Hello! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• Local Control
• The MT GOP Rebuke
• Town Hall Meetings
• The Western Word Comments
• One More Thing

LOCAL CONTROL:

During this Montana legislative session, I’ve been seeing a lot of complaining from Great Falls City Commissioner Rick Tryon about bills in the legislature that take away control from the local government. 

It’s always fun to watch the conservatives implode when they have the power. 

Now his MAGA counterpart, Great Falls City Commissioner Joe McKenney, is joining the complaint train with an opinion over at E-City Beat. 

McKenney writes:

Even more baffling, many of these bills are being championed by conservative Republicans. Last time I checked, conservatism was about keeping the government small and decisions local. Since when did “Big Government Knows Best” become a conservative slogan? Did I miss the memo? And while we’re at it, when did defunding public safety become a priority for the party that prides itself on law and order?

Look, I served four terms, beginning on [sic] 1999, as a Republican legislator from Great Falls at a time when nearly every other seat in our area was held by a Democrat. I didn’t win by abandoning conservative values—I won by standing up for them. I believed then, and still do now, that decisions are best made by those closest to the people. That’s not a radical idea; that’s just good judgment.

The conservative values that I remember and once believed in went down the toilet when Donald Trump started campaigning for President. I’m surprised that in the past few years, conservatives have decided that a bigger government is OK while spending and raising taxes/fees is a fine thing to do. 

Someone needs to run for City Commission on the platform of “No” to raising taxes and fees. People are tired of increased taxes and, frankly, probably tired of the incessant whining from the city commission. 

THE MT GOP REBUKE:

I predicted that the Montana Republicans would implode with all their power and it’s happening in the Montana State Senate. 

The Montana GOP sent a press release saying they were “strongly rebuking nine Republican state senators who have frequently aligned with Democrats, creating obstacles for the Republican majority in the Senate.” 

I think the Republican leaders in the state Senate lack the proper leadership skills to accomplish their goals.  It’s a circus.  

The nine senators “rebuked” include Jason Ellsworth, Wendy McKamey, Gayle Lammers, Josh Kassmier, Butch Gillespie, Gregg Hunter, Denley Loge, Russ Tempel, and Shelley Vance. 

I remember when the Republicans talked about being part of one “big tent” that took into consideration everyone’s views. Now they only take into account the MAGA views and if you are not 100% MAGA, you are a RINO (Republican in Name Only). 

The Daily Montanan has a report about the rebuke HERE. 

I salute these nine Senators for standing up for what they believe in. They are patriots in my book. The Montana legislature could use more of them. 

TOWN HALL MEETINGS:

I wonder when the four members of the Montana Congressional delegation will hold some public (in-person) town hall meetings in the state.

With Montana federal workers getting fired and many federal agencies under fire from the current administration, I think it would be a great time for U.S. Senator Steve Daines, U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy, U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, and U.S. Representative Troy Downing to meet their constituents face to face.

If you hear about any town hall meetings being scheduled, please let me know so we can help with the turnout! 

THE WESTERN WORD COMMENTS:

Is anyone having problems leaving comments on The Western Word (TWW) website? 

I heard of one person having problems posting comments, so if you have commenting issues on TWW, please email me at Western_Word@Yahoo.com. 

ONE MORE THING:

Very true…

Kids these days will never know the joy of slamming down the phone on someone. (Source)

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