It is no surprise that Ryan Zinke has raised more money than other candidates. Republican candidates for national office who promote relentless wars find financial support. Similarly, Republican warfare state “conservatives” dominate Fox News commentators and are the only “conservative” professors able to get a foothold on college campuses.

Supporters of the warfare state dominate the “conservative” think tanks and philanthropic organizations. Is this phenomenon based on our blood lust and fears? Or are our fears and blood lust being inculcated for an agenda?

There is no evidence that the world or the U.S. are safer because of perpetual wars. Who benefits from war? 1) Corporations that produce war technology. 2) Pillagers of the vanquished nation’s resources. 3) politicians bought by the military-industrial complex who can divert attention from their misbehavior by the media focusing on wars. And 4) The international bankers who reap huge dividends by supporting both sides of wars. For example, it is known that U.S. bankers promoted Hitler’s rise to power and the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, then the U.S. citizenry shed its blood and spent its dollars fighting these regimes.

If Montanans understand for what wars are truly fought, they will not vote for warfare candidates like Mr. ZInke. In short form, the information is available in highly decorated Marine Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler’s book, “War is a Racket,” on YouTube via Mike Rivero’s “All Wars are Bankers Wars” and Bill Still’s “Money Masters.”

Bukacek is a resident of Bigfork