Letters to the editor Sept. 9

Rising prices

In a recent op-ed (Raising the minimum wage won’t fix Montana’s economic problems), Trevor Walter works hard to uphold Republican talking points. He denies prices are rising, deflecting instead to out-of-control government growth and spending. 

I wonder, when was the last time he shopped for the family’s groceries, or any consumer product, for that matter? Our costs have certainly risen. Also, when endorsing the gutting of government regulation, has he considered Montana’s current regulatory messes that are promising ever higher power bills, thanks to Northwestern Energy’s latest merger?

Walter’s most jaded remarks seem pointed toward programs meant to assist needy citizens, while hiding behind that old “waste, fraud and abuse” mantra the conservatives seem to love. How many Medicaid files has Mr. Walter actually examined to determine an applicant’s true eligibility? Probably none, since that is fairly private info.

 So where is the fraud and abuse occurring — within the government offices handling the paperwork? If so, find it and fix it, but don’t trash a valuable program that serves the most needy among us, many whom are actually working. How many applicants has Mr. Walter sat beside, helping them to fill out paperwork and assemble documents to enroll in Medicaid? If you have never had this privilege, understand that it is invasive and daunting. The people I have seen are desperate and downtrodden, not lazy and conniving.

 If I had control of where my taxes are used, it would always include assisting others, rather than supporting billionaires who already have ample resources. We need candidates who actively listen to their constituents, rather than hide behind their party’s slogans. Our last legislative group spent so much time restricting personal freedoms and designating bathroom usage, they were left with little time to fund schools and restructure property tax. We obviously need something different, for our state and our nation.

— Joan Gates, Kalispell

Conservative views

Once again, letter writer Al Weed (An existential threat) attacks my conservative views with distortions and half-truths.  

I did not advise “all liberals to remove themselves” from my country to Guatemala. Rather I suggested that those who hate this country should go back to their home countries where they feel a greater pride and loyalty. And Al, feel free to join them.

I don’t remember you writing about Twitter banning conservatives including President Trump or banks being forced by former President Biden’s government to debank conservative groups and businesses. I must have missed your letter about that free speech.

As for our president’s “lawless” behavior, what is more lawless: closing the border or allowing 10 to 20 million mostly unvetted illegal immigrants to enter (including gang members, murderers, rapists and traffickers); releasing 4,300 criminals by autopen (I’m sure Biden reviewed them all) including 37 of 40 federal death row inmates (some child murderers and mass murderers) or sending illegals back to their home countries; forcing colleges to prosecute antisemites blocking Jewish students from attending classes or illegally forgiving millions of student loans?

You also may have jumped the gun on the president’s convicted felon nonsense. A liberal New York appellate court has already thrown out the ludicrous monetary judgment of half a billion dollars as his persectuor James herself is under investigation for mortgage fraud. Now that is justice. The Supreme Court is likely to dismiss the felony conviction also.

Finally, Mr. Weed, I don’t usually demand my proper prefix, but in your case I will make an exception. I have written on many medical topics so I am quite sure you know I am a retired physician.  Calling me “Mr. Myerowitz” may give you satisfaction, but it just demonstrates your ignorance, not that you could possibly appreciate the effort expended to attain that title.

— David Myerowitz, Kalispell