Op-Ed: Election Motivates
`Cultural Shift` in
Oregon Governance NOW!

21st Century Demands Legislative Changes Rapidly

Read this document for yourself at: www.leg.state.or.us/pcol/

(SALEM) - “Cultural shift” is a near-revolutionary requirement for any Legislative Commission to suggest to the ruling representatives sent by citizens to govern this State. That is precisely and prophetically what PCOL has now done --and with solid, rational, reasonable and extremely detailed and well-documented decision-making demonstrated at precisely the right time, too. (PCOL: Public Commission On The Oregon Legislature) Much more directly than ever/done-usually, this PCOL has laid open the entire Legislative procedural process; then points out --with discerning aim and destructive impact--what now MUST be done, and done rapidly. Its procedures --and the process so organized-- represent a triumph in democratic dialog properly laid on. That may well be directly the result of its inescapable non-partisan stature: The PCOL was set up as result of legislation by joint action of Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Karen Minnis; then approved by Govern Ted Kulongoski. You can be sure that all-involved were very much aware that Oregon is acting on the same basic plan-and-procedures set up in 1859, when statehood was achieved; with the latest other-review by the Legislature itself in 1968 and 1974 -- 38 and 32 years ago: “Cultural shift” indeed!! In effect those three Oregon governance leaders agreed that the destructive and deeply-denigrating impacts of recent history and events had reduced public trust and confidence in “the Legislature” and its participants. Despite ingrained and dangerous political-partisan confrontation and confusion, the three joined in decisive action to bring about this positive and very hopeful conclusion-NOW -- timely in high degree, following a “dirty-digs” campaign distinctly damaging the Legislature. The PCOL was their joint and very responsible answer to an extremely distressing and demanding necessity --and PCOL has been at work for a full FIFTEEN MONTHS-- preparing this entirely positive and extremely professional and probing review of “where we are”. Reality rules, for once; even political partisans now agree that major change must now occur; for democracy to continue to operate vs overwhelming dollar-driven impacts. The PCOL Report also makes entirely clear “where we MUST BE SOON” --as the 21st Century bears down on Oregon as no preceding period in history has ever done. SO: “What’s all the fuss about? “See with own eyes” at major website set up precisely for that purpose, at:
www.leg.state.or.us/pcol/ There’s no question any longer of the need for rapid positive change in our political process in Oregon. No previous Legislature has ever been so manipulated, hampered and hurt by “campaign contributions” that it has lost the confidence and the respect of those-governed. There has been a steady rain of incidents --small, medium and some-large-- surely emphasizing the absolute necessity to review and remedy what’s happening here in OUR Legislature; once designed and devoted to democratic representative governance; and now both distorted and perverted; perhaps most notably by lavish corporate “campaign contributions” known to have engendered “transactional lobbying”, at the least. That is a brute fact, clearly and immediately fully recognized in the formation of PCOL; and by its continuing own actions and its precise statements of situations and confrontations. That’s what motivated the method and the means these three chose, with all due respect to their actions, in the face of what must have been nearly overwhelming negative pressures. Public disclosure, followed by court action --and then by extensive public reaction-- has made completely clear that the status quo has become “unacceptable” --and voters have reflected the sorry situation in the recent election. Most pundits agree that many voters surely did feel the need for creative and rapid change; but the negative impacts of nasty and irresponsible statements, starting with the smear-and-fear attack on all public agency workers, set the alarm bells ringing loudly. Good sense and rational, reasonable realization of realities involved and unavoidable has long characterized Oregon politics. When the chips are down, ordinary Oregonians revert to their natural characteristic of common sense, sensitively applied; and then carried through via any means necessary. How else did we ever select and inaugurate such as Hatfield, McCall, Frohnmayer, and now Kulongoski? He may be a slow-starter but speed is not the only needed characteristic in shoot-out/style, as Wyatt Earp was wont to state: “Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything." ---Wyatt Earp This PCOL Report is demanding of YOUR comprehensive examination, and specific understanding by every Oregon citizen --if only in extremely unusual opportunity for self-defense. It is designed, developed and clearly intended as a complete packet of remediation and reform; for specific and comprehensive investigation, full and open exploration; and adoption of these essentials by the incoming Legislature. You have the URL (above) for rapid easy-access so you can “see with own eyes” what is proposed to propel Oregon legislative process into the 21st Century. Here are the major points now packaged for Legislative review and adoption: 1. Meet annually. 2. Limit non-campaign uses of campaign money. 3. Establish stable funding for state ethics commission. 4. Require legislators to report hiring and pay of family members. 5. Improve public access to the legislative process. 6. Open primary elections to all registered voters. We will review and analyze all six in the upcoming weekend Op Ed. Your points, suggestions and reactions are welcome and highly appreciated; simply state them as Comments below. You might well consider this your full opportunity to contribute from your own life experience, in truly democratic dialog-mode; since this Op Ed and any following on these subjects will go automatically to Legislative and other political figures in YOUR STATE.