SHARE THIS SHOW:
ON THE BLOG:
RELATED CONVERSATIONS:
RECENTLY ON TOL:
TOL Our Town
- A tumblr site dedicated to the people and places that make up Oregon and Southwest Washington.
TAGS:
Candidate Conversation: John Kitzhaber
For the last month we've been collecting your questions in preparation for having the gubernatorial candidates on the air. We brought you Chris Dudley from the Flying J truck stop in La Grande last week. Now Democratic candidate John Kitzhaber joins us live in studio.
We'll talk to him about why he wants to take office again and what he's going to do to turn around the economy in this state. Plus we'll ask him questions from you. Jeffersonian wants to know what the oath of office means. Pdxdan wants to know about how he might leverage the philanthropic sector. And Paulswag asks:
How will the Governor stop the polarization in government? How will the Governor find Oregon's measure of success? Where are we going Gov and where should we be going? How can we help?
With less than a week before the election, a new poll conducted by Davis, Hibbitts and Midghall for OPB, Fox 12, and the Portland Tribune and Community Newspapers shows Chris Dudley having a slight lead over John Kitzhaber. Do you know how you are going to vote? What do you need to hear from Kitzhaber in order to make up your mind?
Editor's Note: Since the two candidates have only participated in one debate, OPB News has created a virtual debate where you can check out both of their answers to a variety of issues. Check it out here.
Tagged as: 2010 election · kitzhaber
Photo credit: Michael Clapp / OPB
-
Many of these issues are problems that we voters have made worse: Measure 5 decimated local school funding and Mannix's mandatory minimum sentences (Measure 11 and this year's Measure 73) have siphoned funding away from education and health care.
P.S. - Another chance? I would like to remind you folks who seem to have a short memory that the Democrats never controlled both houses of the state legislature during Kitzhaber's 2 terms. Republicans were in charge and they were passing all kinds of bad laws. People say "Oh look at that crazy Governor vetoing 200+ bills!" I say "Look at those crazy legislators passing 200+ bills that need to be vetoed!" John is now going to get his first real chance as Governor, uninhibited by the obstructionists (Republicans).
-
Nicely put Bluewater42.
-
Very well put bluewater. Thank you.
-
We should move away from one party control of the government .. it leads to both corruption and waste >>>I think at this time some CHANGE is a good idea!!
JOHN IN GERVAIS
-
John outlined his experience and policy positions very well during the campaign and on his website so I feel I made an informed vote when I voted for him, but I do have a specific policy question for him. Washington State recently had their first execution since 2001 and we have many death penalty cases pending here in Oregon. I think it’s crazy that we’re spending millions of dollars every year trying to kill people while we have to cut education, health care, and services to the disadvantaged and needy.
My specific question to John: Do you support abolishing Oregon’s death penalty and as Governor would you exonerate the 30+ people on our state’s death row?
Disclaimer: I am personally opposed to the death penalty for moral reasons. I don’t think the government should be killing people and I don’t think that an “eye for an eye” solves anything. If you use the death penalty, all you have at the end of the day is two dead people instead of one.
-
You're right, Bluewater42, "an eye for an eye" does not solve anything -- it just leaves the whole world blind, as Gandhi once said. (Here's another one I love: when asked what he thought of western civilization, he reportedly said, "It would be a good idea.")
-
This comment was deleted because of inappropriate content -- Sarah Rothenfluch, executive producer, Think Out Loud
-
I'd like to know if Governor Kitzhaber is for a US Constitutional Amendment abolishing "Corporate Personhood".
I'd like to see Corporations returned to very Limited Charters and Powers.
-
would your amendment also apply to unions .. ESPECIALLY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS??/
-
Corporations are artifical enties birthed(?) by State Charters. Delaware and North Dakota could take on that issue for many of the Financial Service Corporations by revising the powers granted to them. Expand what is required within the context of decisions made regarding underfunded Research & Development vs Political contributions which in theory have no expected return on investment while the prime directive of the corporate bonus babies is to maximize Shareholder return on investment.
