If politics are bringing you down, do something

Many liberals live awash in our politically red state of Montana, berated, pushed around, and even called mentally ill by Republicans. Until recently liberals were quiet, but dramatic changes against democratic values instituted in our state, and Washington DC by the current administration, have stimulated activism on the Left.

The threatened repeal the Affordable Care Act mandate and proposed onerous tax bills, one passed by the House, the other pending in the Senate, have brought many independents, liberals and Democrats into action for the first time in their lives.

This week the Trump Tuesday Tax Protest drew a crowd of over fifty people for an hour-long protest in downtown Kalispell near Senator Daines’ office. People from around the Valley gathered with members of the Big Sky Rising-Indivisible Flathead activist group to raise their voices against a tax bill that benefits the rich and harms those less fortunate which is much of the state of Montana. They delivered a petition to Senator Daines’ field representative asking Senator Daines to vote “no” on the tax bill.

While participants gathered on corners with signs asking for defeat of the tax bill in Congress, many passing vehicles horns honked in support. Cheering through open windows of the vehicles could be heard and thumbs up gestures were commonplace as protestors waved in encouragement. Many pedestrians asked to join the group and were handed extra signs. Most signs promoted no tax breaks for the top 1 percent and support for vital programs for ordinary citizens that will be cut in order to pay for tax breaks for the rich.

Every Tuesday, members of the two organizations and others gather with signs at 2nd Avenue and Main voicing their opinions and concerns. Big Sky Rising works across the state to empower citizens and connect communities by promoting equality and diversity, while protecting human rights civil liberties and the environment through respectful dialogue, education and advocacy. Under Indivisible guidelines, the group opposes the Trump agenda through persistent lobbying of Montana’s members of Congress and non-violent protests.

If you aren’t happy with current events, do something. Voice your concerns. Write letters to your members of Congress. Become an activist. Join us each Tuesday.

—Betty Kuffel

Whitefish