Is it any wonder many of us are losing faith in government? Some of us are old enough to remember when presidents and congressmen in both parties were statesmen and could work together for the welfare of the nation rather than the Party.
Our people are being victimized by dirty back-room politics in Washington, where most of the key players are more interested in their political aspirations and that of their party than in principles of good government. The pending appointment of outgoing Montana Sen. Max Baucus is the latest scandal affecting Montana. His appointment to the important position of U.S. ambassador to China is another example of the amateur handling of foreign affairs displayed by the Obama Administration. It is obviously payback for Baucus’ unfailing loyalty in backing every move of the administration and back-pedaling on Baucus’s statement that Obamacare is a “train wreck.”
During his 35 years in the Senate, Senator Baucus has never served on a committee dealing with foreign policy or national security and has had no experience as a career diplomat. He cannot speak the Mandarin language as could the majority of our ambassadors to China.
In addition to reversing Baucus’ comments on the disasters of Obamacare, this is a blatant move on the part of the Administration to try to interfere in the upcoming U.S. Senate race in Montana. Will Gov. Steve Bullock play along with Washington’s dirty politics or exercise moral integrity in selecting a replacement for the remaining months of Baucus’ Senate term by appointing an individual who is not a candidate for the Senate on the Democrat ticket?
Mary M. Milheim
Dayton