Divisions

The Montana Constitution requires a 90 day Legislative session every two years. The only purpose given in the Constitution for the Session is to draft a balanced budget that will run the State for the next two years. You know what, the <acronym title="Montana Legislators">children</acronym> <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/04/28/news/state/20-legislature_z.txt">couldn't handle this simple little thing</a> required of them from the Constitution.<br />n<br />nThe Democrats blame the Republicans and the Republicans blame the Democrats. It depends on which side of the aisle you stand on to decide who's to blame. I'm sure there is enough blame to spread over both sides but the Republicans are coming out looking the most scarred by the fray. This might not have been the case if Lange wouldn't have had his <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6592943,00.html">"YouTube" moment</a> but that is water under the bridge and the Republicans are in trouble over this situation.<br />n<br />nLooking beyond the parties, who is being hurt the most by the <acronym title="Montana Legislators">children</acronym> feuding like they are? The citizens of Montana. No budget and now looking at having to <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/04/28/news/state/30-legislature_z.txt">foot the bill for a special session</a>. If the session is called within the next 7 days the startup costs will be significantly less than if the Governor waits longer but he seems to <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/04/28/news/state/25-legislature_z.txt">not be sure when to call them back</a>.<br />n<br />nThe whole thought of having to do this all again is sickening. Watching the <acronym title="Montana Legislators">children</acronym> fight over how to divvy up the projected $1 billion dollar surplus is really getting old. Both sides need to give a little to come to a solution but with both sides standing on their high horse that isn't going to happen and the citizens of Montana are going to continue to suffer.<br />n<br />nIt will be interesting to see how all the feuding affects the 2008 elections. Even Republican supporters are <a href="http://www.mtpolitics.net/archives/5388-Open-Note-to-the-Montana-GOP.html">questioning whether they want to support the party</a> in 2008 so we will just have to wait and see. <br />n<br />n<strong>Children are in a very precarious position when they enter into relationships with adults because their personhood is not acknowledged in our society. Kate Millett </strong>