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Not too old to change – Daily Montanan [1]

['More From Author', 'June', 'Dave Lewis']

Date: 2023-06-28  

I wrote an opinion piece for this publication a year ago urging both Joe Biden and Donald Trump to move on; too old to play the game anymore.

The last year demonstrated my concerns. We have had some of the same impasses in Montana as well. I am even more convinced today that we need to refocus our energies in Montana. Reduced to an old saying: Government should stay out of my pocket book and out of the bedroom.

I spent most of my career serving fiscally conservative governors including Democrat Ted Schwinden. The focus of these governors was building our economy and creating jobs. I subsequently served two terms in the Montana House and five in the Senate. Dealing with the economy and jobs as well as the impacts on infrastructure was the role of the Republican Party.

This session evolved into one focused on personal choices made by our citizens, issues contentious and incapable of compromise. Matters of choice in life and women’s reproductive choices. I have struggled personally with these issues for almost my entire 80 years.

A few years back, I had a few deep conversations with my five adult granddaughters and two granddaughters in law. My pro-life beliefs were changed through listening and absorbing what their generation had to say. I am still opposed to abortion but have been made to understand that since the odds of me getting pregnant are zero, I really have no right to tell them what to do. Single moms are the heroes of our society. But if a woman just cannot believe she can take on the challenge and do right by her child, it must be her choice.

That was a huge hill for me to climb. But once I accepted that fact, that she has the right to make that decision, other issues resolved themselves for me. LGBT as well should be considered a personal choice. The family of minors must be involved to protect juveniles but far be it from me or the government to interfere with adult’s decisions.

So back to where I started.

The government should not involve themselves in choices people make about them and their bodies. If they have not violated laws protecting others, they should make their own decisions. Government should stop trying to take peoples rights to make choices. The government should be concerned about the economy and the ability of citizens to live healthy and safe lives.

That is enough.

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