Letters to the editor

Support Mowbray

I am writing to endorse Senator Carmine Mowbray and her return to the Montana Legislature, serving Senate District 6.

I have known Carmine for over 25 years. Her experience as a successful business person, active community volunteer and having earned the respect of her peers in the last legislative session, qualify her to return to the Senate.

The Mowbrays raised their four children in Polson, and after graduating from Polson High School, they went on to universities in Montana. Carmine substitute taught in the Polson schools for nine years and currently serves as a community board member of St. Joseph Medical Center. Carmine cares about Flathead water quality and retains her membership in the Flathead Lakers.

Carmine owns property in both Flathead and Lake counties and pays her full share of property taxes with no exemptions. She is a conservative with strong family values. Join me during the June 5 primary election in supporting Senator Carmine Mowbray, the only candidate with Senate experience.

Chuck Jarecki

Polson

Vote for Mowbray

I support Senator Carmine Mowbray’s return to Montana Legislature.

I’ve known Carmine since she and her husband purchased their publishing business here in Lake County in 1983. Right away, they got active locally, supporting Republicans.

Now that she’s running to retain her Senate seat, here’s a fact that clearly shows the values she lives by: Legislators are offered the state retirement plan and a health insurance benefit, which partially pays their premium. Carmine declined both state benefits when she arrived in Helena. This demonstrates that she is willing to set aside personal gain in order to serve the people in our district.

Senator Mowbray demonstrates her true conservative values in her approach to family, business, community and legislature. We need to keep her strong values in our state Senate.

Please join me in this important primary election on June 5 by voting for Senator Mowbray to continue her work on our behalf.

Ruth E. Mahle

St. Ignatius

Exploiting women

The rhetoric and misinformation produced by the Democrats to fool the public in its expanding efforts to divide our society and win votes through class warfare, racial dissension and now its war against women are appalling!

The latest falsehood is that Republicans are opposed to the Violence Against Women Act. Passed in 1994 with bipartisan support, this act provides funding to fight domestic violence and sexual assault, and increases criminal penalties against perpetrators of these crimes. In 2000 and 2005, the bill was reauthorized with unanimous bipartisan Senate support.

In their effort to win the women’s vote, the Democrats are attempting to ram through unreasonable expansions to the bill that will add to the deficit, which is already out of control.

Because the Republicans are dedicated to decreasing the deficit, Democrats are spreading the false accusation that Republicans do not support reauthorization of the bill. As in the past, Republicans do support reauthorization and are working toward that end. It is disgusting that Democrats would exploit women who are victims of domestic violence for political gain.

Voters need to remember that the Democrats controlled Congress the last two years of the Bush administration and the first two years of the Obama reign, and still control the Senate. Be thankful that the House Republicans have held firm in trying to reverse the disastrous direction in which the Obama, Pelosi, Reid leadership has taken us. If Republicans are “blocking” needed legislation it is to end irresponsible legislation that will destroy our nation.

Many responsible bills passed by the Republican House that would begin financial healing and decrease government control have been “blocked” by the Democrat-controlled Senate. Don’t be fooled by misleading rhetoric. Seek the truth and be an informed voter!

Mimi Milheim

Dayton

Campaign honesty

Call me old-fashioned, but for my whole life I’ve considered honesty to be a supremely important quality. For that reason, I am writing to counter recent Jon Tester campaign ads that are dishonest.

Tester’s ads have falsely accused Denny Rehberg of “vot[ing] himself a pay raise five times” and also of using “taxpayer-funded SUVs.” Neither of these accusations is true.

About the first untruth: In 1989, a new law went into effect to govern congressional pay increases. It stipulates that congressional salaries are raised automatically based on a private-sector measurement known as the “employment cost index.” Members of Congress are not allowed to vote themselves pay increases.

