© 2020 Concerned Citizens of Western Montana
As a prelude to a great letter by Frank and Mary Mutch to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (posted below), we begin with an excerpt from the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. The never ending corruption and despicable actions of our state and federal governments bring to mind these powerful words:
In Congress, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
Steve Daines now owns, and is leading the charge on the ultimate tribal government depredation against citizens day. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hear the Daines Water Compact legislation on June 24th at 2:30 p.m.
If you would like to comment to the Senate Committee on Indian affairs, see their contact information at the bottom of this page. Be forewarned however, that our emperors have insulated themselves so well from the people that the Indian Affairs Committee does not provide an email address for comments. And for the record, your invitation to testify against the bill wasn’t lost in the mail, you simply were not invited to the party.
Below is a letter to the committee that we are sharing with permission:
To: Senate Indian Affairs Committee
From: Frank & Mary Mutch, Polson Montana
Subject: SB 3019
We are OPPOSED to everything in this bill.
We have heard that your committee will not hear any opposition. If true, what has happened to this country and democracy?
Frank is 80 years old, a 4th. generation Montanan. Mary in her 70’s. We have had this home on Finley Point since 1980. We have invested a lot of money and tons of hard work in it. It is about all we have. Four generations of our family enjoy it and love it. This bill may mean we will lose it or at least drastically reduce the value and force us out.
Frank is a combat area Navy Viet Nam veteran and has served as a civilian in USDA and the State Department. Mary served in the State Department, heading up anti-drug programs. We have a small orchard, officially recognized as a veteran, first time farm by USDA. We and all other farmers in Lake County Montana need to keep our free water to survive.
Is this our reward for serving the country?
Water in the West, is essential in many ways. Taking it has always meant strong resistance. Just watch some old western movies-based on true history.
Water goes with the land, it has never been awarded based on race. Right now we do not need more racial tension.
The name of this bill is a lie. No way does it protect access to water for ALL Montanans. It is an illegal taking.
The bill violates the Montana and US Constitutions. It does not consider them, it ignores them. You all took oaths to obey and uphold the Constitution, remember?
This issue has never been subject to popular vote. It started in Montana, mostly in secret. We can have popular votes on marijuana or mill levies, but not on taking our water.
It is NOT widely supported in Montana and as the truth about it gets out, it has less and less support.
The Flathead Reservation about 2/3 of Lake County. Non tribal population of Lake County is 75.83%. This bill will bankrupt Lake County and we and the Tribes will lose much of our representation when the county is divided into adjoining counties.
The reservation was opened to homesteading in 1910. Land titles were issued by the Federal Land Office. Water belongs to the state for the people of Montana and it goes with the land. The government gives and now takes away. It speaks with a forked tongue.
No cost has been determined by the Congressional Budget Office. Why not? The cost is well over $2 Billion dollars including inflation, appraisal costs, and costs to the Federal Government for various services and even liability insurance. PLUS giving away the National Bison Range, worth about $1 Billion. None of these give aways are subject to audit or accountability. Very bad precedents. More federal debit. Borrowed from China? We are funding our own demise!
It may rob the county of state trust lands including state parks and islands on Flathead Lake.
This is part and parcel of the publicly announced and documented plans by the Tribe to smoothly and quietly force all whites off of the Reservation by taxation, reducing property values, buying them out-a provision in the bill-and by “other means”. What are these other means? Down town Seattle perhaps? These measures also harm many tribal members who own deeded land, pay taxes on it and want to maintain property values in case they want to or need to sell.
Proponents claim it settles potential lawsuits. Another lie. It settles nothing. There will be lawsuits against it no matter what.
This issue should be returned to the state, this bill should be withdrawn by the sponsor/s who are facing political suicide. Time should be given for making it known to the public and be subject to popular vote. Then if the public wants it, so be it.
Thank you for your consideration. Please do not rubber stamp this bill.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
If you would like to comment on S.3019 you may call them or send them a letter.
Senator John Hoeven is the Chairman of this committee.
838 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2251
Majority Fax: (202) 224-5429
Minority Fax: (202) 228-2589