Thank you, Montana!  We did it.  Late last night our hometown sweetheart and political powerhouse (even as a newcomer) won with 56% of votes, winning in all precincts but one, the opponent’s hometown, where the count was only 18 votes short of a Republican win.

Sweeping all three counties, Teton, Powell, and Lewis and Clark counties, it’s clear what they’ve been talking about in the last few weeks; people are tired of the direction things are heading, and more states rode the anti-democratic sentiment all the way to control of the House. 

We did it!

The main players of the initiative recognize the importance of establishing and maintaining a professional front.  This means advocating legitimate users (such as Irvin Rosenfeld) and putting them front and center at gatherings, lectures, and other media-attended functions to serve as spokesmen, rather than the young guy with dreadlocks and a Bob Marley t-shirt, though he may be a true patient as well.  Image is perception is “reality”…and that’s where we meet another road block.

Should the movement seek to legalize marijuana with dishonest intentions to make it available to all who want it, then why waste time pitching it as medicine?   There should be no contest to the point that an ideological subculture surrounds marijuana use, and it’s only perpetuated by users hiding beneath the umbrella of a “caregiver” or “patient” title. 

As it currently stands, caregivers cannot call themselves “pharmacists”, nor will legal pharmacies touch medical marijuana in smoke form.  Doctors don’t “prescribe” marijuana, they “recommend” it.  Here we discover the semantic debate surrounding the issue, further contributing to the same ambiguity that has resulted in outright bans and many a moratorium around the state.  If we don’t understand the full bill language, then we cannot abide by it.

Comparing marijuana to alcohol is a dangerous strategy, because alcohol is clearly recognized as a recreational drug and not as “medicine”.  When one drinks they do not say they are “medicating”, at least not in seriousness.

Unfortunately the movers and shakers within the health care industry, such as the Department of Health, haven’t been visible enough to add the necessary credibility this case needs.  There have, however, been a number of legitimately sick people who’ve come forward to provide testimonials.

When Cannabis can be recommended by a physician, there needs to be checks and balances just as there are elsewhere.  Regulating distribution sites, listing them on a database accessible by law enforcement and the health care providers, requiring that distributors are insured for property and liability damage (at minimum), ensure caregivers are claiming their earnings; these are just some of the ideas that have been thrown out for legislators and lobbyists to mill over.

Much has to be done, but again, this is not a partisan issue.  Health care, however, is not a right, it’s a choice.  We must have a say in our own health care; it’s about personal accountability. 

Privacy, personal freedom, independence from oppressive government regulation, free enterprise, and competition in the market are just a few conservative values, but they all accompany checks and balances.  Problematic without definition is the idea that federally speaking, marijuana is still categorized as a schedule 1 narcotic.  Conservatives value a strong legal and justice system, including punishment and recidivism.  These values go hand-in-hand with faith and family, which are being considered heavily in the marijuana debate too.

How will families be affected?  Will children be at risk with marijuana in the home?  These are real issues, and Child and Family Services and attorneys alike are dealing heavily in marijuana related cases in light of the passage of I-148.

And faith…  Many claim that we should be free to use marijuana for medical purposes because it is nothing more than a God-given plant, grown from the soil, untainted with chemicals or other dangerous components like those in many pharmaceutical drugs.

So I conclude by admitting that I, as a Clark supporter and fellow Conservative, do not have the answers…but am open the hearing all those proposed, just as I know Christy Clark is.

Auxilary President Kathy DeMars "I'm all about public service."

 While many events took place today, such as the Teton County Health Department’s Fun Run and ONDEG Functional Fitness’ Barbells for Boobs fundraiser, the women of the Auxilary used their time and talent to create practical works of art to be used by various cancer institutes around the country.

At 2:30 today, the group of less than 10 women had whipped up more than 50 pillows.  What a way to make a difference.

Sun Times photo-Waste water Plans

Congratulations to the town of Dutton, and thank you councilmen and women, townspeople, and Mayor Susan Fleshman, who gave an outstanding tour of the new 1.8 million dollar waste water project in Dutton.

