Letters to the Editor

Budget bills good idea

Although the Republican attempt to break up the budget is politically motivated, it is a good idea. It gives both the Legislature and the people an opportunity to see more accurately how the people's money is being spent. Since when has there been so much talk about fiscal spending as there is now?

If the House could get beyond the party politics, they have before them a more efficient and effective way of dealing with budgetary matters. Just because it has been done a certain way for 30 years doesn't mean it was, necessarily, effective. Does this governor who is so full of "new" ideas have a blockage where the budget is concerned? Is he afraid that his budget couldn't stand up to the light of scrutiny? Are the Democrats as a whole just a bunch of whiners, or are they serious about a "new" way of doing things? Maybe they are just mad that the Republicans beat them to the punch. And, the Republicans could use a more conciliatory and compassionate approach in dealing with this process, both politically and fundamentally.

Arthur Howard

P.O. Box 785

Boulder

'57 reunion

The Helena High School Class of 1957 has planned a fun-filled 50th Class Reunion for July 20-21. We are seeking the addresses of the following classmates so that they may join us for this momentous occasion: Diana Backeberg, Holton "Butch" Bjoin, Charles "Bill" Bogy, Sandy (Byrne) Litton, Dr. Robt Clark, Sally (Clark) Miller, Bob DeGooyer, Shirley (Englund) Miller, Willie (Gough) Rose, John Kuenning, Jane (Mitschke) Forster Don Peden, Gloria (Powers) Jones, Dave Sederlin, JoAnn (Sloan) Fallang, Lynn Stagg, Bob (Joe) Williams, James Williams, Terry Williams, Rose (Winkler) Ramsey and Barb Wooten. If you can possibly aid us in this quest please contact:

Jeanette De Wolf

Jdewolf @aol.com or

Shirley Herrin

montanasherrin @ peoplepc.com

703 Poplar St.

Whine is music to his ears

I love to hear Democrats whine, cry and howl, its music to my ears. It's who they truly are! When they don't get their way, they usually have a tantrum, like spoiled kids.

Our good governor and his party are crying because they only want to increase the budget and spending a paltry 22 percent this legislative session and aren't totally getting their way.

I ask you, working readers, which of you will be able to spend 22 percent more this year and not go bankrupt?

Some of you may have won the lottery and can spend a lot more, but there are only a few out there that can do this. Of course, the governor thinks the state has won the lottery with this current surplus so let's spend it before it gathers mold.

Now, we go to the definition of the Democratic Party. They have been out of power for a while and you may have forgotten, but they are the party of tax and spend by definition and history. They want to spend now and you can bet you will be taxed later. Hopefully, we all won't go bankrupt when the tax increases fall on our sorry heads.

George Schlosser

2018 Livingston

GOP's missteps

It is totally incomprehensible to me why the House Republicans would throw out 30 years of precedent to approach the state budget piecemeal. For 30 years the governors and the public would study the needs of the state and then put together a budget that would meet the needs of the state for the coming two years. It was a logical approach and a reasonable starting point. For these reasons, it was a shock to see the leaders of the House Republicans at the last minute take on an entirely new budget approach, in secret, and to present on a take it or leave it approach to the House.

After reading a Paul Krugman Op-Ed today on such matters, I came to understand their nonsensical actions. Paul stated: "...people whose ideology says that government is always the problem, never the solution, see no point in governing well ..." Right on, Paul. Hopefully the Legislature will overcome the ideological misteps of the House Republican leaders so we can adopt a good state budget ... like HB 2.

Don Marble

P. O. Box 725

Chester

Prisoners of war

Dear Helena Citizens,

I believe the U.S. is filled with kind and generous people. We are blessed with abundance in natural resources, fertile land, talented people. Rather than being fearful or greedy, our abundance allows us to be compassionate.

We need to rise together and show ourselves and the world our capacity to care for one another, not our power to destroy or command. We need to lead the world in using methods, alternative to waging war, to resolve conflict. Great teachers through the ages have said hatred only increases hatred; only love can overcome hatred. Our actions in Afghanistan and Iraq certainly prove the truth of the first clause. Could we give the second truth a try?

If we used the billions of dollars now being spent on war to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, provide medical care to all, and increase literacy, we could indeed make the world a safer place for all of us. As long as we continue to use violence to coerce "peace," we are all POWs -- Prisoners of War.

Sandra S. Murray

909 Breckenridge