Letters to the editor Oct. 4

Claims about LR-131

A recent flood of opinion editorials and articles regarding LR-131 have painted an inaccurate picture of this referendum. LR-131 simply protects our most vulnerable, a newborn baby. As its name states, “The Born Alive Infant Protection Act” is a referendum protecting infants born alive after an abortion.

The League of Women voters have stated this law is unnecessary. False. Allowing a “born alive infant” to die untreated is a form of infanticide. This same League states the referendum undermines democracy. Again this is false. A referendum is a measure sent directly to the people for their consent to law — the very definition of democracy. This is the most fundamental rule by the people.

Some argue this is a debate about abortion. This too is false. LR-131 has no impact on abortion law. The referendum merely states appropriate, reasonable and compassionate treatment will be given when an infant is born alive after an abortion.

Another argument has been made that this will prevent families from holding and saying goodbye to a terminal, dying infant. This referendum states an infant born alive will receive appropriate and reasonable treatment. Appropriate and reasonable treatment for a baby born with an anomaly does not apply to this referendum.

LR-131 is not debating abortion. Don’t be deceived by false claims about LR-131.

LR-131 stands for compassion for those infants born alive. Vote YES on LR-131.

— Amy Regier, R-Kalispell

U.S. history

Dear Mr. Zinke,

Please stay out of public education and stick to politics. In your article (Fixing the department of ‘miseducation’) you talk about how things were when you attended school. You say things like “talking about the time when the principles of our founding fathers were honored. ”What exactly do you mean, Mr. Zinke? Explain yourself please in full detail. What are these principles? If I remember correctly, Mr. Zinke, were you not removed from office due to your having issues with principles?

Then later in his article you state that you believes our children are being conned into believing that America is not the land of the free and brave but rather a racist country built on oppression and inequity. When our children are taught U.S. history they begin to learn the truth about America. They learn that slavery existed, and that there were millions of black people who lived under slavery. Our children learn that Native American indigenous peoples were also enslaved, killed, had land stolen from them, put on reservations, had treaties broken, even put in Indian boarding schools where they were beaten for speaking there own language. And that all of these things were done for the advancement of white American colonial civilization.

And when children hear things like this, then the children ask questions. And in doing so they might also learn about civil rights, Jim Crow laws, and that black slaves built the White House, Mr. Zinke.

This is how children learn. They are presented with facts and they ask questions. Teaching children the truth is not forcing a radical woke agenda or critical race theory. We can only move forward as a nation when we as a nation come to terms with our history, painful for you, Mr. Zinke, as it may be, knowing that the children in our classroom are being taught the truth about American history.

— Ronald Wilton, Kalispell

Sprunger cares about the community

“Service above self,” the motto of Daybreak Rotary, is one that personifies Courtenay Sprunger. I’ve become acquainted with Courtenay through Rotary and in my role as a Kalispell City Councilor, and I find her commitment to our community both refreshing and authentic.

As a native with deep roots in the valley, Courtenay’s footsteps are everywhere in this community. She was an early supporter of Kalispell’s Parkline Trail and has been an advocate for the revitalization of our downtown. She continues to be an active member of Kalispell’s Chamber and is a strong supporter of education and law enforcement.

In our various interactions, I have especially appreciated Courtenay’s empathy for the less fortunate. She is a supporter of the Warming Center and Samaritan House, and at present is sponsoring “Feed the Need,” a fundraiser aimed at helping our local food banks.

Courtenay Sprunger is an optimistic, dynamic woman with a vision, and I strongly support her as she runs for House District 7.

— Sandy Carlson, Kalispell

Repke more qualified for PSC

The role of the Public Service Commission is vital to our lives as Montana residents. Its duties include regulation of our utility rates, oversight of the safety of our railways and pipelines, as well as participating in oversight of the transportation industry.

We are fortunate, as voters, to have a say in the commissioners who serve on the PSC.

John Repke will bring a strong finance and management skills to the PSC. He has a proven record in community involvement. I know John as a pragmatic, thoughtful and well versed individual who has no ulterior motive in his candidacy other than to give back to his community.

In contrast, his opponent Annie Bukacek’s record of public service was as a divisive, disruptive member of the Flathead City-County Board of Health. She ultimately resigned from that position. She used her time on the board to promote herself as well as opinions that endangered public health and were counter to widely accepted medical opinion. She will not act in the public’s best interest as a member of the PSC, nor has she demonstrated any ability to work in a collaborative role in the service of her community.

Please vote in the Nov. 8 election and cast your vote for John Repke. He will work hard and honestly for us as our Public Service Commissioner.

— Suzanne Daniell Hildner, Whitefish