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Plutocrats just for themselves

Yes, being the president is hard work, but for plutocrats there are profitably fun times, too. For instance, you are able to submit to your friends in the Congress a tax plan that would be nicely helpful to yourself.

Economist Dean Baker explains that the president’s proposal to limit the alternative minimum tax and cut taxes on income received through pass-through corporations “could net him hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade.” So it is not surprising that a plutocrat in far-off Montana would buy nasty TV ads to get himself in on the fun. Somebody forgot to tell Mr. I’m Not Like That that actions speak louder and more accurately than words. Maybe somebody told him, but he didn’t listen.

The governing of the people by the plutocrats and for the plutocrats continues. —Robert O’Neil, Kalispell

Trump is a liar

For 68 years, Russia has tried in every way to dismantle NATO so it can threaten Europe with impunity. In one week, Donald Trump gave them everything they wanted by telling our allies they cannot depend on us to help protect them.

Was this the secret deal between Trump and Putin before the election? Help me by hacking Hillary and I will give you Europe?

In my book, Trump is a liar, a crook and a traitor. As an Army veteran, I say that it was a vulgar disgrace and dishonor for Trump to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after betraying to our enemies the sacrifices of an entire generation of Americans. —Michael Merchant, Kalispell

Can we be civil?

On Tuesday, June 27, I attended the “Peaceful Rally” in Whitefish in support of the Nation’s National Monuments, specifically for the protection of the Upper Missouri Breaks.

I signed in and filled out a card, which I was told would then be delivered to Secretary of the Interior Zinke letting him know that the Upper Missouri Breaks should continued to be protected.

Moving off to the sideline I noticed some homemade cardboard signs accusing Secretary Zinke of being a LIAR and of not representing the state of Montana — pretty harsh judgments of a man who has only been in his job for three months. Shouldn’t we remember that his position does include all of the United States, not just Montana?

Each of the speakers addressing the participants of this peaceful rally proceeded to trash Secretary Zinke and the current administration.

I was shocked at the rude, vitriolic, divisive talk. This is a Peaceful Rally?

I expected a firm stand and I expected civility — one does not exclude the other. —Elsa Putzier, Bigfork

Tram to the Sun?

I have an idea for Glacier National Park. That is to put a tram in the park from West Glacier to the summit. With this installed we could open the park up a month earlier to tram visitors and keep it open a month later. By doing this it would cut down on the vehicle traffic, increase tourism for not only the park but be a boon for the local economy. I feel that the public would be a big supporter as it would be a reduction of vehicle traffic on Going-to-the-Sun Road. I also believe this would reduce the accidents along with air pollution from the vehicles on the road as when you are driving up there, 100 percent of your attention has be on driving and not really able to enjoy the beauty the park has to offer. —Osborne “O.T.” Green Jr., Somers

Museum thanks contributors

I would like to thank the Kootenai River Development Council, Big Sky Development Trust Fund, and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in Missoula, for providing grant funding to complete a Strategic Plan for Libby’s Shay Locomotive No. 4 “Operating History” Exhibit. Chere Jiusto of the Montana Preservation Alliance in Helena completed the Strategic Plan for the Heritage Museum.

The museum is now poised to proceed with their vision to create an “operating steam locomotive” as an exciting way to interpret the railroading and logging history of Libby. The strategic plan includes three phases: Phase 1 — Planning and Capacity Building (2017); Phase 2 — Static Exhibit (2017-18); Phase 3 — Operating Loop Exhibit (2018-20). Each phase contains recommended goals, benchmarks, oversight, time frames, and funding.

The museum volunteers goal is that “in five years, the Heritage Museum will be an anchor that offers educational and fun activities for families and individuals coming to south Lincoln County.”

Work to re-assemble the rebuilt locomotive has resumed in the Shay Shed on the museum grounds. Unique opportunities await volunteers who join the 100-plus volunteers at the Heritage Museum. You can become part of this exciting project by calling the museum at (406) 293-7521; emailing heritagemuseum@frontier.com; or visiting our website at libbyheritagemuseum.org. —Charley McFarland, Libby, president of Heritage Museum Board of Directors

Keep funding for service

President Trump and Congress are attempting to address excessive federal government spending, an appropriate and necessary endeavor. However, the president’s proposed budget eliminates some programs that provide vital services; these cuts will actually cost taxpayers money in the end.

Specifically, the president’s 2018 budget would eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency administering national service programs including AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. Elimination of CNCS would have no real impact on overall federal spending; total funding for CNCS is just 0.029 percent of the current budget — a fraction of a percent.

National service programs help Americans, ranging in age from middle schoolers to the elderly, serve their country in many ways. The rewards are tangible — economists have demonstrated that every dollar invested in national service generates almost four dollars in returns for society in terms of higher earnings, increased output, and other community-wide benefits.

AmeriCorps has enjoyed strong bipartisan support for decades. Earlier this month, Haley Barbour (former governor of Mississippi) urged his Republican colleagues not to gut the national service programs that are “crucial” in responding to natural disasters.

Here in Montana, AmeriCorps-funded Montana Conservation Corps delivers over 400,000 hours of service each year to our communities. The corps helps maintain trails, parks and campgrounds, and to restore historic sites. AmeriCorps members in the Conservation Corps commit to working one or two years in exchange for modest help with living expenses, health insurance, and tuition.

You can frequently see their crews in the Flathead. Summer work crews typically consist of six young participants assigned to two leaders (usually AmeriCorps volunteers). Crews and their leaders work on public (national, state, city, county) lands. The youth participants, from diverse backgrounds, learn the value of hard work and service.

Please join me in urging Sens. Daines and Tester to reject the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service and support AmeriCorps. —Carol Bibler, Kalispell

See ‘Mamma Mia’

If you can get tickets to “Mamma Mia” at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, do so quickly. This fabulous production is one of the best the Playhouse has ever done and will likely sell out for the season in a week or two. You know all the great songs, and your already-supercharged engine will positively red-line with the special jet fuel finale. —Andy Palchak, Kalispell