For Renee Good and Alex Pretti, for our integrity as Americans, We the People must continue to bear witness.
I’ve signed up to take action with No Kings on Monday, Jan 26, 2026, 8pm - 9pm EST. Are you free to join me? Use this link to sign up: mobilize.us/s/g5ekqY open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
I’ve signed up to take action with No Kings on Monday, Jan 26, 2026, 8pm - 9pm EST. Are you free to join me? Use this link to sign up: mobilize.us/s/g5ekqY open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Power of Pretti
Alex Pretti was murdered by our government.
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:23 PM
For Renee Good and Alex Pretti, for our integrity as Americans, We the People must continue to bear witness.
I’ve signed up to take action with No Kings on Monday, Jan 26, 2026, 8pm - 9pm EST. Are you free to join me? Use this link to sign up: mobilize.us/s/g5ekqY open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
I’ve signed up to take action with No Kings on Monday, Jan 26, 2026, 8pm - 9pm EST. Are you free to join me? Use this link to sign up: mobilize.us/s/g5ekqY open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Western women had early voting rights, but they were granted by men using women’s voices for their own ends. Women's rights must be protected as durable freedoms, not privileges to be granted and taken away by men depending on the political whim of the day. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We the People not We the Property
The 15th Amendment to the U.S.
open.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Western women had early voting rights, but they were granted by men using women’s voices for their own ends. Women's rights must be protected as durable freedoms, not privileges to be granted and taken away by men depending on the political whim of the day. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Montana will lose between 4.8 and 6.1 billion due to Republicans cuts to Medicaid. That long-term predictable income is not offset by the 233 million that will go to infrastructure. The lights are on, but no patients will receive care in our rural clinics. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Big Beautiful Bill hits Seeley Lake
Partnership Health Clinic began in Missoula County as a small volunteer organization in the basement of the county’s health department in 1993, through a federal grant to become a Federally Qualified ...
open.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Montana will lose between 4.8 and 6.1 billion due to Republicans cuts to Medicaid. That long-term predictable income is not offset by the 233 million that will go to infrastructure. The lights are on, but no patients will receive care in our rural clinics. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Big Die-Up teaches us to be in relationship with the land, rather than conquering it. The land can also connect us to each other. Film festivals this month discuss the history of the West and what it means for building a stronger America in today’s world. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Big Die-Up and the Big Screen
Two years before Montana was granted statehood, in the winter of 1886-1887, the northern plains were buried under a cold so deep it erased all sense of life.
open.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:42 PM
The Big Die-Up teaches us to be in relationship with the land, rather than conquering it. The land can also connect us to each other. Film festivals this month discuss the history of the West and what it means for building a stronger America in today’s world. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Power of Good
Democracy requires We the People to practice and train our muscles of courage, of showing up, by doing the thing in front of us.
Find the place where you need to be, and do Good in your community.
It is the Power of We the People.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Democracy requires We the People to practice and train our muscles of courage, of showing up, by doing the thing in front of us.
Find the place where you need to be, and do Good in your community.
It is the Power of We the People.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Power of Good
Renee Good was murdered by our government.
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:37 PM
The Power of Good
Democracy requires We the People to practice and train our muscles of courage, of showing up, by doing the thing in front of us.
Find the place where you need to be, and do Good in your community.
It is the Power of We the People.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Democracy requires We the People to practice and train our muscles of courage, of showing up, by doing the thing in front of us.
Find the place where you need to be, and do Good in your community.
It is the Power of We the People.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Mansfield Center honors Senator Mike Mansfield by committing resources to civic education and civil discourse. We can support by attending events: U.S. Intervention in Venezuela, Featuring Owen Sirrs, Mansfield Regional Studies Prof, Jan 13 12:00 - 1:00 MST. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tap 'er Light: Mike Mansfield
Mike Mansfield, Butte miner, teacher, and longest serving majority leader in the U.S.
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:51 PM
The Mansfield Center honors Senator Mike Mansfield by committing resources to civic education and civil discourse. We can support by attending events: U.S. Intervention in Venezuela, Featuring Owen Sirrs, Mansfield Regional Studies Prof, Jan 13 12:00 - 1:00 MST. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The essential promise of January 6, Epiphany, Twelfth Night is that the masks come off. People like the Lord of Misrule, insurrectionists like Stewart Rhodes, and those who oppose government of the people, only have power if we allow them to hide who they truly are. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Unmask the Lord of Misrule
January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany.
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:34 PM
The essential promise of January 6, Epiphany, Twelfth Night is that the masks come off. People like the Lord of Misrule, insurrectionists like Stewart Rhodes, and those who oppose government of the people, only have power if we allow them to hide who they truly are. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
In Montana, agriculture is an economic engine and food insecurity is persistent. Tariffs have caused deep harm. Federal aid is a desperate patch for self-inflicted wounds.
