By
Timothy N. Baldwin, JD.
May 25, 2012
NewsWithViews.com
Below are two recent articles I released relative to my campaign as a Republican candidate for Montana State House, District 4. Go to www.tim4hd4.com. Thank you!
A Healthy Environment Requires a Healthy Economy to Protect It
Montana’s constitution (Art. 2, Sec. 3) recognizes the inalienable right to a clean and healthy environment. This right creates a corresponding responsibility on the people not to harm the environment and on the government to protect this right. Simultaneously, these responsibilities require a healthy economy that can afford to protect our rights.
No one should deny the fundamental importance of a clean and healthy environment. I certainly do not. Among other rights, a healthy environment is essential to freedom and prosperity. As the sole Republican candidate for House District 4 (Whitefish area), I agree with my Democratic opponents that our State government should address the issues relative to a healthy Whitefish Lake. But that is an easy answer to an easy question.
The hard question involves, where is the money to protect our rights? Enforcing the law costs money—lots of it. The more advanced and complex society is the more government function costs.
This increase of costs demands the people to create more money to sufficiently provide for the State’s treasury. Shortly put, the more there is to protect, the more prosperity is required to protect it.
It would be quite curious how people who are having a difficult time paying their personal bills can pay to protect Montana’s vast environment at the same time.
Tom Muri stated in his recent Whitefish Pilot “In-My-View” article that “Politics is the art of compromise.” While this can be true to some degree, “Politics” is more fully defined this way: Politics is theory conditioned by practicality. Where the money is insufficient to activate the theory, theory will mock reality every time. With today’s economy, this is no small consideration.
Ironically, the more economic barriers we impose upon ourselves, the harder it is for people to earn enough income to provide for their own lives in addition to government function. The stress of regulation can actually underfund the very protection the regulation seeks to employ. Thus, reality requires there be a balanced and practical approach to the competing interests of regulation and economic freedom to produce wealth.
We all want a healthy environment, so we should all want a prosperous economy. If the people of House District 4 elect me as their representative, I will humbly protect all of our constitutional rights and help strengthen Montana’s economy so we can afford paying for that protection.
Who’s Stupid?—A Response to Doug Adams, Flathead County Commissioner Candidate
On May 16, 2012 the Whitefish Pilot quoted Flathead County Commissioner candidate and former Whitefish City Council, Doug Adams, saying, “People who think [marijuana] is a good idea for Montana are stupid” (Section A, page 9, “Former councilor running for commissioner seat”).
Adam’s name-calling against thousands of Montanans shows, to me, a serious character flaw as a politician—one who should address issues in objective terms, not demean people on subjective terms.
As a former prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney, I have handled hundreds of cases where people consumed alcohol and where people merely possessed marijuana. By far, the effects of alcohol are much worse and pervasive.
The negative consequences of alcohol are incalculable throughout America and Montana: ruined families, hungry children, beaten spouses, lost lives, damaged property, increased insurance premiums, higher taxes, trashed neighborhoods and streets—to name a few. Of all the violent crimes consuming our resources in the justice system, alcohol is the number one cause.
So, is alcohol a “good idea for Montana”? American and Montana society determined decades ago that in spite of its direct and collateral harms to society, alcohol is a good idea. It is a multi-billion dollar industry. Much of our economy would not even exist had we not rejected alcohol prohibition, and there is hardly a person in America today who advocates banishing alcohol, presumably including Adams.
Personal preferences are not what should direct State action, especially when it concerns punishing us. Is it also a good idea to punish any “vice” the government determines is not a “good idea for Montana”? Both liberal origins (see, John Stuart Mill, “On Liberty,” 1869) and conservative origins (see, John Jacques Burlamaqui, “On the Principles of Politic Law,” 1747) confirm that an objective standard is required to maintain a free society.
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If there is a real danger of marijuana to society, it is the state and federal governments throwing people in prison and ruining their lives. Who is stupid?--people who want our laws to foster freedom and responsibility, or people who use law to enforce their personal preferences of “Victorian” or “Bible-belt” morality on the rest of us?
Adams claims about himself, “I’m a solutions-based person” (Daily Interlake, 4/28/12, “Doug Adams — County Commission District 1”). I too am a solutions-based person. However, I think government should promote freedom and protect rights.
That is why if I am honored to become the State representative for House District 4 this November, I will work hard to protect all of our rights, use an objective standard relative to government’s role in society, and reduce government’s intrusion when we are harming no one.
� 2012 Timothy N. Baldwin, JD - All Rights Reserved
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Timothy Baldwin is an attorney licensed to practice law in Montana (and Florida) and focuses on constitutional issues. Baldwin graduated from the University of West Florida in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English and Political Science. In 2004, Baldwin graduated from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, AL with a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree. From there, Baldwin became an Assistant State Attorney in Florida. For 2 1/2 years, Baldwin prosecuted criminal actions and tried nearly 60 jury trials. In 2006, Baldwin started his private law practice and has maintained it since.
Baldwin is a published author, public speaker and student of political philosophy. Baldwin is the author of Freedom For A Change, Romans 13-The True Meaning of Submission, and Political Discussions for People of States–all of which are available for purchase through libertydefenseleague.com. Baldwin has also authored hundreds of political science articles relative to liberty in the United States of America. Baldwin has been the guest of scores of radio shows and public events and continues to exposit principles which the people in America will need to determine its direction for the future.
Web site: libertydefenseleague.com
E-Mail: tim@libertydefenseleague.com
