Where Responsibility Begins - and Why Public Education Matters

In the background, not always highlighted in the discussion for protecting public schools and education is the cold reality of dysfunctional families. Moving beyond the reasons and elements that create poor family unity, we find ourselves appreciating what K-12 schooling means for so many children and their families.

When responsibility disappears at home, the consequences don’t stay there. They ripple outward—into our schools, our communities, and ultimately our future.

I know this firsthand.

I grew up in poverty without a father. If you look at the statistics, that story often ends in struggle—higher rates of crime, lower educational outcomes, fewer opportunities. That’s the data.

But I was fortunate. I had people and systems in my life that helped me beat those odds.

And one of the most important of those was public education.

For many kids, school isn’t just about math or reading. It’s stability. It’s structure. It’s mentorship. It’s sometimes the only consistent place where expectations, accountability, and encouragement exist.

When we talk about “family values,” we should be honest about what that really means.

It means responsibility. It means integrity. It means showing up—for your kids and for your community.

But when those things break down—and sometimes they do—we cannot leave children to navigate that void alone.

That’s where public education steps in.

Why This Matters Now

Public education in America is taking hits—from funding challenges to political crossfire. And yet, for countless children, it remains one of the only reliable foundations they have.

If we weaken it, we’re not saving money—we’re increasing long-term costs:

• Higher crime rates

• Lower workforce readiness

• Increased healthcare burdens

• Struggling local economies

That’s not theory. That’s cause and effect.

The Honest Conversation About Taxes

I’ll be straight with you—I don’t like taxes.

Like a lot of Montanans, I’ve voted against them before.

But recently, I voted for school funding measures here in Yellowstone County that will cost me about $25 more a year in additional property tax.

Why?

Because some investments aren’t optional if you’re serious about the future.

If $25 helps provide stability, education, and opportunity to the next generation, that’s not waste—that’s responsibility.

Montana First Means Investing in Our Kids

If we truly believe in putting Montana first, then we have to ask a simple question:

Does this decision make life better for Montana’s children and families?

If the answer is yes, we should take it seriously.

Because strong schools lead to:

• Better jobs

• Healthier communities

• Lower long-term costs

• A stronger Montana economy

Final Thought

Not every child gets the start they deserve.

But we can decide—together—whether they still get a fair chance.

Public education is one of the most powerful tools we have to make that happen.

And if we get this right, we’re not just helping kids.

We’re building the kind of Montana we all want to live in.