Rather than constant triage. Let’s use common sense for sustainable, long-term food programs. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Rather than constant triage. Let’s use common sense for sustainable, long-term food programs. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tariffs, SNAP, and the Farm Bill
SNAP (food assistance) and the Farm Bill (commodity supports, crop insurance, conservation) operate on different parts of the food system but they both stabilize the food economy for households and pr...
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
In Montana, agriculture is an economic engine and food insecurity is persistent. Tariffs have caused deep harm. Federal aid is a desperate patch for self-inflicted wounds.
Rather than constant triage. Let’s use common sense for sustainable, long-term food programs. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Rather than constant triage. Let’s use common sense for sustainable, long-term food programs. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Let We the People vote on whether corporations can spend money in elections. And when our voice is heard, other states may decide to follow the Montana Plan as well.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The Montana Plan takes money out of politics
For fifteen years, We the People have been trapped by the 2010 Citizens United v.
open.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Let We the People vote on whether corporations can spend money in elections. And when our voice is heard, other states may decide to follow the Montana Plan as well.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We the People can't be the insurer of last resort for data centers. If the AI bubble bursts, or technology becomes more efficient, or a data center relocates, ratepayers should not be left holding the bag for costs to build that infrastructure. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Big or far? Data centers want both
The proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” highlights the inherent contradiction in the approach data centers are taking to achieve their goals for rapid expans...
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:54 PM
We the People can't be the insurer of last resort for data centers. If the AI bubble bursts, or technology becomes more efficient, or a data center relocates, ratepayers should not be left holding the bag for costs to build that infrastructure. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Our Bill of Rights guarantees us the right to hold our government to account, and grants us all a right to be equal before the law. On Bill of Rights Day, let’s celebrate our right to justice. And commit to accountability for everyone, especially our government.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Know your rights
December 15 marks the National Bill of Rights Day. The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, includes the 6th and 7th amendments, guaranteeing and protecting our right to a jur...
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Our Bill of Rights guarantees us the right to hold our government to account, and grants us all a right to be equal before the law. On Bill of Rights Day, let’s celebrate our right to justice. And commit to accountability for everyone, especially our government.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Our identities can’t be collateral damage of corporate incompetence or the DOGE’s unknown interests. We need aggressive legislation that imposes fines for negligence, forces corporations to pay for harm, and prevents collecting so much data in the first place. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Steal first, pay (maybe) later: corporations taking our data
Montana’s state Constitution explicitly guarantees an individual right to privacy.
open.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Our identities can’t be collateral damage of corporate incompetence or the DOGE’s unknown interests. We need aggressive legislation that imposes fines for negligence, forces corporations to pay for harm, and prevents collecting so much data in the first place. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The DNRC must issue its preliminary determination by March 26, 2026 on Crazy Mountain Ranch’s application to change its water use to irrigate a luxury golf course. We the People must engage in the process to ensure our resources aren’t pillaged for private gain. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Steal first, pay (maybe) later: Crazy Water update
The Yellowstone Club spent the summer stealing water to sustain a golf course and luxury development in the Crazy Mountains.
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The DNRC must issue its preliminary determination by March 26, 2026 on Crazy Mountain Ranch’s application to change its water use to irrigate a luxury golf course. We the People must engage in the process to ensure our resources aren’t pillaged for private gain. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Peace is not about ignoring aggression. It is about holding aggressors accountable.
We can have peace. Let’s start by demanding justice and accountability. Both in Ukraine and here at home. Anything less is not peace. It is capitulation.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We can have peace. Let’s start by demanding justice and accountability. Both in Ukraine and here at home. Anything less is not peace. It is capitulation.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Ukraine’s Armed Forces Day
On December 8, 1971, Pope Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Montini), head of the Catholic Church from 1963–1978, delivered his Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace: “If you want peace, work...
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Peace is not about ignoring aggression. It is about holding aggressors accountable.
We can have peace. Let’s start by demanding justice and accountability. Both in Ukraine and here at home. Anything less is not peace. It is capitulation.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
We can have peace. Let’s start by demanding justice and accountability. Both in Ukraine and here at home. Anything less is not peace. It is capitulation.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
If you think we should hit the pause button on mining the Bitterroot River join community groups and county officials today. The Commission is meeting at 1:30 at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds to discuss and possibly adopt a formal letter of opposition to the mine. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Sheep Creek Mine
Today, at 1:30 p.m., a public meeting is being held at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton to rally opposition to the Sheep Creek Mine and support keeping the Bitterroot River from being mined.
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM
If you think we should hit the pause button on mining the Bitterroot River join community groups and county officials today. The Commission is meeting at 1:30 at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds to discuss and possibly adopt a formal letter of opposition to the mine. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
The work of people like Linda Stoll, and Ellen Leahy, encourage us to carry on in hard work knowing we will get crushed. Share a gratitude for someone whose life touched yours in ways that person may never know. Encourage, and give courage. It is contagious. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Gratitude for Ellen and Linda
Recently, Ellen Leahy told me a story of Linda Stoll.
