Montana’s Real Threat: People Or Progress?

I wrote an article about Ted Turner passing away and used the title "Montanan Ted Turner...." and boy did I get a lot of push back on social media.

It's true, Turner wasn't born in Montana, but neither is about half of the population that calls Montana home. However, there is a very loud factor of Montanans that aren't fans of folks that have moved here from other places. We've talked about this multiple times, but what is the root of the problem?

What is it that bothers locals so much about people coming here from other places?

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I often hear the cry of "they come here and buy up all the land!". Well, ok, but who do they buy it from? Montanans? I mean, being mad at someone from somewhere else buying land from a local is like getting mad at the person your partner had an affair with. What about the partner? What about the local land owner?

People VS Progress?

So, what is the issue? Is it the people moving here or is it the progress that is taking place?

I'm a transplant, but I'm here because I love life in Montana. When I first moved here, there was very little of the silliness that takes place now. When people would ask me what people in Montana were like, I would tell them "imagine going hunting all day, then coming home and donating to PBS."

Montanans were unique. They were independent. They were welcoming.

Is Montana losing it's charm?

While I do believe there are some locals that don't like folks moving here, I believe the bigger issues is progress, and I get it. Part of Montana's charm is that in many of the small towns, it's like stepping back into yesterday. As progress happens, we lose a lot of that charm.

Old buildings with character are torn down for more generic, modern buildings. Mom-and pop businesses are closing up because they can't compete with the big box store prices. Mountain views are being blocked by apartment building. It's a lot to take, and I understand the concern. In fact, I'm all about keeping Montana old school, but I know that isn't going to happen.

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We as a people demand certain things. We want hi-speed internet, the latest and greatest smart phones, and all of the other technologies that we need to live. I mean, think about it...if you didn't have all of that high tech stuff, how would you ever get online to complain about something I write?