In My View
Mike Jopek
Mike Mansfield was a man of honor,
faith and tremendous courage
Boy, oh boy, the realities of politics in Helena are much different than the illusions of the campaign. The first month (is) gone and politics becomes more and more a game up here in the capital. It seems like egos clash and the interest of the families back home take a back seat to who wins and which party gets the credit.
There are good hearts to find among the 100 representatives. Good people need to stand up to represent their community, not play games on the taxpayers' dime. This is a difficult task for party retribution can be swift and support may dwindle for your future bills.
Politics should not be about whom gets credit for the idea, but rather that good ideas find the floor of debate. Good ideas should be forwarded onward for further debate, not stymied because of fear on which party brought the concept to the table.
Our families, small businesses and retirees deserve for us to find common ground on ideas. Most politicians talk a good game but that rhetoric often turns into empty promises. Courage is the ingredient that most politicians are missing from their stew. Walking across party lines and supporting a good idea takes an enormous amount of courage. It is easy back in your hometown and should be easy in the Capital, but who gets the credit, is the obstacle.
Mike Mansfield was a man of courage. He became an idol in my mind, as he could lead and not worry about credit. Mansfield recognized that true leadership was the ability to allow the people back home to take credit for all his good work. He was a man of honor, faith and tremendous courage. Mike and his wife Maureen stand tall in the halls of the Capital, forever honored for their dedication. I wish his words of wisdom would ring more in the ears of current legislators.
We all have dreams and opinions about issues facing our families, faith and community. Hope is the spice that will allow emotions to not affect our decisions. We must not, and cannot, allow our collective dreams of a better day, be shortchanged by the poison brew of political gamesmanship.
Montana cannot continue to stare blankly at the cross roads of a brighter future. Our children deserve that we do what is right and fair. We need to honor our collective vision and forget and forgive for past political mistakes. Our days are not about gamesmanship but rather making sure that homeowners and renters alike can continue to raise their families in Montana.
These are not easy tasks. Montana becomes three economies. Miles City does not understand the issues of Great Falls, and Great Falls cannot understand the growing pains of the Flathead. Our work honors one Montana. To honor a Montana that respects the vision that both urban and rural families deserve our support. We must the faith to respect a Montana, which recognizes both new comers and natives.
No one promised that leaders and politician would have an easy day. No one predicted that common dreams could easily find common ground. Leaders on the school board, city council or state legislature must strive to forget about weather Republicans or Democrats get the credit and honor the community back home. It is our families who deserve all the credit in the world. Our families instill trust, faith and honor to the next generation.
If we can do any good this session up here in Helena remains to be seen. I have faith we will and one fact remains true. We need more spokespersons willing to stand tall and allow our hearts to lead. I am reminded of a poem given to me by my dear companion in life, that stated the world is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter and it is in these that the spirit blooms. We do right by our community when we have the faith to trust in each other. That trust will transcend political barriers and allow the sunrise to shine on the backs of our families.
Representative Mike Jopek (D-Whitefish).