The Tester ad’s allegation is not only false, it is impossible. By contrast, Representative Rehberg has a history of reasonableness regarding congressional pay. He introduced in the 112th Congress H.R. 994, “to require Congress to lead by example and freeze its own pay for a fiscal year unless the federal government did not run a deficit in the previous fiscal year.” Further, Denny voted to extend the pay limitation for members of Congress and federal employees (H.R. 3835, Roll call 19; 2/1/12; Rehberg voted “yea”). See www.thomas.loc.gov, a Library of Congress site, if you’re interested in true facts.

About the second untruth: The congressional district Denny represents is second only in size to Alaska’s first district. Denny is allowed a “congressional vehicle” when doing “congressional work” in Montana. This is not his personal vehicle. Denny is the only member of our Montana delegation who visits all 56 Montana counties during his term. At present, Denny drives a hybrid, not an SUV, because of an edict of Nancy Pelosi’s back when she was Speaker of the House.

Probably everyone reading this letter is familiar with the classic folk tale about the little boy who cried wolf. The saddest thing about dishonesty is that when you do say something true, no one believes you because of the untruths you’ve already told. My heart goes out to Jon Tester and whoever helps with his advertising.

Carol Cummings

Polson

Spay/neuter your pets

Please bring your unaltered cats and dogs to the Brian Anderson Memorial Spay/Neuter Clinic May 12 and 13 at Glacier View Christian School. Spaying/neutering helps control pet overpopulation, benefits pets and owners and is professionally handled by Lake County’s Spay/Neuter Task Force.

The Humane Society of the United States reports that 3-4 million cats and dogs are killed yearly in shelters. That’s almost 8,500 daily. Countless others are killed on roads, preyed upon and/or abused by humans. I have known people who let their animals reproduce at will, showing a total lack of value for God’s creatures.

Spaying/neutering benefits pets and owners. Cancer decreases as does your pet’s tendency to roam, fight, get lost or seriously injured or killed. Pet guardians experience less mess and destruction of property from sprayed urine, less money spent on pet’s injuries/health and property damage repair, and no extra animals.

Parents, please don’t think that us kids must experience the “miracle of birth.” If you do, then kids should also experience the tragic killing of homeless pets.

Those in charge of the clinic have an efficient and friendly system for getting the job done. I took my kitty to a clinic and began volunteering that day. Gazillions of purr-fectly good reasons exist to attend the upcoming clinic.

Come see me and I will happily care for your puddy-tat. If you have a pooch, others will “beg” to help you. Call 824-7729 8 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week to make the required appointment.

Kellen Wright

Polson

Scientology and Dianetics

A recent letter (May 3: “Dianetic Counseling”) espoused something which has been under surveillance and criticism for over 60 years.

In 1950, L.Ron Hubbard promoted “Scientology,” which includes personal interactions called Dianetics. Ever since 1950, psychologists have discredited Dianetics as pseudoscience with little or no scientific evidence to support it.

L. Ron Hubbard established the “Church of Scientology.” Some countries have allowed this church to claim religious exemptions. Canada and many others do not. One of the criticisms of Scientology (Dianetics) is that it is simply a business making a profit. Other criticisms include much more sinister claims of manipulation of members and former members who have spoken out.

It is worthwhile to educate yourself by Googling “Scientology” or “Dianetics” and reading some of the many articles exposing more about the program. A single endorsement is often a product of an initial “good feeling” and, even though sincere, may not adequately represent what the entire program is about.

There is much more modern research about how the mind works. Gullibility and self-deception seem to be hallmarks of the human experience. Learning how to combat gullibility is a worthy cause. Here is a chance to do just that. Read up.

Gene Johnson

Polson

Huge thanks

The Valley View Women’s Club would like to thank everyone who helped, donated and attended our rummage sale, it was a huge success. We had a large lunch crowd and everyone enjoyed macho nachos and pie. We were busy all day and everyone took home treasures with them. Thank you again for supporting us, because of you we are getting closer to our goal of getting rain gutters for the clubhouse. If you couldn’t attend and want to donate to the rain gutters you can send a small donation to Karen Wood, 41516 Forman Road, Polson 59860. All of our proceeds goes toward the upkeep of the clubhouse.

Kelly Bailey

Polson