A RECAP OF THE 2009 SESSION STARTS WITH A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Regardless of the political party you may belong to, I suspect you are likely to agree with me that the imbalance of political philosophy that is dominating our state government in the executive branch and both legislative houses is not healthy for Oregon. What we know for sure is that jobs are being lost daily. We hold the third highest unemployment rate in the nation at over 12.4%, with no end in sight. Whether or not we follow the supermajority's priority agenda and try to create more green jobs, the economy is still tanking.

My vision for the future includes a government with checks and balances working properly to keep debate robust and preserve the power of the people!

History teaches us that the most effective way to increase government revenue is to lower taxes. Yet, that fact is denied by Oregon's leadership as it pushes ahead with government-as-usual. These extraordinary times call for innovative solutions, built upon a solid understanding of our economy. They require collaboration. Liberal tax-and-spend policies are oppressive in a normal economic downturn. We are in the middle of a severe recession and can't afford to revert to tired old methods proven to fail.

My vision for the future includes creating jobs and repealing the tax increases that hurt businesses!

Of course, the government must tax its citizens for the essentials. However, it can overreach and cross the line into establishing barriers that discourage risk-taking and restrict the American entrepreneurial spirit. Innovation must be encouraged at all costs because the hope of America has always been in the character, ingenuity and creativity of its citizens.

My vision for the future encourages entrepreneurial activity!

My vision comes from The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitutional Convention. Our founders hammered out on paper the principles by which we would govern our nation. These documents are further strengthened by the first 10 amendments to the Constitution - the Bill of Rights. Codification of these rights provided balance to the Constitution and kept the federal government from encroaching on the rights of individuals and the states. The most fundamental American principle of government is the idea of self government. This was most famously articulated by Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration and the third President of the United States:

"[Our] object is to secure self-government by the republicanism of our constitution, as well as by the spirit of the people; and to nourish and perpetuate that spirit. I am not among those who fear the people. They and not the rich are our dependence for continued freedom."
--Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval, 1816. ME 15:39

My vision for the future includes freedom and self-government!

Regular folks could be trusted to exercise self-government at the birth of our nation. Can't we be trusted now? If one looks at the bills that have recently become laws in Oregon, one has to ask government leaders: Do you put more trust in the people or more in bureaucracy?

My vision for the future includes trust in the goodness and integrity of the people!

I would encourage you to ask yourself this question as you think about the Legislative accomplishments of 2009: Do your leaders believe you can be trusted to self-govern or do they believe in the need to regulate your public and personal behaviors in order to have the "right" community outcomes?

My vision for the future includes the priorities of education, public safety and personal responsibility to build our communities!

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