Letters to the Editor: Clean energy solutions

Clean energy solutions

On May 17, the Whitefish City Council unanimously endorsed national climate legislation under consideration in Congress: the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 2307). Thank you, Mayor John Muhlfeld and the Council, for your climate leadership.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) helped educate the city about the bill. Together with 30 other Montana endorsements, we hope that this one will motivate Rep. Rosendale and Sens. Daines and Tester to formally support the legislation in Congress.

You can help by contacting Rosendale, Daines and Tester, and inform them you are in favor of HR 2307. Tell them the benefits: Net zero by 2050 — this policy will reduce America’s carbon pollution by 30% in the first five years alone and is the single most powerful tool we have to get us to net zero by 2050; Affordable clean energy — with this policy, the government sets the direction, and businesses respond in order to provide abundant, affordable and reliable clean energy; Puts money in your pocket — this policy is affordable for ordinary Americans because it puts money in your pocket. The money collected from the fee is given as a monthly dividend, or "carbon cash back" payment, to every American to spend with no restrictions. Most low- and middle-income Americans will come out financially ahead or break even; Saves lives — this policy will improve health and save 4.5 million American lives over the next 50 years by reducing the pollution that we breathe.

— Angie Winter, Kila

Democratic rule

A capital surrounded by a fence topped with razor wire, with thousands of armed troops for protection (housed in parking garages).

Control of mainstream media and social media sites by the ruling party, with censorship of any dissent or claim of election fraud.

Soviet-style purge of all military to eliminate any opposition to the ruling party

Disarm all civilians (Hitler bragged about this accomplishment).

Create voting rules and methods that will assure the ruling party wins all elections (Joseph Stalin said “it’s not who votes that counts, it's who counts the vote”), as codified in HR1, the “For the People Act.”

“Cancel Culture” to discredit and destroy anyone who disagrees with the ruling party.

Indoctrinating children with a false national history of oppression and racism.

Is this North Korea? Communist China? Cuba? Venezuela? Nope. This is our own USA under control of Democrats, who want to create a Socialist dictatorship. Amazingly, our own Sen. Jon Tester supports all this. Is this what the phony claim of “unity” looks like? We deserve to keep the real America.

— Philip Barney, Polson

Protect your rights

Democracy in Montana has been strong ever since the development of our new constitution in the 1970s. After the days when the copper barons were able to buy elections, Montanans were ready for a change. With careful reflection, people from across the state gathered to draw up a document that allowed all people to have a voice. Because of the great care shown back then, the election process across Montana is one of the most secure in the country, as reflected in the 2020 elections.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Act would make sure everyone across the U.S. has an equal ability to make their voices heard. This act would restore and strengthen parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and reset standards to make sure all Americans have the same critical access to democracy that our forebearers voted for here in Montana. We need the entire delegation of Montana legislators in Washington, D.C. to stand for the rights of all U.S. citizens by voting for this important legislation. Please make sure to get in touch with Daines, Tester and Rosendale to ask them to support democracy through the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Speak up at www.congress.gov.

— Lisa Pavlock, St. Ignatius

Looking out for the wealthy

Montana State Republican Sen. Greg Hertz sponsored Senate Bill 159, which was passed and signed into law. It cut the top state income tax from 6.9% to 6.75% until 2024. This tax cut will primarily benefit the highest income earners in Montana. Over 80% of the cuts will go to the wealthiest 20% of Montanans.

Sen. Hertz also sponsored Senate Bill 399, which was passed and signed into law. It goes into effect in 2024 as SB 159 phases out. It further cuts taxes for the wealthiest Montanans and eliminates dozens of tax credits.

These tax bills will cost the state $60 million in lost revenues.

Remember this when you next vote: Democrats work for you, not just a few.

— Suz Rittenhouse, Polson