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Very well put!

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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Having had some exposure to Oregon legislators, I have long been unimpressed by their intelligence, their knowledge of the law, and their knowledge of how to innovate new laws.  Being an Oregon legislator amounts to being a student body legislator at U of O or OSU.  The level of political correctness that exists in the Oregon Legislature is so noisy that it swamps out voices for serious change.  A prime example is the lip service paid to gays and lesbians, minorities, and more.  What the legislature does not understand at all is that good governance is not about gays in particular, but that gays (like everyone else) should have a good job, health care, and a safe working environment.  The Oregon Legislature does not understand that it represents everyone when it comes down to good governance.

Kitzhaber was not a good governor for 8 years so no wonder everyone is depressed.  The basketball player guy was not even someone with a good jump shot, much less political skill.  In large measure the "depression" about the legislature is really about lousy choices for public office within the state.  The proof? There were no good choices during this last election cycle.

Have the good Dr Lunch name (name!) 1) the three top "go to" legislators when it comes to passing laws (good or bad). 2) Name those legislators with indepth knowledge of the state's budget and budget processes. 3) Name those legislators with indepth knowledge of the budgets for K-12 and higher education.   Now, how many of those have been effective at running this state?

The legislators I've met over the years would not make good highschool "social studies" teachers, much less have the savviness to govern.  Oregon citizens elect people lesser than themselves, which explains much about why the state is a mess and voters are depressed about the future.  Most legislators are nothing more than "glad-handers" with little interest in studying how to become socially responsible representatives.

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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