Term limits, please

The impeachment trial convinced me we need term limits. I googled to find out how current politicians were involved in the Clinton impeachment trial. There are 28 senators currently serving who were involved in the Clinton trial either as a senator or in the House of Representatives. There were 55 House members during Clinton’s trial who are still in House. Those 55 include 14 Republicans and 41 Democrats. The 28 senators, in most cases, have a different view on calling witnesses or seem to say “it is all politics.”

The average American listening to the news may be swayed one way or the other depending on what network they listen to. If you listen to Fox News,then Chuck Schumer is a flip-flopper from Clinton to Trump on whether witnesses are needed. If you listen to CNN, then Lindsey Graham’s statements in 1999 included that Democrats should not prematurely make up their minds.

Do not waste your time contacting your senators. I have and their responses are right along party lines. Just about all 535 elected Senate and House members are hypocrites and I can guarantee you they would all flip flop if there is an impeachment on a Democrat president in 10 or so years.

­— Jack Sollars, Kalispell

Gianforte is the strongest candidate

In 2014 when I was first elected to represent House District 58, I ran on the promise of reducing regulations, protecting freedoms, and giving the average working Montanan a voice in Helena. I have now served three terms in the Montana House, all under a Democrat governor. We have made some progress in the Legislature, but we have been fighting an uphill battle the entire way.

What has become clear to me is that we need a solid Republican governor on the second floor. One that will actually work with us, rather than against us on the major issues of tax relief, fewer regulations and freedom from ever increasing government involvement in our lives.

Being from a multi-generation farm and ranch family I take a lot of pride in being a Montanan. I am blessed to have been born here.

Having been around U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, heard him share his ideas and perspectives, and watched what he has done for this state, I consider him to embody the same Montana values that I do. I have also seen Greg go out of his way to honor veterans in my community. Having served in Afghanistan I place a high value on a candidate’s actions toward our military and veterans.

Greg is also an entrepreneurial businessman that has not only been a phenomenal executive but has proven himself to be a staunch conservative. He understands the challenges of growing and running an efficient and successful business, and he’s shown that he has a passion for helping Montana succeed. That’s exactly what we need in Helena. Another term of Democrat rule means an increase of bureaucracy and spending and decreases of economic opportunity and individual freedom. Greg Gianforte is not only the strongest candidate, he’s the best candidate to make the dream of a prosperous Montana a reality.

As this primary starts to get more heated, there will be plenty of opinions flying around. I hope that those involved will be positive and stick to the plain truth over slanted, one sided campaign soundbites. I would encourage everyone to take the time to get to know Greg for yourself, I think you will find that he is the right man for the job. I am a Montanan, a veteran, an outdoorsman, and a legislator, and I’m supporting Greg Gianforte to be our next governor.

­—Rep. Seth Berglee, Joliet

Pre-Trump Republicans

Recently, the Daily Inter Lake opinion page has featured environmental statements from pre-Trump Republican presidents.

Here is one more:

In 1973 the Endangered Species Act was signed into law by President Nixon. In 1972, Nixon had outlined his environmental agenda to Congress. He said: “This is the environmental awakening. It marks a new sensitivity of the American spirit and a new maturity of American public life. It is working a revolution in values, as commitment to responsible partnership with nature replaces cavalier assumptions that we can play God with our surroundings and survive.”

He specifically asked for a new Endangered Species Act that would provide early identification and protection of threatened species, and treat hunting or capturing endangered species as a federal offense. In 1973, the House and Senate versions were combined. The Senate passed the bill unanimously, and the House by a vote of 355 to 4.

—Robert O’Neil, Kalispell