I gave up any possibility of state criminal charges long ago, both for the $500,000 illegal contribution from FTX, but also the bribery by LA MOTA to various Democratic office-holders, including the Governor, legislators, and others.
But what of a federal investigation into former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, who finally copped to an arrangement where she got paid more on the side by a company she was supposed to help "regulate" than her state paycheck?
And what is going on with her attempt to be re-licensed by the State Bar? Fagan voluntarily went to "inactive" status when she took office January 4, 2021, until her resignation on May 8, 2023.
But her status with the Oregon State Bar, a quasi-public entity (to which I also belong) is apparently "pending??"
Josh, you have always been one of the good guys, in my opinion. Surely in your more than 2 decades of public service you have been aware of the small town style of big corruption in Oregon, specifically the Democrat machine. Perhaps the Republicans would have operated in the same vein, given the opportunity for long term one party state rule. We'll likely never know, the leftist machine is very deeply entrenched in the state. The huge number of very well compensated state employees virtually guarantee the perpetuation of the machine, as long as the trough of public largess continues to be filled to overflowing.
It is not the same as Illinois, where people wrap a $50 around a drivers license or Louisiana where the sheriff hires his brother-in-law, but I realize it has become as corrosive. Power corrupts, and the Democrat (in power) have allowed that power to corrupt them and, worse, to be sanctimonious about it!
Government works better, more fairly, when power is shared.
Corruption in state government goes deeper than simply single party rule, ego, greed and narcissism in my opinion. I fear cartels, Mexican and Middle Eastern, have captured our government. This may coincide with becoming a sanctuary state and a vote by mail for local elections state in 1987. Cannabis decriminalized in 1973, 1998 and completely for recreation in 2014. Today Oregon is a waypoint for hard drugs and child trafficking. This is more than a clean up on isle nine, this requires a new manager and complete remodel. The People may be over ruled by whoever is controlling the reigns of power in Oregon though, we have been so far.
It would be nice to see the Feds step in and investigate this situation. Hopefully, this is the beginning in busting up the corruption in Oregon regardless of which party it comes from. The government/bureaucratic class represents no one but themselves.
The progressive machine has been in power for four decades with no end in sight--and just who might take them out? There is no viable counterweight to their power, either in state media or politics. The new AG will be as blind as the old one (wonder what nonprofit or university will occupy her retirement); each piece of the machine is easily replaceable and Oregon voters are too dumb to make waves.
If anyone has any realistic, viable scenario for reform, I'd love to hear it. Might be interesting for Jeff to take a shot at that.
interesting tidbit in today's issue of "The Morning" posted by the New York Times, titled "Legal Vice, concerning the damage caused by the legalization of gambling and more particularly marijuana.
I gave up any possibility of state criminal charges long ago, both for the $500,000 illegal contribution from FTX, but also the bribery by LA MOTA to various Democratic office-holders, including the Governor, legislators, and others.
But what of a federal investigation into former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, who finally copped to an arrangement where she got paid more on the side by a company she was supposed to help "regulate" than her state paycheck?
And what is going on with her attempt to be re-licensed by the State Bar? Fagan voluntarily went to "inactive" status when she took office January 4, 2021, until her resignation on May 8, 2023.
But her status with the Oregon State Bar, a quasi-public entity (to which I also belong) is apparently "pending??"
Josh, you have always been one of the good guys, in my opinion. Surely in your more than 2 decades of public service you have been aware of the small town style of big corruption in Oregon, specifically the Democrat machine. Perhaps the Republicans would have operated in the same vein, given the opportunity for long term one party state rule. We'll likely never know, the leftist machine is very deeply entrenched in the state. The huge number of very well compensated state employees virtually guarantee the perpetuation of the machine, as long as the trough of public largess continues to be filled to overflowing.
I (used to) assume it was incompetence.
It is not the same as Illinois, where people wrap a $50 around a drivers license or Louisiana where the sheriff hires his brother-in-law, but I realize it has become as corrosive. Power corrupts, and the Democrat (in power) have allowed that power to corrupt them and, worse, to be sanctimonious about it!
Government works better, more fairly, when power is shared.
Corruption in state government goes deeper than simply single party rule, ego, greed and narcissism in my opinion. I fear cartels, Mexican and Middle Eastern, have captured our government. This may coincide with becoming a sanctuary state and a vote by mail for local elections state in 1987. Cannabis decriminalized in 1973, 1998 and completely for recreation in 2014. Today Oregon is a waypoint for hard drugs and child trafficking. This is more than a clean up on isle nine, this requires a new manager and complete remodel. The People may be over ruled by whoever is controlling the reigns of power in Oregon though, we have been so far.
It would be nice to see the Feds step in and investigate this situation. Hopefully, this is the beginning in busting up the corruption in Oregon regardless of which party it comes from. The government/bureaucratic class represents no one but themselves.
Great drop, Jeff...
The progressive machine has been in power for four decades with no end in sight--and just who might take them out? There is no viable counterweight to their power, either in state media or politics. The new AG will be as blind as the old one (wonder what nonprofit or university will occupy her retirement); each piece of the machine is easily replaceable and Oregon voters are too dumb to make waves.
If anyone has any realistic, viable scenario for reform, I'd love to hear it. Might be interesting for Jeff to take a shot at that.
interesting tidbit in today's issue of "The Morning" posted by the New York Times, titled "Legal Vice, concerning the damage caused by the legalization of gambling and more particularly marijuana.