Senator Glimm,
We have not met yet, but we will, as we are both candidates for Montana Senate District 3.
I was surprised to see your op-ed (Maintaining America’s Technological Advantage Amid Chinese Aggression, May 26) from a Montana legislator, especially with the plethora of local issues facing citizens of Montana, the Flathead Valley, and your district.
I have experience and worked in cutting-edge biomedical, pharmaceutical and high-tech industries for over 35 years. I see that in each of these areas American corporations are partnering with Chinese innovators and leaders in technology development and manufacturing. It makes no sense that with his analysis and opinion he seems to pander to and fan the flames of fear and paranoia, and what borders on anti-Asian racism, when China’s economic growth and leadership is mainly due to the fact that they have joined agreements with countries around the world. and American corporations to take risks that the United States voluntarily regulates for the safety and stewardship of our people and our environment. In my experience, I don’t see it as a race to be the technological leader, but rather as a fragile partnership for humanity.
I completely agree with you that the United States should continue to invest in research and development, foster innovation, and an environment in which democratic values and human rights are respected. However, that is not what his actions show through his legislative voting record and his party’s record here in Montana.
You and your party are not fully supporting public school funding and are pushing to divert funds to create secular charter schools, thus keeping Montana public school teacher salaries the lowest in the country. This does not bring the “best and brightest” teachers here to help our children learn to be innovative. It also reduces the options of bringing the most advanced tools and minds to help our Montana children learn. We are fortunate to have many very good public school teachers here, however many are retiring or moving to greener pastures as living here is prohibitive with such low salaries.
Banning books from the library for controversial topics pushes people into the non-innovative thinking box and reduces free thinking. In my experience, innovators mostly think outside the box and you and your local group are not very fond of those who go out of the box.
Furthermore, focusing on a human being’s differences and legislating against and excluding them because you don’t care to understand their gender, dress, or sexual orientation certainly doesn’t show that you or your party respect human rights.
And don’t even get me started on your party’s focus on legislation that prohibits a woman’s right to choose what is right for her body when it comes to reproductive health care. Having to be on the brink of death, as in some states, for a woman to be saved by a simple medical procedure is, in my view, the opposite of any human right.
With some other local issues such as oppressive property tax increases, property insurance costs rising due to increasing wildfires, needy Montanans being pushed out of Medicaid, and the need to find affordable healthcare. All of this is decimating Montana household budgets and everything else in the economy is skyrocketing.
Angela Kennedy is the Democratic candidate for Senate District 3. She lives in Kalispell.
Keynote USA
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