Letters to the editor Oct. 15
Vote no on CI-128
Did you know that an abortion (taking the life of a preborn child) is already legal in Montana up to the stage of viability, generally 24 weeks? Also, the abortion pill can be easily obtained.
CI-128 goes much further as it creates a “right” to take the life of a baby for all nine months of pregnancy; even partial-birth abortions would be legalized. Also, parents would not be notified or have a say regarding a minor child. Human traffickers and abusers could not be prosecuted for forcing their victim to get an abortion. Women who are injured or die when obtaining an abortion will not have a right to legal recourse.
There is no reason for anyone to vote for CI-128. For the protection of both mothers and babies, please vote no on CI 128.
— Linda Jackson, Kalispell
Fern will represent us
I have known Dave Fern for over 30 years. Dave has been a dedicated servant to the needs of our community as a businessman, school board leader and an insightful legislator throughout that whole time.
He is a thoughtful and caring man of integrity, with the ability bring consensus to key issues with all concerned.
Dave is a rare person in this day and age that is sought out as a bipartisan leader to resolve issues facing our community and state.
He has been a solid partner and advisor for me in my career as an advocate for our community.
In a race that his opponent has been known for obstruction and ineffective representation, Dave is known for his ability to make effective decisions and leadership.
Please join me in sending him to Helena to represent us all.
— Lin Akey, Whitefish
Private health care
Tim Sheehy doesn’t get the implications of privatizing all health insurance. He’s wealthy, has VA benefits and is shielded from health care cost impacts.
My back went bad. I couldn’t stand, could only walk short distances. I had a simple laminectomy, two hours in outpatient surgery, walked out three hours later. The pain is gone except for the incision and medical bills.
Medicare limits knocked several thousand off the total, the bills still total over $17,000. And that was simple surgery. Thanks to Medicare, my co-pay will be about $600 which I can cover. $17,000 would put a major dent in my budget. For some people it could mean bankruptcy or homelessness. I now have a pre-existing condition, if all insurance was private I would probably go into a higher-risk pool with higher premiums. Many people already can’t afford insurance, they’re one illness away from financial disaster.
Sheehy and his wife donated $4 million to a neonatal intensive care unit in Bozeman. I appreciate that but that’s just the financial tip of running the unit. A preemie in NICU for a couple of weeks can run up a bill totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. That could devastate an uninsured young family.
Private health insurance is necessary but insurance companies are there to make money by cutting benefits or raising premiums. Government insurance including Medicaid, Medicare, ACA and VA needs to stay solvent but is more focused on patient outcomes and keeping insurance affordable and available.
— Jim Vashro, Kalispell
Power of the presidency
Why do the folks who attend Trump rallies laugh when he makes fun of people? When he calls his opponents names like stupid, mentally ill and worse? Has name-calling become funny and acceptable?
Why is a man who is running for president selling tennis shoes, Bibles and gold watches with his name emblazoned on them? Not to mention trading cards with pictures of himself as a super hero.
Why are we even considering a man who encouraged folks to attack our capitol and hang former Vice President Mike Pence because he refused to change the Electoral College vote outcome? What if they actually had found him and hanged him?
Why would we vote for a man who has a public history with women that is disgusting at best? If he were your father, uncle or brother how would you feel about his behavior? My guess is that he would be an embarrassment, certainly not a roll model for male family members.
Why would we vote for a man who lies repeatedly even when publicly confronted with the truth, just to keep his base angry and engaged in his dark view of our country?
Why would we elect a man who has lived a privileged life, who portrays himself as a victim and who wants to victimize others?
Is party affiliation so driven that we would elect this man to keep a party in power?
The power of the presidency should be put in the hands of someone who will respect it, respect all citizens of this country and not threaten to use it to destroy perceived political enemies.
Who we give the presidency to matters and will affect all of us and the future of our country.
— Marcia Peck, Bigfork