A couple
weeks ago, Representative Kelly Flynn dropped the
off-hand comment, “The 75th legislative day sure
makes the inside of a cow look good.” I smiled and
nodded. Kelly’s cows are calving and the recent hint
of spring has him, plus most other folks from
agriculture backgrounds, anxious to get back to the
lives they left at home. The community organizers in
the chamber, on the other hand, love the political
arena. They actually dread leaving this legislative
nirvana and returning home. It is not surprising,
professional advocates for the downtrodden view
government spending as one of opportunity whereas
conservatives, like Kelly, see it entirely as a
burden. I guess it depends on whose ox is being
gored; which brings me to my point. With the
defection of liberal Republicans to the progressive
agenda, total Treasure State spending is nearing 15
billion dollars over the biennium. This happens
every session and here is why.
The Democrat caucus votes with mesmerizing unity
while chanting they are bipartisan. At the other end
of the organizational spectrum, are the liberal
Republicans; a hodge-podge, conglomerate of
free-spirits unfettered by party platforms or
principles. Holding an allegiance only to
compromise, they exchange votes for the slightest
atta-boy from the left, so once again the Democrats
advanced their agenda in spite of being a 39 to 61
minority in the House and a 21 to 29 minority in the
Senate. If you mention this idiosyncrasy to these
self-proclaimed, common sense Republicans they get
cranky. As Mark Twain warned us it is easier to fool
the people, than convince them they have been
fooled. To ever shrink the size of government, every
Democrat and liberal Republican simply must be
removed from office.
With the rap of the gavel on Wednesday, April 24th,
Montana’s 63rd legislative session adjourned
bringing closure to my fourth and final term in the
House of Representatives. Looking back over my eight
years, I had few victories and spent most of my time
on defense. The House Judiciary Committee, where I
had the honor to serve as chairman this session,
tabled 47 bills which would have empowered
government over the people, but those days are
history. In the words of John Wayne, “There is a
point in every man’s life when it is time to throw
the coffee on the fire and ride on.” Term limits
have placed me at that point, so now someone else
must step to the plate. Every patriot should
consider this a call to arms. If you do not pick up
the sword and shield of liberty, who will? If not
now, when? You either lead, or you will be led by
the progressives directly into tyranny. It is
entirely your choice
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