Why is it that our political parties are so disagreeable while we still visit with each other over coffee? The answer is that our political parties in Montana are no longer drawing their direction from our grassroots. Including Libertarians, of the 4758 precinct vacancies in the June 2014 Primary Election, only 571 positions were filled by properly filing a Declaration For Nomination and Oath Of Candidacy in a County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
Of more concern only 10 of 168 potential County party committees achieved 50 percent of precinct positions represented, the parliamentary threshold for even calling a meeting, choosing officers for the two-year cycle or sending County delegates to state central committee policy gatherings or nominating conventions. Three were Democrat and seven were Republican. In other words, regardless of party, a tiny minority of Montanans has been left to speak for a huge voiceless majority.
We can work together, regardless of party, to change the system envisioned by the non-partisan People’s Power League Of 1911-1912, and protected from the Anaconda Company by The Non-Partisan League in 1919-20. This seems the best way to place free speech on the same playing field with moneyed speech.
Virtuous citizens motivated enough to stand on their own feet in their chosen political party and represent their neighbors in their respective precinct must file by 5 p.m. March 12. County Commissioners will declare unopposed candidates elected. Names of citizens vying for the same position will be on the ballot.
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