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Help Puerto Rico become self-sufficient

I read the Inter Lake daily, and enjoy it. My reason for this letter is to give my input on a couple of articles your paper has printed recently.

First, the plight of the people of Puerto Rico. I truly feel for their losses and needs. In an Oct. 9 article titled “Reinventing the wheel,” what a novel idea to help make Puerto Rico more self-sufficient, independent and possibly more solvent.

They are obviously prone to hurricanes, so why not prepare with the same thing that the people of Guatemala are doing with the efforts of people like Mr. Renfrow and his Maya Pedal project to allow people to support themselves with something so relatively inexpensive and simple rather than being so dependent on outside resources for their economics and well being? —Cliff Kawulok, Kalispell

How convenient that Hollywood ‘didn’t know’

So the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is totally shocked — shocked! — by the revelation of decades of sexual predation by evil slug Harvey Weinstein. Expect a tsunami of exculpatory condemnations from Hollywood and certain “progressive” politicians who luxuriated in his money and connections while turning the blind eye and passing the brie. —Andy Palchak, Kalispell

GOP needs to step up and take role in fixing budget crisis

Dear Montana Republican legislators: You were elected to a position within our state government. You requested that job, and the responsibilities that go along with it. The job of leading our state is not a temporary position. It is for the full-term, including emergency nonscheduled sessions as needed.

The decision of the Republican Party to disown the responsibility for balancing our state budget shows that there is a lack of understanding of your job responsibilities. Leaving the reduction in spending, as required due to a shortfall in revenues, to our Democrat governor is completely unacceptable. If you worked in my company, you’d be let go. It is obvious that the Republican Party wishes to be distanced from any unpleasant cuts … you can now “blame the Democrat” — he did it without your input. Well, guess what? For some of us, your refusal to accept this responsibility is simply a political ploy and will hopefully backfire. YOU are responsible for any actions and your inaction only makes your responsibility that much greater. —Nancy Cunningham, Kalispell

How did GOP benefit America? Let’s count some of the ways

In his letter to the editor on Oct. 20 titled “Republicans are party of haters,” Dan King of Bigfork challenged anyone to come up with “three things that Republicans have done to improve this country.”

I assume that Mr. King is the same Daniel King who ran as a Democrat against Bob Keenan in the 2014 general election for Senate District 5 and lost 26 percent to 74 percent. Mr. King is convinced that Republicans are haters, yet he admires Rep. Frank Garner, who is a Republican. This makes his op-ed confusing.

As for Mr. King’s question about things Republicans have done to improve this country, there are many.

I’ll give just a few:

(1) The first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, issued an order freeing all slaves called the Emancipation Proclamation. We can also add that Mr. Lincoln guided the North to victory and reunited the nation.

(2) Republicans Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote the text of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Republican Senator Aaron A. Sargent introduced the amendment.

(3) Under Republican Teddy Roosevelt, America built the Panama Canal.

(4) Republican President Coolidge signed a law for the construction of Hoover Dam.

(5) Republican President Eisenhower desegregated schools in 1957.

(6) President Eisenhower signed the GOP’s Civil Rights Act after it survived a five-day filibuster by 18 Senate Democrats.

(7) Republican Ronald Reagan revitalized the U.S. economy in 1981 with tax cuts that created a massive surge of jobs, economic growth and prosperity.

(8) President Reagan’s work against the Soviet Union led to its collapse in 1991 when Republican George H.W. Bush was in office.

I know that what constitutes an “improvement” will depend on one’s own perspective. I think that rational people will accept the list I’ve given as definite improvements for our country.

It appears that Mr. King wishes to tear down Republicans to make others look better. That makes for a poor way to elevate one’s position. —Keith Regier, Kalispell Republican, Senate District 3

‘Be alert and watchful’ to change nation

Have you wondered how to make positive changes in your family, country and world? Your creator has given you a way, but many have ignored His instruction manual, the Bible.

Have you wondered why some people abuse alcohol and illegal drugs? Are you concerned about the number of children who are abused and neglected? What about our community members who take their own lives or murder others? Evil does exist! (“Be alert and watchful. Your enemy, the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour,” I Peter 5:8.) The devil wants to ruin everything that is good-your marriage, your family, your job, your life, our country, etc. He is looking for every chance to entice you into a situation that will destroy you.

Our country does not have a political problem; we have a spiritual problem. Please go to the Signature Theatre next Wednesday night, Nov. 1, at 7 and watch, “Revive Us 2.” You will see glimpses of the Museum of the Bible opening soon in Washington, D.C. You will also hear Christians discussing ways to bring hope and healing to our divided nation. Music will also be heard from Zach Williams and Christian Cuevas.

Examine this scripture for yourself and consider your actions. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14. President Eisenhower and President Reagan placed their hands on this verse when they took the presidential oath of office. I will close with the following from George Washington Carver: “The secret of my success? It is found in the Bible. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” —Jean Ambrose, Kalispell

Roundabouts must go

I agree with Jerry Olson in his recent letter. It would a dumb idea to change Main Street (U.S. 93) before removing the roundabouts that most truckers won’t use because it damages their wheels and tires due to the crowns and short turning radius. They will still go through downtown. —Dexter Hamilton, Kalispell