Letter to the Editor: Make sure you read the fine print

Dear Editor:

It’s really hot; 105°F in the shade. I’m sorting through my mail on the kitchen counter, and I find a political flyer on behalf of Paul Hoeft, sent to us by the “Defeating Communism PAC”, out of Oconomowoc, Wis. Later, when discussing this with a friend, neither of us realized there was a Red Scare of communist infiltration in Big Horn County, Wyo. We looked at each other a bit puzzled; neither of us are communists, we don’t know of any communists, nor have we heard of any clusters or nests of communists in our community or the United States.

My friend reminded me that accusing someone of being a Communist in this country is similar to being accused of being criminal or immoral. My friend also reminded me of 70 years ago, when Joe McCarthy a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, turned this country upside-down in pursuit of shifty commie spies creating dissension among us. It took years, but Joe McCarthy was denounced and censured by the Senate, although not before the lives of hundreds of honest men and women were destroyed with demagoguery and reckless accusations. This era of U.S. history has long been considered a shameful period for the US Congress.

We were wondering, is the “Defeat Communism PAC” starting a communist witch hunt all over again? Causing us to question each other’s patriotism? Is this an election scare tactic? Why is the “Defeating Communism PAC” getting involved in Wyoming elections? My friend and I agreed, we just aren’t aware of any communist activity in Big Horn County; and we haven’t seen any actions trying to subvert our strongly Republican county or state government.

We do wonder why Paul Hoeft is associating himself with the beliefs of the “Defeating Communism PAC”? Does he believe we have a problem of Communist subterfuge in Big Horn County? Does he support out of state interference in Wyoming elections? Does Paul Hoeft receive campaign support from other organizations beyond the borders of our Cowboy State? 

We encourage anyone receiving flyers in the mail or online to read the fine print. Ask yourself, who is sending this info to me and where do they come from? Are their objectives in the best interest of my county and my state? The temperatures outside will remain hot for a few more weeks, however, the political maneuvering is getting even hotter.

Chris Gillett

Greybull