COVID-19 has been a godsend for Democrats in Oregon. Back in early March State Republican Legislators successfully foiled Democrat-only supported Cap & Trade legislation. This was not merely a policy win for Republicans but also a political win by a party in the super minority. Poll after poll showed Cap & Trade was unpopular with Oregonians and Republicans captured that enthusiasm to take appropriate steps to kill the bill. Nationally, Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, having created the best economy in US history and foreign policy success after success, appeared to be on his way to almost certain victory over Joe Biden, whose mental capacity was quickly diminishing, like daylight after sunset.

Without a dynamic candidate at the top of the Democratic ticket and without an issue to energize their base, Democrats needed something, and something in a hurry. COVID-19 came at the right time and was an unknown — and people fear the unknown. Democrat leaders didn’t let this crisis go to waste, but instead, have used every opportunity to fan the flames of fear. Oregon Governor Kate Brown, declared a State of Emergency, which may have been approved by most, at first. However, looking back, it has, and continues, to cause unnecessary harm to Oregonians. The Governor’s ability to call a State of Emergency is one thing. For Brown to have the sole authority to extend it, and extend it and preparing to extend it yet again is something else entirely.

This state of emergency all but sidelines the legislature. Private meetings after private meetings take place at the Governor’s request to determine each new policy during this state of emergency: schools being opened or closed, how many people may gather together in one place, travel restrictions, mask wearing — all of these public policies are discussed and decided behind closed doors. One wonders if we still live in a republic or do we now all serve only one leader, her majesty Kate Brown? An open, methodical, sometimes painfully slow but transparent process, are the hallmarks of our constitutionally representative republic. What we have seen since March, well, it is certainly not that.

One policy of grave concern is the Governor’s drive for criminal justice reform. While discussing how to make our justice system more "just", should be on the mind of every legislature, this push has come from well publicized, yet isolated incidents, in Minneapolis and Atlanta, which are not comparable to Oregon's justice system. The Democrat’s new platform to make life just for all, is to Defund the Police and to close State prisons. Let me repeat that. To address the increased violence we are seeing in our cities Democrats want to Defund the Police and close State prisons. Next week two of Oregon’s 14 prisons could be closed. Nearly 500 inmates will be transferred to other prisons throughout Oregon. All of a sudden the Governor’s grave concern for slowing the spread of COVID-19 is put on the back burner to right all the wrongs of America and to appear caring and compassionate. Ironically, it is likely that several of these prisoners will be released, due to lack of space and concerns over spreading COVID-19.

Furthermore, Democrats continue to line up legislation to decriminalize illegal drugs and associated criminal behavior. In Democrat Utopia as long as you do not hurt someone physically, other criminal activity like, theft and vandalism will not be met with jail time, but therapy time -- maybe. The closure of prisons pushes us towards a brave new world, in which criminals are set free due to overcrowding. We will soon hear that our prisons are nearing or at capacity. Therefore new policies must be tried because prisons are too expensive to build and operate. Leaving only the option of privatized, for profit prisons (currently not legal in Oregon) , or holding taxes hostage until the population succumbs to increased exploitation, in exchange for "safety".

It would seem that crime actually does pay, in Democrat run states. But it doesn't have to...

This November Oregonians will have a chance to say no to these criminal justice "reform" policies. Policies that place more importance on the rights of criminals, rather than that of law abiding citizens. It is time to bring balance back to Oregon and November 3rd is the place to start.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-08-01 12:42:15

Last Update: 2020-08-02 08:36:18