Reading the Daily Inter Lake’s Opinion page lately is like reading the comics and yet very frightening.

The Republicans are bashing each other and announcing, “I’m a better Republican because I’m more conservative than you, and I despise the president more than you; therefore I’m the best choice or I’ll repeal Obamacare.” They are the epitome of what gained politicians the lowest approval rating in the history of our nation. The failure to be civil and work together on solutions to the multitude of serious problems we face today is reprehensible.

Sadly, we have not yet seen the worst of the berating, lying and name-calling. The primaries will end and the general election campaigns will begin with more of the same and worse. Their venom and hatred will be turned on the Democrats and anyone else who disagrees with them. They seem to subscribe to the old adage that “if I make him or her look bad I’ll look good.”

I hope we are all capable of seeing through that attempt. One of the worst offenders is Rep. Steve Daines, current member of the U.S. House, which has the lowest approval rating and accomplishments in the history of our nation.

I ask the question, is it possible in this day and age to elect an honorable, civil candidate in the image of Mike Mansfield? —Jerry Reckin, Kalispell

Beware of Daines

This is written with the intent to be non-supportive, indeed, cautionary about Steve Daines.

Steve Daines has every, every, every image and appearance of a Sarah Palin-styled political figure. Shallow, going for the glamour without the appropriate experience and biographical background, he even followed her by quitting out of his first elective office to reach for the bright lights of higher position without spending more time in an establishment of bona fide purpose and learning.

If elected, he will be near the rock-bottom junior senator of the Senate and his big inexperienced smile will not be the winning difference. He has already gotten the process backwards as the out-of-state money told him to start with the mudslinging rather than establish and ease into the act.

“Keeping Montana green with out-of-state money” was meant for tourism, not politics!

He appears to be the classical opportunist: All show and no real intelligence of thought.

Daniel Revell, Kalispell