I just read the story about the direct mail piece sent by Chris Wilcox to the home districts of five legislators who voted against HB340.

Holy Feet to the Fire, Batman! Finally, someone has the guts to hold legislators accountable to their constituents for the votes they make during the session. With all due respect to Mike Lange, this is an excellent way to inform voters about what is happening in the hallowed halls. I’m sure the message was not received well by some. They probably don’t support the bill anyway. Those who do support HB340 specifically, or gun rights generally, and voted for a legislator who voted against it should be informed in a timely manner – while the gun is still smoking, so to speak. By the time the next election rolls around, this vote will be lost in the mists of time. Those who really care about this issue should be able to factor it into their decision two years from now. Nothing like a four color postcard to make the point in the kind of memorable way that lasts.

NOTE TO LEGISLATORS: Remember that you are representing your constituents every time you vote on a bill. They have an absolute right to know exactly how you vote on any issue – and how they find out about your record is irrelevant. If you would be embarrassed (angered?) to have an honest, albeit dramatic, mailer sent to your district about one of your votes, maybe you should question the vote, not the mailer.

NOTE TO CHRIS: Keep up the good work. Montana voters need to know what their elected representatives are up to!!!!!!

The following comment was posted at the end of one of the posts on this site. I think it is far too important to languish in relative anonymity, so I have copied it here:

On a Local note the City of Helena City Commission will be considering two proposed referendums during the month of March. The first one calls for the United States to withdraw its forces from Iraq and provide funding for that. The second referendum is as follows:

“The Citizens of Helena, Montana in the United States of America, hereby urge the Congress of the United States of America to fund our military forces totally and without conditions so that they will not be deprived of the tools they need, or the manpower needed by them to give the people of the United States of America the protection they need in this time of war and be able to attain victory, which is the tradition of the United States of America and the State of Montana. The danger is too great to do otherwise”

The author of the above referendum is John Forbes, one of the most dedicated patriots in the city, if not the state. The time and effort that he and his wife, Cyndi, devote to this community is amazing. We are truly blessed to have them here in the Queen City. I wholeheartedly endorse their efforts in bringing this issue to the attention of the citizens of Helena.