-
Both Candidates are for some degree of big government and spending. Jobs are generated when someone purchases something or does something that they can not do for themselves. The state can really do anything for itself. Thus tax and spend is a necessity.
Corporations are granted charters with a promise of perpetual life and limited liability. Corporations then organize around a set of objectives and organizational structures. Corporations can not do anything for themselves either
50 years of tax cuts and 30 years of Capital Gains adjustments have yet to produce a sustainable economy.
The Enron Energy Bubble, the Technology Bubble, and now the Housing Bubble and Recession lead me to conclude that Wall Street can not meet Wall Street's expectations for growth without electronic irrational exuberant title transfer commissions. Vapor profits.
Tax Cuts did not work. Our top ten exports during the Bush administration were composed of used clothing to the third world, scrap metal to China, and used paper. What isn't but should be listed are US TREASURY NOTES owned by foreign countries. The Dow Jones lost over 100 points when China raised its Interest Rate by 1 %.
President Clinton on the David Letterman labeled the cause of the economic crisis as a " failure to invest in the REAL economy".
Promises, Promises , BromiseS
-
Please ask Dr Kitzhaber any or all of the following:
Can he answer the questions directly? That is not spin them off into some kind of campaign point that's just barely tangent to the question.
When a Federal National ID card is mandated will you have Oregonians comply or move to nullify the law? Do you think a National ID card would make us more secure?
Will you support some kind of law that allows recreational use of marijuana for adults? What about other recreational drugs?
Even if the Feds object? Are you going to let California get ahead of Oregon on this issue?
How will you fix PERS once and for all?
How will your reward the unions for their support once your governor?
We spent millions on a prison that is now vacant? Would you invite the Guantanamo Detainees to stay for a while if the Federal Government picks up the tab?Lets for argument say some people are not employable at minimum wage. You honestly would rather have them NOT ever be legally employed versus have them receive some kind of training wage?
Thanks. I enjoy your show.
-
yeah right >. he is gonna answer or miss lib emily is gonna ask
'How will your reward the unions for their support once your governor?"
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT -
Vitalpac,
Please review our commenting guidelines. This is supposed to be a place of civil, courteous discussion. Please refrain from name-calling and personal attacks.
Sarah Rothenfluch, executive producer, Think Out Loud
-
During this Greatest Paradigm Shift ever in the 21st Century, are you in support of encouraging and emphasizing the bill Floyd Prozansky introduced to encourage the local farming of Hemp which would help take the demands off our exhausted forests, our oil addiction, and countless other needs while creating productive and promising jobs here starting in the State of Oregon?
If so, how can we make this a real possible incentive for farmers to successfully put into practice?
-
Dr. Governor.
Nobody in politics will answer a simple question. At this point I don’t expect an answer, however the simple question remains.
The state government runs on taxes and fees, it generates virtually no revenue any other way. The question is: How much of the wealth generated by the citizens is required to run government? To put it another way: How much, in percent of income, is enough to fund the necessary functions of the state government without killing the citizens ability or desire to generate wealth?
-
The information is somewhat hard to find - but is often on state/federal tax websites. This guy put together 2009 tax report:
http://www.blueoregon.com/2009/04/oregon-tax-dollars-where-do-they-come-from-and-where-do-they-go/
As for how much weath generated by citizens is required - for almost all people, 5-12% of their AGI is used. You can find that information on the very last page of the tax instruction booklet downloadable from the Oregon tax website.
-
Governor,
1. Do you see a SALES TAX in Oregon in the future?
2. Do you believe, for reasons of conservation and to end oil addiction, that FUEL TAXES have to be significantly higher?
-
Dr. Kitzhaber, one of your core passions and issue areas throughout your career has been river and wildlife habitat restoration.
From one fisherman to another, what does Oregon need to do in the next ten years to bring salmon runs back to sustainable levels?
-
Lets move the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board into the Oregon State Parks Department. There we can have a greater level of efficiency, and still provide funding for restoration, but save some administrative funding.
