Last Best News (https://montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/tag/james-madison/)
I have tried without much success to take an interest in the parboiled debate over Judge Russell Fagg’s so-called shadow campaign for the U.S. Senate. But my dutiful slog through Fagg’s defense of his actions in the Oct. 8 Billings Gazette screeched to a halt when I encountered this sentence: “Our constitution, divinely inspired, gives everyone the right to express their opinions.” (more…) Continue Reading →
It’s high time someone took a stand in support of U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. I volunteer. I have been critical of the good senator a few dozen times. But when the man’s right, he’s right. Kind of. Continue Reading →
Economics Professor Jack Chambless wrote a piece in Wednesday’s Billings Gazette arguing that Hillary Clinton’s proposal for free college tuition is a bad idea. He could have said, “Nice thought, but we can’t afford it.” Instead, he makes a more complicated case. Here’s his argument: (1) free tuition would create an artificial demand for college classes, forcing universities either to expand or to raise admission standards; (2) inept students would be enticed to attend college; (3) those inept students could have spent their time more profitably with an internship or vocational training; (4) the value of a college degree would be reduced; (5) professors would be stuck teaching “educational welfare recipients”; (6) free stuff is poor stuff; and (7) taxpayers should not be forced to pay to educate the children of others. Whew. That’s a lot of weight for a short column to bear. Continue Reading →
Last week the Outpost ran a letter by Sen. Roger Webb, R-Billings, who argued that states should call a convention to consider amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Here’s why that is a bad idea. Article 5 of the Constitution allows it to be amended in two ways. First, two-thirds of the members of each House can propose amendments that become part of the Constitution if they are ratified by three-fourths of the states. That has happened 27 times. Continue Reading →
By DAVID CRISP
BILLINGS OUTPOST
Billings Gazette Editor Darrell Ehrlick began his May 18 column with the phrase “God Bless America,” then quickly added that he meant it literally, not “as some obligatory phrase tacked onto the end of a speech.” (more…) Continue Reading →
