Last week's Question of the Week asked whether readers approved of the Republicans' budget strategy in the Montana House. A majority did not.

Among 557 responses to this unscientific poll, 357 disliked the strategy, while 200 approved of it.

Some readers' comments:

n As a former Republican, I am of the opinion that our Republican legislators have acted, and continue to act, like a bunch of blind, dogmatic, unreasoning jerks. The budget fiasco is just another example. That is why in the last election I held my nose and voted a straight Democrat ticket.

n Political posturing using Montana's most vulnerable people as pawns? Shame on whoever thought this up.

n Sure, why not? Haven't the Democrats done the same thing when the roles were reversed?

n Would someone remind Reps. Sales, Lange and Sinrud that the governor of Montana is Brian Schweitzer and not Rep. Rick Jore. And, if eight budget bills are better than one "House Bill 2" budget bill, why didn't Rep. Lange share this discovery with Montana voters and legislators last fall?

n It's not whether there is one budget bill or six but the arrogant manner in which the Republican leadership ignored the public comment, the bipartisan subcommittee recommendations and the developed a new budget in complete secrecy. The worse of the Tom Delay tactics that cost the national Republicans the last election.

n I understand the consternation felt by the left that all the little perks hidden in Gov. Schweitzer's monolithic budget will be exposed. I understand that they fear the loss of millions of dollars of increases to their budgets. However, it is the left at a federal level that is screaming for openness in all things, why should we expect less of a liberal administration on a state level?

n It has wasted a ton of time that we hope could have been spent on more productive efforts. With their committee majorities, House majority plus Mr. Jore, couldn't they have passed HB2 any way they wanted it and got to conference with the Senate?

n You cannot find good government or democracy in a Bozeman basement. We're paying a high price for term limits. We can thank four voters in Laurel for this nightmare.