board.

First, this is payback at its worst in this “good old boy” community – kind of what the Board must hope is the final smack-down of Schultz.  Continue reading →

Time to Go

Voters across the United States are getting serious about the excessive spending our government plays a part in on a daily basis.  In fact, I believe they are sick of it.

They are looking for candidates who will use taxpayer money wisely, create jobs, and not overly burden the citizens of our country with excessive debt or taxes.

Suffice it to say that the two major political parties we have in control have both failed to stop the excessive spending, but the Democrats have outdone the Republicans in the last couple of years, so the election of 2010 may allow the GOP to gain some seats back.  Some say they may get the majority back in the U.S. House.

They won’t do that if they continue to spend campaign donations recklessly.   Continue reading →

Amusing

There were three things that caught my eye the last few days that I had to chuckle about when I read the articles.  I had to laugh a little at the moratorium on earmarks, the reversal of a candidate’s stand on an issue just now being caught on to by the press, and the “Mal-Distribution of Income” statement by Senator Max Baucus. Continue reading →

Threats

It’s really too bad that some people threaten elected officials and their families for the votes the member of Congress made.  We live in a crazy world and just when you think it can’t any worse, it does by leaps and bounds.  It’s no wonder we don’t have the best and brightest seeking elective office these days.

Yes, there are idiots in this world who, undoubtedly, failed to listen to their parents (or the parents failed to teach them) to use their words instead of fists or guns or rocks to get their point across. Continue reading →

Well On His Way

According to this STORY, it looks like the United States and Russia have agreed to significantly reduce the number of nuclear weapons.

Once this treaty is signed, the three remaining intercontinental ballistic missile bases will be jockeying to keep from being eliminated.  Two of the three (Malmstrom and F.E. Warren) don’t really have other major missions at their bases, so they will probably be on the chopping block first.     Continue reading →

Not the End of the World, but…

Did you watch it?  For those of us who watch the happenings of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate frequently, yesterday’s happenings were just about normal.  It was not historic or anything like the Democrats told us it was a few minutes after they had hung three votes on the defeated GOP to pass healthcare reform.

Although it was painful, I actually did watch the U.S. House of Representatives pass the healthcare legislation Sunday night.  I grew a little tired of this phrase, “Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in opposition to this flawed health care bill” which seemed every Republican read from a sheet of paper, like sheep.    Continue reading →

March to Reform?

It’s been fun to watch the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate this last week fight over the healthcare bill.

I imagine if you answer the phones for a member of Congress, you’re sick of it.

My in-box has been buzzing with e-mails from both sides.  It’s silliness at its best.

The Republicans started a website called “Code Red” to track the votes in the House.  A few minutes ago, the Democrats were about nines votes short of making the magical number of 216 to pass the bill.  Of course, if the GOP said they were defeated, they could not raise money – so look for the person tracking the votes to hold back in the spirit of  fundraising.

Fox News has a tally up that says the Democrats have the 216 votes needed to pass the bill.   Continue reading →

Investigative Journalism

Sometimes when I read a story in the local paper or on-line, I wonder just how dense the people are who wrote the story and often ask myself, “Why is this a story?”

I’m sure you’ve all felt that way a time or two, huh?

I was glancing through the headlines on the web today and saw the story where the Associated Press had conducted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Wow, FOIA.  Scary stuff!

This request was in regards to the poaching charges against Randy Vogel, which were filed one day after he became the State Director for Congressman Denny Rehberg.   Continue reading →

Primary Thoughts

It looks like the stage is set for the 2010 primary season in Montana.  March 15 was the last day to file for office.  You can see all the filings HERE.

It looks like the Republicans went for quantity over quality this season.  According to the Secretary of State’s (SOS) press release, Republicans filed for 175 seats and the Democrats 129.  This excludes withdrawals.

Good news:

Two candidates were able to jump through all the hoops and make the ballot as Independent candidates.  Shawn Guymon is running in HD-03 and Bill Jones in HD-08.  By the way, the Constitution Party has six candidates, the Libertarian Party has seven and the Green Party has one candidate, according to the SOS.

The State of Montana needs to loosen the ropes some on elections so more Independent-minded candidates can run for office and help stop the partisanship that looks more like a children’s circus every two years in Helena, than a legislative body.  Don’t hold your breath on getting more Independent candidates because either the courts will have to overturn the law or the Republicans and Democrats will have to change it.  Fat chance.

Now, for some of the ridiculous stuff: Continue reading →

Spending

Naming my commentary “Spending” is sure to turn off readers because it is not a “sexy” name that draws attention.  So, for those of you who decided to read this post, thank you.

Looks like some other folks are noticing how candidates will say and do anything to get elected and doing the opposite of what they promised.

In Sunday’s Daily Inter Lake, Managing Editor Frank Miele wrote a column he calls, “Blue dogs or dead dogs?”

It’s a good read and you can see the whole column HERE.

Some highlights:

Tester ran his campaign in 2006 on the basis that he would represent Montana, not the moneyed interests and K Street lobbyists.  In a debate with his opponent, Conrad Burns, in 2006, Tester said, “It’s time for a change in Washington, D.C.  This election really isn’t about Democrats and Republicans.  In reality, it’s about Montana vs. Washington, D.C.”

Continue reading →