-
Hello, I am an undecided voter. Can you tell me what you are going to do different this time if elected? I.e., what motivated you to run again, what do you believe you can do differently if given the vote?
Thank you.
-
Voting for anyone who thinks that the Liquor monopoly produces jobs compared to the free market which would employ many more, make a profit and pay taxes is a bad idea.
Kitzhaber has lots of public programs which produce "jobs" at the expense of those who actually produce products and services, pay taxes and fund these programs.
This guy is the one who put Oregon on the path to the current situation the state finds itself in, deep in debt, education declining from an already low level and business fleeing the state.
In the pocket of the puclic employees and teacher's union is not where I look for inspired leaders.
Bill Edell
-
Who was in control of the state legislature during Gov. Kitzhaber's last terms as governor?
-
Republicans had control of the legislature during Kitz's terms. So of course nothing good could get done.
Don't you critics even do research? This is the internet people all the information is just at your finger tips.
Dudley is just a show horse and a terrible basketball player, Kitz is by far the lesser of the two evils.
Vote for Dudley and vote away your rights as a citizen. It's your choice.
-
@chicostix
Why keep voting for the lesser of two evils - I'm voting for Cathulu.
But you forget, Kitz has been gov for longer than just the last term. Stop eating the party lines you're fed and really do reasearch on the measures and voting records.
As an independent, I could care less about party or party stereotypes. For someone to win my vote, I want to see what they did, and what the results were. At the moment, I'm very unhappy with the financial situation we've gotten Oregon into, and it was something that's been brewing for the last 5-10 years of overspending.
I'd like to see someone really talk about sustainability - how about a really sustainable government for a change. On that note, I find both the Dems and Rep both sadly lacking. They both want to spend for their pet wars/programs without actually having the funds to back it up.
I don't get to overspend for my whole life then decide my kids will pick up the tab - why does the govt get to do that?
-
What is your stance on a sales tax?
-
TAX AND SPEND IS WHAT DEMOCRATS DO >.KITZHABER WILL WANT A SALES TAX >. DONT DOUBT ME
JOHN IN GERVAIS
-
Hey John in Gervais -
At least the Democrats don't just spend, and don't tax - which is what the Republicans have done at the national level during the Bush Administration. You guys have to get off of your rather pathetic mantra that taxes are just bad. I'm sure when it comes to things that You want, taxes are all okay then - but just not for that "other" stuff. The level of dishonesty in your discourse is, unfortunately, par for the course.
-
I would like to know if Mr. Kitzhaber will address the Student Loan issue.
Student Loand debt is the ONLY, repeat, ONLY debt from which ALL DEBT PROTECTIONS, such as bankruptcy, have been removed. Since earning my graduate degree six years ago I have been unemployed twice and homeles during one of those periods. My Student Loan debt is now over $100,000.00. Being middle aged I will NEVER be out from under that debt. I still do not have a job in my field and work at a job just barely paying above minimum wage. I cannot make the $800 a month payments on my student loan and I am threatened with having garnished my measly retirement and the Social Security I will soon be at the age to qualify for.
When I tried to make reasonable arrangements with the lenders they LAUGHED AT ME! Being in debt for trying to better myself has now turned into permanent endentured servitude.
Will Mr. Kitzhaber help those of us who are stuck in this debacle?
-
I feel for you - my sisters in the same boat and living at home at the moment looking for something outside her field - maybe even Target. While the jobs market is definitely half the equation (we're in the worst jobs spot since the great depression) I think that has to do with the fact about half the degrees offered in most universities are nearly worthless from a career/financial standpoint; but they'll let you run up as big a bill as you like getting a degree in underwater basket weaving.
I mean really - I know someone that ran up a near $100,000 bill getting a degree in social work when everyone knows the avg pay for social work is $20-30 a year - if you can find a job at all. Now more than 50% of their take-home is just for the loan! How can anyone conciously take on that much debt, or let others take on that much debt, when they know the outcome?
