The future will be what we make it; let us reflect on this thought so that it may motivate us to act. Especially, let us realize that all collective reform must first be individual reform. Let us work at transforming ourselves and our lives. Let us influence those around us, not by useless preaching, but by the irresistible power of our spirituality and the example of our lives.
Elisabeth Leseur
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
An Open Letter to Mr. Chris Dudley and Mr. Bruce Hanna
September 17, 2010
Mr. Chris Dudley and Mr. Bruce Hanna
Dear Mr. Dudley and Mr. Hanna:
I was at your meeting the other night in Cottage Grove. I was the one who initially got up and told you both what scares me more than anything, that both of you are not for really “cutting” government, but for slowing its growth, as you Mr. Dudley stated. There is a direct correlation between the expansion of government and the decrease of the business community in Oregon. There is also a correlation between the expansion of government and the reduction of freedom. Ultimately, if government wins out one of two things will happen: a) economically Oregon will do a reset where PERS and pretty much every other contract of the state will be null and void or negotiated downward to where, in a bankruptcy, income must zero out with outgo; b) currency will implode and this country will be bathed in blood. I reiterate. You both concern me in that both of you remarked that you’re going to try to slow the growth of government down—not reduce it. That will not save us.
Secondly, you, Mr. Dudley, talked about schools and supporting them. You didn’t speak of anything specific. I’m assuming that you’re talking about throwing more money at the problem. I find it VERY interesting that you mentioned we’re forty-seventh in state ranking in the country in regards to how our schools function and how successful they are in standardized testing. You failed to mention that we are third, if my stats are correct, in spending. The problem again is two fold. You have PERS that is way over funded—or maybe I should correct myself, that it is way under funded. Secondly, a full third of the education, and here I’m speaking directly of the teachers and administrative personnel, are people in administration. Talk about top heavy. The OEA as well as the NEA do not give a damn, about the kids, the students. I’m an ex-teacher myself, and an OEA past president. I began my own business over twenty years ago. I’ve seen both sides of the fence. And very honestly, when it comes to the political or educational thought in this state and country, lack of critical thought is the reason that we’re in this ‘fix’. These kids are no smarter or “dumber” than any other child in this country. In some ways they’re smarter than our generation. But the school problem will not be solved until freedom of choice is given back to the parents—that coupled with a heavy, healthy dose of critical thought as part of the core curriculum. And that is only going to happen if you can control the unions. Maybe you both were speaking from an election cycle but I believe you will not get elected unless you specifically say what you’re going to do to break their grip on the education of this state’s children. Mine are through school. And if I had to do it over again I would probably not even send them to Marist and St. Paul’s but would home school them.
Thirdly, the Oregon Health Plan is a joke. Again, a boondoggle against the people of Oregon. Forced charity is not charity at all. The only reason for the existence of government is to protect its citizens from the unlawful. I was forced a year ago to call our Lane County Commissioner because he, a “Republican”, was siding with the rest of the Commissioners in regards to raising taxes. The reason why? Because there were car thieves working the Cottage Grove area and the Sheriff’s department had no money to patrol down here. He, the commissioner, made the excuse, and I think to some degree it was valid, that the governor had mandated and taken basically the majority of revenues ear marked for law enforcement in Lane County to fund the Oregon Health Plan. Law enforcement should be the number one priority. Individuals and churches need to take care of their neighbor socially, health wise, and the hungry as much as possible. It is the individual who is responsible not the government. And what a wonderful job the Oregon Health Plan has done. I read about a gal, a couple of years ago, who couldn’t get her experimental treatment for cancer paid for but the state was willing to pay for her suicide drugs.
Finally, and above all I applaud you, Mr. Dudley, for getting OLCC out of the control of the government. But that is a small proposed step. I would also laud you both if you would work in getting the Feds out of our hair as well. It seems at every turn they are dinging us for increased fees and taxes—everything from imposing an audit on us mortgage brokers every two years, and this is the state by the way—and then making us pay for their fees. The “you know who” doesn’t even do that. A common sense approach would be to audit only if there’s a complaint or problem. And then there’s the new ban on alcohol at Cottage Grove and Dorena Lakes. Ridiculous. The list is endless both from a federal and state’s direction against the people of this state and this country. And yes, I’m ticked.
