Montana gubernatorial candidates sing the same old song

It seems that this year’s field of gubernatorial candidates could offer some competition for Bozeman’s own Chord Rustlers. The Chord Rustlers, as you may know, are a fine, local a capella group that is known for its rich harmony and the flawless execution of favorite songs from the last century.

While we are great admirers of the Chord Rustlers, we had no idea that such a tradition was to be so honored by the candidates for governor, virtually all of whom recently voiced off-key, but in almost perfect unison, their vision for a Montana where blasting, digging and extracting will carry us forward through the 21st century.

By Chronicle Editor

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/01/21/opinions/governorbzopin.t

At a forum last week in Great Falls, the performance was a predictable vintage of classics from years gone by.

Pat Davison, an accountant and businessman from Billings sang loud and clear that Montanans want to "take back their state" from environmental extremists.

Tom Keating, an oil-and-gas apologist, advocated a repeal of major environmental laws, like the Montana Environmental Policy Act and the ban on cyanide-leach, open-pit gold mines.

Ken Miller limited his tune to an attack on gasoline taxes, while Bob Brown, who should know better in the wake of Gov. Judy Martz’ administration, chimed in that our natural resources need to see more development.

Off on the side, Brian Schweitzer performed a solo which also praised the promise of natural resources, although he did recognize the overwhelming need to improve business opportunity across the board, including health care and education as necessary components of a well-rounded economy.

In an editorial last week, we encouraged Montana voters to seek candidates who had multidimensional views of the state’s economy and a strategic plan to attract a variety of desirable businesses and entrepreneurs.

Our economy will only improve when candidates of vision and strength of conviction recognize that a state that relies only on drills, pipes and mine tailings will find itself bankrupt in promise as well as in fact.

Some of these candidates seem clueless as to what has worked and not worked in the past four years under Martz. They sing old economy favorites from the last century believing, apparently, that we really don’t mind things like tire-burning or coalbed methane development in our back yards. That, perhaps, things are really just the same as they were 20 or 30 years ago.

If these candidates can’t change their tune about the real demands and promise of Montana’s economy, there will be no encore come November.