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While we have had concern that our legislators might be influenced by special interests when writing laws, the initiative petition system allows law to be written by special interests. Returning the initiative process to the people and removing it from the hands of a few wealthy individuals could be done with a change in how funding of signature gathering is allowed. If the amount that any person, or entity, could contribute toward signature gathering was limited to perhaps $500.00, the ability of the wealthy to put forward their own agenda would be limited to that of a grass roots movement.

A rule change that would make the results of initiatives safer, would be to require a 2/3's majority of votes in order to modify our state constitution. It is absurd that a simple majority of the voters can currently create a change in our constitution that takes a 2/3's majority of our elected representatives to modify.

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
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I find it sad that electronic devices now take up so much of people's time that most of them do not read a daily newspaper. To me there is no substitute for sitting down with a good newspaper, such as the Oregonian, and reading through it. From it one gains credible information on politics, world news, national news, local news and science. It is wonderful to browse through a newspaper,to read what seems worthwhile and to skip what does not. I like being able to go back and reread parts of an article when something isn't clear to me. News on public radio is another important source of information to me, but with it one can miss part of the story and it is not so easy to find the story online and catch it that way.

I feel newspapers are suffering from a shorter and shorter public attention span created by overuse of electronic devices.

posted 4 years, 10 months ago
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Not long ago the Portland City Club did a report on reforming our Initiative Petition System of putting issues on the ballot. They offered many good ideas on how to make this system work better. This is a controversial topic, but a very important one. Everything from signature gathering to the ease of adding amendments to our State Constitution, would make for an interesting program.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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I am proudest to be an American when our nation stands up for what is right in the world. This standing up does not usually entail military action. Our history during the Presidency of Franklin Roosevelt and at the end of WWII holds much for each of us to take pride in. At the end of WWII, we took care of our veterans with programs that helped them get college educations and purchase homes. We stood tall on the international scene in helping to rebuild the nations that had fought against us.

I served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968-1972 and found being part of a mighty military machine somewhat moving, especially when marching and chanting while in basic training. Our fighter aircraft were impressive machines and I felt it a privilege to work on them.

Today I try to avoid being nationalistic, but am open to feeling patriotic when our nation works as a force for good in the world. This does not include acting as a bully in the world. It includes: standing up for human rights, for limiting nuclear weapons, for limiting our own energy consumption, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and setting an example for the world in behaving as a civilized nation.

It is our Constitution and Bill of Rights that I am really proud of. The sad irony is that some of our leaders, who most love to wrap themselves in the flag, seem to have no appreciation for the ideals that these precious documents stand for. They seem to consider the flag to be a Holy Relic, but have no respect for the separation of powers mandated by our Constitution. Human rights get trampled on in the name of security. If we become like those who wish us harm, what is it we are protecting?

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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With many of Oregons cities and towns depending upon rivers for drinking water, one has to be concerned about what effect zebra mussels and their cousins will have upon our water. Oregon Field Guide had a recent show that has to raise concern for the quality of water that will be available from our rivers in the future. If non-native mussels are allowed to get a foothold in our rivers, cities such as Salem, which depends upon water from the North Santiam River, will be faced with either cleaning up tainted water or finding a new supply from wells.

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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