So, State Rep. John Fuller believes that “The present response to the coronavirus … has traded rational responses for irrational reactions.” (Daily Inter Lake, March 29). I think that most of us would agree that what we consider rational and irrational is greatly influenced by our world view. For some, ideologies and politics, shape what is rational. For others, the flourishing of all beings is their core rationality.

Finding myself aspiring to the latter group, it seems “rational” to me that the ultimate political evil is the elevating of the economy, ideology, or some reckless “need to be free” above the health and lives of human beings.

I am grateful that Gov. Steve Bullock has based his response to the CV-19 threat on the best available medical science.

Our well-being depends on the well-being of everyone else and the well-being of the earth itself. And the flippant remark cited in Rep. Fuller’s editorial that “Every generation has a 100 present mortality rate.” does little to boost my feeling of well-being.

—Bob Muth, Kalispell

On Thursday, March 26, Flathead City-County Health Officer Hillary Hanson ordered the closing of more businesses. She stated, “We have received an influx of feedback from these facilities expressing concern about their risk.”

Hilary’s statement about “an influx” (meaning a large number) of feedback from salons and barber shops expressing “concern about their risk” does not equate to business owners and employees asking to be shut down. Based on the frenzied shopping and regular folks donning masks and gloves—many people are concerned about risk. I would like to see written proof that business owners and their employees have asked to be shut down. I doubt it exists.

An hour prior to Hilary’s order being distributed, I was at a local salon. While there, I spoke with some of the estheticians and stylists. Not once did any of them “express concern” about catching COVID-19. In fact, they said they are used to working in an environment where sick people show up for their services on a regular basis. One lady said, “People call in sick to work, and then come here sick to get a pedicure. It happens all the time.”

What the employees DID express was concern for the cutting back of their hours to accommodate “social distancing” directives prior to March 26. They DID express concern for not being able to make ends meet (paying their mortgage and putting food on the table). They DID express their utter disgust for how over exaggerated this COVID-19 fiasco has become.

At the very end of my visit on the 26th, this particular salon received Hilary’s directive via email. I can assure you that looks on the faces of the employees was NOT one of relief! They were worried for themselves and for their families.

—Julie Baldridge, Kalispell

Holy cow, where do I start. You actually published that garbage on March 30! Mr. Agather is pretty free with other people’s lives, and his willingness to throw the elderly to the wolves is astounding to me. Although, if he were first in line, I might consider it. Actually, if he was first in line I would be all for it, be in line behind him and as soon as he succumbed I would get out of line.

Of course he ignores the fact that it is not just the elderly who are dying, but I guess that fits his idea. The one thing he seems to forget is our moron of a president falls in that category of the folks he is willing to write off. Hmmm, maybe I would be third in line.

I have complained in the past about Agather’s garbage letters, but to no avail. Maybe he has a seat on your editorial board?

Mr. Agather should remember, “better to be thought a fool than write a letter to the editor and prove it.”

And finally, If I owned the Daily Inter Lake the entire editorial staff would be looking for work today. That was the most irresponsible decision an editorial board could have ever made.

Dare you to print this.

—Jay Adams, Libby

[Editor’s Note: The Daily Inter Lake opinion page features letters and columns offering a wide variety of opinions about issues facing our community and nation.]

The governor of Montana has requested Jeff Mow, superintendent of Glacier National Park, to close the park. According to the Daily Inter Lake, Bullock’s letter stated “early season visitation to Glacier National Park is promoting unnecessary travel that both undermines our efforts to reduce exposures and exacerbates risks for all Montanans” and that visitors are “also straining local grocery and other facilities at a time when local officials are attempting to curtail gatherings and meet the need for essential services.”

I am sure it must be necessary to shut down access to Glacier National park because the Governor says so. - But I don’t understand the logic. If I drive to the park at this time of year I don’t expect any park services to be open. I don’t expect to come within 6 feet of anyone. Is Gov. Bullock afraid that I might get out of my car, take a hike on some trail, work up an appetite and that will make me purchase more groceries than if I stayed at home? Or is it that I might leave some germs on the gas dispensing nozzle at the self service gas station?

I visualize the troops, not much older than my grandchildren, leaving the landing craft on D-day, charging into machine gun fire and likely death. They did this to keep our country as the “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.” What does it say when our present society is not brave enough to go hiking in the woods in Glacier National Park? Is it my neighbors who are too scared to go outside — or just Gov. Bullock?

Also according to the Daily Inter Lake, the obituary section shows 19 people died in the last week. I would be surprised to learn that any one of the 19 was in the park within a month of their death. Normally it is not those with compromised health that go hiking in the park.

I am old enough that I might die from the coronavirus. So be it! I would much sooner be seen by my grandchildren living as a free and brave man than to be seen as too scared to drive into Glacier National Park.

—Jerry O’Neil, Columbia Falls

Political observers in Montana were surprised earlier this month as candidates for federal and state office played a game of musical chairs with this November’s ballot. The Green Party was recently taken by surprise when they found out from other sources that they had candidates qualify for the 2020 election! While ballot access is never an unhappy surprise for third parties, the Green party was perplexed as they had not provided the resources to get candidates on the ballot in those races. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the Montana GOP had paid petitioners to gather the signatures required to get the Greens on the ballot. So why did the Montana Republican Party donate $100,000 to another political party that promotes progressive, environmentally focused policies? Because they believe a Green Party Candidate will split the Democratic vote.

This, unfortunately, is becoming normal behavior for Democrats and Republicans as they struggle to stay relevant while their principles fail them. Instead of finding new ways of expressing their ideas and providing real solutions, the bloated donkeys and elephants get more creative at using underhanded, unethical behavior to try and mudsling their way into office.

The Montana Libertarian Party is hoping to bring solutions, innovation, and ideas to the conversation. Debate real policy that improves the lives of Montanans, not finding new ways to game the system and stay in power. They change the rules to make it harder for other voices to compete, they smear and slander rather than care and deliberate. As Montanans, we condemn the unethical way that these parties are conducting business. Our elections should be a fair and honest exchange of ideas, a debate on principles and platforms that have real impacts on the people we serve.

Voters can be sure that the Montana Libertarian Party will run elections based on real platforms that address the hopes and worries of the people of our state. With economic challenges on the horizon, we need real leadership that is interested in solutions and not games. Our commitment is to present another option to voters. Our candidates will be on the campaign trail, despite the best efforts of GOP leaders, offering a real voice for fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and an innovative future. We will stand on our principles and be true to our word.

This all reminds me of a saying my mother taught me growing up. “Never wrestle with a pig. You just get dirty and the pig enjoys it.”

—Sid Daoud, of Kalispell, is chair of the Montana Libertarian Party