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The Chronicle supports Democrats Franke Wilmer, Kathleen Williams, JP Pomnichowski, and Mike Phillips, plus a couple of Republicans. The reason these Democrats were named is apparently their willingness to compromise. Compromise, though, is not what you think it is. The way compromise plays out is getting Republicans on board with what the Democrats want to do. So if the Democrats want to increase spending by 11% on something, they compromise at 9%. If Democrats want to expand eligibility in some government handout, they will agree to a few less people being eligible.
But Democrats will never compromise on their basic philosophy of government. You will never find them compromising if compromising means giving up part of what they believe. However, compromise is always required of Republicans. Probably because their ideas are so narrow and backward.
Roger Koopman has done good work in documenting this faux compromise. His group, Montana Conservatives, has calculated the percentage of times various state representatives and senators have tended to vote either left or right. Mr. Koopman writes:
"Votes for larger, more powerful, more intrusive and more expensive government are interpreted as 'liberal' or leftist positions. Votes for smaller government, lower taxes, fewer regulations and more individual and economic freedom are interpreted as 'conservative' positions. Other traditional conservative positions include government transparency, competitive free markets, states rights, firearms freedom, civil/constitutional liberties and educational choice."
Based on that, he chronicles 149 votes (71 Senate, 78 House) from the 2011 Montana legislative session which come to bear on the criteria he describes above. From that we are able to discern who actually are the compromisers. Let's start with the generic groups. These groups have cast conservative votes in these percentages:
Senate Average: 27% conservative votes
Senate Republicans: 45%
Senate Democrats: 5%
House Average: 34%
House Republicans: 47%
House Democrats: 6%
We can observe from these numbers that no group, whether Republican or Democrat, votes conservatively most of the time. But note that Republicans vote to the Left almost half the time, whereas Democrats almost never vote to the Right. Our first conclusion is that for all the vociferous complaining the Left does regarding the need for compromise to govern effectively, they are the ones least likely to do so.
So, what about the Chronicle's endorsements?
Franke Wilmer: 5% conservative votes
Kathleen Williams: 6%
Mike Phillips: 4%
JP Pomnichowski: no information
And what about some of the specific republicans the Chronicle mentioned?
Tom Burnett: 64% conservative votes
Gordy Vance: 69%
Kelly Flynn: 60%
Ted Washburn: 30%
It is clear, then, that Republicans are much more the compromisers. And the Democrats the Chronicle endorses, cited specifically because of their willingness to compromise, are nothing more than doctrinaire Leftists.
With statistics like this, no wonder the Left supports compromise. They almost always get their way. So going forward I suggest that Republicans compromise just the same as Democrats. Which is to say, not at all. Politics is a hardball activity, and it's time the Right played the game like the Left. Contrary to the leftist meme, politics is not about compromise, it's about winning. And for the most part, when conservatives stand fast on their conservative views, the voting public responds and re-elects them. Because most of the voting public, at least in the way they lead their lives, are conservative.
And we know quite conclusively now after decades of leftist experimentation with our society that their prescriptions just don't work. They've failed every time they've been tried, leaving a wake of destruction and human misery on par with the worst of the wars we've waged, or even the damage caused by the most eeevil capitalist. It's a wonder that the Left has any power at all. They always have good intentions. It's time we judged them by their results.
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OUR OPINION
Voters should support compromise in election
Voters should support compromise in election
It’s no big secret that politics have been divisive in Helena recently. Reflecting the mood in much of the nation, Montana’s elected leaders are more polarized than any time in memory.
It’s for that reason that voters should be looking for candidates with the demonstrated ability to compromise. It’s only through bridging the chasm between the parties that we will find solutions to our state’s and nation’s problems.
With that in mind, the Chronicle editorial board offers some suggestions on local elections.
In House District 63, Rep. Franke Wilmer is challenging incumbent Rep. Tom Burnett. Wilmer, a Democrat who currently represents House District 64, deserves another trip to Helena. She is smart, well-spoken and has shown a willingness to work with members of the other party. The incumbent Burnett is also intelligent and well-spoken, but we believe he has been too dogmatic on the issues. Wilmer would be a more effective legislator for the district.
In House District 64, political newcomers Tom Woods and Clint Field are facing off. Field should earn the trip to Helena in this contest. Field, a Republican , has a strong business background that could be useful in the capitol and a thorough understanding of the issues. Woods, a Democrat, is thoughtful and a frequent contributor to the Chronicle’s letters to the editor, but Field should get the nod in this race.
In House District 65, incumbent Kathleen Williams is facing a challenge from Nick Mahan. Williams, a Democrat, should win voters’ approval in this race. She has a strong legislative background and has demonstrated she can work with her colleagues across the aisle. Mahan, a Republican, faces an uphill battle in this historically Democratic district. He acknowledges he is running primarily to give voters a choice, and he deserves kudos for that. But Williams has earned another trip to Helena.
In House District 66 veteran lawmaker JP Pomnichowski is facing off with Dave Ponte. Pomnichowski, a Democrat, deserves the win in this district. She has a strong work ethic and a depth of knowledge in natural resource issues, some of the most important issues facing the state. Ponte is rigid in his conservative beliefs and is unlikely to look for any middle ground.