-
MAYBE U SHOULD HAVE EARNED MONEY TO PAY FOR UR EDUCATION NOT GOTTEN A "LOAN" .. OR NOT MAJORED IN ART HISTORY >. TAKE SOME PERSONL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!
-
Suzu, you are not alone. A lot of people have found themselves in this situation. There is an organization working on getting student loan debt changed so that students, people who work hard to better themselves and learn how to help others, are no longer treated more harshly than convicted felons. It is called Studentloanjustice.org. You should get imvolved with them.
As for people like "vitalpac", this is a person who is desperately pleading for help even though he is afraid to use his real name. He is fearful of being found out. I have read enough of his (usually male) "responses" to recognize a mental disorder. He can't help himself.
So sad
-
Again, Vitalpac, I request that you refrain from personal attacks. Our clear commenting guidelines are here.
Sarah Rothenfluch, executive producer, Think Out Loud
-
@DoctorHenry
VitalPAc certainly need to learn to spell and maybe take a critical thinking course or two - but I'm offended by your insinuation that because he can't figure out how to use caps-lock and create a grammatically correct sentence that he's a male and has a mental disorder.
You might be right - but it's very offensive. Are all men stupid then? Are men inherently wrong in their opinions? Do people have mental disorders because they haven't learned basic grammar?
In short, I simply find your comment offensive.
-
Dr Kitzhaber please explain how Oregon's budget is divided among the different line items: Education, human services, transportation etc, and what affect accross the board budget cuts would have on each of these areas.
Secondly, how will the changes already made to PERS affect our obligation to government retirees in the future.
-
The state corrections system is a major cost center in state govt. How would you reduce or at least stop its growth.
Billy Wasson
-
LOTS OF PEOPLE GET THEIR LICENSES REVOKED FOR BEING BEHIND ON CHILD SUPPORT .. MAKING IT IMNPOSSIBLE TO TO GET TO WORK AND THEN THEY EVENTUALLY GET CONVICTED OF FELONY DRIVING SUSPENDED >. U WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY ARE IN JAIL JUST FOR DRIVING
-
Do you support the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs proposed Cascade Locks casino and center?
The economic gain to the community is obvious.
If you don't support it, why?
-
GAMBLING IS A CRUEL TAX ON THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF SOCIETY >. THIS INCLUDES THE OREGON LOTTERY>. U DO GOODER LIBS SHOULD STAND UP FOR YOUR LESSORS .. DONT LET THEM GET RIPPED OF BY GAMBLING>> IT JUST LEADS TO FAMILIES IN CRISES (OH NOW I SEE WHY U SUPPORT GAMBLING)
-
Vitalpac, we need you to stop your personal assaults. Our commenting guidelines are here.
Sarah Rothenfluch, executive producer, Think Out Loud.
-
What is former Gov. Kitnhaber's plan to support children across the state by both lowering the drop out rate and lowering the number of children living in poverty? What partnerships does he see the government needing from the community? ~ Rev. Tara Wilkins
-
REV TARA >> PRAISE GOD .. IM SURE GOV JOHN WOULD GIVE HAND OUTS THAT WOULD JUST CONTINUE THE CYCLE OF POVERTY ><> PRAISE GOD
-
To Kitzhaber:
As govenor of our state, you had the job of setting tone and direction. During your time, and during some of the best economic years for Oregon, the state overspent until the state treasurer/budget office now reports that we can no longer take on any more debt.Now that we are in difficult financial times, we have run up the state 'credit card' and the goverment is in double straights at least part of which was created by their own overspending. How do you explain that lack of foresight and fiscal responsibility - and why should we trust you to do better in the future? Or will it simply be more 'business as usual' which overspends to win votes and just kicks our cronic overspending burdens onto the next generation?
-
Maybe Oregon shouldn't be sending a kicker check to people when we have a surplus, and instead re-invest it into public services so the state doesn't have to drastically cut them during tough times.
Perhaps Oregonians should also consider a progressive state tax system rather than a flat tax. I believe health care and education are basic human rights, and should so be supported by everyone, especially those who can afford to do so.
