Letters to the editor Sept. 22

Sheehy exposed

When someone tells you who they are, believe them.  

Tim Sheehy joked about one of his experiences as “a great way to bond with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8 a.m.” or throwing beer cans at cultural events. He then repeated his racist remarks to other audiences for their entertainment. 

He tells us who he is. There is no doubt his racist statements reflect his values.  

Mr. Sheehy’s racist belief, declared and repeated, inflicts devastation on indigenous people. His hurtful words are felt by us all. They are particularly damaging as they perpetuate an ugly stereotype almost all of us have had to overcome for generations. Substance use disorder is one of the contributing causes to the health disparity existing in Montana, where indigenous people die a generation younger than our non-Indian neighbors.  

Response to Mr. Sheehy’s racism must be non-partisan. It is not about being a Republican or Democrat, but a Montanan with Montana values to care for each other. 

While Mr. Sheehy is a candidate for one of the highest federal offices to represent all Montanans, everyone living in this beautiful place should be appalled. Now that the media has exposed these racist comments, we are waiting for his response. His silence is deafening.  

I understand Tribal leaders have called for an apology. While an apology would be nice, it does not go far enough. It must be followed with concrete actions he is willing to take to change. This must include meaningful engagement with indigenous people, with an open mind and heart, to gain a full understanding of who we are as people and citizens of Montana. 

While we wait, allies of indigenous people must join us and demand better from our elected officials. 

— Anna Whiting Sorrell, Ronan

Ballot issue is chilling

This November, ballot issue No. 14 (formerly CI-128) will ask voters to guarantee unregulated abortion as a constitutional right in Montana. The language of the ballot issue is chilling. There is no reference to gestational age of the unborn child. Any “health care professional” (undefined) may prescribe the abortion of an unborn child any time “before fetal viability.”  

For pro-life voters this is a hard no, but even those who desire some reasonable regulation of abortion should be voting no on ballot issue No. 14. If passed, this would make Montana one of the most pro-abortion states in the country.  

I urge you to vote no on ballot issue No. 14.

— Matt Nelson, Columbia Falls

Send Powers to Helena

Debo Powers is the best person to represent House District 3 in the Montana state House of Representatives. 

She has the skills and diligence to work collaboratively in Helena to develop and implement equitable solutions to our skyrocketing property taxes while improving school funding inequities. 

Debo was a key player in the Whitefish Range Partnership that brought together logging, OHV and environmental interests to agree on a plan for the North Fork that was subsequently included in the Flathead Forest Plan. 

She will pragmatically but passionately work to uphold the Montana state Constitution as it protects a clean and healthy environment for our and future generations. Debo will also ensure Montana women have a right to make their own health care decisions.  

During her years volunteering with community groups and as a school administrator, Debo has honed a top notch set of skills to enable her to work effectively with diverse groups of people. We need to send Debo to Helena where her energy, willingness to study and listen to all sides will help ensure Montana remains the last best place we all love.  

Vote Debo Powers for House District 3.

— Rachel Potter, Columbia Falls

Busse will fix property taxes

Although I am grateful to Gov. Greg Gianforte for the property tax rebate checks, these don’t do much to offset a permanent 62% increase in our property tax. The governor’s rebates won’t even cover these two years of increased tax. 

Residential property taxes increased by an average of 21% statewide, although counties in western Montana increase significantly more. In contrast, commercial property tax increased by less or even decreased.  NorthWestern Energy, the state’s largest taxpayer, paid about $36 million less for 2023 taxes than they paid in 2022.  

Gianforte gave himself tax breaks while increasing taxes on his neighbors and the rest of us homeowners living a more modest lifestyle. 

I will be voting for Ryan Busse because he will lead the Legislature to adjust the property tax rate. Busse supports the wealthy and corporations paying their fair share. Gianforte looks out for his billionaire and millionaire friends to ease their tax burden.

— Hillery Daily, Darby