I spoke at the Yellowstone County Tea Party on tax day, but it must have been a different one than was reported in the papers. When I looked across this “angry” mob from the podium I saw plumbers, contractors, farmers, ranchers, small businessmen, refinery workers, veterans, pastors, oil men, miners, lab technicians, retirees, small children, an occasional dog, and American flags…lots of flags. Reminiscent of last year’s Helena rally, it resembled a farm auction more than a protest.

The rally began with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and our Star Spangled Banner. The biggest impact was made by what wasn’t there; no overturned cars, smashed store fronts or the aroma of burning pot from unemployed 21-year-olds alleviating an epidemic of shoulder pain. It was a herd of ordinary people desperate to free our republic from the stranglehold of the progressives. It was inspiring.

Moved by the rally, the patriotic music, and the strong sense of family, my trophy wife and I were walking to the car when decided to surprise our four grandkids with a weekend visit. After all, since we were already in Billings part of the trip was behind us. So 632 miles, and ten hours later, we zipped into their driveway in Larimore, North Dakota.

Clara is the oldest at six, Mae and Grant fill the middle, and Lila is temporarily the youngest at 11 months. (Number five is due in September.) We hadn’t seen the wee ones since Christmas and folks with grandkids living across the street can’t understand the emptiness of not being part of the simple moments in their lives.

As I craft these words, it is a little after five on Sunday morning. Everyone is still asleep except for Lila who is sitting on my lap. Although she is nearly a year old, to me she still has the wonderful smell of a newborn. She is a finger sucker and she quietly stares at my reading glasses occasionally making a slobbering snatch at them. My progress is slow, interrupted, and would be typo-ridden without the magic of “backspace”. I will remember this special moment with Lila forever. Sadly, she won’t. Four weekends a year will never secure my place in her heart and I plan to fix that. For my kids and grandkids to move closer to home, Montana needs jobs.

Unfortunately, Montana’s unemployment rate is climbing. Although progressives prefer it kept a secret, 10 percent is the ideal unemployment rate for sustainable dependency and here is why: Just enough people are working to pay taxes to extend unemployment benefits to those sitting at home. To the left this is as good as it gets; they feel like Robin Hood every time they generously vote to extend benefits…with your money. Just last week benefits were extended yet again at a cost of $9 billion added to the national debt. (They generously spent Lila’s money this time.)

Next week Congress will resurrect the carbon cap-and-trade bill. It will pass. Progressives will argue climate change is such a serious threat carbon taxes must be instituted. They are fully aware this will drive energy costs through the ceiling, but by collecting your money as carbon taxes, they will then generously gift subsidies to the poor trapped by the $1500 monthly electric bills this legislation creates. As long as the American subjects never discover the truth, the legend of Robin Hood thrives. Forced ignorance is the opiate of big government. Did you know that?

Our economy will never recover until we crush the progressive movement. Employment opportunities, which might bring my grandkids home, depends on the restoration of the free market. In the words of President Reagan, “Government is not the solution; government is the problem!”