Mayor Fleshman and Clark listen to sewage intake system at the lift

The lift, lagoon, storage-to-irrigation, pontoon, and electrical system are all state-of-the-art and top of the line.  Nelcon, RPH, and Great West did a tremendous job, and the computer software that is now monitoring the pump systems is amazing.

Christy Clark, Dutton Clerk Jean Schoonover, Great West project manager Nate Hagen, Mayor Susan Fleshman, Dutton resident Lucille Flick

Dutton should be seen as inspiration by all small towns in this area, and I know that the project couldn’t have been done without the consensus of its people, after many public hearings.

What a terrific project!

Clark at Simms Lecture

Thursday, October 21st, PSC candidate Travis Kavulla addressed a group in Simms, along with Christy Clark, candidate for House District 17.

The People for the Constitution sponsored the lecture by Havard grad Kavulla, The Truth About Green Energy and Breaking the Bank.  This was one of many lectures held in Simms this election season, among others regarding health care reform.

The conservative values shined brightly and spoke loudly from the people gathering all the way from Great Falls, Choteau, Fairfield, and Power.

Travis Kavulla

Kavulla both eloquently and thoroughly described the true fiscal and environmental costs of the ever-popular “green movement”, which he claimed cannot and will not produce more jobs than coal power, which is ultimately cheaper and more efficient.

“The people obsessed with social spending are the same people afraid to make money off of developing our natural resources,” exclaimed Kavulla.

Travis Kavulla

The conclusion was not that saving the environment was a bad idea, but that in a cost/benefit analysis (even environmentally speaking) fossil fuels win over so-called “green” methods hands down! 

Consider this point; that all wind farms need (on reserve) enough natural gas to replace wind generated electricity in the absence of its (wind) power.  You cannot switch on wind instantaneously the way you can a natural gas plant.

Additionally, “green jobs” would not only employ fewer people than coal jobs, but they would hardly put a dent in the number of jobs lost in the coal industry should it be shut down.

Finally, a point Kavulla made which was especially interesting, is that in 40 years, environmentalists are likely to look at the enormous wind farms as an incredibly boisterous and hideous footprint on our beautiful landscape…much like they do oil derricks now. 

 And one last question, from a woman in attendance, “How has the EPA gotten the power to write and enforce as many regulations as it has without a single publicly elected member?”  Kavulla answered quite simply, “I don’t know exactly, but it’s incredibly unconstitutional.”

*This in reference to regulating carbon dioxide emissions, which according to Kavulla, is the air we exhale…not a harmful pollutant like others which we should be concerned with.

1. development of our natural resources, 2. creating a better environment for businesses and 3. adding value to our agricultural products.

“Those three things can be accomplished through less government regulation, limiting frivolous lawsuits, and lowering taxes on businesses and corporations. Montana is rich in natural resources, and agricultural products that can be utilized and marketed on broader scale to increase the value. Montana products such as wood, coal, beef, grain and even wind energy are all in great demand throughout the world”.-Christy Clark

http://votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=120784#20757

The next People for the Constitution Lecture will be held Thursday, October 21 at 7:00 pm at the Simms’  Lion’s Club Hall.

The Title of the lecture is “Saving the Planet or breaking the Bank? The Truth Behind Green Energy.”

The speaker is Travis Kavulla, Republican Candidate for PSC.  Travis is a graduate of Cambridge and Harvard and is an Editor of “National Review.”

PSA compliments of Fairfield Sun Times

http://www.fairfieldsuntimes.com

Recent lectures sponsored by People for the Constitution have included Constitutional Solutions to Health Care Reform, and Understanding Health Care Reform

By KIM SKORNOGOSKI • Tribune Staff Writer • October 12, 2010

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010120308

Choteau native Christy Clark, 44, is running for office for the first time, but has previous political experience as chairwoman of the Teton County Republican central committee.

