Look beyond the simplistic slogans

Simplistic solutions are the currency of many would-be elected officials. In this fall’s contest for U.S. Senator, we find one candidate throwing “More Jobs/Less Government” out there. Spiro Agnew, the former Nixon VP — friend of the ever-ready catchy mantra — would be pleased. He who used his phraseology to such great partisan success, until forced to resign in disgrace and do his turn as convicted felon. But I digress.

Locally we can be immensely proud of yet another successful county fair. Huge crowds turned out, polite and peaceable citizens enjoyed the summer festival, and we probably all learned a thing or two at the fair. I saw good county government delivering reliable public services. Did you?

But I also saw the John Birch Society crawl out from under a rock. Wow, what a shock to see that dead-end group back in action. Those who tried to convince earlier generations that Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States, was a communist. I would say, beware of organizations and individuals spouting simplistic solutions and deceitful nonsense. —Peter Stoll, Kalispell