Thoughts from the Middle of Nowhere

The Montana Constitution requires a 90 day Legislative session every two years. The only purpose given in the Constitution for the Session is to draft a balanced budget that will run the State for the next two years. You know what, the children couldn't handle this simple little thing required of them from the Constitution.

The Democrats blame the Republicans and the Republicans blame the Democrats. It depends on which side of the aisle you stand on to decide who's to blame. I'm sure there is enough blame to spread over both sides but the Republicans are coming out looking the most scarred by the fray. This might not have been the case if Lange wouldn't have had his "YouTube" moment but that is water under the bridge and the Republicans are in trouble over this situation.

Looking beyond the parties, who is being hurt the most by the children feuding like they are? The citizens of Montana. No budget and now looking at having to foot the bill for a special session. If the session is called within the next 7 days the startup costs will be significantly less than if the Governor waits longer but he seems to not be sure when to call them back.

The whole thought of having to do this all again is sickening. Watching the children fight over how to divvy up the projected $1 billion dollar surplus is really getting old. Both sides need to give a little to come to a solution but with both sides standing on their high horse that isn't going to happen and the citizens of Montana are going to continue to suffer.

It will be interesting to see how all the feuding affects the 2008 elections. Even Republican supporters are questioning whether they want to support the party in 2008 so we will just have to wait and see.

Children are in a very precarious position when they enter into relationships with adults because their personhood is not acknowledged in our society. Kate Millett

Just a little information on what the Legislature is up to from the Gazette. I don't have time to do much else right now.

We have a push to allow more licenses to sell drinks at places that serve food. Not much opposition is seen for this for a change.

A law to allow an expansion of medical marijuana in Montana was tabled. Letting people have drugs other than booze and cigarettes is not high on the Legislatures wish list.

The Republicans property tax plan debuts. The Republicans claim it is more fair than the Governors and it will cost $150 million. The Democrats claim it is going to cost $378 million and gives money back to the rich who don't need it. Let the games begin.

Then we have the Democrats opposing and the Republicans supporting tuition reduction in Montana colleges. A little backwards from what we normally see but the Democrats say there are other measures to be discussed for reducing college costs before they can kill support this measure. We will see what happens. Will we see any actions to reduce college costs with the Legislature at such loggerheads? I don't know.

Should counties be given the option of banning fireworks in the county like the cities all ready can? This bill brings that before the Legislators attention. I do have a question though, what would happen if a city wanted to allow fireworks sales in a county that doesn't allow fireworks sale? Who trumps who here? I'm sure in the long run we will find out.

Just some quick hits and thoughts, off to take care of the cows.

All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking. Friedrich Nietzsche

Montana's Legislature convenes today in it's biennial 90-day session. All I can say is BOHICA. I guarantee you that is what is going to happen, the taxpayers is going to get screwed over. I'm sure glad they can only do this once every two years. I don't think I could stand a yearly reaming like this.

When you've got to bend over and you've got officials standing behind you, there's nothing worse than to fall out of your swimsuit, and I was doing this. Dawn Fraser