As we all know, Montana has two senators and one representative in Congress: respectively, Max Baucus, Conrad Burns and Denny Rehberg. All three individuals have attained positions in Congress that would be the envy of many states.

Conrad is on the committee on appropriations; committee on commerce; committee on science and transportation; committee on energy and natural resources; committee on small business; and the committee on aging. Max is on the finance committee; environment and public works committee; and the agriculture, nutrition and forestry committee. Denny is on the committee on appropriations. I have not included their sub-committee positions.

Finance and appropriations committees in Washington, D.C., relate to financial benefits received by all Montana residents. We, in Montana, cannot afford to lose the above positions, of which, the first criteria is longevity/seniority. Consequently, as I see it, we must re-elect Conrad Burns and Denny Rehberg in November 2006, and Max Baucus, if he runs, in 2008.

Remember, all you Republicans and Democrats, we have people in majority and minority positions of power, no matter if the majority is Democrat or Republican in the Senate.

Why would any Montana voter, regardless of political preference or whether you like or dislike the candidate personally, vote to lose our envious positions in national politics?

Max just cast his 10,000th vote (a landmark) in the U.S. Senate, which demonstrates longevity and gets him seniority power positions in Congress.

On Nov. 7, all Montanans, for Montana’s benefit, need to vote for Conrad and Denny to maintain our position of power in Congress.

Brad Franklin

Sidney