The Democrats must be laughing hysterically! And they should be after reading Ed Berry’s epistle in Sunday’s paper. They are laughing because it is obvious Ed has fallen for the far left rhetoric fanning dissension inside of the Republican Party, which allows liberals to hide their failed policies within our state and our nation as well.

Take for instance the inept policies of our state’s federal manager, Steve Bullock, whom we euphemistically call Governor. After two years under his leadership (and eight years of his predecessor) his advertisement for Montana reads: Come to Montana: 49th in wage base and first in suicide rate (any correlation here?). While we drown in smoke, our governor kowtows to some nameless bureaucrat who “forces” our manager to ground our helicopters because of some innocuous rule; the governor who is silently supporting the continued destruction of our natural resource-based jobs to ensure we stay 49th in wage base in our country; who sits idly by while the EPA continues to steamroll forward to take over control of our state’s water; and who refuses to lead to take care of the deficit in our state government pension plans which will show up quickly in the next economic downturn. 

This doesn’t take into account the votes of Sen. Tester who clicks his heels and gives a salute as he supports the far left policies of the tyrant in the White House 99 percent of the time. And Ed goes after fellow Republicans?

Ed has also fallen for the far left’s rhetoric concerning the Indian water compact. Yes, it takes 200 hours to try to understand that pile of jargon — that is just one of the things wrong with it. The compact is only acceptable if you fall for the false assumptions behind it: the Treaty of 1855 gave Indians water rights (it didn’t); federal judges have the power to rewrite the treaty (they don’t); giving away our water is constitutional (it is not); it is fair for people living inside reservation boundaries (it’s not); and it will promote cooperation and peace in our state in the future (it won’t). Ed is apparently easily swayed by the far left’s jargon.

 It appears Ed has fallen for another of the left’s propaganda schemes as he singles out “evangelicals” as the base of the conservative movement. His letter makes you think all conservatives are of that persuasion. That is far from the truth. Conservatives are very diverse and not all are church members. By singling out “evangelicals” Ed has taken a backhand swipe at all Christians. 

I would like to remind Ed that when de Tocqueville came to the United States, he didn’t find the soul of America until he went to its churches. Here he found out why people in America were good and consequently why America was great. However, like he said, when America’s people are no longer good, America will longer be great. Sadly, it appears this prediction is coming true. Churches and God are what formed the backbone of this country and still do. 

But to criticize Keith Regier? Keith is one of the finest gentlemen ever to be elected to the Legislature. He is thoughtful, intelligent, dedicated, truthful and straightforward. In addition he represents the opinions of his constituency extremely well. To criticize him only shows how well the rhetoric of the left works.

Finally, Ed has fallen for the notion that conservatives only make up 20 percent of the Republican Party base. That’s ridiculous. It is a much bigger percentage than that, not only here in Montana but nationally as well. In addition, conservative ranks are swelling and will continue to grow not only here in Montana but in the United States in general. 

Conservatives realize the direction of our state and our country must change. In that regard it is not just about winning elections; it is about promoting policies that fundamental change the route of our state and country. But certainly, it is not about practical submission to the left to win elections as Ed and his compatriots advocate for. In addition conservatives don’t fall for the false impressions created by liberal rhetoric.

Yes, I am certain Democrats are gleeful as their rhetoric continues to fool people and flame the fires of discontent inside of Republican ranks while allowing them to hide their failed policies. And yes, they are laughing as they read Ed’s letter. The majority of the rest of us are just shaking our heads in disgust.

Agather is a resident of Kalispell.