I am privileged to speak out on the man who represents me in Helena, Representative Roger Koopman of Bozeman, our own version of Eric Coobs. Koopman, I think by all standards and definitions, is a wingnut. He wiles away his hours in Helena proposing legislation that goes nowhere while at the same time alienating the people he has to work with to get anything accomplished. He’s a classic crank. Even when he speaks in a friendly manner and tries to sound reasonable, I can feel the rage beneath. This is not a sane man.
Koopman’s latest gambit is an attack on his fellow Republicans, namely, those who were so bold as to make a deal with Governor Schweitzer to formulate a workable budget in 2007. Koopman, in the name of ideological purity and calling them “socialists”, is forming a movement to run true believers against them. It’s going to be somewhat comical.
The list was complied based on a voting index released last fall by Missoula law professor Rob Natelson. Here’s his hit list: Llew Jones (Conrad), Walter McNutt (Sidkeny), Duane Ankney (Colstrip), Jesse O’Hara (Great Falls), Bill Glaser (Huntley), Bruce Malcolm (Emigrant), John Ward (Helena), Carol Lambert (Broadus), Elsie Arntzen (Billings), Gary McLaren (Victor), and Mike Milburn (Cascade).
It’s hard to predict the fallout here. Koopman is a fringe player, though not necessarily marginalized within his own party. Primary battles between the socialists listed above and hard right foes could well further polarize the party and give the Democrats a workable majority. Maybe in Montana, unlike Washington, a majority can get something done.
Another possible outcome: The Republican Party regroups, expels its far-right radical elements, and once again becomes a bastion for common-sense conservatives.
Somehow, I don’t see that happening. These are tempestuous times, and the extremes rule. More likely, Koopman and Natelson will have modest success, and we end up with another standoff in Helena with the far right entrenched, and the reasonable people advised, quoting Billings Senator Mike Lange, to shove it up their asses.
Piece of Mindful 
The real question here is “Who the heck is Roger Koopman?” He seems to be a key person in the Sales-Sinruid ideological leadership team from the 2007 legislature. We all remember the infamous SS team out of the Gallatin, home of Roger as well. The SS team out of the Gallatin brought us the legislative debacle last year and holds the dubious honor of leading the first ever legislative session that failed in the Constitutional duty of passing a budget and set the real Republican cause back years. This little infamous cabal of ideological purity seems bent upon the same destruction as the real SS of WWII. After all, that SS’s agenda included a purge as well. It seems that when you are “pure” you simply must cleanse yourself of those you characterize as “impure”
So, the next question is “Why would the “R” party be well represented by some obvious fringe player(s) representing an angry and often distasteful minority?” Let consider some of those targeted to be purged: A Sidney businessman that owns a Case Dealership, a Billings area rancher/farmer, a billings teacher, 2 Helena businessman, one that owns a septic service, a retired Great Falls school Counselor, a retired military pilot that now flies air ambulance, the owner of motorcycle dealership from North-Central Montana, a bar owner, a coal miner, a construction worker, a rancher from southern Montana, a retired businessman from south-west Montana. All seem to be good Christian folks and are members of very positive families. All are active in their community and are well thought of. Many are very large taxpayers and are much impacted by tax increases, in particular property taxes. Obviously they are an extremely geographically disperse group that hail from extremely varied background. A little research shows these are folks that are winning awards like the state Chamber of Commerce’s “Champion of Business” awards. These are the folks that seem willing to become very educated on their areas, the constituent’s needs, and to put forth legislation for discussion even if it is controversial. Some of these folks helped make the huge budget cuts of the Martz era and carried significant tort reform. Some of these folks stepped up to help end last year’s disgraceful session. As a lot, they are knowledgeable and aggressive. To attempt to sell these legislators as socialists is ridiculous and serves only to elicit hilarious laughter from those of us that watch the process close.
So what does this group, this “Main Street Caucus of Montana legislators” have in common that so offends and threatens Roger and the SS? It seems to be their somewhat unusual ability to put their conscience and their constituents needs ahead of the “purist and purge” philosophy of Roger and the SS. Indeed, it is rare to find those that are capable of independent thought and action in politics, and, when folks like these are identified, they seem to hold a special threat for both the far left and far right extreme ideologies. It is this very fear that has ideologists like Roger attacking, much in a way that a scared animal will blindly bite even the person trying to help it. In doing so, the SS and Roger continually erode away at the very foundation of the Republican Party when they attack those “Real Republicans” that display individualism and have the moxy to act upon that which they believe in.
It seems there does need to be a “purge” in the Republican Party, and, for that matter, in the Democratic Party and politics as a whole. What should be “purged” is the concept that those who are willing to act in the cause of conscience and constituents and thus will not vote in lockstep with a caucus are in any way detriment to the cause of good government. Having the ability and courage to act and think independently is a positive trait, and perhaps the one most needed in politics, albeit this ability is sadly lacking most times. Group think, and the subsequent strict party line adherences that hail from such is very much behind the many failures of government and the publics distrust of politicians and politics.
My hat is off to these individuals who independently followed their conscience and listened to their constituents despite angry attacks by those such as Roger. While I may not agree with each and every issue that they split from the party “purists” on, I am very much encouraged that they are willing and able to do so. If we are going to make Montana a better place for all, we need more independent thinkers, not less. These are the folks, this little “Main Street Caucus of Montana legislators” that I will be sending money to, and supporting this time around. In fact, if opponents arise for these folks, I would be very suspect in that these “opponents” may very well be little more than “purists” that would join together and form a little cabal, soon forgetting Montana and Montanans in their rushed to worship at the alter of ideological purity.
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Good thoughts. But I hearken back to one thought – modern right wing extremism manifests more as mental illness than as a coherent philosophy. I think Koopman is just plain nuts.
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Devolution has taken us on a ride far away from most people’s idea of representative government. Unless Rs and Ds open the system to all with an interest in participating (at all levels) these fractional battles will continue to feed on the two parties making all the rules(monopolistic cannibalism). Proportional representation in Montana could produce a rich mix of elected officials (including some wingnuts) that could then form coalitions around our most pressing issues. In the meantime fewer and fewer citizens will vote — even fewer will run for elected office. With spectators already outnumbering participants, change is long overdue.
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