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The US and Israel have paired up to intimidate Iran like school yard bullies. Iran then did the equivalent of taking karate lessons and has begun weapons testing. Please note that these are not nuclear weapons. There is no proof that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. To my knowledge Iran has been following established IAEA regulations for development of nuclear energy.

We have decided to be friendly with North Korea after it illegally developed nuclear weapons technology and undertook nuclear weapons testing. Why is it that we are bullying Iran when they haven't done anything illegal? Once again are we going to launch an invasion based on false premises to the benefit of US corporations who get no-bid contracts?

We have also partnered with Poland to install a missile defense program. This move has infuriated the Russian Federation who see it as re-instituting cold war era policies. Maybe if we started talking to people, and believing their answers and the observations of inspectors, rather than making threats and reaching for our guns the world would be a more stable place.

posted 4 years, 10 months ago
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We must work to understand the reasons why people have views that are different from your own. Understanding the why allows you to become tolerant of other people. It doesn't mean that you agree with their position, you tolerate it.

posted 5 years ago
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Thank you! This is the exact reason why people in eastern Oregon are disenfranchised, many people in the west think that they shouldn't help care for their fellow Oregonians. They seems to think its okay for the east to pay for things in the west though...

posted 5 years ago
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The focus of society on the majority of the population ignores rural areas. The people in western Oregon often focus on their own needs. They ignore the majority of the land area of the state which is inhabited. The people who live on and care for the land are being ignored.

Oregon has 5 representatives in the US House, and 1 (OR-2) represents 2/3 of the land area. On the federal level only 1 person represents eastern Oregon, since Oregon Senators tend to be from the valley. This representative is charged with a great responsibility, since the land area they represent is so large.

I believe that all people in the state must keep their fellow Oregonians in mind when making decisions. We must provide for the base needs of everyone before providing luxuries to certain groups of people.

Tristin Mock
Candidate for OR-2

posted 5 years ago
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There are barriers for people seeking services. Most shelters require a negative TB test before allowing people in. People seeking services must find a location that offers this test for free. Shelters generally don't run the test because it involves sharps and requires medical personnel. It takes several days to run a TB test, so people seeking services are left to fend for themselves during this time.
Another barrier is finding resources. It's not like a homeless person can easily search the web for services. Who do you contact when you have suddenly lost your home and job? Where do you go? Remember most communities in Oregon do not have the level of services that Portland does.
Without social connections people can be left without many options, especially in rural areas. I clearly remember a family living in their car at Taylor Lake in The Dalles. The parents were out of work and trying their bests to provide food to their children. Homeless services need to be made easily available and accessible.

posted 5 years ago
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I guess I'm part of the movement in Oregon towards younger politicians. At 27, I'm running for US House OR-2. As a young adult I fill the gap between student and professional, as a mother I understand the needs of children and families, as a gerontologist I understand the needs of elders, and as a physician I understand the breakdown of health care in our country. My generation understands the risks of environmental degradation- and the promise of technology.

~Tristin Mock

posted 5 years ago
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People keep forgetting that the poor do not get a rebate either. The poorest of our society, whose earned incomes are lower than $3000/yr, are not getting a stimulus check. It's only the middle class that is being benefited by the stimulus package.

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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I totally agree that schools should source local foods, however the change is going to require changes in federal policy. The funding/subsidy program for schools requires purchasing of commodities. Since the state of Oregon does not help support the school lunch program it will be difficult to make this change at local levels.

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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An interesting note about candidates getting information out- it costs money to be listed in the voters pamphlet. Prices vary by position; it costs $1000 to be listed as a candidate for the US House of Representatives.
I personally pour over the voters pamphlets to help decide how to vote. I assumed that it was a public service to list the information. I had no clue that candidates had to pay to be listed! I would love to see this service provided for free, so that candidates that are running small campaigns can have their information listed, and use their limited campaign funds to meet with voters.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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I am running for the US House of Representatives (OR-2) as part of the Pacific Green Party's Peace Slate. As a primary candidate from a minor party, I'm not allowed to file with the state of Oregon. Minor party candidates are not allowed to file with the state until [i]after[/i] the major parties have their primaries. This and some of the other inequities in the system make it extremely difficult for minor party candidates to run for office.
I'm looking forward to a Secretary of State who will promote preference/ranked voting. This style of voting is allowed in the statutes and allows people to freely vote for the candidate that best represents their beliefs. I long for the day when people vote for they candidate they want, rather than the one they think will win. Preference voting eliminates "spoiler" candidates.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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