Shedding light on 'dark money'

Undisclosed “dark money” in Montana politics is once again creating an environment that our heritage lived through during the “War of the Copper Kings.”

Midterm elections will weigh heavily on Montana’s future. Montana has only three electoral votes, but it has wealth. Montana has minerals, timber, water, wilderness areas, recreation, and 29 percent of its area contains federal and state lands. All are saleable, in demand — and under siege.

In the late 1890s, early 1900s, the so-called Copper Kings owned most of our banks, courts, newspapers and legal structures. The Montana people used the only power they had left with an initiative they passed, “The Corrupt Practices Act.” This act was overruled in 2010 by the U.S. Supreme Court in a quasi 5-4 decision.

The War of the Copper Kings is now more than a memory. The war is back with quid pro quo (this for that) undisclosed “dark money.”

History is repeating itself, evident by the last two wealthy newcomers into Montana politics: Mr. Rosendale from Maryland and Mr. Gianforte from California.

Give your vote honesty and self respect. Am I voting for the welfare of Montana or am I voting for out of state corporate interests?

—Dale Moore,

Belgrade