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bonzosa's comments:
on State of the Union
Not to pile on, but poverty is a broad and complex issue. It's not like saying we should replace a bridge, which is specific and measurable.
I'd like to see an end to DV, Child abuse, drug addiction and the like, but one needs to offer specific proposals to address the issue.
What does that look like to you? Would you toughen sentencing guidelines? increase social services? Raise the minimum wage?
What are we talking about here?
Otherwise, we're just kicking the can down the road...
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on State of the Union
I was able to catch the second half of the speech on OPB and enjoyed it.
It would be great to see the delegation continue to sit together as states in the future.
I was pleased to hear an outline of Obama's plan of action leading up to the next presidential campaign. Great idea to seize the momentum of the tea party by committing to reforming government. Great to hear a commitment to alternative energy and large-scale spending on mass transit systems.
What was missing from this speech is the particulars. How much government reform? How much of that "clean energy" plan will be "clean" coal? What reforms will he propose in education?
Much of the speech outlined a list of action points, but we didn't really get a lot of substance on many of the issues.
Overall, it sounds like a good plan for re-election, now let's see what comes of each issue in the plan...
posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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on Portland's South Waterfront
posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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on Portland's South Waterfront
Who are the ad wizards who came up this one?
Hilarious post jacob.
posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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on Portland's South Waterfront
Affordable housing and a "Greenway" are two separate issues, there is no need to muddle answers to why there is no affordable housing in the "sowhat" district with different projects. Fact is, there is no affordable housing there. The city requires a percentage of new housing to be low-income housing and there was a promise from developers to provide it.
Am I also to believe that the permitting process is holding up affordable housing? Really? A dozen or more buildings have been erected in this time. Also, the entity that issues the permits is holding up the construction by essentially the same entity?
That is bureaucracy at it's finest.
The city is blaming the city, but a different part of the city government?
The city that works? Really?
How much has this cost me as a taxpayer?
posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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on Obama's Popularity
Perhaps the rush to the left and right in the time since Clinton has made Americans unsatisfied either on the left or right. Frankly, when the right and left are mad with current politics then it's working best for the majority of Americans who lie closer to center.
The wealthy should be taxed more considering that almost all the wealth is concentrated there. However, blanket statements about the rich are not accurate, nor beneficial to the argument as to why the wealthiest should pay their weight in taxes.
I believe this tax deal is the first step of a re-election campaign. Obama has pushed through great change the first couple years, now it's time to temper the agenda. While the left may cry, Obama being seen as a moderate to the right would benefit his re-election bid. Keep your eyes on the prize- 2012.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Compromise
Compromise isn't an all or nothing argument. It doesn't mean you have to compromise on every single thing all the time.
On the flip side, it also doesn't mean you should never make concessions.
Prudence.
Also, don't blame the GOP for everything. The ills of this country are not all theirs. Last I checked it's not the GOP holding up education reform, (hint: it's unions and Dems). Plenty of blame to go around...
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Compromise
USING CAPS LOCK MAKES YOU SOUND LIKE YOU ARE SHOUTING ALL THE TIME.
PERHAPS A GOOD ARGUMENT DOESN'T NEED ALL CAPS TO BE HEARD?
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Compromise
Compromise isn't what is needed. More moderate candidates are needed. The left and right are running for the opposite ends of the political spectrum while most individuals are more towards the center.
I don't vote for ideology, I vote for results and actual plans candidates have for holding office.
Compromise seems to be a forgotten tool in politics. Compromise actually reconciles differences and makes concessions in order to further the cause at hand.
Today, the Democrats vote for tax cuts they know won't pass in order to try and corner Republicans on their tax cuts for the wealthy in the future. Conservatives don't vote for tax cuts for the majority because it doesn't also serve their power base. They will only vote for cuts that also affect the uber-wealthy.
Seems pretty obvious that 2/3 of that tax cut bill could be passed if there was compromise. Instead, the political parties engage in "gotcha politics".
When will the majority be represented?
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Public Transit
Ironically enough, it seems that Trimet tries to cater to too many riders. The transportation system would be far more efficient for people if the MAX didn't stop every other block through the central business district. Does every bus on every route really have to stop every other block? Express service lines on MAX and bus routes would be so attractive to me and many commuters.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Kitzhaber Wins
"the people" should triumph. The notion that politics is not influenced by corporations, outside interests, or name recognition plays no part is naive.
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Kitzhaber Wins
Word.
