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Don’t balance budget by de-funding kids with disabilities

Many of the budget cuts proposed by state agencies are appropriate and necessary, like eliminating desk phones for those with state-funded cellphones and removing redundant management. I support cutting waste. However, our state is considering eliminating early intervention and support services for children with disabilities as part of the 10 percent statewide budget cuts. This is not a reduction in services; this is an elimination of services.

Early intervention for children with disabilities reduces the need for later special-education services. Intervention is more effective and less expensive when it is received early as opposed to later in life. The children who will be impacted by these loss of services live here in your community. You see our families at the grocery store, in parks, hiking, and playing at the lake.

This summer, we all experienced what fire season was like with reduced budgets. Now the budget reductions will impact our most vulnerable people — children with disabilities. Many other cuts at DPHHS are related to IT infrastructure. After what the valley experienced last week, is this the right direction either? When do we say that cuts are enough? —Carrie Eklund, Somers

Here’s a prayer for the times

In recent times, we are living with fear, despair and lies. The ancient treatment for this is prayer. Prayer is effective and free. There is a prayer I was taught years ago that helps me: Come Holy Spirit, come blow away fear, come inspire my faith that Jesus is here. Come Holy Spirit, come burn off despair, come light up my hope that Jesus is there. Come Holy Spirit, come wash away sin, come refresh my love with Jesus within. —John Lavin, Kalispell

Racicot speech was refreshing

I grew up in New York learning about politics in a moderate Republican household. My formative years were spent being a Rockefeller Republican. I became an independent when I and my parents became too “liberal” to be active locally. In today’s jargon we would have been “RINOs.”

Speaking to a packed room at FVCC, former Gov. Mark Racicot spoke with a clear message that politics in both our state and nation must change before our children and grandchildren lose what we have. The polarization of governing, created by both parties, must end and we must return to the art of compromise. We must listen to each other and work as much as possible with each other to bring reason back to deliberations in our state and nation.

The former governor brought history, personal understanding and deliberate direction to this first annual Mansfield lecture series. A refreshing message for me, and I dare say, many others. —David LeBleu, Kalispell

Don’t let Senate OK ACA repeal

It is highly likely that you know someone who is on Medicaid or has insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. It may be someone you only know well enough to say hello to as they serve you in a restaurant, run the cash register when you make a purchase, provide day care to your child, or it may be a loved one. In any case, that person, like you or me, stands to suffer and/or die without access to health care.

Medicaid provides long-term care to millions and is a core part of the successful coverage of America’s children. Unfortunately, Senate leaders are making one last-ditch effort (the Graham-Cassidy bill) to repeal the Affordable Care Act and end Medicaid as we know it by capping the core program, threatening health coverage for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and others including veterans.

We must stop any partisan legislation that cuts or caps Medicaid or causes millions of Americans to lose their health insurance. Medicaid even responds automatically in a weak economy or in case of natural disasters, helping vulnerable Americans weather tough economic times and creating critical economic activity for local communities. Think of our rural hospitals.

Please contact Sens. Jon Tester (202-224-2644) and Steve Daines (202-224-2651). Tell them to reject the Graham-Cassidy bill. It’s bad for Montanans. —Karen Cunningham, Coram

Who among us hasn’t bought bottled water?

The Department of Environmental Quality has approved the water bottling plant permit.

I applaud those who took their time and energy to stop this bottling plant and all the adverse effects on our valley. However, I ask a simple question. When was the last time you bought a case of bottled water? Is this a commodity that is necessary? If everyone would simply refill their own glass or metal container then why would we need a bottled water plant?

Supply and demand. Who is at fault? —Holly Wilson, Bigfork

Where is the outrage for insult of this Gold Star father?

Are no liberals incensed that a long-time member of congress, Democrat Congressman Luis Guiterrez, would say that Gen. Kelly (White House chief of staff) “... is a hypocrite who is a disgrace to the uniform he used to wear. He has no honor and should be drummed out of the White House along with the white supremacists and those enabling the president’s actions by ‘just following orders’”?

Where are the Democrat leaders? Where is mainstream media? How dare this man who never served criticize this decorated Marine general who served with honor and distinction for decades?

Where is the outrage on the left for this Gold Star father (Gen. Kelly lost his son in 2010 in Afghanistan) as the fake outrage of the left over the comment by President Trump about a Muslim Gold Star father asked to speak at the Democrat Convention. All he said was the truth ... that the father’s speech was probably written by the Clinton campaign and pointing out that the mother, as usual in the Muslim treatment of women, stood there without comment. How does that compare with saying a Marine general Gold Star father was a “disgrace to the uniform?”

Where are the drive-by liberal media in demanding an apology, as they surely would have for any similar comment by a conservative? AWOL! —P. David Myerowitz, Columbia Falls

Bullock must side with Montana

Why is it that with any “catastrophe,” Gov. Bullock signs on to “caring” about Montana citizens, and/or the victims of the catastrophes? But, otherwise, he sides with those bent on shutting down industry in Montana?

Over a million acres burnt this year alone. But Gov. Bullock wants us to believe he “cares” a whit?

Why is he not fighting to have the lands currently MISMANAGED by the federal government ceded to Montana as required by the Constitution of the United States, that they be given to Montana upon statehood?

Why is he still on the side of groups that sue at every timber sale, mining proposal, land acquisition, and side with new wilderness designations which take more Montana lands out of lawful use by Montana?

Why is he still pretending to give a hoot about Montana “values” and the right to work in resource industries that made Montana what it once was? Silver and gold ... “Plata y Oro,” the “Treasure State” motto...

When is Gov. Bullock REALLY going to “side with Montana” against over-reaching federal government tyranny, and the “pretend” environmental groups that do not want Montana to have ANY industry, other than “tourism”?

Put up, Steve, or shut up. —Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls