I continue to be disappointed by this governor’s decisions and his seeming inability to understand one very simple concept:
MONTANA FIRST.
Now he’s excitedly announcing a delegation of 30+ Montanans heading to India and Sri Lanka to showcase Montana agriculture, manufacturing, critical minerals, technology, research and universities.
International trade? Great.
Sell Montana products overseas and bring the money HOME.
But when I see critical minerals, manufacturing, technology and university research included, I have questions.
What exactly are we taking over there?
What are we bringing back?
Who benefits?
Are we selling Montana-made products, or are we providing the resources, minerals, energy, research and intellectual capital while somebody else gets the value-added jobs?
Montana families are struggling with housing, property taxes, groceries, fuel and healthcare.
So instead of constantly selling what Montana has to offer, how about investing in what MONTANANS have to offer?
Bring manufacturing HERE.
Bring processing HERE.
Bring investment HERE.
Bring good-paying jobs HERE.
Sell Montana beef, grain, lentils and Montana-made products around the world. I’ll cheer for that.
But Montana should not become the world’s resource cupboard while Montanans are being priced out of their own home.
Republican or Democrat, my standard is the same:
MONTANA. FIRST.
It really shouldn’t be this difficult.
© Amberli Emery
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