Quote for the day…
Just keep showing up when most people would quit. – Anonymous
Welcome to another exciting edition of Caught My Eye (CME)!
CME is the once-a-week column that is posted every Friday morning. This is when I look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week.
Here are some of the things that “Caught My Eye” this week:
- Public Health Officers & Boards
- Greg Gianforte
- Stefanik & Cheney
- Dumbass of the Week
- One More Thing
MONTANA’S PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICERS & BOARDS:
The Republican clowns in the state legislature decided that it was more important to let politicians decide your local healthcare than public health officers and boards.
It’s idiotic.
According to MTN News, two bills are waiting for the Governor’s signature, and one was recently signed, which I think will hamper local health boards and officers from doing their jobs.
The bills are:
- HB 257 says local governments, health boards or public-health officers cannot pass any ordinance or take any action that requires a business to deny access to a customer, or that denies a customer access to the business.
- HB 121 says local public-health officers can issue orders in response to a public health emergency, but that the order can be amended or rescinded by a “local governing body,” such as a county commission. This bill is now law.
- SB 108, which gives citizens the power to force an election to overturn a local public-health order. They would have to get the signatures of only 5 percent of the voters in the city or county, to force the election.
So now your local politicians will be making healthcare decisions for you. Congratulations Montana, big brother is back!
Beam me up, Scotty!
Read the full report from MTN News by clicking HERE.
GREG GIANFORTE:
If you follow me on Twitter (@TheWesternWord) then you saw a story I posted from The Guardian. The headline was:
Montana’s Republican governor pulls pandemic payments – is he for real?
Greg Gianforte says the financial assistance program is doing more harm than good. You know, Governor, Covid isn’t over yet?
At last count, about 55 people liked the post, and 37 retweeted it. Another 12 left some comments and they were not too kind to the Governor.
There’s a lesson to be learned here: You should follow me on Twitter to get the latest news. I am normally one of the first to post breaking news and seldom last. I don’t sleep much so it’s a 24/7 operation.
You can read the article from The Guardian by clicking HERE.
STEFANIK & CHENEY:
The Daily Caller reported this week that New York Rep. Elise Stefanik appears poised to succeed Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney as the House Republican Conference Chair. That will probably happen next week.
Stefanik is former President Trump’s pick. Did he look at her voting record?
The Daily Caller reported that Stefanik voted with Trump 77.7% of the time, according to a tool on FiveThirtyEight, which was one of the lowest ratings among Republicans throughout his term. Cheney however, voted with Trump 92.9% of the time.
I remember being told when I worked in politics that my boss, who had a lifetime conservative voting record of around 90%, was not conservative enough. It’s even worse today in Republican cut-throat politics.
No matter what happens to Cheney, she will sleep well at night knowing she was on the side of the truth. I applaud her for her stand.
DUMBASS OF THE WEEK:
This week’s “Dumbasses of the Week” are the people who will not get the free COVID-19 vaccine.
According to USA Facts, only 31% of Montana’s population has been fully vaccinated. As for my readers in Missouri, 26% of Missouri’s population has been fully vaccinated.
Many of the states that went for Trump have been lagging in getting vaccines. (Source)
The CDC reports that wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart from others help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
For those who refuse to get vaccinated because they think it infringes on their freedom and liberty, you are The Western Word’s “Dumbass of the Week.”
ONE MORE THING:
Have a great weekend! Rest assured The Western Word will be on duty looking out for you!
The Western Word 
Regarding New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, my brother-in-law and his wife live in her district in upstate New York. They said she started off rather reasonably, working in a bipartisan manner. Then she caught the Trumpavirus and has been delusional ever since.
Jcolemanmoore – that seems to be the consensus. Thanks, JmB
Gianforte said he was ending the $300/week Federal unemployment payment to force people to go back to work, because Montana employers are hurting for help. These hurting Montana employers should try offering an attractive wage in the first place. Reminds me of a story about the MT labor market quoting a Billings business owner a few years back: “I just can’t find any help anywhere, and I’m willing to pay $7.68 an hour!”
Sticks in my craw when people say unemployment payments “disincentivize” working. I’ve talked to a lot of people, but I’ll use my grandson (23) as an example. He said it was nice for a couple weeks, like “school’s out,” but he’d rather be working.
In 1972, the federal minimum wage was $1.60. I worked my first job that didn’t rely, at least in part, on tips. My pay was $2 an hour – I felt lucky.
Keeping pace with inflation, 1972’s $1.60 equals $10.15 today, while $2 equals $12.69. Today’s minimum wage is 29% lower than it was in 1972.
Jcolemannmore – Great information. I think I made around the same minimum wage in the 72-74 timeframe. I thought I was rich until my dad reminded me he paid the mortgage and for the food, cable, lights, etc. I paid car insurance and the gas. Thanks, JmB
Terry – Gianforte claims to be on the side of business, but I have my doubts. He’s on his side. He spent millions of his own money to buy the seat. Thanks, JmB