Daines’ record clear that he is no conservationist
Steve Daines claims he’s a conservationist. His record says otherwise. During his Senate term, Daines’ voting record on conservation issues has been one of the worst in Congress. He speaks of conserving public lands, only to support special interests in opposition. One good example was his claim to want full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), to then vote for a bill that fell far short of need.
Those few times he did support conservation, i.e., blocking mining in the Paradise Valley and designating the Rosebud Creek for special protection, he was the last to signed on, and then only after the political pressure mounted. He has not shown initiative or leadership on behalf of public lands and environmental conservation.
His renewed support for fully funding of the LWCF, comes now in the face of his re-election bid against opponent Gov. Steve Bullock, who demonstrates actions supporting conservation and public lands. Daines now applies the green shampoo treatment, to again appear to be a conservationist.
We need a U.S. senator who truly considers the welfare of all Montanans and will demonstrate that leadership and commitment. That person clearly is Steve Bullock and it clearly isn’t Steve Daines.
Bob Hawks, Bozeman
Why would anyone keep supporting our president?
Trump wore a mask last week and sadly, that’s a big deal. It only took losing more than 130,000 American lives. I continually wonder: Who still supports Trump?
Teachers: Do you support a man who’s threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that resist opening even as COVID surges?
Veterans: Can you support a draftdodging president who ignored bounties on American soldiers and called John McCain a loser?
Ranchers: Do you support his withheld payments to dairy and cotton producers, livestock farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID?
Christians: Name a commandment Trump hasn’t violated, then lied about. Does he exemplify your Christian values; is he a role model for your kids?
Retirees: Feeling good about Medicare? Social Security? The status of your retirement savings? You shouldn’t. Elderly are expendable to him.
Sportsmen: He’s given extraction industries access to environmentally sensitive areas, increasing the risk of polluting streams and destroying hunting habitat.
Parents: Do you actually support a man who wants to force your children back into the classroom no matter their risk of contracting COVID?
Record unemployment, surging pandemic, public unrest, a divided citizenry, 20,000 lies, cronyism, erratic stock market … all warning signs of failed leadership. So I ask: Why support Trump?
John Johanek, Bozeman
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Letters to the Editor 7/18/20