Not very many Montanans we know see eye-to-eye on everything. Many can't seem to agree with others on anything. But that doesn't mean people can't get along as neighbors, work together and enjoy one another's company.
It just means people have to work through their differences. You do it. We do it. Most Montanans manage to do it.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer has called legislators back to Helena for a special session beginning Thursday to finish a state budget, provide tax relief and tackle a few other major items - all necessary business that lawmakers and the governor failed to finish in the 90-day regular session.
During the regular session, lawmakers largely succeeded in outlining areas of disagreement. That's always the easy part in any discussion. Those disagreements centered on tax-relief strategies and budget matters, and they reflect the public's range of views on such issues. The intensity of those disagreements among legislators, however, appeared far greater than those Montanans have expressed in testimony before the Legislature, letters to the editor and other forums. The fact is, with a $1 billion surplus to work with, it's just not that hard to please most people. Most of us - obviously, not all - probably could relatively quickly reach an agreement in principle regarding generalities of tax relief and budgeting.
People resolve differences not by abandoning their principles but by applying them prudently and pragmatically. Solution-oriented people figure out it's a lot easier to prevail on the few things that matter most to them when they're flexible on the things that matter less. Strategic thinkers also figure out that it's good to take a longer view - that is, working to win the war rather than achieve triumph in every battle on every front immediately. Some of the best problem solvers we know are businessmen and -women who keep their eye on profits more than process and focus on business, not personalities.
Most of us, as neighbors, colleagues and fellow Montanans, resolve daily differences that are every bit as thorny and involve at least as much conflicting principle as anything before the Legislature. We can do it, and we're pretty sure Montana's legislators can, too.
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