Caught My Eye…

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Hello! Here are the topics for today’s independent commentary:

  • CI-126 and CI-127
  • Montana U.S. House Self-Funding
  • Reading List
  • One More Thing

CI-126 AND CI-127:

Montana Right Now is reporting that Constitutional Initiatives 126 (CI-126) and 127 (CI-127) are currently in their signature-gathering phase.

CI-126 would amend the Montana constitution to provide a top-four primary election.

CI-127 would amend the Montana constitution to make a candidate have to win by a legal majority vote, which is at least half the votes plus one.

I am leaning toward supporting these two initiatives. What do my faithful readers think about them?

You can read about CI-126 HERE and about CI-127 HERE.

MONTANA U.S. HOUSE SELF-FUNDING:

I know I have written about the “self-funding” of campaigns before, but some of the candidates for Montana House have basically said, “Hold my Beer.”

MTN News is reporting that in the Republican primary:

  • Troy Downing reported raising more than $602,000 during the first three months of 2024, including $200,000 in a personal loan to his campaign. He had previously put in another $150,000 of his own money.
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen reported raising more than $546,000 during the first quarter, including $450,000 she loaned to her campaign over that period. Arntzen had previously loaned another $250,000 last year.
  • Former U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg launched his campaign in March and reported raising almost $380,000 in his initial financial report – including a $300,000 personal loan.

Here in Montana, I think we have too many rich people buying elections.

Read the MTN News report HERE.

READING LIST:

Here are a few articles that you should read…

Helena IR: Candidate for head of Montana OPI charged with obstructing a peace officer
At least she did not shoot herself in Glacier National Park…

Daily Montanan: Sheehy’s firefighting company’s annual report shows business faces financial challenges
There are just so many things we don’t know about Sheehy…

The Electric: Ballots Mailed for May 7 School Election
There were some glitches in the process. I suspect during the November General Election, the wheels will fall off the Cascade County Elections Department.

ONE MORE THING:

Next time you hear a Republican like U.S. Senator Steve Daines say the southern border is wide open, ask them why in 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded over 3.2 million border encounters nationwide, which is an increase of more than 40% from 2021. Border encounters include people denied entry into the country or apprehended trying to cross the border without inspection. (Source)

If the border was open, we would not have any encounters.

The southern border issue needs more than political spin.

## HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ##

11 thoughts on “Caught My Eye…”

  1. Bernie responds to Bibi. Explain to me again why we are giving that apartheid state another twenty-six billion dollars. I forget. We could use that money here.

  3. CI-126 Is a top four open primary where the top four voter getters advance to the general election. The reason behind this as opposed to top two is exactly what you mentioned. Also, with top four, there is still an opportunity for an independent, Libertarian, Green Party, etc to make to the general rather than just a Republican or Democrat.

    The primaries will have only one ballot rather than our current system where voters have to pick one party ballot to vote. It will encourage more cross ticket voting and more people to participate in the primary elections. Currently in a contested primary with so few people participating it ends up that 8% of voters determine who will be on the ballot during the general election. CI-126 will ensure voters have more choice in who gets elected.

    As far as your comment on candidates sticking to the party platform, I see that as the biggest problem we currently have. Candidates and elected officials should be responsive to their constituents rather than their party. Currently legislators are threatened by their party that if they don’t vote their way on a particular piece of legislation, they will challenge them in the primary. CI-126 takes that threat away because if they do, they will both end up in the general.

    The purpose behind both CI-126 and 127 is to make elected officials answer to their constituents over their party. If there are four choices on the general election ballot and you need more than 50% to win the election, legislators and candidates will have to move more to the center and appeal to more than just the fringe of their party.

    If we ever want to get past the extremism and polarization of our current political system, it is imperative we pass both CI-126 and 127

    • Tom – You comment ended up in my SPAM folder for some reason. I have approved it. Thank you for commenting. If this happens again, please send me an email at western_word@yahoo.com -JmB

      • Thanks! I was replying to Bob’s post. It wants me to log into my WordPress account when I try and post, then tells me I don’t have an account. LOL

      • I commented again so let me know if you got it. My post doesn’t show up after I hit send. WordPress wants me to log in then tells me I don’t have an account. If I try twice, it tells me I have a duplicate post already.

        If you ever want more information on CI126 & 127, I would be happy to sit down with you and explain. I happen to be on the board who oversees the campaign.

        Thanks!

        Tom

        >

      • Thanks. Under the sentence “Log in or provide your name and email to leave a comment” if you select the envelope symbol that should allow you to submit comments without an account.
        -JmB

  4. I am leery of CI-127 leaving the definition of what constitutes “a majority” that’s needed to win up to our legislature. You know this bunch will game and distort that.

    That said I will probably sign the petitions, at least.

  5. NO on signing petitions for CIs. Like Bob’s reason. It’s a better reason than mine – don’t like change.

  6. On Ci 126 and 127, why have parties and party platforms? I’ve been to numerous MT Democratic platform conventions over the years where the platform has been created and debated. Hopefully candidates read the platforms and run on them. With the top 2 regardless of party on the ballot, it becomes a beauty contest regardless of what party they belong.

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