Letters to the editor July 15
Sheehy endorsements
What would Tim Sheehy actually do if Montana sent him to the Senate? The vague, generic “Issues” page of his website tells us little — it reads like it was written by a handful of borrowed interns. Besides, why should we trust any of his promises? He has proven over and over again that he’ll lie about anything, including where he grew up, where his money comes from, and when, how many times, and in what manner he was wounded in combat.
Probably the clearest sign of what kind of senator Sheehy would be is the company he keeps. When he wants to mislead people about Sen. Jon Tester’s voting record, for example, he can’t think up his own talking points. Instead he goes on social media and reposts propaganda from people like Stephen Miller and Sen. Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville keeps going on TV to parrot the Kremlin’s lies about Ukraine. Miller pushed the Trump administration’s inhumane child separation policy, which ripped innocent children from their mothers’ arms at the border, sent them hundreds of miles away, and lost track of them so that in some cases the families can never be reunited.
When Marjorie Taylor Greene endorsed him, Sheehy replied that he was “honored to receive” the endorsement and that he “looked forward to working with her.”
Montanans deserve senators who will work across the aisle to get things done, like Jon Tester does. Members of Congress like Greene and Tuberville are the opposite. They yell the most outrageous things they can think of to attract attention and get on TV, while blocking any actual legislative productivity. If these are the people Sheehy looks up to, we should keep him far away from Washington and send him back to St. Paul instead.
-- Edward Salmon, Columbia Falls
We need more competition
As a committed advocate for small businesses in Montana, I am compelled to voice my support for the proposed merger between Capital One and Discover. This merger presents a golden opportunity to inject much-needed competition into the credit card processing industry — a move that promises significant benefits for small businesses and consumers alike.
At the heart of this merger is the promise of increased competition in the credit card payment processing market, which is currently dominated by the duopoly of Visa and Mastercard. This dominance has stifled innovation and led to limited incentives for these giants to lower rates, particularly for small businesses operating in Montana communities.
By allowing Capital One and Discover to join forces, we have the potential to disrupt this stagnant system, leveling the playing field for businesses across Montana and beyond. As a small business owner myself, I understand firsthand the challenges of accessing the right services and options. This merger will present businesses like mine with more competitive technology and improved access to useful tools.
Critics of the merger have raised concerns about the potential consolidation of the market. However, a closer examination reveals that these fears may be unfounded. The combined assets of Capital One and Discover pale in comparison to those of the largest national banks, suggesting that this merger will not significantly alter the competitive landscape.
Competition breeds innovation. The proposed merger between Capital One and Discover represents a step in the right direction for small businesses and consumers alike. It is my hope that policymakers will recognize the benefits of this merger and take action to support its approval.
-- Dan Anderson, Kalispell