Letters to the editor Oct. 13

Radical-right vote

If Montana’s radical-right (RRs) want to elect Anne Bukacek to the PSC, they better support Ryan Zinke for Congress. Because RRs are only 20% of the Republican Party, Bukacek needs R votes to win, and Zinke can use RR votes to assure he wins.

Ryan Zinke is an intelligent, dependable, solid American. Trump-haters like Marc Racicot and Bob Brown are RINOs who will vote for Trump-hater Tranel rather than Trump-supporter Zinke.

Do we want to elect a Trump supporter or a Trump hater to Congress? As a conservative Republican, I am voting for all the Rs on my ballot.

Recall the disasters of 2012 when RRs voted Libertarian. Oath Keepers’ founder Stewart Rhodes called Republican Denny Rehberg a traitor and me a “quisling” because I supported Rehberg. RRs voted 6.7% Libertarian to give Democrat Jon Tester a 3.5% margin over Rehberg. The hate-voting RRs torched Montana, America, and themselves by putting Tester in the Senate for 12 years.

In the 2012 governor’s race, Democrat Steve Bullock beat Republican Rick Hill by 1.6% while 3.8% voted Libertarian. Rhodes and Oath Keepers’ National Chaplain Chuck Baldwin campaigned against Romney for president. They got their wish in Obama.

After years of professing freedom, RRs voted to be slaves. Their John Birch Society was a diversion because its leaders will not endorse Republicans.

The Positive Voting Mantra (proposed by Aristotle and supported by today’s Christian churches) says, “Our moral duty is to vote to achieve the most possible good, which eliminates voting for candidates who cannot win, and eliminates mandatory conditions.”

Yes, we are morally obligated to vote for the “lesser of two evils.” If you believe, as RINOs Mark Racicot and Bob Brown do, that Monica will achieve the most possible good, then vote for her. But don’t waste your vote on a Libertarian.

So, do you RRs want to elect Anne? If so, you (Jim White, Chuck Baldwin, Anne and other RRs) must show your support for Ryan Zinke for Congress.

Real Patriots vote for Republicans.

— Ed Berry, PhD, Bigfork

Endorsement for Sprunger

Over the past eight years it has been my privilege to represent the people of House District 7 in the Montana House of Representatives. It has been an honor to serve you and to have enjoyed the continued support and confidence of so many in our district.

As my service comes to an end it is important to me to endorse a candidate that I feel will represent this

District and its interests going forward. For me that person must have the experience, energy, character and vision for the job, and they must put the people of Kalispell first. It must be someone that has a heart for service and isn’t afraid to work with anyone to solve problems, has a conservative approach to governing and who knows Kalispell and the Flathead.

That’s why I am endorsing Courtenay Sprunger to be your next representative for House District 7.

Courtenay’s family has a long legacy of service in the Flathead. She has served our community in many roles including as President of the Kalispell Chamber Board, in numerous service organizations and as a tireless advocate for our valley and its people.

Courtenay has a business on Main Street in Kalispell and a vision to solve tough issues like jobs, public safety, education, infrastructure, and housing with an eye toward limiting the size of government while still getting results that matter.

I’m grateful to all of you that have offered me your support, encouragement and advice. I am confident you will find that Courtenay is up to the task of being a champion for you and our community and I’m asking that you vote for her as your next representative. It is my honor to offer her my support and endorsement.

— Rep. Frank Garner, R-Kalispell

Repke more qualified

Inquiry and comparison, two helpful methods to use when evaluating individuals vying for the same position, in this case for membership on the Public Service Commission.

One is a physician, trained in clinical skills to diagnose and treat the human body, the other is a financial analyst, educated and experienced in matters of economic significance and strategic planning.

As a surgeon and, later in my career, a health system executive, I possess an understanding and knowledge of what each of these persons claims as qualifications to be elected to the PSC.

John Repke, with over 40 years of career knowledge obtained in corporate finance and possessing an MBA in Finance, has experience directly related to the challenges faced by the PSC. Clearly, he has the background to provide better representation for those of us seeking fair, equitable and well-informed decisions from the Commission.

— Dr. Wayne A. Miller, Kalispell