Over the past decades, campaigns have gotten increasingly vicious, claiming unsubstantiated falsehoods to sway voters. Timing is everything and deceptive ads appear in the last days and hours before the election to influence voters. It’s gotten so out of hand that Montana has enacted the Clean Campaign Act.
Part of the reason I’ve chosen to run is to change the level of civility we have in our government. In general, we need to improve how we treat each other. We’ve lost sight in this country of the fact we are the employers of the people we elect. Our electoral system is broken, and I want to be part of the solution. Despite our differences, let’s learn to listen to one another and treat each other with respect. I’ve been talking to Everyone, regardless of party affiliation, because as a “representative”, I’m exactly that. We keep electing politicians who are in it for themselves, and not representing their constituency. Politicians no longer have respect for the voters because most people don’t vote! Once in office, a lot of politicians feel free to work for themselves, their friends, and their supporters. The only time they think of their constituency is when the elections roll around.
I will represent Everyone in my District; not just a party, my friends or my supporters. I am Everyone’s Voice in my District when I get to Helena. It is my job to fight for you as your State Representative.
As a blue collar worker in our rural District, I’ve lived here, worked here and enjoyed my lifestyle here. My family is like your family, struggling with healthcare costs and availability; we’re worried about the high cost of drugs and the new rules coming out about pre-existing conditions, just like you. My family shares the same concerns everyone else has.
Fearmongering is an age-old trick used in the last days of a campaign in a desperate attempt to sway the vote. It is wrong. Let’s run campaigns based on our own merits so it’s a vote For a candidate, rather than Against a candidate. Let’s be FOR something, rather than Against everything. Campaigns should allow people to make up their own minds based on factual information. Even someone’s voting record is factual information. But making up falsehoods and lies about your opponent is a desperate attempt to cheat the democratic system; trying to steal an election, rather than Earn it.
We are all hearing the same old song right now…Democrats are going to take your guns and raise your taxes. Seriously? I believe in gun safety just like you do. And no one’s coming for my guns, either. Taxes? Those fall on me, too. We’re all in this together. We need to prioritize our tax revenue and do that responsibly; not create the need for special sessions that further reduce our funds. My goal is to find solutions to problems, not create more problems…
Please be mindful of your responsibility to Vote. It’s the strongest power we have in our Democracy.
Lee Bridges
Candidate for House District 92
East Missoula
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