Letters to the editor Oct. 13

Bodnar an independent voice

The U.S. Senate today is made up of too many people who seem to want the title of senator without the responsibility of doing anything once elected. 

Unfortunately, despite what may have been a distinguished career practicing law, Kurt Alme appears to be another one of those people who only seeks title. Even the way he came to run seems to indicate that he will just be another in the recent line of Montanans in Congress. Over 100 years ago we had the party of the “know nothings;” today we have the “do nothings.”

Partisanship has led to political paralysis in a time when it is critically important that action be taken by the Congress. The hyper-partisanship of recent Congresses must end. We don’t need another senator who just quietly goes along to get along in the fraternity of his party.

We need an independent voice to represent Montana. A senator needs to be bold and strong and fearless — like Seth Bodnar.

Seth Bodnar is running to be an independent voice for Montanans, not just another voice for a political party. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to have a member of our congressional delegation thinking as an individual; someone motivated by issues, not by gamesmanship; someone willing to actually meet face-to-face in the public forum with the people he purports to represent?

Independent thinking and a willingness to boldly stand up for real Montanans has a rich tradition in Montana history. We’ve been served before by the greatness of independent-thinking people like Republicans Joe Dixon and Jeanette Rankin and Democrats Mike Mansfield and Tom Walsh.

It’s time we returned to our Montana independent spirit by electing Seth Bodnar Montana’s next senator.

— Bob Brown, Whitefish

Humble servant

I served as a juror in a long, brutal trial under Judge Dan Wilson. He was careful, patient, kind and non-flamboyant. A true humble servant. After the conclusion of the trial, he came back to the jurors to spend time with us, allowing us to decompress.  He answered all our questions and gave a thorough explanation as to the outcome.

I believe him to be a trustworthy public servant, and feel that he will be stellar on whichever bench he lands.

— Margaret Herron, Kalispell

A vote for Bankhead is a vote for Alme

President Donald Trump destroyed the pillars of our society by enforcing a Project 25 Christian nationalist doctrine. He is removing First Amendment rights and has violent masked men on the streets killing citizens. Trump is threatening to declare martial law and place armed military officers at polling places.

Turmoil in both the Republican and Democratic parties in Montana sets the perfect stage for independent candidate Seth Bodnar to win the Senate race.

Bodnar graduated first in his class at West Point and is a Green Beret who commanded Special Forces on multiple deployments. The Rhodes Scholar studied at Oxford earning two master’s degrees in economics and comparative social policy and was president of University of Montana for eight years.

His opponent, Democrat Alani Bankhead, has little money and past affiliation with a pro-MAGA, evangelical, anit-abortion, anti-LGBTQ church. Based on recent polls, with zero chance of winning, she vowed to remain in the race even if it meant a Republican would win. A confusing blast of attack ads by a Republican PAC supported Bankhead in the primary as a weaker opponent for Republican Kurt Alme and to dilute votes for the strong Independent candidate because Republicans feared Bodnar could win.

Bankhead didn’t drop out. She is on the ballot. A vote for her is a vote for Republican Kurt Alme.

— Betty Kuffel, Whitefish

Flint supports Montana ag

With an election coming up, agriculture has a lot to lose. We need someone who will fight for Montana’s agriculture.

Aaron Flint spent 20 years serving our country and when he came home, he spent his time digging deeper into Montana, reaching out and listening to us. He showed up to learn more at one of our recent farm bureau ag update meetings.  That means a lot to us. He is all Montana.

I want a congressman who understands ag and small business.  It is what makes our state special.  The last thing this state needs is someone from Oregon who lobbied for the ACLU and spent his time trying to convince our Legislature that it is alright to have boys in girls sports and in girls locker rooms.

Aaron Flint is a family man who knows that this is wrong. This farming family is voting for Aaron Flint.

— Susan Lake, Ronan