Public education

Thank you, Inter Lake for the important and objective reporting of two very serious and complicated issues on the front page (Sunday, Jan. 19). Actually, all articles reported on the front page recently would fit that description. I am writing to comment on only one,

Headlined: Justices taking up bans on state money to religious schools. Two nice ladies are pictured as wounded by a mean-spirted law. That is the basis of a legal action. This issue is huge! The Supreme Court will definitely want to hear it as the implications for how we function as Americans together can’t be minimized.

The Constitution reserves the right to define an education to the respective states. That got somewhat blurred when the Department of Education was created. It will have to be addressed. 37 states sharing the Montana position means a whole lot of folks respect some common values!

The next question this litigation raises is the definition of religious schools. Like the ladies, I’m a follower of The Christ; however, other religions have rights, too. Should taxpayer money support the various groups that claim funding for their religious values, regardless of how strange they may seem to others? Yet, benefit they probably will.

Public school was created for a very important reason! A well-educated voter population makes democracy work. We are in an era where all of our safety nets are being tested.

Americans can barely communicate right now. Public school helps us to relate with those with whom we have little in common. If we taxpayers must support religious schools, how long do you think it will take for a vast rush to create many more?

I haven’t even touched on the issue of homeschool. Parents on a tight budget can potentially double that income for their family and stay home with them at the same time. Why wouldn’t they?

Private education funded by “We, the People” can it really work that way? The Supreme Court may tell us.

— Donna Maddux, Whitefish

Stand up and sing

I have been to two local public school events in recent months; a Veteran’s Day celebration and a varsity basketball game. At both events, the “Star Spangled Banner” was played but NO ONE, young or old, besides myself, sang the words to our national anthem. Both times I was surprised and now am appalled.

When did this happen?! Do our young people not know the words to their country’s national anthem? And, if not, why not? Are we not teaching them? And, why is my generation not singing? As Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” We will have no one to blame but ourselves, when this happens. And, happen, it will.

If we want all we hold dear in our nation to remain, we better be intentional about teaching our young people that freedom is not free, as evidenced in the first verse of our anthem;

“Oh say, can you see by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming; Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, Oe’r the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave Oe’r the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

Good question.

—Kathryn Berg, Bigfork

State of the union

It appears that Pelosi won the publicity recognition. Far more column inches of print and hours of air time have been devoted to her than to the magnificent State of the Union speech by President Trump. His honored guests were outstanding in the way they represented the types of citizens we have here in America. His inspiring message to voters nationwide displayed impressive accomplishments during his initial three years of administration.

But it also revealed the long list of issues and problems still existing and in need of attention and correction, hopefully with the insight and help of an awakened Congress. This is part of the current American condition which we must acknowledge as we once again go to the polls. Donald Trump has managed to again prove that our form of government, the freedoms we enjoy and the opportunity citizens have to “make our country great again” is the best way to achieve ongoing success in problem solving. Let us cast aside to the dust bin of history, the depressing images of a belligerent Pelosi, her white-shrouded clan, and obedient followers as we proceed on to the voting booths with hope and assurance of a bright future led by a talented, dedicated President Trump supported by his remarkable family.

—Clarice Ryan, Bigfork

American royalty

What I learned from the House impeachment investigation and Senate trial:

The president cannot be charged or tried for a felony, long as he is in office. The only option is impeachment.

The president need not respond to requests for documents or witnesses from the House.

The president can demand that information requested and witnesses be authorized by a judge in the judicial branch of the federal government.

The president can demand that any requests for information go through the complete judicial process up to the Supreme Court.

In the Senate trial, the charges must rise to a level of an impeachable offense.

The Senate makes the determination of what is considered an impeachable offense. In the Senate, it is not an impeachable offense for a foreign government to be asked to provide information on a political rival leading up to an election.

The Senate must approve the calling of new witnesses and documents in an impeachment trial.

With the above in mind, we must be very careful who we vote for in presidential elections. He could become king.

— Roy R. Wodarz, Bigfork