Salem-News.com Op Ed articles Page 20

Op Ed:
Corporate Tax-Reform
Now “Heart of Matter”
To Rescue Oregon`s Stalled Session

With Oregon corporate profits at around $24 billion, it will surprise some that more than two-thirds of corporations pay only the “$10 minimum tax”, an amount set back in the Depression era, more than 70 years ago.

(BEND, Ore.) - “First things first” was that loudly-proclaimed promise from every involved “elected representative” arriving for the current legislative session still underway in Salem.

When this now-deeply-disappointing session set out to solve more than thirty years of desperate party-doctrinated confrontation, unrealistic high hopes then arose that: “THIS time WILL be different...!”

Op Ed:
Oregon Loses Voter Credibility
As Legislative Session Stalls Out
Cooperation-Promised Never Developed

Where’s that solid list of supremely needed changes and accomplishments we were promised early-on? With due satisfaction for ALL Oregonians?

(SALEM, Ore.) - Faced with sure surrender to full-depth corporate contribution sources --and despite desperate dual-party promises of “cooperation instead of confrontation”-- this gang-up operation of an ostensible Oregon “representative assembly” is stalled and stagnant.

This is the status, when this time should be bringing confidence and comfort for all Oregonians.

Op Ed:
Sign Your Stuff
With Full Pride--
Or Ask Yourself Why-Not?

Those who engage in intelligent online discussion of issues should, ethically, ID themselves. Why be anonymous?

(BEND, Ore.) - Anonymity fears responsibility and flees into obscurity, by definition:
a-non-y-mous adj.: 1. Nameless or unnamed; 2. not known or lacking marked individuality.

Where is anonymity more prevalent than on the Internet? Incredibly, the online community of ethics has not yet found common ground where credibility is concerned.

First Amendment rights have nothing to do with the subject at hand, this is simply a case of those who would take advantage of a free-thinking system by sparring with those seeking true information, while hiding behind a dark cloak of anonymity.

Op Ed:
Kitzhaber Plan
Can Rescue Oregon and Lead USA
To Defeat Healthcare Burden

Healthcare has become the dominating deadly disease in every state’s “non-deficit budgeting” demand.

(BEND, Ore.) - Like an invasive and overwhelming infection of the entire body-politic, the healthcare quandary has evolved into a definite threat to ongoing programs in existence, while defeating most “medicines” however carefully administered.

Due to intolerable increasing dollar-drains at every level, every state in this nation now faces an obviously impossible task: To provide moral and management-demanded dollars to defend desperate needs by many more citizens; as thousands in every state find themselves unable to provide for themselves.

Op Ed:
Chips Fall Where They May
Reagan-Era Union-Attacks
Set Hurtful Standards

Reagan abandoned his own views while with GE, shifting from determined Democratic union leader to equally persuasive Republicanism.

(BEND, Ore. ) - Most union workers today, mired in the mess made meaningful by Reagan-era union-attack and corporate-interest confrontation by his Presidency, little realize how their lives --and that of most in this nation--have been shaped and distorted by that historic situation.

His embrace of “supply-side” economics, and even more importantly his administration’s approach to “the business of business” is unquestionable and exceptionally important now.

Op-Ed: Government Bans Soldiers From Internet Sites

Soldiers have few if any options for passing the long hours. Staying in touch with family and friends on Myspace was one of them.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Military forces in the war theatre are already banned from alcohol and sex. Porn sites are screened by the Department of Defense, but the latest move by the military remove a soldier's access to Myspace, YOUTUBE, and other sites Monday strikes many as an unnecessary discipline that will only lead to a plunge in morale.

A spokesperson for the DoD says the department's computer systems are being used more often for personal surfing, decreasing Internet availability and presenting security risks.

Op Ed:
Yellow-Dog Dead
While Union-Won Advances Echo
For More Millions Over Years

Early Half-Century of Worker-Struggles Appreciated.

(SALEM) - Not many today will know WHY “the yellow dog is definitely dead!” --unless their family has union ties-- while enjoying those many economic and social gains won “the hard way” solely by worker determination.

Too many today do not know from whence came the working conditions, the vacation-time, the health and safety benefits, and multiple other ameliorations now taken for granted currently --credited worldwide for shaping the American “way of life” as never before achieved.

Op Ed: T’ain’t Funny, McGee
All Too True in Oregon Today:
UN-Informed Citizens
Pay Heavy Costs

Elected representatives too often forget what the Oregon people truly want, but it’s a nationwide problem.

(BEND, Ore.) - Many among you will clearly remember from whence cometh that “T’Ain’t Funny...” quote: widely-viewed entertainment TV a few years ago.

How many will know-as-well the facts about the latest Legislative capers re lavish corporate campaign contributions -- with their now-obvious distorting-perverting impact on every aspect of Oregon law and life?

Op Ed:
Internet Dialog Shapes Perceptions
Forcing Truth in Authorship
Across All Media Lines

Surely we will not easily surrender that deeply-treasured American right to free expression simply because someone wishes to hide purpose and open intent by self-declared “anonymity”.

(BEND) - The printed-page became the powerful purveyor of potent new understandings, motivating much of modern civilization, some centuries ago.

Gutenberg's development of moveable type for the printing press in 1450 allowed for the widespread dissemination of "mass media" --irrevocably shaping life ever since in every aspect.

“The Internet” and its inescapable ongoing forceful confrontations --via its wide-open channels-- now forces the realities of the world to the forefront of ever-more-public consideration and concern.

Op Ed: Big Bacco Muscle
Still Manages to Manipulate
Oregon Legislative Session

Logical decisions for Oregonians denied as heavy-duty corporate dollars blatantly wields their power.

(SALEM) - No matter how you slice it, the Friday-furor at this session of our ostensibly “mucked-out and modernized” Legislature, the “inside-story” comes out the same: Heavy-duty dollars still outweigh the balance of informed, responsible and conscience-driven electoral choices.

Some are there who still do not, even yet, understand that “this house belongs to the people” -- not to the corporations contending to control their costs, no matter what the consequences to the commonwealth.