Opinion
Editor, In November, Montanans will vote on two constitutional initiatives that will improve how elections are conducted. CI126 creates an open primary system. All qualified candidates regardless of party will appear on one ballot, and voters choose a single candidate from that ballot. This system does not favor any party. It allows voters to choose the candidate who best represents their interests. The advantage is: we don’t have to select a partisan ballot. Four candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election. CI127 then requires that winning candidates receive at least 50% + 1 vote, ensuring those candidates have the support of a majority. With...
Editor, Recently a relative of mine was rushed to the ER in Polson, stabilized, then transported to Missoula a few hours later. Having worked 30 years as an RN, I am well aware how critical, literally, the initial care in our local hospital mattered in terms of outcome. One third of Montana’s pop...
U.S. women now live in a country where they’ve been relegated to second-class citizens courtesy of the Supreme Court, whose conservative majority ignored 50 years of precedent and overturned the constitutional right to abortion nationwide. Abortion policy now falls to individual states, and now nearly ...
As a nurse practitioner in Missoula, prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), I was initially surprised that so many patients came from rural areas - especially Lake County. Some had very little money, and could be late because they had hitchhiked or waited on a ride from a friend. Ours was a specialty practi...
Editor, What I love about where we live is our community of people. We are friends and neighbors, sometimes with varying views, but always there for each other in times of need. This election, I encourage all of us to vote for candidates that are not divisive and hateful. For candidates looking for soluti...
Editor, I have known Shirley Azzopardi for over 25 years - as a coworker, a hiking companion, and a friend. Shirley is the best choice for HD 13. She works hard, spending time after work knocking on doors and talking to people about the issues important to them. As a teacher, Shirley believes in a strong ...
Editor, “Hello, Jon!” my outgoing husband cheerily called out to Senator Tester in the concourse of the Salt Lake City Airport. The senator, obviously headed to the men’s room, turned around, grinning, and stuck out his right hand. To my surprise, what followed was a five-minute conversa...
Montanans deserve a Senator that respects all of us, not one that uses damaging punchlines that divide us. Senatorial candidate Tim Sheehy’s disrespectful comments about Native people send a dangerous message - that he is okay using negative and tired stereotypes about Montana Indians in an at...
Editor, Consider the economic woes, political turmoil, China news, Putin, car jackings, random shootings, and all manner of negative news coverage. What initiates and drives these sorts of problems? It is what I call FAG: “Fear, Anger, Greed.” This human response is severe...
Editor, This letter supports Dr. Shannon O’Brien for Montana State Superintendent of Schools. The Office of Public Instruction needs leadership that brings change that supports students and teachers in Montana’s schools. Current Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and her former Chief Deputy Susie He...
