Oxford dictionary defines virtue as behavior showing high moral standards. Our founding fathers as well as our ancient Greek forefathers, despite their faults, knew that virtue was necessary to
sustain a democratic republic. Yet, virtue in our modern democratic republic is a trait that is not only missing but disdained.
What has replaced virtue is partisanship. Federalist #10 warns of the dangers of factions arguing that the Constitution would control its baneful effects. Now the rules, traditions and precedents set by our constitutionally based government are broken for partisan gain. Due to this factional divide, our Congress cannot unite to save our country from a pandemic or ameliorate its effects on the less privileged. It cannot ensure that all its people have access to health care or address the looming crisis of climate change because of partisan gridlock. Our government then defaults to be run by hasty executive orders and undemocratic court decisions.
Both political parties have abdicated their constitutional duty, but lately the Republicans have been the most egregious failures. The Senate Republicans are rushing to fill a life term Supreme Court position in record time. They are disregarding their own misguided rule set in 2016 when they claimed that the Supreme Court vacancy had to wait for an election eight months away. Does “electoral will” not mean anything in 2020?
McConnell does not represent Montana. Why does Sen. Steve Daines follow him so obediently? Where are these “Montana values?” Montanans expect our representatives to have the courage to say the rules should apply to everyone. Former majority leader from Montana, Mike Mansfield, said, “We are equal on this floor, and a senator must keep his word.” With this type of honor in government, real problems could be solved. Virtuous public servants avoid hypocrisy and serve the people justly.
Christina Cote-Reinhardt
Bozeman
Debate showed dark side of what we’ve become
Three words come to mind when reflecting on last night’s disheartening political campaign spectacle (I cannot bring myself to call it a debate). We. Deserve. Better.
A child of the 1970s, I grew up in Bozeman steeped in the Bicentennial spirit, proud to be born in the most remarkable nation the world had ever seen. A nation whose brave astronauts and brilliant scientists inspired millions by landing men on the moon. A nation that helped allies throw off the shackles of fascism and communism by mobilizing its vast industrial might and spilling the blood of its sons and daughters on foreign shores.
A nation that had, from its very inception, inspired freedom-loving peoples around the globe with its concepts of government by the people and of liberty, freedom, and justice for all.
This is not the America I saw last night. Instead, I saw a reflection of our darkest natures. I witnessed grievance, rage, and intolerance. I watched a powerful man demean and belittle his opponent like a thuggish bully, acting without an ounce of the decorum or dignity called for by his office. I was disgusted and appalled.
I reject the version of America on display in Cleveland last night. I simply do not accept that this is the best leadership America can offer and I do not consent to be governed in this manner. We
deserve better. We not only can do better, but we must.
Karen Gibson
Bozeman
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Letters to the Editor 10/6/20