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What to expect with four more years of Bullock

Montana, we had an opportunity to elect a governor who is not a career politician, has proven himself at good job creation and has strong conservative values. We need that. Instead, we chose four more years of Steve Bullock and Obama’s failed policies.

Bullock ran a divisive campaign. He demonized Gianforte as an out-of-state millionaire who was trying to buy the election. All the while Greg was financing his own campaign, Bullock was being financed by out-of-state dark money.

Apparently Bullock has serious issues with hard-working successful people, because that’s how most millionaires get where they are. His ads kept telling us that out-of-state celebrities and millionaires are a threat to the recreational opportunities. Much like Obama, he has no merits to run on, so thus the divisive campaign.

The “millionaires,” who Bullock’s campaign demonized, contribute to our state in many ways, ranging from job creation to philanthropy.

Bullock’s 2017 budget proposal includes a tax increase for those making over $500,000 a year. He says, “If you’re making more than $500,000 a year you can afford to pay a little more, and you should.” Wealth redistribution, aka Barack Obama.

Bullock’s accomplishments in four years were dubious at best. At one point he spoke of young children as being future taxpayers, so we need to educate them so they can contribute more to the tax base. He is in favor of Common Core, which is a failure.

He stopped infrastructure projects and blamed it on the conservative Legislature. The state had the money to pay for the projects, but Bullock wanted to borrow to fund them. The Legislature wouldn’t go along with that so he blamed them for things not being done.

Bullock gave away our water rights to the tribe with the help of his herd of rhinos.

He released a convicted murderer because, he said, the guy had been in jail long enough. This man, Barry Beach, gained a following of liberals who wanted him released because he claimed he was innocent. Everyone in prison will tell you they’re innocent!

Since his release from prison, Beach has been in trouble with the law. He propositioned an underage girl, stalked a woman and has been arrested and put in jail. What’s next Steve, sanctuary cities in Montana? Your job is to protect Montanans, not put them at risk!

Bullock is also open to bringing Syrian refugees into Montana. More uneducated people on government subsidies means more Democratic votes, per the liberal progressive agenda.

Bullock’s attack dog, Jonathon Motl, has been going after conservative politicians since he was appointed commissioner of political practices. Finally one conservative legislator fought back with a lawsuit against Motl.

So this is what we can expect for the next four years. —Richard Hembd, Columbia Falls

?Tester should vote to confirm DeVos?

The promise to make America great again starts with improving education. Betsy DeVos, the nominee to be the next education secretary, has spent nearly 30 years fighting against special interests. Sen. Jon Tester must vote to confirm her so she can bring that experience to Washington to fight for all of the children in our country.

As head of the American Federation for Children, DeVos embodies the organization’s motto that “an investment in their work is an investment in our children’s future.” She has championed parental choice, charter schools and vouchers. In fact, she and her husband founded a charter school in Michigan that consistently performs among the top schools in that state.

DeVos is absolutely qualified to be education secretary, and you need look no further to the hysterical fits special interest groups are pitching to know that she will be a force for reform in education. I strongly encourage Sen. Tester to vote in favor of her confirmation. —Lori Hamm, ?East ?Helena

Religious right needs to keep hands off government

I grimace at the activation of the anti-Planned Parenthood and anti-abortion movement following the election. This is fueled by a patriarchal and misogynist religious fundamentalism. There is nothing new in criminalizing birth control and abortion. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was jailed as violating the law of her time. A hundred years later intimidation, violence and the invasion of medical privacy are still justified by some of the religious right. We have seen this acted out in our own community.

I am amazed by talk about a “war on Christianity.” There isn’t a war on Christianity. Pray all you like, go to any church you want. Don’t use birth control if you don’t want to. Feel free to not have an abortion.

You must not understand the American value of separation of church and state. Are you frightened by those of us who have different beliefs than you? Because I certainly feel like you are waging a war against MY beliefs.

I do not believe that life begins at fertilization. I do not believe that birth control is an “affront to God’s creation.” I do not care if birth control means people might have sex outside of a marriage. And many religious people believe like I do. Roe v. Wade was a fine compromise of competing values.

I am done being silent and polite about the religious right. Keep religious laws and interference out of the reproductive choices of women. My tax dollars pay for a lot of things I disagree with. Withhold your tax dollars in civil disobedience if you feel so moved. Don’t withhold tax support for medical care according to YOUR beliefs. I vote for the freedom to use birth control and to have an abortion. —M. Jennifer Allen, Kalispell