In House District 70, Democrat April Buonamici, Republican Kerry White and Independent Chris Burke are all in the race for the seat previously held by Michael More. It may be a long shot in this historically conservative district, but voters should give Burke the nod. This West Yellowstone businessman has a thorough knowledge of the issues and seems willing to work with representatives on both sides of the aisle. Both of the party candidates do not seem as well-versed on the challenges facing this particular district, the state and the Legislature.
In Senate District 33, former state Rep. Mike Phillips is running against political newcomer Tom Tuck. The nod clearly should go to Phillips in this race. Phillips, a Democrat, has a distinguished record in the House and a demonstrated ability to compromise and get things done. Tuck, a tea party activist, espouses a rigid ideology and expresses disdain for his own Republican Party.
In Senate District 34, veteran Republican lawmaker Scott Sales does not embody the willingness to compromise that this board has long touted. That said, he is a far better choice for the district voters than his challenger, conservative Mike Comstock, who is for some reason running as a Democrat.
It’s worth noting that three Republican members of the Montana House — Gordy Vance in House District 67, Kelly Flynn in House District 68 and Ted Washburn in House District 69 — are without opposition on the ballots this fall. They were all endorsed by the Chronicle in 2010, have acquitted themselves well in office and deserve another term. We wish them well.
Another contested local race is for Gallatin County sheriff. The clear choice here is Republican Brian Gootkin, who county commissioners tabbed to replace Jim Cashell when he retired. In his first year, Gootkin has proven to be a strong and effective sheriff deserved of his first full term. His challenger, Democrat Joshua Jones, apparently has no background in law enforcement and has not responded to several attempts by the Chronicle to reach him. We are left to believe he is not a serious candidate.
Chronicle coverage has documented the qualifications and views of all those seeking seats in the Legislature. Voters are urged to get informed and get to the polls on Nov. 6.
It’s for that reason that voters should be looking for candidates with the demonstrated ability to compromise. It’s only through bridging the chasm between the parties that we will find solutions to our state’s and nation’s problems.
With that in mind, the Chronicle editorial board offers some suggestions on local elections.
In House District 63, Rep. Franke Wilmer is challenging incumbent Rep. Tom Burnett. Wilmer, a Democrat who currently represents House District 64, deserves another trip to Helena. She is smart, well-spoken and has shown a willingness to work with members of the other party. The incumbent Burnett is also intelligent and well-spoken, but we believe he has been too dogmatic on the issues. Wilmer would be a more effective legislator for the district.
In House District 64, political newcomers Tom Woods and Clint Field are facing off. Field should earn the trip to Helena in this contest. Field, a Republican , has a strong business background that could be useful in the capitol and a thorough understanding of the issues. Woods, a Democrat, is thoughtful and a frequent contributor to the Chronicle’s letters to the editor, but Field should get the nod in this race.
In House District 65, incumbent Kathleen Williams is facing a challenge from Nick Mahan. Williams, a Democrat, should win voters’ approval in this race. She has a strong legislative background and has demonstrated she can work with her colleagues across the aisle. Mahan, a Republican, faces an uphill battle in this historically Democratic district. He acknowledges he is running primarily to give voters a choice, and he deserves kudos for that. But Williams has earned another trip to Helena.
In House District 66 veteran lawmaker JP Pomnichowski is facing off with Dave Ponte. Pomnichowski, a Democrat, deserves the win in this district. She has a strong work ethic and a depth of knowledge in natural resource issues, some of the most important issues facing the state. Ponte is rigid in his conservative beliefs and is unlikely to look for any middle ground.
In House District 70, Democrat April Buonamici, Republican Kerry White and Independent Chris Burke are all in the race for the seat previously held by Michael More. It may be a long shot in this historically conservative district, but voters should give Burke the nod. This West Yellowstone businessman has a thorough knowledge of the issues and seems willing to work with representatives on both sides of the aisle. Both of the party candidates do not seem as well-versed on the challenges facing this particular district, the state and the Legislature.
In Senate District 33, former state Rep. Mike Phillips is running against political newcomer Tom Tuck. The nod clearly should go to Phillips in this race. Phillips, a Democrat, has a distinguished record in the House and a demonstrated ability to compromise and get things done. Tuck, a tea party activist, espouses a rigid ideology and expresses disdain for his own Republican Party.
In Senate District 34, veteran Republican lawmaker Scott Sales does not embody the willingness to compromise that this board has long touted. That said, he is a far better choice for the district voters than his challenger, conservative Mike Comstock, who is for some reason running as a Democrat.
It’s worth noting that three Republican members of the Montana House — Gordy Vance in House District 67, Kelly Flynn in House District 68 and Ted Washburn in House District 69 — are without opposition on the ballots this fall. They were all endorsed by the Chronicle in 2010, have acquitted themselves well in office and deserve another term. We wish them well.
Another contested local race is for Gallatin County sheriff. The clear choice here is Republican Brian Gootkin, who county commissioners tabbed to replace Jim Cashell when he retired. In his first year, Gootkin has proven to be a strong and effective sheriff deserved of his first full term. His challenger, Democrat Joshua Jones, apparently has no background in law enforcement and has not responded to several attempts by the Chronicle to reach him. We are left to believe he is not a serious candidate.
Chronicle coverage has documented the qualifications and views of all those seeking seats in the Legislature. Voters are urged to get informed and get to the polls on Nov. 6.
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