Quote for the day…

Of all the inventions of the last 100 years, the dry erase board has to be the most remarkable. – Unknown

Today’s independent commentary deals with these issues:

• The Western Word Poll
• Montana Setback Plan
• Mask Mandates
• Required Reading

THE WESTERN WORD POLL:

U.S. Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) is the House Republican Conference chair which is the third-highest position in the House Republican leadership. There are indications that she will be removed this week from that leadership position by the Republicans in the U.S. House due to her statements about and vote to impeach former President Donald Trump. (Background)

This week’s poll asks, “Should Liz Cheney be removed from her leadership position in the House Republican Conference?”

The results will be posted later this week.

MONTANA SETBACK PLAN:

In case you missed it, former Montana Governor Steve Bullock (D) chimed in about the last legislative session and the new Republican administration saying, “This isn’t a comeback plan, it’s a setback plan. And Montana will pay the price – now and in the years to come.”

I’ve seen his column in the Great Falls Tribune and the Daily Montanan. It will probably be appearing in your favorite local paper.

The most important thing that I think Bullock conveyed was his last paragraph:

In Montana when things get tough, we get back on our feet, we keep fighting, and we demand better. Elections do have consequences. Rather than wallowing in disappointment or despair, Montanans should channel that frustration in our communities and at the ballot box to hold the Gianforte administration and Republican legislators accountable, so the next time legislators come to Helena, they will better represent Montanans’ interests, not the wealthy, the hyperpartisan, and the special interests.

While there’s no doubt that “Elections do have consequences” it will be tough for the Montana Democrats to keep Gianforte from winning a second term.

Several months before the last election I warned readers that the only thing keeping the legislative Republicans from running wild was a Democratic governor. With the election of Republican Greg Gianforte, they ran wild and it’s just starting.

Gianforte has shown he will spend millions of his own money to win, so unless there’s a scandal, the Republicans will run the show in Montana for the foreseeable future.

Read Bullock’s column by clicking HERE.

MASK MANDATES:

I had to venture out of my bunker and into the public this weekend for two events. One on Friday evening and the other on Saturday.

By the way, I am fully vaccinated.

If the events I attended this weekend are any indication, then I think we are royally screwed. I wanted to use another word, but I am trying not to swear (as much).

At the first event, I imagine less than five percent of the people were wearing masks. We were inside and in a crowd. The next day, I imagine at the best 40% wore masks at another indoor event, that was larger.

We know that many Montanans are fanatical Trump supporters and believe the mask mandates were government overreach. I must have picked two events where those yahoos were prominent.

Maybe they read the Lee Newspapers story that mask mandates and other public health requirements for businesses to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana are no longer enforceable, after Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed legislation substantially limiting the authority of local health boards.

I don’t agree with Gianforte’s signing of this bill. Things are getting better, not because of what he has done, but because of people listening to professionals in the healthcare arena.

Read the full report from Lee Newspapers HERE.

REQUIRED READING:

Here are a few things that you should read to be better informed:

Montana Legislature made lots of late changes, without public comment – Lee Newspapers

Gianforte signs bill adding restrictions for school and college transgender athletes – MTN News

Legal cannabis: Next steps, and what you can do now – Montana Free Press

## GET VACCINATED – WEAR A MASK ##