Billy Hill is more than lip service

Are you a citizen or a customer of your county and state government?

In a recent forum for Sheriff’s candidates in Hot Springs, candidates were asked whether they endorsed the idea of treating citizens as “customers.” A recent Ledger interview (Sept. 30) of candidate Doug Dryden revealed that he endorses this idea, and he confirmed this opinion in the forum. Candidate Rummel expressed his agreement with Dryden.

The U.S. Constitution and the Montana Constitution both refer to “citizens” as having rights. Nowhere does the word “customer” appear in either document. Customers of corporations are bound to specific performance by the terms of explicit or implied contracts, and these terms are usually heavily in favor of the corporation. Often, your only recourse is to refuse to buy the corporation’s product or to refuse to do business with them. Local government, on the other hand, is a monopoly. Try refusing to do business with them. As a citizen, you can demand that your rights be respected, and you have the power to influence the policies of the county or state, whereas a mere customer has no such constitutionally acknowledged rights.

Candidate Billy Hill explained that citizens, not customers, have constitutionally protected rights and that he will treat people as citizens. His answers reveal that he is the ONLY candidate who goes beyond lip service to the Constitution and understands what it means for all of us. Hill was the only candidate with both a U.S. Constitution and a Montana Constitution in his possession for quick reference, and he is the only candidate who can routinely quote relevant sections from memory.