Letters to the editor Oct. 22

Nurses support Covid measures

The 2020 Montana Nurses Association House of Delegates on Oct. 9 unanimously passed a resolution addressing the coronavirus pandemic. Montana nurses are very aware the U.S. has not prioritized the ability to prepare for and respond to global public health crises, leaving already under-resourced state, county and city health departments without a meaningful and appropriate epidemic response infrastructure in the federal government to protect people in our communities and our nation and to reduce the risk around the globe.

MNA supports measures that:

• scientifically and meaningfully limit the spread of COVID-19

• call for national policy for covid testing and contact tracing

•urges nurses through collective bargaining or other advocacy abilities to address sick leave/absences due to covid exposure while on duty to prevent wage loss

•support ADA accommodation for nurses and healthcare workers that are high risk

•work collaboratively with national affiliates such as American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Federation of Teachers, Nurses and Health Professionals (AFT-NHP) to advocate for restoration of the federal budget cuts to improve the U.S. public health infrastructure

•urges Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to adopt an infectious disease standard

MNA stands prepared to work with Montana Department of Health and Human Services and all our Montana public health nurses to support their crucial needs to impact educating the public on the COVID-19 crises and future needs resulting from this pandemic.

—Vicky Byrd, Chief Executive Officer of Montana Nurses Association

Frustrated with county commissioners

The letters (Oct. 12) from Roger Brewer and Meliss Clark were excellent. I too no longer support local businesses that ignore the mask mandate. And, because of the huge spike in covid cases this past week, I no longer leave the house.

I’m voicing my frustration and disappointment in our county commissioners. We pay these three $74,970 a year each, and I am wondering what exactly do they do? Even Yellowstone County has finally taken actions to address their own Covid problem. It appears our county commissioners are more interested in celebrating our “rights” than in our safety. Perhaps they are enjoying the distinction of being the state hot spot for new infections.

This is not the first example of the commissioners’ lack of action. The permit granted for the property owner at Lake Five was recently rescinded due to the county not doing its homework to insure that the project met all standards.

And on our November ballot we will vote on a levy to support the 911 Center. It will be assessed according to the value of each home. Where is the logic there? How does the value of a home translate into how many 911 calls are made? When I queried the county commissioners, I was told that they realized it was not exactly fair, but it was too complicated and expensive to figure out a different method. Well, it does not seem complicated to me to just add a flat rate for each house, or have each city pay according to population, and the county pay for all those who do not live in a city. And by the way, those of you living in cities are currently paying both the city and the county for 911 service. If the new levy passes, the cities have said in previous years, that they have no intention of giving back your city assessment, they will just roll it into their general fund.

It seems to me that the county could save $224,910 annually without the county commissioners and just have the department heads run things. Sanity might then prevail.

—Diane Etter, Kalispell

Liberty or tyranny?

The USA is the greatest, most benevolent country ever to exist.

Today the leadership of the Democrat Party is controlled by radical socialists. They are vicious in their quest to demean and destroy anyone who doesn’t bow to their ideology. They believe people are stupid and need to be ruled by the socialist elite.

Remember Venezuela? Socialism has never worked at any time or any place in history. The people are always servants to their master socialist utopia, another name for hell. Socialists Pelosi and Schumer say they want to protect our democracy. Hello? Under socialism, democracy and our Constitution will not exist.

Biden represents the radical socialist party that is complicit with the rioters. Biden has been on the public dole for 47 years. We have paid him millions in wages. Can anyone state just one thing he has accomplished for the betterment of America? Harris is the most dangerous radical socialist in the Senate. If Biden is elected she will be president.

Another great danger to our freedom is the totally dishonest mainstream media that are complicit with the radicals.

Bullock and Williams say if elected they will work across the aisle. Nonsense. They will be puppets of Pelosi and Schumer. To send them to Washington would be a disaster.

President Trump has flaws, but what he has accomplished is amazing. His second term will continue putting America first, protection of the First and Second amendments, great economy, constitutionalist appointed to the courts, energy independence, law and order, closed borders, no free stuff for illegals, school choice, reduced taxes, religious freedoms, protect the unborn, support the police and no socialized medicine.

With Biden? Just the opposite.

This is a simple election decision; Liberty with Trump or tyranny with Biden?

—Dave French, Eureka

Silent Republicans

As we drive around the Flathead Valley, we see many political signs which is to be expected at this time of year during an election cycle.

One change I’ve noticed is that many Republican signs have the politicians name but no mention of their Republican party affiliation. They not only don’t have their party affiliation they’ve also changed most of their sign’s colors from red to blue. It’s almost as if these Republicans are ashamed to have their name associated with the Republican Party. How can this be?

These Republicans have shown no shame the past 3 1/2 years while Trump has tried to destroy our democracy. I have not heard or seen one Republican stand up and say the things Trump has done, and is doing, is against American values, principles and morals.

Now they try to hide their Republican affiliation and change their sign colors. Don’t let them get away with it. Make sure you hold these silent Republicans accountable. Vote the real blue — vote Democrat

—Randall Miller, Kalispell

Let both sides be heard

If you are still undecided in the U.S. Senate race from Montana in spite of the mudslinging, consider this. Montana is allotted two senators. We have one Democrat and one Republican currently. When in Congress politicians predominately vote along party lines first, then follow constituents input second. Both Montana senators have served under an Obama and Trump administration. Vote to retain Steve Daines for Senate.

—Michael D. Mehn, Cascade

Sick of robo calls

I am sick of robo calls ­— both scams and so-called legitimate calls. Just this morning at 7:10 a.m. I received my third call this month (second this week) from the “IRS” threatening me with legal action. Then a couple hours later my second call this week from “Angela” in the warranty department, as well as scam calls “from” Amazon Prime. Including calls aimed at scamming senior citizens in the recent past.

If the phone companies say they can’t stop this it is my personal opinion that they are lying. Their profits define their corporate morals (as usual, evidenced by yet another bank scandal reported just yesterday).

I did find a 1-800 number set up to report these type of calls but when I asked what they actually do with the information they replied that they only note the call and time ­— they do nothing else.

I doubt the politicians will ever do anything substantial about this, seeing as how at election time they are piling onto the robocall bandwagon themselves.

How bad does it have to get before something is done that will make a difference? Not just lip service from phone companies, politicians, and state/federal regulators.

—Steve Mitchell, Bigfork