The claim that one would "overspend to win votes" is a fallacious statement; being elected has less to do with what one actually does while in office and much more to do with how one's record is perceived by the public. That perception, in turn, is shaped less by a real knowledge of what an elected offical has achieved, and more by media sources, talking points offered by opponents (which are often easier to digest than a full explanation of why things happen and the forces behind them), and "campaign speech" from the candidates themselves. The third is much like the second, insofar as it's designed to strike emotional chords with people rather than express a real concept.
-
BRANDON
heaven forbid we take emotions out of politics>.............how would the bleeding heart libs ever convince people to subject themselves to socialism
-
@BrandonGoldner
You have much more trust in the government to spend the money in the way they promise then I do. They've promised to fund PERS and all the other programs they've created, but never do. They even collect taxes for it and spend it on other things. Smoking taxes are only marginally used for smoking prevention/etc. Most of the money never goes to that problem. The sewer taxes in Portland get redirected to pay for bike lanes. They continue to promise us that each new program is funded, yet like PERS they go on and on non-funded. What's going to happen in 20 years when the retirees start asking for their promised services and there is no money to fund them?
And less you think money solves problems, I send my kid to a private school and pay about $40k/yr - and they get a MUCH better education (students test higher and get more AP classes) than the one they get at the public schools which have even MORE money per student per year. Funding for schools has gone up and up until its now over 50% of the states budget. Yet dropout rates keep going up every year, our performance goes down; and I'm wondering what is happening?
That's my big gripe; and why I don't agree that just letting the government keep more of the money is the solution. That's why I'm asking him how he's going to fix the problems of promising services and then never funding them. Where's the money going? Why isn't it buying me the same service that my dollars elsewhere can buy?
That's why as much as I hate it, I'll not vote for any more tax increases or concessions for the govt of Oregon (or fed) - until they can show me they spend the money they ALREADY get for the services they've ALREADY promised.
-
First, "government" is not a seperate entity; it's made up of folks that citizens elect to office. It's us.
Second, if citizens really want to look for where the money is going, they need to look in four places: social security, defense, Medicare, and unemployment benefits. Education takes about 1/6 of the funding that defense does alone, so there's one place to look.
Third, well-funded public schools should be a right in this country. The reason why a private school is a better option for those who can afford it is pretty simple: public schools need and deserve much more support than they receive.
I don't mean to be rude, but the argument you support seems to be that because some services are underfunded, the government is poor at money management. It's clear that Oregon is facing a huge budget shortfall, and it sounds like you want to fund PERS. How do you wish to do this? It sounds like you're against higher taxes, so which services do you want to cut--social security, defense, Medicare, or unemployment benefits?
-
I am very conservation oriented and usually support spending public money on habitat restoration and conservation. However, as a very involved citizen, the financial corruption, mismanagement, and abusive practices toward citizens that I've personally seen at OWEB and inside watershed councils is forcing me to vote "no" on Measure 76 (with a very heavy heart) - NOT because I don't agree with the stated goals but because I believe the system needs to be completely overhauled. As it is currently organized, it is WAY too easy for corruption to occur....for citizen abuse to occur.
Before I finalize my ballot today and vote for Governor, I would like to know what Governor Kitzhaber plans to do about this extensive problem.
Cindy Ashy
-
It very interesting and refreshing to hear a politician answer a question directly without beating around the bush and not answering the question posed. It is also refreshing to hear that Mr. Kitzhaber actually has sound economic doable plans not based on Republican fantasy.
-
insulate the schools .. that will solve everything
-
Inasmuch as successful governing requires 1) effectively communicated vision that convinces a buy-in from the populace and 2) skills of persuasion and negotiation with legislators, what has the Governor done during the last few years to improve his skills in these areas? Can he give us a concrete example of how he has worked to develop these skills or how he has demonstrated his improvement?
