Letters to the editor Jan. 17

Peaceful transition

Right now, much is in the hands of the Democrats. They can conduct a normal transfer of power from one president to the next, just as always. No impeachment, no 25th Amendment. No revenge. 

To make the transfer the two parties have to work together. It’s a beginning. It re-establishes the guiding law of the land and the political health of the democracy.

—Robert O’Neil, Kalispell

Attack on American values

The last time I wrote to the editor was in June in response to vitriolic letters I had read written by fellow Montanans. I am writing again in response to the events of last week. It is hard to write a measured response to the attack on American values.

Don’t tread on me is a common rallying cry of Americans standing up for individual rights and limited government. The associated flag has become increasingly politicized, embodying a whole host of ideas about guns and rights, but the sentiment of the slogan resonates. Americans witnessed last week the attempt of one man to tread on all Americans by use of his position as the head of the federal government to overrule the will of the people, to undermine a co-equal, elected branch of government, and incite violence in the world’s oldest continuous democracy. We witnessed the antithesis of the slogan.

Conservative values used to mean respecting tradition, putting faith in institutions, holding power to account with the ballot, and using the rule of law to amend perceived injustices. Now, radicals calling themselves conservatives have desecrated those values in fealty to one man. I am disturbed by the shift. I don’t really have an answer for this. Impeachment or resignation won’t change what happened and won’t change the minds of many who think of this man as their voice, their savior. But to conservatives that still value the republic, don’t tread on me or millions of Americans or our government for one man.

—Teigan Avery, Missoula

All about power

One might deem it a generalization, but I hold in its truth: The Chinese culture, regardless of its communist leadership, has a leg up on America on “patience.” Centuries of war, famine, plagues, and natural disasters have honed the people into survivors.

Conditions and circumstances that pale our history, at least in the timeline of things. Perhaps, also due to the centuries of physical and political isolation from the rest of the world. Toss in a storehouse of natural resources and a burning desire for conquest, all the makings for center stage on the global theater.

Little wonder the Left Wing agenda finds a kindred spirit with their mindset and value system. It’s all about power. At any cost. Which requires patient observation and the ability to swoop in on opportunity.

We all knew Trump’s Achilles heel was his ego and painful-to-watch narcissism. One might think decorum and presidential integrity exhibited by Hillary’s election loss would exemplify and demand a “calm” accepting transition of power. Brush aside the glaring fact that power was stolen by Big Money, Big Tech and foreign Influences. Not our yellow haired Donald! The second coming of Custer.

His Capitol speech, though well-intended, leaked out his bitter taste for defeat, and Innuendo whispered,” Attack the ramparts. Scale the walls and dispatch those blue-legged heathens!” Then, the assortment of Walmart smellies, Olive Garden ogres and horned invaders, dressed like angry Vikings-who-never-won-a-Superbowl-and-needed-retribution, stormed the sacred temple and wreaked havoc, heartache and an ignominious end to the Trump era. Forget the fact that the Capitol tragedy was already underway even as Escalator Man was sniffling through his departure speech. Antifa members and other anti-Trump riffraff were oblivious to the outbreak, kneeling at pews in nearby cathedrals.

Hail to unions! We shall now see the Chinese experiment take hold in America. Hunter and his associates have assisted Joe with the foundation to a profitable partnership for the days ahead. The media, Congress, Facebook, Twitter, and prune faced billionaires will reshape the landscape into a paradise of redistribution and reparation. And when that oxygen tank Ol’ Joe totes around falls on his head and Princess Kamala takes charge, we will see the Promised Land.

Give thanks to our Oriental partners. As Master Po used to say: “Ahhh, Grasshopper...you have served us well.”

—Gary Vinson, Kalispell

Leadership?

Biden on Portland: “That’s for the mayor to decide.”

Biden on Trump impeachment: “That’s for Congress to decide.”

Maybe too long a Vice-President.

—Andy Palchak, Kalispell

Trump derangement

Now will the media give up their Trump derangement syndrome?

Trump, who had everything but gave it up because he wanted to make America great. And he did. Best economy ever and loved by millions and millions.

Truth and justice have been stomped on. Welcome to the antifa left and socialism. Oh, and welcome to China. The door is wide open.

—Carol Nelson, Bigfork

Deregulation

Thank you for your article, “2020 Reflections: Montana’s GOP sweep signals changes ahead.”

Reflecting on the last time there was a GOP sweep in the state brought back memories of the deregulation of energy in Montana, pushed through by the GOP, with the sales pitch it would bring competition and lower energy prices to the state. After all the palms were greased, and deal making was done, it did the opposite, and turned into a nightmare for the stockholders of Montana Power and ratepayers alike.

Now with a used car salesman running the party, and a convicted criminal becoming our new governor, hang onto your wallets folks, the show is about to begin. Anytime anyone starts shouting deregulation, there are only two words you need to remember: Wall Street.

In case you forgot it was the complete lack of regulation of financial derivatives, the things Warren Buffett labeled financial weapons of mass destruction, that brought our economy to its knees in 2008. And it will be deregulating the current crop of Republicans are aching for, at the state level, that will line the pockets of the biggest contributors to their party’s piggy bank, not yours or mine.

The government we elect is the government we deserve. Gook luck Montana, because with this crew, we’re going to need it.

—John Marshall, Hot Springs