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Gianforte is a real Montanan, too

When did it become OK to “dis” a person who, as a young man, started with nothing and went on to create multi-million dollar technology businesses that eventually have employed hundreds in our state?

Greg Gianforte did just that and is being lambasted by those on the left for being a hot-shot millionaire from New Jersey. Let it go! He’s lived in Montana for 20-plus years and raised his family in Montana. He’s vested, people! He and the Gianforte Family Foundation have created the Gianforte Manufacturing Scholarships which assist veterans and low-income students who are seeking training in manufacturing or industrial arenas. Lake County recently received a grant for $50,000 to beef up our drug courts and that’s something from which everyone benefits.

These are only two of the many opportunities Greg has afforded people in Montana. I, too, was born in New Jersey, have lived in Montana 35 years and, guess what? I’m a Montanan, I raised my kids here, I’m registered to vote here, I pay taxes here, and I approve of Greg Gianforte. —Dorothy Ashcraft, Polson

Quist will put people first

Have you ever wondered how many political decisions are made by men and women who are motivated by their own personal agenda rather than their desire to do the right thing for society? How many of our governmental leaders are driven by greed, party, or power rather than patriotism? Or, what is best for the entire country or the people they represent? It is these questions that I constantly ask myself when looking at the decisions that many politicians make. It is this question that has prompted me to endorse a man I believe will choose the priorities of people and nation over personal greed and aggrandizement. This man is Mr. Rob Quist.

Without casting aspersions upon his political opponent in our special election, let me say a few things worth considering. Rob Quist is born and raised in the Big Sky. He was educated and guided by a family who believed in public education. Consequently, he opposes any attempts to divert public money to private schools. A young man who was raised with the kind of family values that is emphasized in the majority of rural Montana homes. He was taught that nothing important is accomplished without hard work and commitment. And, people should be judged not by who they are, or what they look like, but by their actions.

As a country boy living on a ranch, he has been a lifelong outdoorsman who values the right of responsible gun ownership and access to public lands to hunt, fish and hike. Ergo, he is opposed to the transfer of public lands to private ownership. He opposes any attempts to diminish or destroy our social safety net such as Social Security and Medicare because he knows how many rural Montanans struggle all their lives. They’ve earned and deserve what our country and state owes them for their hard work.

Rob Quist is motivated by his desire to serve others, not himself. His personal priorities of people and nation over personal aggrandizement are the main reasons why this man should be supported. —David R. James, Eureka

Quist out of step

I am an independent voter, and the upcoming congressional election is an easy choice for me. Greg Gianforte may not be perfect, but he knows how to create jobs and has actually done so. He understands business and how the economy works. He wants a limited federal government, he will follow the U.S. Constitution, and I feel he has Montana’s best interest in mind. You don’t have to be born in Montana to love it. Like me, I feel Greg loves his adopted state. He also wants to make it more prosperous by creating good jobs and keeping us free from federal government control.

Rob Quist says he voted for Bernie Sanders, who is not a Democrat, Republican or an independent. Sanders is an admitted SOCIALIST! Does everyone understand what big government socialism actually is? Rob also believes in a single-payer health-care system. That is just one example of big government socialism. It takes away our freedom of choice.

I don’t know of any big federal government program that runs efficiently, economically and is in the best interest of the American people. Why would I want the federal government to control my health care or anything else? I DON’T! I am NOT a socialist. I am voting for Greg Gianforte. —Dave French, Eureka

Quist can speak for Montanans

There is always concern when one candidate is able to get better funding than his opponent, as we equate more ads as the key to winning an election. But, WHY is this necessarily so? Are we so simple-minded that we will vote for whoever’s name we hear most often? Are we incapable of deciding for ourselves the qualifications a candidate brings to the job, unless some nameless face repeats his name endlessly into our ears? Anyone intelligent enough to decide whom he will support in an election should be judging the skills and values the candidate has to offer.

In our upcoming special election, our choices are a Montanan, born and raised here, who values our public lands that offer all of us the privilege of enjoying our natural world freely. OR, an out-of-state millionaire, who I believe will sell off our public lands to the highest bidder, so we will encounter PRIVATE KEEP OUT signs when we head out to our favorite remote camping/hiking spot.

Which of these men can more accurately speak for the people of Montana? A Montanan or an Easterner who does not understand the values of the people of Montana? —Frances Wade, Bigfork

Gianforte has proven record

We have a job opening for the person best qualified to represent Montana in the hugely important position of U.S. congressman. As such he must speak for all Americans, not just Montanans. The applicant must have insight into state and national issues as well as international.

This election is of particular importance with our congressional seat essential to retaining a Republican Party advantage. Therefore our candidate’s priority must be far above that of personal aspirations or financial gain. This is not simply a “popularity contest.” We seek competency, knowledge, values and dedication for the huge responsibilities of this key office.

Montana’s average wage is at the bottom. Rob Quist’s ability to manage a business or money is lacking. We have major financial problems in Congress such as costly social issues with health care, education, handicapped and elderly, crime and drug afflictions to name a few. Quist just might be more interested in his own financial betterment as opposed to the higher objective of serving our country for the betterment of all citizens. We need a congressman with aptitudes and experience in business and industry, applying our free-enterprise system while being dedicated to improving our general productivity and self-sufficiency as opposed to our increasing dependency upon federal assistance grants and programs.

Greg Gianforte has a proven track record of being a highly successful business man bringing modern technology, opportunity, wealth and jobs to Montana. His objectives are to further help people better their lives and increase economic security. He recognizes the need to change policies in Washington, D.C., especially that of rogue agencies over-reaching their authority, bypassing Congress and inflicting intrusive rules and regulations. We need to restore our resource industries of timber, mining and energy destroyed by unwarranted rules and restrictions. Our abundant water supply must be available for agriculture. It is the private sector with profitable production (not government) that provides for education, health care, roads and other services. It even finances our government, but over-dependency on that ultimately leads to socialistic Third World status. Greg Gianforte is applying for the job of making government more efficient and citizen-friendly. Let’s hire Greg Gianforte, promoting him from successful businessman to U.S. congressman where he can help lead our country back to prosperity and security. —Clarice Ryan, Bigfork