A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.

15 February 2018 — 1224 mst

John Heenan has a big lead in Montana Post’s online poll

The online poll at The Montana Post of preferences in Montana’s Democratic primary for the U.S. House is not based on a random sample of voters. And at least one candidate, Kathleen Williams, issued Tweets urging her supporters to pack the poll for her.

But Williams is in third place, slightly behind Grant Kier, and well behind the leader, John Heenan. Lynda Moss and Jared Pettinato failed to break two percent.

TMP_poll_15_feb
PDF for printing

Note. I obtained the percentages by scaling a screenshot of the poll.

Why is Heenan, whom I’ve endorsed, leading, and leading by so wide a margin? The answer is clear as a Big Sky morning. He’s a master communicator with a powerful, progressive, message. His opponents verbosely pussyfoot around the issues, but Heenan gets right to the point. Responding to TMP’s question on alleviating poverty, he said:

I am running as an FDR Democrat. In the 1930’s, President Roosevelt laid out an economic bill of rights, that if adopted, would reduce unemployment, revitalize the middle class, ensure the dignity of a job to all that are willing to work. The Economic Bill of Rights would also benefit a farmer’s right to a fair economy, protect against unfair competition and monopolies, help low-wage workers with housing and medical care, ensure equal access to education, and provide social security of our aging population.

Women are 35 percent more likely than men to be poor in America, and single mothers are hit the hardest. Women are the sole or co-breadwinners in half of American families, and make up almost half our workforce. Yet women still earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, and women of color earn even less. Equal pay for equal work is not only about social justice; it just makes economic sense.

FDR also presented his second bill of rights in his 1944 State of the Union Address (full text):

It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people — whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth- is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill housed, and insecure.

This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights — among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.

As our Nation has grown in size and stature, however — as our industrial economy expanded — these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.

We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.” People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

  • The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the Nation;
  • The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
  • The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
  • The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
  • The right of every family to a decent home;
  • The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
  • The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
  • The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America’s own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens. For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world.

TMP’s candidates questionnaire is a milestone for Montana blogs

Just a few years ago, many candidates would not have deigned to respond to a questionnaire from a political blogger. That the four Democrats who have filed for Montana’s Democratic primary for the U.S. House responded, as did Jared Pettinato, who still has not filed, and who may not even be a real Democrat, is a testament to the increasing legitimacy of blogs as reputable and important sources of information. And it’s a well deserved tribute to Don Pogreba’s vision and hard work in establishing TMP as Montana’s leading political blog.