Letters to the editor April 1

Liberal judges

It is just time to recognize reality — and the reality is simply, our courts are already partisan, and it is time to recognize that fact by having them run on a partisan basis. They lean from liberal to far left, that is so obvious. In addition, they have no hesitation when it comes to inserting themselves into the legislative process and by so doing they have made themselves virtual dictators of our governing process.  

When a virtual unknown woman judge in Missoula can, by herself, override the collective will of all of Montana relative to the definition of male/female, it is a step too far. That is for the people to decide. Our state’s constitution has too many subjective terms like “privacy” in it which allows judges like this liberal woman to impose her political (and maybe physical) prejudices on the collective will of the citizens of Montana 

What is so galling is our Supreme Court judges are hand-picked to run by the Trial Attorneys Association whose liberal leanings and desire for political control knows no bounds. In addition, this group, ignoring the obvious conflict of interest, then contributes millions of dollars, on a partisan basis, to their minion’s campaign. If that isn’t corruption it is downright close to it. Such blatant one-sided support has produced judges who refuse to relent to the majority will of our state if it at all opposes their liberal bias.   

In fact, our judges have become our dictators who stamp, with impunity, their opinions on all Montanans, no matter what we think or who we vote for. Remember, it is not the Legislature that is trying to make the elections of our judges partisan, it is our judges themselves who have made it so.  

With such obvious partisanship, people are demanding more information about the political leanings of our judges running for election. And they deserve to have it. After all, with the power our courts have usurped, the elections of judges are now more important than the election of our governor. Obviously, such a situation is not desirable but, unfortunately, that is the reality we live in today.     

— Mark Agather, Kalispell

No longer feels welcomed

First and foremost, I am Canadian. I have owned my small cabin just outside of Whitefish since 1988. At the time we built it, I would definitely describe it as modest. 

I have heavily supported the local economy, happily paid my taxes and loved almost every minute I’ve spent here for nearly four decades, generally three to five months a year. I am selling my place this year. Why? A combination of reasons, some personal, some political. 

Truthfully, I no longer feel welcome down here. My political views are at odds with the majority of people. The close relationship that a lot of Canadians have had with the Flathead Valley is fast disappearing. Trust, as we all know, is a fragile thing, and America, under President Trump, is now proving itself untrustworthy on almost every level. 

I worry, as a Canadian, that this corrupt administration might decide to nationalize all Canadian owned properties. Or, perhaps, because I was born in Venezuela, though I arrived in Canada at the ripe old age of 18 months, I might be denied entry at the border. Likely being old, white and female will spare me that one. Maybe. 

But the bottom line is that, instead of joy at the thought of driving into Whitefish, I now feel a small sense of dread at the changing attitudes. I am sorry. Not for me, but for all of you. It is the people from places like this beautiful valley that are ultimately going to suffer the most from the vengeful, hurtful government you foolishly elected. Hate never creates anything good.

— Monica Martin, Whitefish