Last Best News (https://montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/category/opinion/page/17/)
As home to some of our nation’s largest coal reserves, Montana plays a key role in the future of our nation’s energy economy. Unfortunately, Montana coal production has declined significantly in recent years—by as much as a third. This decline took a toll not only on jobs across the state but on essential state tax revenue too. (more…) Continue Reading →
Benedict Arnold was a great American hero. George Washington was an incompetent bungler. Benjamin Franklin was a conniving fraud. Lafayette was a spoiled child. The Revolutionary War was fought by ill-trained, cruel and inept soldiers who ran at the first sign of danger. Continue Reading →
Well, the dust has settled and Obamacare is still the law of the land, proving two things; talk is cheap and political talk is even cheaper. I have never understood why universal health insurance, which was first introduced to the world by Germany in 1883, was so unpopular with so many Americans. (more…) Continue Reading →
Colstrip’s old coal-fired power units are losing money and that means their days are numbered. Units 1 and 2 are closing by 2022 at the latest and maybe sooner. We need to make sure Colstrip’s operators fulfill their responsibilities in helping the state deal with the economic loss to workers, the community and the environment. But, we have another problem. Legislation has been proposed that doesn’t just hold Colstrip’s operators accountable—it punishes them. And, as good as retribution may feel, the problem is that it will also scare away developers and companies whose investments we want and need. (more…) Continue Reading →
If you have abandoned all hope for American politics, you probably should stop reading right here. But if you still see a spark, here’s a wisp of air to help keep it alit. (more…) Continue Reading →
A congressional death in 1945 and a federal judgeship appointment in 1969 triggered two Montana special congressional elections like the one we have scheduled for May 23, now that former Rep. Ryan Zinke has been sworn in as Interior secretary. (more…) Continue Reading →
(Caution. Contains satire. Best if taken with food for thought.)
In 1908, the first Model T Ford rolled off the assembly line. More than a century later the motor car has been granted the same constitutional guarantees that other technological innovations (cf. handguns) have always enjoyed. Continue Reading →
Tobacco is the only product that when used as directed will kill you. Each year, 1,600 Montanans needlessly die from deadly tobacco products. Nationwide, smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths per year, or roughly one in every five deaths. Furthermore, for every person who dies from smoking, at least 30 more are suffering from serious disease and disability caused by smoking. Yet, Montana hasn’t raised its tobacco tax since 2005. Continue Reading →
Idly trolling for news about the Republicans’ healthcare plan, I ran across a health insurance story that raised my conservative hackles. Or was it my liberal hackles? These days, it’s hard to tell. (more…) Continue Reading →
Donald Trump’s presidential transition efforts, heavy on creating vacancies, light on filling them, reminds me of a friend of mine who likes to remodel houses. Well, remodel is the wrong word. He likes to tear houses apart. Room by room by room. Within the first month the kitchen would be gutted except for the appliances. Continue Reading →
