For the past several Mondays, we’ve taken a look at some of the political stories that hit the World Wide Web over the weekend.

Why?

Because we don’t really have a life here at The Western Word – and it’s so you won’t have to waste your time looking for the political stories.  Plus, you will seem more politically intelligent to your family and co-workers…and we know that is important to you.

This week we take a look at a silent tour, out of state money, social security, Sarah Palin, Denny and Jon, Jon and Denny, Missoula elections, Little League, and much more!

So grab something to drink and get your Monday started off right by knowing all the political news from the weekend!

A “silent” tour:

The Billings Gazette reported that “Reps. Rehberg and Shuster tour Yellowstone River oil spill site” and that “Rehberg remained silent as Shuster spoke.”

Those are good manners on Rehberg’s part and something you don’t always see from our elected officials…

Out of State Money:

Lee Newspapers did a story about the money flowing into the U.S. Senate race between Senator Jon Tester and his challenger, Denny Rehberg, finding that “For each man, slightly more than one-third of his money from individual donors came from Montanans, or about 37 percent.”

Slightly less than four out of every 10 dollars comes from someone inside Montana.  It’s fun to watch them spin this fact.  Both candidates use the “I am a XX generation Montanan…” line, but one of my friends pointed out that they apparently are not too worried about selling the seat to non-Montanans for a few bucks.

With unemployment so high I imagine it’s tough sledding for the fundraising people for each campaign – I know I’m not too pleasant to the folks who call my house asking for donations.  I say something like, “What part of I don’t have a freaking job don’t you understand, you moron!” 

Social Security Disability:

According to the Associated Press, “New congressional estimates say the trust fund that supports Social Security disability will run out of money by 2017, leaving the program unable to pay full benefits.”

I believe President Bush tried to do something about this in 2005, but was thwarted by Senator Max Baucus, D-Mont., and the Democrats.  Now we are in a heck of a mess – about 13.6 million people receive these benefits.

Nice work, Congress.  If they worked on this as much as they did fundraising, imagine the possibilities…

Palin is Sneaky:

When you are a national figure and are hounded by the press wherever you go, it must be nice to be able to visit a place and not be noticed. That’s what happened in Kansas City recently with Sarah Palin. The visit has the locals confused.

It’s fun to watch Palin keep them guessing…

Montana Little League:

Congrats to the Montana Little League team from Billings – they beat Louisiana on Sunday for their second win (against no losses) in the Little League World Series.  They play again Wednesday night in the semi-finals of the United States bracket.

Why mention this in Monday Morning Politics?  Elected officials must act like they care about everything – including the Little League World Series.  Plus, if they issue a congratulatory statement they just might get their name in the story.

Which Montana elected official will attend a game in Williamsport – Congress is on a five-week vacation so they have the time…

This Land is Your Land:

The “Take Back Montana” rally was held Saturday in Helena at the state capitol.  You can read the story HERE.

I could not find out if they were able to actually take it back…

Missoula and Voting:

It appears something funky is happening in Missoula as the Missoulian reported that “Anomalies found in schools election, but whether it was actually fraud in question.”

And these “anomalies” have been happening how long?

Get ready, the GOP and the Democrats will be sending their lawyers to Missoula to watch the count in November 2012.

Balanced Budget Amendment:

The Great Falls Tribune published a story about how “Montana lawmakers Jon Tester and Denny Rehberg both support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that requires the federal budget be balanced every year.”

An agreement on how to best get a balanced budget amendment ends there.

Condolences:

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer’s mother, Kathleen, passed away on Sunday. She was 83.  My condolences to the Schweitzer family.

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