Anyways, I’ve been thinking of government and the upcoming session.
For instance, we know that Bullock wants early childhood education and healthcare and infrastructure.
Republicans want…well, what?
I’m not sure Republicans know what they want. And I’m honestly not sure Democrats know what they want either.
Jon Hunter and Jon Sesso? This is our Democratic leadership team, and gosh darn, I’m not sure what’s going to happen there.
Something else I’ve repeatedly mentioned is how Democrats need to identify and then peel off those moderate Republicans. On the flip side, why can’t the Republicans peel off some of the more conservative Democrats? It’s possible, especially in an environment where goals are unclear and 2016 still so uncertain.
All the experts will tell you that we’ve neglected both our higher education institutions (the real job creators for the state) and our social services.
Perhaps we need more than just our property taxes and gas taxes and income taxes to take care of that. Maybe we do need some reduced spending on top of it. But to just do away with all spending? Why would I locate my business to this state if you’re going to do that?
I’d certainly like more reporting or thought or discussion on the split in the Montana Democratic Party and what can be done about it. Right now it seems to me that there is no unified front of legislation put forth. I mean, you have until 3 weeks into the session to introduce bills…why are we not seeing more?
And I’m sorry, but pushing for $15 minimum wage is not what we need to see. $10, now $10 minimum wage, there’s something we might be able to get through. Hell, moving from $8.05 to $8.55 would make a big difference to those making it.
But we don’t really care about working people that much in the Democratic Party in Montana, and I think that’s because we’re afraid of losing. That’s rather funny, as by playing it safe, by tying that one arm behind our back, we’re actually alienating our base and just making those we’re trying to sway break out in laughs at us.
We’re not going to draw off any Republicans, or are there these super-pockets of universal resistance in Montana that defy political odds and such? I don’t think so – those areas have been inundated by retirees and have seen the young move out. They’re not going Democratic, but those Democratic-minded workers slaving away to serve those Republican voters could be swayed to show up at the polls.
Why the hell do we not mention that 60,000 Missoula registered voters stayed home in November? We do we not discuss that?
How the hell are we gonna keep Bullock in that governor’s office for another term, and how the hell are we gonna ensure that Tester is in that Senate seat ‘till the end of his days or until he can’t bring home the bacon anymore? And I think he’s been bringing it home – veteran’s homes, protected areas, and who knows what he got us in that spending bill yet. Isn’t he doing his job?
There’s a huge ignorance of Montana’s recent history because everyone relies on just a few Montana history books. I’m telling you, the New Deal changed everything, and our Senators were tight with FDR and they got us that money. Where the hell do you think Fort Peck Dam came from, something that employed 10,000 people in an area of the state that’d seen economic depression since 1916, twenty long years?
We need federal money and we need it bad. Shit, our highways alone cost us $150 million a year or so, and if we had to pay all of that it’d be closer to $400 million. Where is that money going to come from…a sales tax that can’t pass even when Racicot and Bradley supported it? Please.
Let me tell you, working with Daines is not a mistake when he’s there until 2021, and steering Zinke is good strategy…steering him right into an easy election defeat in ’16. Who are we grooming to defeat him? And trust me – we should have a shortlist right now of people we’re encouraging to run, and we should encourage anyone else that enters their name come the filing deadline to run too – we need more names out there for people to know.
Who the hell are the Montana Democrats right now? How many names can you name…names that aren’t in statewide, term-limited offices? Can you name 5…10? Guys, we’re in trouble!
Most of that Republican leadership is young, and they’ll have accomplishments to run on. What will we have – a bunch of tired old wrecks ready to run home?
Democrats, it’s time to sit down and come up with a plan, pretty please with sugar on top!