Here's why the very popular alliance commonly called "public-private partnerships," or why excessive control of business by government, are not good in terms of maintaining a level playing field in the market or preserving our economic liberty:

General Electric, Co. has been quietly informing gun shop owners that the company will no longer be providing lending services to them, the Wall Street Journal reports.... "GE is at least the second big financial firm to retreat from the gun business following the school shootings, which claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and six adults in December."

Stockman Bank is opening another branch this week. With construction completed and furnishings in place, staff will move on May 6 into the newest Stockman Bank, at the corner of Grand Avenue and 14th Street in Billings.

The addition of its fifth branch all has to do with the economic