Last Best News (https://montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/author/jim-elliott/page/6/)
The recent vote in the United Kingdom to leave the European Union has sent economic shock waves around the world. UK Prime Minister David Cameron did not have to hold a referendum on Britain’s staying in the EU, but he thought people would vote to stay and thus give public approval to the partnership. (more…) Continue Reading →
Flag Day is the day we honor our nation’s symbol, Old Glory. We will face the flag, salute appropriately and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It happens that we are also in the midst of a presidential election in which the terms “socialist” and “Muslim” are frequently heard, mostly in a disparaging way. In light of that, it’s interesting to consider the history of the Pledge and how the words “under God” were added. (more…) Continue Reading →
If we are to judge from the supporters of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders it would appear that if there is anything that the American public agrees on is that the system—political and economic—is rigged against the little guy. And I agree. If there is anything to be learned from the recent history of corporate greed and the economic harm suffered by Americans because of that greed, whether from jobs lost through trade agreements or homes lost through mortgage fraud, it is that corporate America has the interests of corporate America at heart, and none other. (more…) Continue Reading →
Recently the stars have aligned in such a way that we have the Panama Papers telling us about wealthy Americans avoiding taxes by hiding money in offshore accounts, and at the same time we have politicians talking about cutting taxes on the wealthy. Of course it will be a tax cut for everyone, they say, but the wealthy will make out like the bandits some of them apparently are. The argument in their favor is that the wealthy pay most of the taxes and that’s not fair. Unsaid is that the wealthy have most of the money and that may be unfair, too. (more…) Continue Reading →
Several years ago, when I was a member of the Montana Senate, a constituent called me to ask for my help in an issue she was having with a state agency. I don’t remember what it was, but it must have been pretty simple because it took only a short phone call to resolve it and I was able to call her back the same day to tell her it had been taken care of, and in the way she had hoped for. (more…) Continue Reading →
There is a story by Charlie Russell about a teamster who was harnessing a four-up of mules to his wagon. The job completed, the teamster walked over to a lumber pile, picked up a short two-by-four and proceeded to give the lead mule a hearty whack on the forehead. A tenderfoot who had been watching the process was astounded. (more…) Continue Reading →
It is the American tradition at this time of year to gripe and moan about paying taxes. Indeed, we have been well indoctrinated. The libertarian right, led by the wealthy and the corporate giants, have for years been telling us that our taxes are too high, that we are being taxed to death, and that taxes stifle the economy. (more…) Continue Reading →
I have been following the drama of the Clive Bundy family’s occupation of a bird sanctuary in Oregon with great interest, in large part because in Sanders County where I live many of the Bundys’ beliefs thrive. (more…) Continue Reading →
American voters are angry at politicians, and is it any wonder? The voters are divisible into at least two groups; those who are angry that Congress can’t get anything done, and those who are angry because they have been cheated by politicians who couldn’t deliver on their promises. (more…) Continue Reading →
This has to be the most entertaining primary election that I’ve ever witnessed, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing. My particular favorite among the Republican candidates, Jeb Bush, just dropped out and I suspect it was because he was not as big a charlatan as the others. Kasich will be next for the same reason. (more…) Continue Reading →
