Letter to the Editor for Wednesday, July 14, 2021

So the Redistricting Commission has met to hear suggestions for splitting Montana into two Congressional Districts. For starters, I think we should knock off the political posturing and follow the old truism of KISS, Keep It Simple, Stupid. There are 56 counties in Montana which suggests 28 counties in each congressional district. Then split Montana in a north-south fashion so that each district has its share of mountainous and prairie populations. Equal populations for each district is a consideration but, in my view, equal number of counties is more important. Trying to invoke “competitiveness” and “fairness” is mind-numbing. Defining those is in the eye of the beholder, thus arbitrary.

Montana results for the 2020 election are telling. Overall, for federal and state offices the popular vote was roughly 55% republican and 45% democrat. The county vote was even more telling, 85% republican and 15% democrat. This contrast is also present in our national elections. I characterize it as “islands of blue in a sea of red”. I think if we determined our elections via the county vote instead of the popular vote, we could return this Nation to what the Founders intended, minimal government and maximum freedom, aka LIBERTY. Check out our Secretary of State’s website on election results. They have done a very commendable job of reporting the vote. It’s illuminating.

Andy Johnson

Butte, MT 59701