Letters to the editor Sept. 22

Endorses Zinke

I was a proud supporter of Mary Todd in the Montana GOP primary. She is a true America-first patriot with a compelling story and the resolve to get things done.

I was proud to run her campaign and count her as a dear friend, but Montanans didn’t select her to be our nominee for Congress. And with so much at stake this November, I’ll be giving my full support to Ryan Zinke.

— Toni Sward, Kalispell

Zinke investigations

Having listened to the Democratic Party’s commercials concerning the 18 Investigations that were conducted on Ryan Zinke while he was working for the Trump administration, I am left with the conclusion that Ryan Zinke must be a very honest man. How could anyone, especially a politician, survive that many investigations and never be charged with any breach of the public trust or having broken some federal or state laws. It is my opinion that there are very few of our public servants who could pass this type of a test.

It would seem that Montana is very fortunate to have a man who has demonstrated this much integrity.

— Dale B. Heldstab, Columbia Falls

Zinke v. Tranel

The race for Montana’s new House seat is critical to the future of our country. I know both candidates and have worked directly with both of them. I served in the Montana Senate with Commander Zinke and was on the Montana Public Service Commission when Ms. Tranel worked as counsel for the Montana Consumer Council.

In my experience there is a big contrast between the two. I saw Zinke work hard to represent the people of Montana. As for Ms. Tranel, I saw her do nothing but advocate for the green energy movement.

I for one look at the candidates’ records and not the headlines. Ms. Tranel wants a dangerously rapid elimination of traditional energy sources, leaving us reliant on wind and solar. Zinke on the other hand has always advocated for a balanced energy mix, using natural resources to ensure a baseload of power while supplementing with renewables.

Developing all energy sources benefit Montana by keeping prices stable and our economy strong. Forcing the elimination of traditional energy sources would leave us short of needed supply, just as California and Arizona are now.

As you prepare to choose the individual that will represent Montana on the national stage, please consider which direction do you want our nation and our state to go.

A vote for Cmdr. Ryan Zinke will be a vote for lower inflation, a strong economy, higher wage jobs and a future for our families.

— Bob Lake, Hamilton

What to call the GOP?

What do you call the GOP when a stand-up Republican like Liz Cheney cannot win her primary election and the only qualification of her opponent was his support for Donald Trump? What do you call a party that deifies one man and elevates him above the law? What do you call a party that believes that only it can win elections and if anyone else wins it is because they have cheated? What do you call a party that wants to take over elections so it can overturn the will of the people?

What do you call a party that threatens violence to overturn the law? What do you call a party that believes that to be a good citizen of this country you must show complete loyalty to this one man’s policies and beliefs?

This GOP is no longer the party of Hoover, of Eisenhower, of Nixon, of Reagan, or Bush. The GOP has become the AFP. The American Fascist Party.

— Steve Martinez, Kalispell

Clear choice for PSC

Casting a vote in the District 5 PSC election is a no-brainer. On one side is John Repke, a man with experience in energy policy and understanding of public finance through his professional training and employment. These are skills and knowledge crucial to the proper functioning of the commission, which oversees activities of public utilities and insurance.

On the other side is physician Annie Bukacek, who has no knowledge or experience in these matters. In her short-lived tenancy on the Flathead County Department of Health Board she was counter productive and divisive. Despite her professional training, she chose to undermine the work of the board by promoting conspiracy theories over scientifically proven public health policy. As a Public Service Commissioner we could expect similar behavior, this time with no basis of knowledge or experience.

The choice is clear — protect Montana utility and insurance policy with a vote for John Repke as district 5 PSC Commissioner.

— Samuel H. Neff, Whitefish