Zinke's zealotry

Ryan Zinke should curb his tone if he wants to be known as a person who serves the public instead of his own political ends.

Zinke, whose middle name appears to be Formernavyseal, spoke vividly at a recent Republican meeting in Bigfork. Zinke is running to be the GOP candidate for the state’s seat in Congress.

Zinke was in full throat, calling likely Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton “the anti-Christ.” He handed out something that looked like .50-caliber machine gun rounds as souvenirs. He went on a tirade against the federal government.

He said: “Who trusts the U.S. government? No one in this room. I’ve served in 25 nations. I’ve seen where people don’t trust their government. We are there.”

Now, America was built on a healthy mistrust of authority. That’s not new. No one trusts “the government,” which is why the Constitution calls for checks and balances and why open government and an informed citizenry are vital. At the same time, in a democracy the government is the people. At least it should be.

But Zinke compares the U.S. to places where America has intervened militarily, failed states like Afghanistan, Somalia and Bosnia. That’s perilous rhetorical footing, even for someone used to wearing combat boots.

In the Flathead, we trust the federal government every day, even as we disagree with it. Our airport, highways and local national park all depend on a functional federal government.

There is a difference between calling a political opponent wrongheaded and calling her Satan. There are countries built on the idea of calling political opponents the enemies of God. Iran comes to mind.

Zinke seems to not understand the difference between zeal and zealotry. Voters did not reward him for that when he ran for lieutenant governor, and I doubt they will as he runs for Congress.

Ben Long

Kalispell