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•Remain vigilant against neo-Nazis

The recent threat of neo-Nazi political activities in Whitefish has horrified Montanans, and rightly so. I am proud of our state for coming together, having each other’s backs and rejecting this proliferation of hate.

This intimidation and harassment has no place in any civilized society and must stop. Our grandparents fought against this ugliness in WWII. It tested who we were as a nation then and continues to test us now. In these trying times, we need to follow their example and make clear who we are and what we stand for.

Montana Democrats will remain vigilant against neo-Nazi and white nationalist activity in our state, and we call on all others to fight it wherever it appears. It’s time for neighbors to protect neighbors and to let the world know: Montana has no room for white supremacy. —Jenny Eck, Helena Democrat, House minority leader

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•Whitefish project deserves support

The Reisch Family Partnership is requesting a conditional-use permit to turn the former Whitefish Independent High School building into a boarding house for seasonal workers. As many Whitefish businesses know, affordable housing for entry-level workers is almost non-existent. Rather than being part of the problem, the Reisch Family Partnership is attempting to be part of the solution. The partnership’s plan is to provide a “dormitory-style” experience, with up to four people sharing a unit, with strict rules against alcohol, drug use or unruly behavior. Tenants would sign a lease to stay a minimum of 30 days, and the rent would be between $300 and $400 per month.

I have been nervous about the kinds of projects Whitefish would undertake to contend with our alleged affordable housing crisis. In other attractive communities, city leaders have used government imposed price/rent control programs or cost-shifting models to make housing “affordable.” Unfortunately, these government-based models often violate the basic laws of economics, resulting in housing prices growing many times faster than if the affordable housing initiatives were never implemented at all.

However, I have great confidence in the Reisch Family Partnership project because it is supplying an affordable housing experience to meet the current demand at a price point where the renter is paying for the value they are receiving. Unlike government programs —where others in the community are made responsible for the costs of failed ideas — the Reisch Family Partnership is shouldering all of the financial risk of their idea.

We need to encourage Whitefish community leaders to support this and other grassroots free-market solutions to meet Whitefish’s growing demand for worker housing, and because government subsidy or price-control programs generally don’t work, subsidies and price controls should be aggressively opposed. Whitefish can best solve its housing shortage by relying more on the laws of economics and less on the whims of social engineering. —Joseph D. Coco Jr., Whitefish

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•An alternative to colonoscopies

Happy New Year, everyone.

I bring good news: The dreaded colonoscopy is becoming obsolete. According a friend of mine who is a physician you can do an iFOB (immunochemical fecal occult blood) test each year, which is cheap and simple. It should be available through your primary care doctor’s office. This is especially welcome news because in addition to discomfort, a colonoscopy can perforate your colon which has dire consequences, and in some cases can kill you. Because of the new tests, colonoscopies are recommended only in very special and limited cases.

Don’t take my word for it — ask your family physician about Cologuard or QuickVue tests. You can read for yourself at the Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/clinical-updates/digestive-diseases/cologuard-primed-to-change-landscape-of-crc-screening.

Why is this relevant in an opinion column?

In the recent election, there was a lot of talk about health-care reform and the skyrocketing cost of health insurance. One thing I have learned from living in Montana for 17 years is that Montanans don’t wait for Washington, D.C., to fix things. When possible, we pull together locally, for the best interest of the community. If we band together and share what we learn about new developments in health care that can save our insurance companies money (without sacrificing the quality) — we may be able to hold the line on insurance cost. One reason, I believe, that health-insurance costs are so high is because of superfluous and excessive testing. These tests are actually promoted, and decisions are made, to benefit the hospital shareholders, doctors, attorneys and malpractice insurance companies, but you should seriously question the benefit to you and your insurance company.

For more information on Cologuard go to http://www.cologuardtest.com

For more information on Quickview go to https://www.quidel.com/immunoassays/rapid-cancer-tests/quickvue-ifob-test

First, check with your family physician. Then, if he or she confirms these claims, please spread the good news on your Facebook, Twitter, etc. You can spare your friends discomfort, expense, of a colonoscopy, and perhaps injury or death from a perforated colon. This is good news. —Steve Eckels, Kalispell

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•What if Hillary emails had been more positive?

So Obama has kicked out Russian diplomats in response to the hacking which he believes influenced the American elections. Apparently, Obama was not pleased with the results of those elections.

If the emails did cost Clinton the election, then it can be assumed that the scrutiny of email communications between Hillary Clinton and her top staffers, aides, family members and confidants revealed something of the candidate’s character which rubbed a significant number of readers the wrong way.

Assume, however, that those emails had shown patterns of a different sort. Assume readers had discovered a madame secretary/presidential candidate who had:

— Risked everything in an effort to prevent the Benghazi atrocity from occurring.

— Taken every personal and professional precaution to ensure that her data and communications were secure, showing the highest regard for the responsibility she bore to civilians, undercover operatives, and those in uniform, both here and abroad.

— Separated herself from any potential for influence, power-brokering, quid-pro-quo, or corruption, including with regard to her husband’s non-profit.

— Spoken of the American people, regardless of whether or not they supported her, with due dignity such that every person could feel that whether they agreed with her policies and agenda or not, they could be sure that they would not be disdained for their hard work and contribution to this great country.

— And exhibited a genuine character, not for sale, not interested in political gain, interested in the presidency for the purpose of serving the American people by executing the laws created by Congress.

Had reading Hillary Clinton’s emails showed us this person instead of the person we actually discovered, the question now is: Would Obama still be kicking out the Russian diplomats? —Colleen Turk, Kalispell