Prosperity in Oregon: A Common Vision and a Common Challenge

NW Connection
August 2008

Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike share a common desire to see Oregon prosper.   Most Oregonians, regardless of partisan, religious or cultural differences, would agree that prosperity has certain common elements:  effective schools, safe communities, a strong economy, a clean environment, and the adequate availability of family-wage/benefit jobs. Most Oregonians would further agree that we have a long way to go before reaching such prosperity.  To this extent we all share a common hopeful vision for the future of our state.  

As I write on this July afternoon I am reminded that in two and a quarter centuries “We the People” have made great strides towards ALL of our common goals.  Warts and all, Oregon (and America) is a great place to live!   

In my last editorial “Stand Up and Be Counted” (June 2008), I wrote about the responsibility we all have as citizens to bring our personal values, beliefs, and concerns (whatever they may be) to the public forum in order to keep our democracy fresh, vibrant and relevant.  This month I am following up on that theme by calling on voters and elected leaders to put aside partisan rancor that has crippled Oregon politics (and impeded prosperity) for most of my adult life.     

There is an old African saying “when two elephants fight the ground always loses.”  Clearly, in the current battle between Republicans and Democrats the ground (i.e. the prosperity of our families) is losing.

Let me be clear: it is perfectly legitimate for parties to band together around issues and ideas.  In fact, it would be hard to accomplish anything without such consensus and coalition groups.  But when issues and ideas take a back seat to personal attacks and the craven thirst for political power the legitimacy of parties is minimized and the very core of our democratic process is threatened.

What is at stake?  Bridges and roads are in dangerous disrepair.  We have not made significant investments in our transportation (new roads) or energy infrastructures in generations.  Not nearly enough of our youth are graduating from high school with the skills or knowledge needed to succeed in work or college.  Confidence and participation in government is miserably low as fewer people feel that politicians represent anything other than special interests.   The “ground is losing!”

As Northwest Connection readers know, I am currently running to be elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. Unlike my opponent, I know what it’s like to struggle to make the next mortgage payment, pay property taxes, get my kids through public schooling and raise a family. As a two-term chairman of the Reynolds School District Board of Education, I have experience serving my community in elected office. I am prepared to represent East County in Salem.

In this time of economic uncertainty and loss of faith in our national leadership, we share a common challenge: to elect local leadership with vision, experience, qualifications and character. In facing this challenge we must remain engaged and informed. We must ensure that the thoughtful East County spirit dictates the outcome of this race rather than blind partisanship. Maybe then we can give the “ground” a fighting chance.

It is with this hope that I ask Northwest Connection readers to consider voting for me, John Nelsen, as your state representative in House District 49 this November.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 6:14 am and is filed under In the News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.