Flying out of Montana

Isn't it ridiculous that you can't get a direct flight anywhere out of Montana without paying over $1,000.00?

I swear every time I fly I have ridiculous connection flights! When I flew to Omaha Nebraska in 2007 I flew from 8 am until 1:00am...connections from Helena to Billings, Billings to Salt Lake, Salt Lake to Denver, Denver to Omaha.  Now I am going to Tampa Florida and I am flying out at 5:50 am from Helena to Minneapolis, Minneapolis to New York, New York to Tampa.  I don't get there until 8:59pm and there is a 2 hour time difference!  Yet on my way home Tampa to Denver, Denver to Helena.  How does that make sense?