-
Dr. Kitzhaber, like politicians often seem to do, claims that things are not working and that we need change. Does he actually believe things are not working in any substantive way, or is Oregon economically in a poor place simply because the country is? And, having been the Governor of Oregon, how much difference can one person make? Are these promises for change even possible in the overly partisan climate described by Dr. Kitzhaber’s website?
-
I'd like to know your position related to selling our water to Nestle for a water bottling plant.
-
Mr Kitzhaber,
How can Oregonians help you most when you're elected governor?
-
bury ur heads in the sand and open ur wallets >. thats whart all democrats want
-
Mr Kitzhaber mentioned trade school and apprentice training programs as an alternative to 4 year college degree. Specifically, he mentioned Clackamas Comm College and IBEW training center. Are you aware, sir, that there are open shop training facilities available for students who do not wish to join a union? Specifically the Area 1 Inside Electrical Joint Apprentice Training program?
-
If it becomes necessary to lower the minimum income to allow more people to be employed by small businesses, will Dr. Kitzhaber consider it?
-
democrats would rather have people dependent on the govternment than working at a low wage as a start and having the opportunity to WORK their way up
-
I'd also like to know how you plan on fixing PERS.
It seems to me we've signed ourselves up for a program that's slated for financial disaster by both overpromising services and yet not funding it like medicare/medicade slated for insolvency in 2020.
How do you plan on fixing this - or are you taking the stance like many other politicians that you'll promise the moon and starts today knowing you won't be around to have to pick up the pieces later when the bills come due and there's been no funding for it and we end up in the same position Greece finds itself in?
-
kitzhaber is a toadie of the public employee unions .. all democrats are >. the public employees have screwed the public . they retire at 55 at 80% pay and full medical >. where can u find that in the private sector??its time to tell the public employees to FEEL OUR PAIN
-
John in Gervais -
I guess then that your measure of what is good, the "private sector" in general is what we should all aspire to? Let's all have as our goal the average vacation in the private sector, what is it now, two weeks per year? Let's have the new aspiration be some form of expensive health insurance, and job cuts to send them over seas. Or maybe you are thinking of some of those $150k per year jobs as your measure of what the average receives. Either way, you should direct some portion of your pain as the wretched policies that have moved the majority of our manufacturing jobs overseas. That might be a good place for you to start.
-
It semed both your guests near the end described Kitzhaber as a "policy wonk," and shaded their statements as though that were a negative. Why wouldn't we want a learned, informed Governor? The comments seemed to reinforce the stereotype about politicians that it's all about the candidates' personalities rather than about problems that need to be solved.
-
After listening to this morning's interview with John Kitzhaber, by husband and I replayed Chris Dudley's interview. We both came to the same conclusion. The interviewer threw "soft balls" at Chris Dudley and failed to follow-up on her line of questioning regarding his philosophy about taxes in general. There was also no analysis by experts at the end of the interview with Chris Dudley with regards to his performance and philosophies.
The interviewer today was much more in-depth with difficult questions. John Kitzhaber answered them frankly and intelligently. There was an extremely critical analysis by so-called experts of John Kitzhaber at the end of his interview today. Why is that?
-
Could you provide specific examples?
-
Well for one, Dudley got asked what what his influences through childhood were on his ideas for tax strategy (really?), Kitzhaber got asked very specifically what policies he'd put in place for disaster relief.
I too noticed a bit of a difference there. Very odd.
-
http://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton oulet http://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton onlinehttp://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton salehttp://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton outletstore http://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton http://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton oulet http://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton onlinehttp://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton salehttp://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton outletstore http://www.mylouisvuitton.com louis vuitton
-
I also think you're right, Bluewater42, "eye for an eye" solves nothing it just makes the world blind, as Gandhi once said. hugs!
imóveis , diabetes , acompanhantes , seguro , flores , relaxamento
-
Comments are now closed.
When John Kitzhaber left office, the state of Oregon was in a mess:the state government was bloated,the schools were in crisis, the unemployment rate was above the national average and he stated the state was ungovernable.With that record ,why should we let him have another chance?