Letters to the editor March 9
Public lands
On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, the abrupt termination of thousands of federal staff who care for our public lands was initiated by President Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE. Without warning, thousands of workers in the department of the Interior and department of Agriculture were fired, without cause, under the false pretense of poor performance.
Unbelievably, the following Thursday, Feb. 20, Montana’s Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy cast votes opposing recent Senate budget resolution amendments that would have reinstated federal workers abruptly fired from the public lands workforce (S.Con.Res. 7; Amdt. 540), protected wild land firefighters jobs (S. Con.Res.7;S. Amdt. 316), and prevented the selloff of public lands (S.Con.Res.7; S.Amdt.1127).
It remains to be seen how the unconstitutional firing of thousands of federal employees will affect public land users. It is likely that access will be reduced or possibly prohibited; facilities such as restrooms no longer maintained and even search and rescue operations curtailed.
Daines and Sheehy, in casting these opposing votes, violated the trust of the majority of Montanans who assume that our elected officials will protect our beloved public lands. With their votes, they are saying that we can expect a reduction in resources to fight wildland fire; as a result the public will face an increased threat to our private property as well as the associated escalation in insurance rates. In addition, our senators, as demonstrated by their recent votes, apparently have joined with other Republicans who wish to sell our public lands to private interests.
Daines’ and Sheehy’s votes show their lack of commitment to preserving public lands. Let them know how their desertion of their federal mandate to protect public lands will adversely affect Montanans.
— Suzanne Hildner, Whitefish
Tone deaf Democrats
Democratic behavior at President Trump’s speech to Congress brought a pattern of misconduct over the past 15 years (both Republican and Democrat) to a new level of pettiness.
Continual shouting and sign waving followed the expulsion of a 74-year-old congressman (already calling for another Trump impeachment) who refused to be quiet, sit down and stop waving his silver-handled cane.
Democrats remained seated when the president introduced a 15-year-old boy recovered from brain cancer, a young man accepted into a military academy and the families of victims of illegal immigrant murders. This misbehavior by a party already in disarray reinforces their record-low 21% approval as opposed to Republicans’ record-high 40% in a recent Quinnipiac pole.
Among many victories claimed by the president was a letter received that evening from Ukrainian President Zelensky apologizing for his behavior in the Oval Office and declaring he was ready to sign the minerals deal and proceed with a cease fire and peace deal.
Democrat senators’ alleged attempts to blow up the deal shortly before Zelensky entered the Oval Office clearly failed after Trump announced he would pause military support to Ukraine. Within 48 hours, Zelensky recanted, demonstrating Trump leadership through strength “trumps” former President Biden’s stance of deference and weakness.
Every move that most Americans support and Republicans applauded, including eliminating waste and fraud, trimming the federal workforce especially the 90% still working from home, deporting illegal immigrants, eliminating DEI and CRT, defining two sexes — male and female — and getting transgenders out of women’s bathrooms, locker rooms and sports saw Democrats sitting on their hands.
Liberal Democrats learned nothing from their loss and are tone deaf to most Americans. Will they wander the biblical desert for the next 40 years banished from power? Time will tell. I hope so.
— David Myerowitz, Columbia Falls