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The work of people like Linda Stoll, and Ellen Leahy, encourage us to carry on in hard work knowing we will get crushed. Share a gratitude for someone whose life touched yours in ways that person may never know. Encourage, and give courage. It is contagious. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
No Montana, we don’t get a new plant and lower rates. The real story? The all-republican Commission increased our rates to pay for a gas plant that will supply data centers. It should tell it like it is. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
No Montana, we don’t get a new plant and lower rates
Figures don’t lie and liars don’t figure.
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
No Montana, we don’t get a new plant and lower rates. The real story? The all-republican Commission increased our rates to pay for a gas plant that will supply data centers. It should tell it like it is. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Corner Crossings in Montana
Republicans are doing the work of large private landowners and preventing Montanans from the same legal access to public land that our neighbors in Wyoming have.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans are doing the work of large private landowners and preventing Montanans from the same legal access to public land that our neighbors in Wyoming have.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Corner Crossings in Montana
Hunting season is in full swing.
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Corner Crossings in Montana
Republicans are doing the work of large private landowners and preventing Montanans from the same legal access to public land that our neighbors in Wyoming have.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans are doing the work of large private landowners and preventing Montanans from the same legal access to public land that our neighbors in Wyoming have.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tuesday, November 18, the all-republican Public Service Commission will decide on another rate hike, and whether to make us pay for Yellowstone County Gas Plant. NorthWestern contracted to sell electricity from Yellowstone County Generating Station to data centers. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans are raising rates – again
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025 the all-republican Montana Public Service Commission is considering NorthWestern’s most recent request to raise our rates.
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Tuesday, November 18, the all-republican Public Service Commission will decide on another rate hike, and whether to make us pay for Yellowstone County Gas Plant. NorthWestern contracted to sell electricity from Yellowstone County Generating Station to data centers. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Chicken little republicans govern by emergency rather than thoughtful deliberation. We the People must make the effort, over and over, to show up and speak out. That is the way democracy thrives. Show up, speak up, and know that our voice is what makes democracy go.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Government by emergency is very expensive
In 1952 President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 10340, seizing private steel operations to ensure defense contractors would keep production going during the Korean War.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Chicken little republicans govern by emergency rather than thoughtful deliberation. We the People must make the effort, over and over, to show up and speak out. That is the way democracy thrives. Show up, speak up, and know that our voice is what makes democracy go.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Republicans including Gianforte, Daines, Zinke, Sheehy, and Downing voted against energy projects that have brought millions of dollars to rural Montana. We the People can find people who will work for us. Even if it means changing a century of habits.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Power for the People
On November 10, 1978 PURPA was signed into law. The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 was designed to encourage small-scale, distributed generation in places like Montana where transmissi...
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Republicans including Gianforte, Daines, Zinke, Sheehy, and Downing voted against energy projects that have brought millions of dollars to rural Montana. We the People can find people who will work for us. Even if it means changing a century of habits.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the tariff cases, Susan Webber’s challenge to tariffs under the Indian Commerce Clause is pending. Susan delivers a message of hope that community will prevail over big money. The backbone of the world still stands. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tariffs impact on the backbone of the world
Yesterday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether the President can, in violation of the constitution, impose unilateral tariffs.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the tariff cases, Susan Webber’s challenge to tariffs under the Indian Commerce Clause is pending. Susan delivers a message of hope that community will prevail over big money. The backbone of the world still stands. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
On November 5, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the tariffs. The President stopped pretending there is a reasonable relationship between the tariffs and a claimed “emergency.” Time to get back to business - and for the republicans to get back to work.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Tariffs hurt Montana
On November 5, 2020, the U.S.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM
On November 5, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the tariffs. The President stopped pretending there is a reasonable relationship between the tariffs and a claimed “emergency.” Time to get back to business - and for the republicans to get back to work.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Join the Farmers Union for some Halloween fun
At harvest time, engage with the farmers - ask questions, offer connections, meet new people, plant seeds of relationships to grow your own communities a little bigger and broader.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
At harvest time, engage with the farmers - ask questions, offer connections, meet new people, plant seeds of relationships to grow your own communities a little bigger and broader.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Join the Farmers Union for some Halloween fun
Today the Montana Farmers Union (MFU) kicks off its 110th Annual Convention at the Yogo Inn, Lewistown, that is equal parts policy summit, family reunion, and strategic renewal.
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Join the Farmers Union for some Halloween fun
At harvest time, engage with the farmers - ask questions, offer connections, meet new people, plant seeds of relationships to grow your own communities a little bigger and broader.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
At harvest time, engage with the farmers - ask questions, offer connections, meet new people, plant seeds of relationships to grow your own communities a little bigger and broader.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Lincoln said the role of government is “to give everyone an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.” Montana was founded on many of Lincoln’s policies. Our land can be a place of connection and growth, for all the people.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
Time for the people
This month my friend Staci died.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Lincoln said the role of government is “to give everyone an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.” Montana was founded on many of Lincoln’s policies. Our land can be a place of connection and growth, for all the people.
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...
open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...