In the 1920s the 18th amendment went into effect. This amendment made the manufacture, sale and distribution of alcohol illegal in the United States. Immediately following this the manufacture, sale, transportation and use of alcohol increased exponentially – along with gang violence. The war on alcohol failed and in the 1933s the 21st amendment repealed […]

How do the union bashers explain the success of the unionized German auto industry? The workers average more than $67 an hour in wages and benefits. In 2010, the American autoworker averaged less than $34 an hour in wages and benefits. Is it possible that the unions are responsible for Germany being the most financially […]

I would like to thank my many neighbors and friends for supporting the proposed Snow Frog Bed and Breakfast and Double Tap Tasting Room on West Second Street. After two years of planning, hundreds of hours spent developing business models that provided both public good and needed investment to the corridor, I am sorry to […]

One of the first jobs I held was a heavy equipment operator after joining the Operating Engineers Union in 1957. I was soon informed by my fellow workers that as a union member, my first loyalty was to the union, not my employer. I was told to slow my productively down to that of my […]

To the skier on Big Mountain: I have considered your situation and your stated frustration with “having” to ski by the Statue of the Man on federal property (Dec. 5 Beacon: “Whitefish Jesus Statue Challenge Salvaged by Local Atheist”). That fleeting moment, for you aren’t forced to stop, must be hell! But if you do […]

Is your state Legislature and state employees hostile to the concept of equal protection under the law? Our public servants take an oath to protect this concept under the Constitution. Columbia Falls Rep. Jerry O’Neil poses a question more valuable than “gold.” Is the protection of the value of labor exclusive to government employees only? […]

To die with dignity and choice is legal in Montana (and also in Washington and Oregon) if I am terminally ill, mentally competent and physically able to self-medicate. And if my physician of choice is willing and legally able to provide me with prescriptions that will enable me to be in control of my dying […]

I am concerned that America is drifting far away from the spiritual values that blessed and perhaps preserved our country two centuries ago. In 2008, a news commentator said that the new president elect was using the same tactic as Lincoln did in forming his cabinet; bringing around him those who had opposed his election. […]

It is interesting to hear Mitt Romney complain (again) that people who support President Barack Obama are essentially folks who are dependent on government handouts. My husband and I voted for Obama and we are employed, we have healthcare, we pay taxes and we are not dependent on government services aside from the ones on […]

As I feared and as this election validates, the tipping point in our nation has been reached and exceeded. Those in favor of big government now outnumber those in favor of limited government. Once this point is reached, if history is any guide, there is no going back. The role of government in every aspect […]

As rational adults, when something we do not like happens, should we really have the attitude of “I am taking my toys and going home?” The fact that there are all these petitions out there from various states that have some residents who wish to secede from the union because President Barack Obama was reelected […]

We are all familiar with the children’s tale, the fleecing of a kingdom by swindlers that offer a new royal wardrobe better than all others. Only the worthy can see. And even though it can’t be seen, no-one will admit not seeing it, thereby being unworthy. Just keep paying us, trust us, it is beautiful. […]

Immediately after the election, Tea Partiers and other so-called conservative groups started pointing the fingers and speaking out about how and why they lost the election. Here is one of the more ‘telling’ comments. Richard A. Viguerie, chairman of “ConservatieHQ.com” ended a press conference with these words: “Tea partiers will take over the Republican Party […]

There are a number of televised political ads by unionized Billings firefighters taking Congressman Denny Rehberg to task for suing their city, not for money but in an effort to change policy between the fire department and property owners. They allege that the cost of defending this lawsuit, which Rehberg dropped, cost Billings taxpayers money […]

While in the House, Congressman Denny Rehberg has voted for every budget busting tax cut for his fellow millionaires that comes before him and to involve us in unneeded wars. And yet he then votes for budgets that strip funding for veterans and first responders’ healthcare. When I was seeking help with the VA I […]