one quibble: it started with kitzhaber enthralled by his Svengali-like mistress. there MUST be consequences, serious consequences, for offenses to the public weal.
Yeah, but at least Kitz lost his job over it. I think Oregon has for some time had a fairly relaxed approach to a lot of this stuff, and it worked ok until they put the leniency on steroids at the same time so much of society was/is a mess.
You are right, of course, change is needed to improve the trajectory of Oregon’s current downward aim. But there is no political desire for it. Our political elites cannot admit what they’ve wrought and so cannot call out the terrible decisions for needed correction. They also don’t play to the majority of Oregonians but to the farthest left, tiny minority of radical anti-American tweeters. Our state’s decline will continue, in free fall, as cities and countries hesitate to bring law and order back. The divide between good working people and freeloading semi-socialists will only grow. There are no more public institutions: public health, public school, public safety, public benefit are all shams. I wonder how long it will take to rid ourselves of these wolves.
The current elected leadership is among those who are "financially, emotionally or ideologically" committed to the policy status quo. BUT polling shows a strong appetite for pro-order change in the electorate, even in Portland. There is significant political incentive for candidates to make a break with current policies. The 2024 election will be interesting, especially to see if Dem newcomers are more centrist on this stuff than the old guard.
Allow me to put forward a couple more very public interactive touchstones. First is the DMV and the crowds, delays and aggravation of conducting business with them. Second is the incompetent information technology platforms and programs, both internal and external, that constantly vex anyone trying to use them. Why can’t we get these services brought into the 21st Century? Both of these seem to just go on and on, sorta like Oregon’s Democrat politics. Just sayin….
one quibble: it started with kitzhaber enthralled by his Svengali-like mistress. there MUST be consequences, serious consequences, for offenses to the public weal.
Yeah, but at least Kitz lost his job over it. I think Oregon has for some time had a fairly relaxed approach to a lot of this stuff, and it worked ok until they put the leniency on steroids at the same time so much of society was/is a mess.
:o(
You are right, of course, change is needed to improve the trajectory of Oregon’s current downward aim. But there is no political desire for it. Our political elites cannot admit what they’ve wrought and so cannot call out the terrible decisions for needed correction. They also don’t play to the majority of Oregonians but to the farthest left, tiny minority of radical anti-American tweeters. Our state’s decline will continue, in free fall, as cities and countries hesitate to bring law and order back. The divide between good working people and freeloading semi-socialists will only grow. There are no more public institutions: public health, public school, public safety, public benefit are all shams. I wonder how long it will take to rid ourselves of these wolves.
The current elected leadership is among those who are "financially, emotionally or ideologically" committed to the policy status quo. BUT polling shows a strong appetite for pro-order change in the electorate, even in Portland. There is significant political incentive for candidates to make a break with current policies. The 2024 election will be interesting, especially to see if Dem newcomers are more centrist on this stuff than the old guard.
Allow me to put forward a couple more very public interactive touchstones. First is the DMV and the crowds, delays and aggravation of conducting business with them. Second is the incompetent information technology platforms and programs, both internal and external, that constantly vex anyone trying to use them. Why can’t we get these services brought into the 21st Century? Both of these seem to just go on and on, sorta like Oregon’s Democrat politics. Just sayin….
Oregon's state government is not optimized for customer/constituent service. It's optimized to grow and enrich the right people along the way.
Great piece. Personal responsibility. How refreshing
Counties, not countries.