Letter: What a difference a couple weeks can make  

We know most folks that come in our little country store, the rest are strangers for only a short time. Wearing a disguise or a mask, alarm bells would have rung load and clear.    

A lawman and I exchanging hellos outside a local bank with masks, cuffed and stuffed comes to mind. What a difference a couple weeks can make on how we interact. Here we are now, corona virus time, with masks and all the other restrictions.

 Yes the virus is deadly serious to some as is influenza, heart disease, cancer, accidents of all kinds, along with a plethora of other pathogens. 

Shutting down the most vibrant, hopeful economy in decades also has its consequences to the overall health of society. 

The shotgun approach of throwing free money out to all  societyhas the potential of having long term negative consequences effecting the work ethic of America's workers. This , in my opinion, is the larger over riding danger of corona.  

Look back at the Great Society programs or the once proud peoples on reservations to understand what this kind of unearned giveaway does to people. 

Personal responsibility, take care of you and yours. Those of us with under lying health issues, like myself, take heed. Let the rest of society be the best they can be and get back to work. 

And don't think for a moment the entrepreneurs that are closing their businesses, no fault of their own, are just going to say the heck with it and never try again. They are the risk takers, most will try again as soon as the government gets off their back.

Attn. Governor Gianforte: 

I put this letter together over this past summer. I would like to respectfully request your consideration as a first order of business as Governor to lift restrictions on Montana businesses related to the covid pandemic. I can't help but believe your reason for choosing this state, the state I've called home my entire life, all sixty eight years, to build your billion dollar business and to raise your family was directly influenced by the type of people that call Montana home. The strong work ethic of Montanans that worked under your leadership had to play a roll in your great success story. That same work ethic still exists in the people of Montana today giving the opportunity.     

Let Montana be the example for the rest of this great nation to follow in unleashing the potential of our great economy. With three vaccines now available, it is not too soon. 

Sincerely,

Ron Crawford

Canyon Creek, Mont.