Letters to the editor Aug. 13

D.C. corruption

I recently received a political brochure with the words “something stinks in Washington” with three cute skunks illustrating the statement. 

To my surprise the brochure came from Kurt Alme, a Republican candidate running for the Senate who apparently wants to clean up the “corruption” in D.C. Apparently, Mr. Alme does not realize that Washington D.C. is controlled by Republicans. If he wants to clean up Washington’s corruption he will have to start with his own party. How ironic. 

Since Mr. Alme doesn’t seem to recognize this, I doubt that he is the candidate who can fix it.

— Marcia Peck, Bigfork

Disarm the missile

I’m angry and frustrated. I visited the Flathead County District Court yesterday. As I perused the list of Flathead County jail inmates I found the following: Two offenders with charge of negligent vehicular homicide. Two offenders with charge of negligent vehicular assault. Eight offenders with charge of felony DUI (4th or subsequent DUI).

Consider the cost to the taxpayer to process and house these offenders. Consider the increased cost of automobile insurance for all state residents. Consider the cost to the victims who suffer the loss of life, limb, brain function and other maiming injuries. Consider the cost to the families of the victims and the offenders who suffer grief, emotional distress, financial ruin, and broken relationships.

Montana scores lowest in our country in Mothers Against Drunk Driving rating of DUI laws. Montana scores second in our country for the most drunk driving fatalities per 100,000 residents.

What can Montanans do? Stop waiting for someone else (i.e. the government) to fix it. Each of us contributes to the problem: Every time we drive after drinking. Every time we host an event or visit an establishment where alcohol is served without planning a sober ride home. Every time we allow a friend or family member to drive after drinking. Every time we show our children that driving and drinking is OK. Every time we enable a friend or family member to cover up excessive alcohol or other drug use.

An impaired driver is aiming a heavy fast moving missile at you and I. It is a deadly weapon of destruction. You can disarm the missile.

— Rebecca Sturdevant, Kalispell