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It’s time for impeachment

This is the first of 10 amendments to the Constitution passed by Congress on Sept. 25, 1789.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.”

Our nation and the world witnessed the millions of people protesting Trump on Jan. 21. We witnessed democracy in action exercising our rights to freedom of speech and assembly. Congratulations to the patriotic women and followers who made this day a huge success. For the sake of our country and the world, we must keep it going.

I take this opportunity to express my personal vision of the new administration. Last week I began gathering all of the data necessary to prepare my income taxes for 2016. I decided to review and calculate the taxes I have paid over the last several years and was shocked at the percentage of my income that went to the federal government, state government and local municipalities. I am a middle-class senior citizen living on a modest income and have paid my taxes every year since 1952 including the time I spent in the military. All of this brings me to the point that billionaire Trump may be paying no taxes and refuses to disclose his tax records. I fail to see how this person can claim to be an honorable citizen of our country.

His acclamation regarding his nonpayment of taxes is that he is “smart.” Trump is surrounding himself with Cabinet members and advisers of the same ilk. Six are former or current executives of Goldman-Sachs, and billionaire Rex Tillerson, the new secretary of state, is the former CEO of Exxon Mobil with ties to Russia and Russian oil companies. All of the above are billionaires or millionaires. The Trump advisers and cabinet should be renamed the billionaire and millionaire club. Trump is in constant denial of the numerous fabrications and statements he has made throughout the campaign and his first days in office. He is an egotistical pathological prevaricator.

What frightens me most is this individual’s ties and fascination with Russia and Putin. Putin is richer and smarter than Trump and will play him like a puppet. Let’s hope Trump is thoroughly investigated. Let the impeachment begin. We must not acquiesce but look forward to the next election in two years and “drain the swamp.” —Jerry Reckin, Kalispell

MSU’s Romney Hall is state infrastructure

Like 16,000-plus other students, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to call Montana State University my university. Today, MSU is the state’s largest and fastest growing university, serving students from all 56 counties of Montana. Flathead County ranks third in the number of current MSU students. It is true testament to the hard work of MSU administrators, faculty, staff and alumni that students from our corner of the state choose to pursue their education at MSU. For students, like myself, MSU is a place of boundless opportunity.

A shadow looming over MSU’s further potential is the dilapidated and nearly unusable condition of Romney Hall. Students, like me, who walk by Romney everyday, see nothing but untapped potential. The proposed $28 million renovation will transform it from a marginally usable structure into a student classroom powerhouse. The official floor plans will take it from only having four classrooms serving 140 students to 18 classrooms for more than 1,000 students per hour, as well as much needed writing, math, and veterans’ centers.

The greatest part about our Montana University System is the public component. The argument voiced by some lawmakers that university infrastructure is not state infrastructure is a slippery slope down a path that undermines one of Montana’s greatest treasures: accessible higher education. If it were not for the public component of state higher education a significant segment of Montana’s future workforce would be disenfranchised from the opportunity to better themselves, their families, and their communities from a college education.

Romney Hall is state infrastructure, and Montana students are worth the investment. —Levi Birky, Kalispell, student regent and former MSU student body president

Support bill opposing foreign law in Montana

Senate Bill 97 has recently passed successfully through the Senate in Helena, and will soon move on to the House.

Several “activist” groups say SB97 “is not needed” and will cause certain immigrants to have hurt feelings to even have such a bill brought forward.

SB97, establishes the primacy of Montana law by prohibiting the application of foreign law or doctrines when it violates a fundamental right guaranteed by the Montana or U.S. constitutions. Nowhere in the bill is any “group” mentioned.

This is not about offending anyone, but it is about protecting the citizens of Montana from the litigated challenges of foreign international laws and doctrines. Attempts have already taken place in a number of our U.S. courts. It is odd that one has to even prepare to think this can happen right here in Montana; however, it is becoming necessary to prepare for these “attempts” that could pose a real threat to the sovereignty of our legal system.

Please support SB 97, brought forth by state Sen. Keith Regier. —Linda Johnson, Kalispell

In support of public lands

A busload of supporters from Sanders County joined over 1,000 other Montanans at the Public Lands Rally in Helena. Sanders County is the home of land-transfer proponent sate Sen. Jennifer Fielder. Brandishing signs emblazoned with “Sanders County,” including one that read “Shame on Senator Fielder,” some 50 people made the long journey from the sparsely populated county near the Idaho border. The bus started picking up passengers from Bull River Junction, about 10 miles from Idaho, at 6 a.m. and expected to return around 8 p.m.

Riders represented many small towns from Heron to Hot Springs. Mindy Ferrell of Trout Creek, who organized the bus, said “People were eager to join this effort to demonstrate the tremendous importance of public lands in our county, and our determination to prevent their sale or transfer. Over a hundred more who were unable to make the trip signed a resolution for the legislative record, opposing the sale or transfer of public lands.” —Doug Ferrell, Trout Creek