If you want some common sense solutions please feel free to call. I will be more than happy to give my advice par gratis for the people of this state.
Sincerely,
Tim Crawley
Mr. Chris Dudley and Mr. Bruce Hanna
Dear Mr. Dudley and Mr. Hanna:
I was at your meeting the other night in Cottage Grove. I was the one who initially got up and told you both what scares me more than anything, that both of you are not for really “cutting” government, but for slowing its growth, as you Mr. Dudley stated. There is a direct correlation between the expansion of government and the decrease of the business community in Oregon. There is also a correlation between the expansion of government and the reduction of freedom. Ultimately, if government wins out one of two things will happen: a) economically Oregon will do a reset where PERS and pretty much every other contract of the state will be null and void or negotiated downward to where, in a bankruptcy, income must zero out with outgo; b) currency will implode and this country will be bathed in blood. I reiterate. You both concern me in that both of you remarked that you’re going to try to slow the growth of government down—not reduce it. That will not save us.
Secondly, you, Mr. Dudley, talked about schools and supporting them. You didn’t speak of anything specific. I’m assuming that you’re talking about throwing more money at the problem. I find it VERY interesting that you mentioned we’re forty-seventh in state ranking in the country in regards to how our schools function and how successful they are in standardized testing. You failed to mention that we are third, if my stats are correct, in spending. The problem again is two fold. You have PERS that is way over funded—or maybe I should correct myself, that it is way under funded. Secondly, a full third of the education, and here I’m speaking directly of the teachers and administrative personnel, are people in administration. Talk about top heavy. The OEA as well as the NEA do not give a damn, about the kids, the students. I’m an ex-teacher myself, and an OEA past president. I began my own business over twenty years ago. I’ve seen both sides of the fence. And very honestly, when it comes to the political or educational thought in this state and country, lack of critical thought is the reason that we’re in this ‘fix’. These kids are no smarter or “dumber” than any other child in this country. In some ways they’re smarter than our generation. But the school problem will not be solved until freedom of choice is given back to the parents—that coupled with a heavy, healthy dose of critical thought as part of the core curriculum. And that is only going to happen if you can control the unions. Maybe you both were speaking from an election cycle but I believe you will not get elected unless you specifically say what you’re going to do to break their grip on the education of this state’s children. Mine are through school. And if I had to do it over again I would probably not even send them to Marist and St. Paul’s but would home school them.
Thirdly, the Oregon Health Plan is a joke. Again, a boondoggle against the people of Oregon. Forced charity is not charity at all. The only reason for the existence of government is to protect its citizens from the unlawful. I was forced a year ago to call our Lane County Commissioner because he, a “Republican”, was siding with the rest of the Commissioners in regards to raising taxes. The reason why? Because there were car thieves working the Cottage Grove area and the Sheriff’s department had no money to patrol down here. He, the commissioner, made the excuse, and I think to some degree it was valid, that the governor had mandated and taken basically the majority of revenues ear marked for law enforcement in Lane County to fund the Oregon Health Plan. Law enforcement should be the number one priority. Individuals and churches need to take care of their neighbor socially, health wise, and the hungry as much as possible. It is the individual who is responsible not the government. And what a wonderful job the Oregon Health Plan has done. I read about a gal, a couple of years ago, who couldn’t get her experimental treatment for cancer paid for but the state was willing to pay for her suicide drugs.
Finally, and above all I applaud you, Mr. Dudley, for getting OLCC out of the control of the government. But that is a small proposed step. I would also laud you both if you would work in getting the Feds out of our hair as well. It seems at every turn they are dinging us for increased fees and taxes—everything from imposing an audit on us mortgage brokers every two years, and this is the state by the way—and then making us pay for their fees. The “you know who” doesn’t even do that. A common sense approach would be to audit only if there’s a complaint or problem. And then there’s the new ban on alcohol at Cottage Grove and Dorena Lakes. Ridiculous. The list is endless both from a federal and state’s direction against the people of this state and this country. And yes, I’m ticked.
If you want some common sense solutions please feel free to call. I will be more than happy to give my advice par gratis for the people of this state.
Sincerely,
Tim Crawley
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