Hey guys, how about some help?

Haven't made any New Years Resolutions? Want some ideas? A sobering evaluation of '07 seems in order for citizens to recognize that more accountability must be demanded of government, local, state, and national. The malaise which has settled over the land and dimmed the bright pursuit of the American dream has developed largely because of circumstances brought about by poor policy decisions at the top. We find it no longer wise to abide by "live and let live policies" when federal actions relative to a bridge collapse in Minneapolis or the Katrina disaster in the Southeast determines whether or not senior citizens in Lincoln County walk or ride. We are faced with the reality that the quality of our futures depends upon the effectiveness of our own collective efforts.

State legislators are continually called upon to bring some semblance of justice for Montanans when often punitive regulations and policies rob them of freedom to come and go, and conduct their business. Many of these problems have to do with social security, insurance, retirement, or regulatory issues over which states have little or no control. Baby boomers approaching retirement age have reason to fear that social security funds into which they have paid for years will be spent out from under them by a Congress which has become notoriously profligate in spending taxpayer's money. And now, more and more Americans are becoming aware that the freedoms we have so long taken for granted are in grave danger.

National attention focused on the Montana Legislature last April when, by both bill and resolution, it addressed issues of critical importance to Montana and the nation. Montana was one of the first states to pass legislation in opposition to the Federal Real ID Act. One prominent supporter of House Bill 287, speaking for many Montanans, said: The Federal ID Act creates a de facto national ID card that unnecessarily invades the privacy — of Montanans. We don't want federal agents tracking our day to day movements, listening to our phone conversations or rifling through our library records. Montana is again on the forefront in the fight for personal freedom and we will continue to hold the Federal government accountable."

Experience has taught that only a newly awakened and energized public will be able to prove the above statement more than just another idle declaration.

Montana, early on, also joined Idaho in passing a resolution in opposition to the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America and other initiatives that threaten the sovereignty of the United States. Trade policies, supported and pursued by the Bush administration, have launched a public outcry over border policies which pave the way for what has become known as the North American Union—a trade accommodation patterned after the European Union— an almost identical counterpart to that European entity. Advocates of this social engineering have planned their strategy well, even to patterning a new unit of currency after the "euro" dollar which would be called the "amero" and intended to facilitate trade within the newly formed partnership. Such deliberately planned erosion of America, as we know and love it, is particularly disturbing at a time when national news graphically depicts mass demonstrations by Mexican sympathizers flying the Mexican banner above our own flag — the stars and stripes displayed upside down.

Only a nation-wide outcry aborted congressional attempts to extend almost unlimited amnesty to illegal immigrants, and monetary educational privileges to their children. Refusal of Congress to address illegal immigration has resulted in more and more states looking to protect their legitimate citizens from being short-changed by the tremendous costs of providing services to millions who have never paid into the system. To protect their citizens, states are considering enactment of stronger penalties for employers who hire illegal workers. Border states are looking for ways to protect their citizens from additional fall-out from illegal immigration, including rising crime costs, effects of illegal drug trafficking and imminent taking of private property to accommodate international trade corridors.

Among the countless bills in congress to designate more wilderness, are bills which really stand out. HR 1975, which would create millions more acres of wilderness in Montana, has not been acted upon yet. A combination of HR 3287 and HR 2593 creates wilderness along the Mexican border which will not only expedite illegal access to the United States, but also deny our border patrol the use of motorized vehicles in order to do their job of protecting our borders. There seems no possible explanation for such irresponsible actions unless it serves the foreign policy goals of those seeking the union with Canada and Mexico. Congress needs to hear from us that these policies are not in the best interests of our country.

Documents from Security Prosperity Partnership obtained under a Freedom of Information Request show multiple working groups covering a wide range of public policy issues. U.S. administrative branch officers participating in these working groups are drawn from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Commerce, Treasury, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, Health and Human Services and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Corresponding groups from Canada and Mexico are correlating activities among the agencies of the three countries.

The blueprint President Bush is following was laid out in a May 2005 report titled "Building a North American Community," published by the Council on Foreign Relations. Many believe the CFR Report connects the dots between the Bush Administration's actual policy on illegal immigration and the drive to create the North American Union. The document boldly calls for the creation of a North American Community by 2010. Advancement of associated policies has met strong opposition in Texas and other border states where citizens' property rights are threatened by potential trade corridors and illegal drug operations.

Confidence that the North American Union issue will leave the White House with the departure of President Bush and Vice-President Cheney is grossly misplaced, because the Internet is simply loaded with allegations that presidential candidates of both parties, with the exception of Congressman Ron Paul, have strong ties to the CFR, or are members of that global advocacy organization. It is essential that voters find out exactly where their candidates stand on U.S. Constitutional and American Sovereignty issues. The Law of the Sea Treaty, soon to be voted on by the U.S. Senate, is another give-away of American interests. Fax or call Senators Baucus and Tester. You may be surprised by their replies.

Most Montanans are outraged that our two U.S. Senators have invited the United Nations to intervene on environmental issues adjacent to Glacier and Waterton Parks. There are Lincoln County citizens who are also outraged that the Forest Service has embarked on a new study of the area known to us as the Ten Lakes, or to Wilderness Advocates as the Winton Weydemeyer. The long battle to preserve all Kootenai National Forest lands east of Highway 93 for multiple use is far from over, as the Forest Service has embarked on a new project referred to as the "Galton Project." Word is that information about the project will be made available to the public about the end of January. I would encourage interested people to call and request to be on the mailing list. That number is (406) 882-4451.

Approximately 1 million acres of proposed wilderness designation now being decided in Congress is in Lincoln County. Sixty-five million dollars has been appropriated for road obliteration — most of which is probably intended for the five western states included in the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act. The North Lincoln County "Totally Involved in Managing Better Economic Resources" Study Committee found, and stated, that: "We believe in active management, rather than passive management of the Kootenai National Forest." The findings of that group should be carefully considered and given equal weight as Congress considers the request for more wilderness by the Lincoln County Coalition, the Yaak Valley Forest Council, the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Organization and Commissioners Konzen and Roose. Very little active management takes place without roads.

Those of us who treasure our rich heritage have every reason to support the findings of the group commissioned by the Eureka Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tobacco Valley Community Development Council. Our congressional delegation needs to hear from all of us immediately, and keep hearing from us.

Northwest Montana has been targeted by movers and shakers of the global community. Don't be surprised to discover their agendas are aided and abetted by some of your friends and neighbors, either knowingly, or unwittingly. So pick your cause, folks! Fax your Senators. E-mail your Senators. Call your Senators. Contact Congressman Rehberg. Circulate petitions. Know how they voted. Get involved. Only your participation can help guarantee a brighter future for us all.