Letters to the editor May 30

Christian nation

The opinion piece “Yes, the United States is a Christian nation,” authored by Republican state Sen. John Fuller and published in the May 14 issue of the Inter Lake, is a case study in the dangers inherent in electing religious zealots to public office in a secular nation.

There are over 200 Christian sects active in the U.S. Does Fuller presume to speak for all of them? That would seem to be presumptuous, albeit in keeping with Fuller’s MO. Consider the vast array of disparate policy positions maintained by many of these Christian sects regarding abortion, the death penalty, environmental issues, the role of women in society, interaction with the government, and guns, to name just a few issues. Some denominations are anti-science and deny medical treatment to save the lives of dying children. Others refuse to contribute to the national defense. Still others espouse doctrines that Fuller would view as heresy.

So, which Christian nation is Fuller is proposing for the U.S.? He uses the term “orthodox Christian.” I believe he is not referring to branches of the Eastern Orthodox Church but to, as described in an online dictionary, someone who conforms “to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved.” In other words, the purist of the pure. Someone who doesn’t meet his arbitrary standards need not apply. Is that your litmus test, Sen. Fuller? If so, how many of your fellow 200 plus Christian sects will be excluded from the theocracy you are working overtime to create?

There’s a fly in the ointment of the push by Fuller and his ilk here and throughout the nation. For several decades, membership in organized religious organizations has been in decline. It’s sad in a way because mainstream churches have long been a pillar of their communities, providing much needed public services. One wonders how much the anti-science, elitest, holier-than-thou negativity spawned by Fuller and his sort are directly responsible for this decline.

— Mark Holston, Kalispell

National sales tax

I like the concept of a national sales tax. Think about this resource. Everyone who purchases anything would contribute, unlike income tax. Illegals, foreign visitors (nearly every state hosts a substantial number of foreign tourists), the rich, the poor, all would have to pay toward our country’s well-being. It might be way more revenue than income tax, and income tax could be minimized or possibly even eliminated.

I’d rather know that everyone pays, including politicians. Some people might just be more fiscally responsible, and the rich will continue to buy extravagantly, as usual. Every sale and every person, including teens buying technology and tattoos, would contribute.

I hope the federal government will investigate the potential advantages of a national sales tax. It might surprise us all. I think it would be better than raising taxes on our hard earned income, and might be a fairer burden. Just a thought to consider. Thanks for reading.

— Dee Armstrong, Marion