Welcome! Here are the topics for today’s common-sense commentary:

• Purging or Vetting 
• Another Pay Raise
• Trump and the Rhino
• Raising a Family
• One More Thing

PURGING OR VETTING:

The Daily Montanan has a story posted about the turmoil in the Montana Republican Party. Here is a part of their reporting:

More Republican legislators are finding themselves on the outs with the Montana Republican Party ahead of the 2026 election — even those long considered hard-liners.

Last year, the state GOP disowned a group that party leaders called the “Nasty Nine,” moderate Republican senators who worked with Democrats on significant legislation during the 2025 Montana Legislature.

Last month, the state GOP disavowed 16 Republican primary candidates, including longtime legislators and county committee leaders. The party also released an Honor Roll with candidates it said demonstrate support for the platform, but incumbent Republicans with conservative bona fides were missing.

The following quote from the story tells it like it is:

“I don’t know by the time this is over who is going to be left,” said Rep. George Nikolakakos, a Republican from Great Falls. “It’s going to be a real small group.”

Some pretty good legislators are being attacked this primary season by other Republicans. Legislators like Ed Buttrey, Llew Jones, and George Nikolakakos come to mind. They care about their constituents more than the political party. 

Check out the complete article from the Daily Montanan HERE. 

ANOTHER PAY RAISE:

The Electric reported a few days ago that the Great Falls International Airport board voted unanimously during its May 26 meeting to give John Faulkner, airport director, a two percent raise. That brings his total compensation to $205,747.

It was also reported that Faulkner has served as the airport director since 2010 and is among the highest-paid public officials in Great Falls. 

But the Great Falls city manager is holding his own. According to The Electric, Great Falls City Manager Greg Doyon makes  $216,146.93.

The bottom line for me is that times are tough. I can’t think of too many positive things I can credit to these two public officials in the last year. I would have voted no on the pay raises if I had a vote. 

TRUMP AND THE RHINO:

Given the multiple assassination attempts against Donald Trump, one might expect him to distance himself from violent rhetoric. 

I guess not.

Donald Trump recently shared an AI-made photo on Truth Social showing him sitting on a rhinoceros while holding a gun. He used the phrase “NO RINOS” to publicly call out Republican Party members who do not support his policies. 

The Montana GOP is already at war with itself, and posts like this just pour gasoline on the fire. 

RAISING A FAMILY: 

From my friends at WalletHub…

With migration patterns in 2025 largely shaped by affordability, opportunity, and quality of life, the personal-finance company WalletHub recently released its report on the “Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family in 2026,” as well as expert commentary, to help people find the best place to put down roots.

WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 45 key metrics. The data set ranges from housing affordability to school-system quality to the unemployment rate. 

Two cities in Montana made the top 100. Click HERE to read the full report.

ONE MORE THING:

I like to help people find things by pointing out that it’s got to be around here somewhere.

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