Her college degree is in English from Colorado State University and she previously worked as an English tutor at Choteau High School. She and her husband Lew have three children.

Clark also volunteers in the Choteau community, including as a church youth group leader.

Her top priority if elected is fostering a friendly business environment and encouraging the development of natural resources to create new jobs in Montana.

“I cannot stress enough that government jobs do not promote long-standing economic recovery,” she said. “Recovery must come from the private sector of this great state, not more government.”

Here are Clark’s responses to the Tribune questionnaire:

Ways to trim the budget?

Budget shortfall is going to an enormous issue in the upcoming legislature.Our own government has grown by 1,200 full-time jobs in the last six years. I recommend we go back to the 2005 budget and cut funding for all the additional government jobs and programs that have been added since 2005.If our budget shortfall exceeds that number than we can look at cutting the funding for programs that were supposed to funded one time.Most of all we must support our business to create jobs to increase our tax base.We must encourage natural resource and energy development to pour more dollars into our state.

How would you change the Montana Medical Marijuana Act?

The Medical Marijuana law needs to be overhauled if it is to be salvaged. Since it is an initiative passed by the people, I think the Legislature is obligated to try to make it work.I would encourage stricter regulations to qualify for a medical marijuana card, stricter limits upon who can grow and distribute it, and cracking down on doctors who have taken advantage of the law and basically handed out cards for a small fee.We need to protect the population and children as well as support those folks who have a legitimate medical need.

Solutions and problem solving: Medical Marijuana

What will you do to bring more jobs to your district?

Developing our natural resources and supporting energy projects is a starting place.Streamlining permit process and limiting frivolous lawsuits would help get new projects get moving while avoiding mounds of red tape. Eliminating the business equipment taxes for small business, reducing workers compensation rates and repealing the federal health care reform act could give businesses incentive to expand in Montana.Protecting agriculture by securing grazing and utilization of public lands will allow agriculture to stay strong and viable. Natural resources, energy, small businesses and agriculture create jobs, not expanding government.

Why should voters choose you rather than your opponent?

I am the right vote because I am consistently conservative.  I have deep agricultural roots, own and operate a number of small businesses, and I understand that less government and less taxes mean more jobs for a stronger Montana. I believe in the Constitution, and will fight tirelessly to defend it.  I believe my diverse background and conservative values have prepared me to be a leader in Montana.This is not the time for partisan politics; rather it is time for leaders to put the needs of the people in the state first. I have a reputation for working fairly and cooperatively with all people regardless of their party.

Thank you, Jim and Meita Paris for having our crew down to speak at the function, and for allowing us to participate in your meeting.  Looking forward to the legislation you’re working on, and congratulations on the amazing RTP (Recreational Trails Program) grant of $35,000 this year!  What a huge accomplishment for the club, which I was pleased to hear is now the leading snowmobile organization in the Northwest. 

Congratulations, also, on taking the bull by the horns and taking the lead on weed management.  That’s exactly the kind of grassroots mobilization and community cooperation that will save this state and our country. 

To Susan and Nye of the Blackfeet Valley Dispatch, thanks again for the wonderfully help in all of our campaign ads, and it was great visiting with you in Lincoln.

Jerry, President of the Lincoln Community Hall (opened since 1918!) we appreciate speaking with you about the hall and the snow warriors club, but also Lincoln high school football; way to go coach!  High school football is a language we speak around these parts too, and we’re happy to hear your grandson led the boys to a homecoming victory on Friday.

Thanks everyone who took a sign home, asked questions, and contributed to the campaign!  We support the Ponderosa Snow Warriors, and we appreciate your support for Christy Clark!

Momentum seemed to pick up last month, after our crew caught a second wind post-parade season.  It’s been door-to-door, meet & greets, and public outings, and of course, Choteau Bulldog football! 

Good Luck tonight, guys!  Last home game, hope everyone can make it to support the team.

Busy few weeks, but it couldn’t be done without all of the support. 

Thank you again, to everyone.