Letters to the editor
Former prime minister's mea culpa
To Whitefish Winter Carnival, the Prime Ministers, Those in attendance at Saturday's Merry Maker event, and in particular, the individual who bore the brunt of my angry behavior and use of inappropriate language I offer a heartfelt apology.
My actions at the beginning of what should have been an evening filled with fun, frolic, and frivolity were totally embarrassing to those who witnessed my outburst, particularly to my fellow Prime Minister who did not deserve to be the subject of my loss of temper.
I have always felt that being privileged to be a member of the Prime Ministers is one of the very best things that happened to me in the 20 years since I was named Prime Minister to King Ulr XXV. I sincerely ask for forgiveness from the individual involved and from those who were witnesses to my behavior.
Gary Elliot
Whitefish
President Bush's social security cuts
unconscionable
President Bush is endangering my retirement and the retirements of millions of Americans by taking the first step in his plan to dismantle Social Security.
Recently, White House sources revealed their plan to cut promised benefits to retirees by nearly a third. And these cuts are guaranteed — whether you opt in to the Bush plan or not.
For those entering the workforce today, that means more than a 25 percent cut in the retirement benefits they're counting on; for their children, it guarantees a 46 percent cut.
We can't stand by and let George W. Bush and the Republicans cut our promised guaranteed retirement benefits — especially when so many of us are counting on Social Security to help us lead a happy, healthy life when we retire.
If these "NeoCONS" get their way, very soon America(ns) will have little or none of the Social programs such as Social Security, and the elderly, disabled and other impoverished Americans, already the majority of Americans, will end up literally on the street(s).
This is unconscionable in a country that is supposed to be the greatest democracy on Earth!
S. Wolf Britain
Whitefish
Response to break-in restores faith
As you may have heard, the Whitefish Yoga Center was burglarized sometime on the night of Dec. 28, 2004. Someone felt that they needed our laptop computer, stereo equipment and some cash more than we did.
If you've ever had someone break into your home or office you know how violated you can feel, and angry, and this is how we reacted initially. It's hard to accept that we no longer live in that quiet, safe, respectful little town of years ago.
It's easy to think that we can no longer trust one another and that this is no different a place than some big, heartless, stone-faced city.
But it's not so. When word of the break-in got around we were amazed at the reaction of our friends and members. Not only did we see genuine shock and anger on people's faces, we also received the most amazing offers of help.
People wanted to lend, and even give us their computers. Within a day we had a new pair of speakers loaned to us. One person even brought a big glass jar into the office and wanted to put up a donations sign next to it for a new computer. We found ourselves in awe of the generous, caring people we call our community. You cannot know just how much this has meant to us.
The anger we felt at first learning of the break-in has quickly turned into a renewed faith in you, our friends and neighbors and those we haven't met yet. Yes, we've added security features to our studio. Yes, we will be much more careful in the future. No, we will never stop believing that we live in a caring, giving town. All of you make this town what it is and we want to thank all of you for your caring and considerate ways.
Chris and Vicki
Owners
The Whitefish Yoga Center
State tax is a viable resource
Is Montana going backwards? Should Montana start a state sales tax? The residents will pay pennies and the state visitors will pay thousands. Montana visitors outnumber its residents 5 or 6 to 1. Is there anything wrong with having all these visitors help the state be a stronger and healthier place?
We should never allow the tax to exceed 5 percent, and the proceeds should be used to help residents lower or eliminate property taxes. This revenue could be used to help cover medical and prescription needs for the state's seniors. It could also be used to increase Montana's teacher's wages, which are now the third worse in the nation. Good, qualified teachers are one of our state's most valuable assets. Montana's treatment of them is causing them to leave our state in droves.
We must take advantage of this much needed, non polluting, non damaging resource. Without a state sales tax we are going backwards.
Lon LaBelle
Noxon