As the coal debate heats up on the West Coast, our state is left hoping and waiting for the approval of five proposed coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest. Our state economy is closely connected with the coal industry —keenly feeling the ups and downs of this industry. And, right now, the proposed Pacific […]

Development of the coal industry in eastern Montana will affect farming and tourism industries. You might wonder how? As both political parties push for more “dirty” coal development to create jobs and a better Montana economy, it will mean that there will be a increase in the number of trains that travel through the Flathead […]

By John Fuller Expanding free health care to allegedly poor people (known as Medicaid) is alluring to those who think that “free money” is really free. That “free” money will be stolen from those who pay taxes and given to those who don’t. Claiming that a majority vote legitimizes the theft doesn’t change the fact […]

The United States Constitution is roughly 4,500 words long. Most Americans can read the entire document from first to last work in 45 minutes. Yet, there is not a more poorly understood, though frequently cited, document in American history. As a teacher I frequently read and hear cries for more constitutional education in our school […]

Montana’s new Republican Congressman Steve Daines spent a good part of his Easter “vacation” from Congress on a “natural resources” tour, including visits to forest-products mills in Missoula, Seeley Lake, and here in the Flathead. But after making the expected promise that he hasn’t “lost sight of the foundation of this economy – timber, oil, […]

Go ahead, admit it – if it fits. Your business plan doesn’t really reflect your real business. You may not even use it. Ask yourself these questions: “Do you use it to run your business day to day?” “Does it bear any resemblance to what really happens at your business?” “Did you write it just […]

Just 90 days into his role as Montana’s sole congressman, Representative Steve Daines has expressed support for legislation that will protect 400,000 acres of Forest Service lands on the western boundary of Glacier National Park. To say that this is a landmark occasion might be an understatement. Daines is to be commended for his actions, […]

When the Beacon conducted an unscientific poll that asked our online readers if the effects of sequestration were being overhyped, 80 percent of the 225 voters who responded said “yes.” That may be a small sampling but it also reflects the majority of opinions I’ve received in letters and emails. That is, federal agencies and […]

By John Fuller The Cyprus government recently confiscated 40 percent of people’s savings by fiat. Could such theft of the people’s wealth ever be done here? Yes and no. We have constitutional and judicial protections from such blatant theft. However, the government stealing your money can be done in other ways. One of those ways […]

The Texas district attorney and assistant district attorney are assassinated along with his wife. The media blurbs that “… it must be the white supremacist, KKK.” Where do they get this information? The left wing is toying with disaster, and no one recognizes its infantile behavior. The American people should be wary and see if […]

Throughout the 63rd Legislative Session, members of both parties have touted their efforts to create jobs and strengthen Montana’s economy. Whether it is reducing tax burdens on small business or making new investments in education, there is good news coming out of the Legislature. But occasionally ideas emerge that are contrary to the goal of […]

Speaker of the House Mark Blasdel, R-Somers, and Senate President Jeff Essmann, R-Billings, are unlikely to let Montana expand access to free federal health care for nearly 70,000 Montanans. The federal Affordable Care Act budgeted free Medicaid health insurance expansion to all citizens with incomes of less than $15,400 annually. The catch being that the […]

You’ve probably seen this AP image contrasting the crowds at St. Peter’s in Rome over the last eight years. Note: Print readers, see the image at http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/images/uploads/Changes2005vs2013-294×300.png The first photo was taken by Luca Bruno in 2005 during preparations for the public viewing of Pope John Paul II’s body – almost two years before the […]

A case could be made that the false impression many Americans have in regards to “assault weapons” is the direct result of both the NRA misrepresenting them (beginning in the late ‘80’s through to the present) and not holding educators of U.S. history accountable for incomplete or revisionist history. When assault weapons were first widely […]

It’s always interesting to see what stories coming out of the Montana Legislature make the wires, become national news stories and draw chuckles or derision or both. The latest item to surface in metro newspapers is about legislation proposed by Kalispell Republican Rep. Steve Lavin, which would allow residents here to salvage big game killed […]