I’m probably one of the few people who had the opportunity to serve in the state Senate with both of our candidates for United States Senator: Our great Sen. Jon Tester, and his opponent, State Auditor Matt Rosendale. Jon Tester impressed me with his determination to cut through the partisan spin and the special interest chaff and fight for the people he was elected to serve.
When Sen. Tester got the several hundred page tax bill less than 24 hours before the vote, he and his staff busted their butts to read it over — scribbled words in the margins and all.
Jon Tester understood that this bill was a nearly $2 trillion handout that benefited those who could afford expensive K Street lobbyists to secure their special interest loopholes. Jon also understood that the tax bill would balloon the national deficit, likely causing interest rates to rise — and that those higher interest costs would reduce wage earners’ disposable income and would make it harder for small businesses to turn a profit.
Then the administration topped off the dubious economic outcomes of the tax bill by launching an ill-advised trade war. Montana farmers and ranchers rely on international trade to turn a profit, and a trade war throws those international markets into uncertainty. Rather than fighting for the farmers and ranchers who put food on our table, Republicans pushed a $2 trillion tax handout to the country’s richest.
We should thank Jon Tester for keeping his sleeves rolled up and working hard on behalf of the people of Montana. As the Senate’s only working farmer, Jon knows what Montana working families need. He stands head and shoulders above his opponent in this election, and I ask all to join me in reelecting Jon Tester to the U.S. Senate.
Greg Jergeson
Chinook