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I would like each candidate to respond to these two questions that are essential information for my vote.
1. How will you improve the mental health system in Oregon and the US? It is currently demolished (not just broken) and needs the citizens and legislators to devote serious attention to providing services to our vulnerable members.
2. Will you set education reform as a priority for legislation? Currently, the citizens of Oregon consistently demean education and educators by not supporting bond issues or other financing packages for public education (primary through higher ed). Our educators are notoriously poorly paid. What will you do to improve these conditions? What role do you see the federal government has in setting national standards for educational support?

posted 5 years ago
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Although I enjoy sharing the road with bikes, I have two concerns. One is that car drivers in Oregon (maybe just Portland) don't follow the common rules of the road for anyone as noted by an earlier caller who doesn't use his side view mirror to check for traffic on his right. That is bad driving. Similarly drivers frequently don't signal turns correctly. If they do use the signal, they don't use it 50 yards before the turn. They turn on the signal as they are turning. The cyclist can't read the driver's mind (neither can other car drivers). I can see that many accidents might be alleviated if both vehicle operators followed the rules and laws.

The other issue is along the same lines in that I seriously object to cyclists using the sidewalks or buzzing pedestrians when there aren't sidewalks (e.g., in neighborhoods). Come on, folks just be courteous.

posted 5 years ago
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In my nursing program in college we had a nutrition lab in which we had to sample different kinds of diets including ethnic foods. This was in the South and my lab partner and I prepared, cooked, served, and ate chitterlings (chittlins'). I had never done this before but my partner (who was African American) did. Although I didn't like the smell of preparing & cooking them, I have to admit I liked the taste, esp the fried chittlins'--not so much the stewed ones.
I have always been willing to try different kinds of foods but recent information about Jakob Creutzfeldt's disease certainly would keep me from trying beef brain or such. It is important to face the reality that these are animals that deserve respect. They serve a purpose in the food chain as well. Those who choose to not eat meat out of respect for the animal are living their beliefs. Similarly, I choose to eat meat to a minimal amount not because I don't think these animals should be food but because they are a heavy burden on the eart to use for food.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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