Vote for congressman on May 25
Why didn’t the Democrats know about Quist’s record?
Rob Quist must have been questioned at length about his past financial history by Brian Schweitzer, Steve Bullock and the Democratic power brokers before being selected over a more qualified candidate.
Week after week new revelations have surfaced about Rob Quist and his personal responsibilities. According to various reports, he has 16 years of financial problems brought on by his failure to have health insurance, he failed to report 28 musical tours to the government, he failed to report rental properties and he failed to report $57,000 in additional income. (By the way the median income in Montana in 2015 was $49,509). As recent as the 2016 tax return, he has revised it at least once and we are only a month beyond the April 15 filing deadline.
Three huge questions come to mind: Did Rob Quist lie to his Democratic Party leaders? Did the Democratic leaders select him in spite of his past failures? When and what will the next revelations be?
This election is far too important to send someone to Washington who can’t or won’t balance his own checkbook, let alone the inability of not being a man of his word. —Larry Ashcraft, Polson
Quist is the creative choice
Just after Trump was nominated as the Republican candidate for president I ran into an acquaintance who expressed his excitement about the prospects of the Trump presidency. He touted the fact that we would have a president who signed the front of paychecks rather than the back — in other words, a businessman. To him this made him uniquely qualified to hold the highest office in the land.
While I admit that business experience lends a perspective, I question its prominence as a qualifier. Before retirement I was in business for 39 years. In the course of my career I signed hundreds of paychecks on the front. Little of my experience would, in itself, qualify me for public office.
Business is a selfish pursuit. We do it for profit and, with luck, some measure of fortune. Public service, on the other hand, is (or should be) the pursuit of welfare for the public. These goals are not the same and stand in conflict.
We have now experienced 100 plus days of the businessman administration and the results are not good. In fact at some level it appears that the public office is being used for selfish purposes and profit at the expense of the public good.
At the state level we have a similar contest unfolding. Rob Quist and Greg Gianforte represent differing world views. Mr. Gianforte stresses his business background while Mr. Quist offers his experience and empathy.
In commercials it is alleged that Rob Quist is merely a poet and musician and, as such, shouldn’t be considered for the office and lacks the skills needed. I take issue with this. The artist (not unlike the entrepreneur) is a master problem solver. Faced with a blank sheet of paper, a writer or musician must find the right words or note to produce a product worthy of the effort. Doing this over a lifetime is a triumph. Mr. Quist has demonstrated a commitment to hard work and discipline and his empathy displays his concern for the good of us all.
I urge you, my fellow voter, to remember that Rob Quist has been a Montanan all his life. His love and devotion to this state and its people is reflected in his words and music. I can think of no greater qualifier. —Robert Harris, Whitefish
The rest of the Quist story?
Brent Scher of the Washington Free Beacon revealed that legal records show that a medical malpractice lawsuit filed over 20 years ago by Rob Quist uncovered an alleged history of pre-existing conditions such as genital herpes, possible previous tuberculosis, drugs and a thyroid issue. The lawsuit was over a possible botched gall-bladder operation. The surgeon denied all allegations. The case was dismissed, but it has not been revealed whether there was monetary compensation to Quist. Both sides paid their own legal fees.
It is evident that the timing of the unpaid property taxes and string of unpaid debts do not match with the 1992 gall-bladder operation. The preexisting conditions and lifestyle could very well result in the loss of energy and depression Quist was experiencing. To read the article, search: Washington Free Beacon Quist. —Verdell Jackson, Kalispell
Quist threatens free speech under First Amendment
On March 20, candidate Rob Quist committed to repealing the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. He pledged to do this in a candidate questionnaire he submitted to EndCitizensUnited.org.
If Quist succeeds, our right to join with the NRA, NARAL, Montanans for Life, the Swan View Coalition or other unpopular causes to affect the laws that govern us will no longer be protected under the U.S. Constitution.
According to the questionnaire, Quist supports the DISCLOSE Act (H.R. 1134). This act is opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union because it:
1. “Fails to preserve the anonymity of small donors, thereby especially chilling the expression rights of those who support controversial causes.”
2. “Would chill not only express advocacy on political candidates, but also issue advocacy.”
3. “Imposes impractical requirements on those who wish to communicate using broadcast messages.”
4. “Imposes unjust restrictions on contractors, TARP participants and corporations with minimal foreign participation.”
Quist also supports a $25 My Voice Tax Credit voucher which would be created under the Government by the People Act. The scheme calls for the government to give each voter a voucher to give to their candidate(s) of choice. Then the government would supplement the candidate who receives these vouchers by at least 6 to 1.
So Quist the musician could throw a concert to support his election and accept these vouchers for the entrance fee. If 1,000 people showed up, he would receive $150,000 of government money.
In addition, Quist also pledges to take steps to prevent your pastor from telling you which candidate is most likely to use your tax dollars to feed the poor or kill the unborn.
There are two candidates who do not want to repeal the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. I recommend you vote for either of them rather than for Rob Quist. Personally I will vote for Greg Gianforte. —Jerry O’Neil, Columbia Falls
Gianforte wants to help Trump? Then vote for Quist
Let me get this straight ... Greg Gianforte wants us to send him to D.C. so he can help President Trump and “drain the swamp”? Trump has a 38 percent approval rating (and dropping), hands us a new crisis or scandal on a nearly daily basis and now there are calls for his impeachment, and he’s only been in office for four months. Really? Please join me in voting for Rob Quist! —Kip Smith, Kalispell