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Kitzhaber Wins
I don't understand the focus on the capital gains tax. It is such a minute amount of revenue for the state, that it does not warrant the amount of time focused on it. Whether it is repealed or not does not affect most Oregonians, it affects already wealthy Oregonians. Why this tax repeal is a highly touted scourge of the earth is beyond my understanding.
Sure, having the tax can in some sense discourage investment, but that is only in theory. California and Oregon has some of the highest capital gains taxes. California has a GDP greater than most countries in the world (not discouraging investment) and Oregon venture capital has increased over time, not decreased (not deterring growth to a detrimental level).
Lets move on to the real issues- education, PERS, # of gov't employees and a debate about the real essential services provided by government.
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Kitzhaber Wins
I don't think any of that statement is true outside of this specific gubernatorial election.
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Foot Traffic
Sounds like the hazards of driving. It doesn't seem practical or desirable to light every inch of every street or rural road. Frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing fewer lights with all the awful light pollution and needless waste of electricity throughout the metro area.
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Foot Traffic
There needs to be a common identifier of a crosswalk at each one. Whether that be a flashing light, flashing sign, unique sign to ALL crosswalks or the like. There are so many types of crosswalks in Portland that while on busy streets it can be difficult to see crosswalks coming up, because I don't know what to be looking for.
Also, speed limits should be more congruent throughout the city. Why NW 23rd is 20mph, but Division is 30mph, Hawthorne is 25mph and Glisan is 35mph is beyond my understanding (or why Willamette is 35mph with all the winding of the road, but MLK which is a boulevard is 30mph). They all have a mix of housing and residential on the street, and they should have a consistent level of livability.
There seems to be little consistency in the planning of the "city that works".
posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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on Carbon Offsets
Dan, thanks for stoking your ego. Glad you have reconciled your conscience.
Anyways, I have a couple questions:
1. Can a company like Weyerhauser make money on both sides of the equation (by foresting areas and then eventually cutting them down later for consumer products, or are those exempted?)
2. What constitutes a forest? Are monoculture forests eligible for credits? Is there any native plant threshold needed to be reached?
posted 3 years, 7 months ago
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on Within Bounds
Portland infill is not really a UGB issue, rather a strong desire to live closer to the city core for it's services, arts, culture etc. Nearly the entire city has been encompassed by the UGB (sans Forest Park) for some time now.
The core UGB issue is the construction of cities like Sherwood, Wilsonville Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Damascus, Happy Valley etc. To date these cities have developed and produced sprawl within the UGB. Smart growth would occur with public transportation systems, water/waste treatment/supply, availability of green spaces and bike lanes/sidewalks being available. The communities being developed in these new areas are generally unsustainable and tax the natural resources of the region in a negative way. If we were smart about future development the metro area, sustainable building would be REQUIRED (ie permeable pavement in neighborhoods, greywater systems, high insulation requirements, green space corridors, encourage large tree plantings to eliminate the heat sink phenomena, recharge the groundwater with neighborhood swales and ban building in high fire/flood risk areas). Building a region willy-nilly will never lead to a prosperous community, it will simply mandate the need for future redevelopment and constant investment in public infrastructure.
posted 4 years, 1 month ago
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on Primary Conversations: Portland Mayor
While Adams wants couplets in NW and streetcars along current bus routes, there aren't sidewalks along miles of city streets (walk along Stark past 122nd), there is no clear guideline to establish speed limits (30mph on MLK, 35mph on PDX Blvd, 40mph along Killingsworth (including in front of a school), 35mph along Halsey, etc...), there are not consistent school zone signals, stop/yield signs are missing from many intersections.
If Adams was serious about safety he would spend time on these issues instead of funding streetcars along bus routes, spending money on a bridge to cross I-405 (when many crossings, safe crossings may I add, exist within close proximity to NW Flanders. Everett and Glisan overpasses already contain bike lanes, and both have sidewalks) and green bike boxes.
Sho has questionable judgement. He loaned himself close to 1 million dollars from a trust he was managing for someone else.
Adams wants to fund pet projects and focus on the central city to the neglect of real issues and greater Portland's needs.
Personally, I don't like either choice.
posted 5 years ago
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on The U of O's Bank Shot
Why can UO secure bonds for a new glorified gym but PSU, the largest university in the state could not secure enough bonds for an adequate student center, or continues it's sports programs in a leaky roofed gymnasium?
Is the purpose of a college to be a sports powerhouse, or to fund the higher education of students and Oregonians, so they can be prepared for their respective careers and secure a better future for Oregon?
posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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