Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
Sitting here, looking at the pines through my window on this picture-perfect, sunny Oregon day, I wonder what I can possibly write that will make a difference? I was born in this beautiful state, and outwardly it looks much the same now as it did all those years ago: breath-taking coastline vistas, rugged mountain ranges, valleys plentiful with fields of grass seed and produce, and high desert country to satisfy the most ardent outdoorsman.
And yet, beneath nature's facade is a state rife with systemic economic failure. The mean state unemployment rate (8.4%) is above the national average (8.2%). However, some areas, such as my home town of Bend (Deschutes county) are currently at a dismal 10.3% unemployment despite boasting some of the nation's finest fishing, skiing, boating, hunting, golf and other recreational activities.
How is it that a state so plentiful in natural resources carries such an overwhelming debt burden? Consider that 11 million acres of Oregon timberland (40% of all forests) is now sequestered and sheltered from harvest by the feds! So the elites in DC, many of whom have never visited our fair state, nor met a logger, are presumptively declaring much of Oregon a national park of sorts. Thus, our renewable resources are now an aging, over-managed tinder-box listed as a trophy for some ecologically-minded, endangered species-touting, beltway do-gooder.
Further, Oregon's state business taxes and regulatory fees have made this the 42nd best state for business. That's 42nd out of 50! (no Obama, not 57) A state of 98,380 square miles (9th largest state), and population of only 3.87 million is lagging behind 41 other states! We have rich soil, a wonderful growing season, pure water and air, ports, rivers, forests and hard-working Oregonians, and yet are tethered to restrictive policies and regulations. At this point in Oregon's great history the only creatures flourishing may be the poor Northern Spotted Owl and Mountain Pine Beetle!
For some 35-40 years my state has been the special project of non-sensical, eco-fanatics who have put everything but people first! Whole logging towns have become skeletons of the thriving communities they once were. Driving over the scenic North Santiam Pass from Bend to Salem, once vibrant townships have given way to boarded up businesses, and awe-inspiring forests resemble spotty, post-chemo hair growth following fires of beetle-ravaged pines.
I realize this is just one state--my state. But Oregon is surely a reasonable representation of the eventual result of unbridled, unjustified and unprecedented progressive ruling and legislation. Those gate-keepers--the education and media elite--have succeeded in grooming a generation that sincerely believe humans are the avowed enemy of the planet. In their upside-down world-view, whales and seals are more important than babies and old-growth timber is infinitely more precious than old loggers.
We are now reaping what these entrenched environmentalists have sown: a severe economic recession as well as mishandled and over-managed natural resources! I would bet cash money that the average logger has a far greater knowledge and respect for the outdoors and our forests than the typical beltway, save-the-planet, bureaucrat or activist. The farmers I know here love the land and understand being a good neighbor and a good caretaker of said land, as well as making a profit from their crops.
For too many years we, and by we I mean hard working, America-loving people, have been unengaged and allowed the left to take-over our schools, our government and our institutions. The progressives have improved nothing except their eco and ideologue scorecards. Well it's time. It's time for all of us supposed "fly-over" citizens to wake up and make our voices heard.
It's time we engaged and fought for what we know to be right and good and true. It's time to educate those beltway legislators and re-calibrate their priorities: people come first!
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May '10
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
OMG! It's Tammy J. No, we won't hang up on you at Ricochet. Instead, we'll promote your first post to the front page!
Jul '12
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
LOL! Yes...it is tamij! Thank-you for not hanging up on me!!!
Apr '12
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
Hear Hear!
I'd feel sorry for you, Tamara (and Troy and Rob), but I live in Illinois.
Heh.
May '11
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
OK folks, we're all here and ready to fight. How do we do that? Any ideas?
Here's one. Use the same tactics the left used. SUE! Law professors in their droves sued the government during the 60', 70's 80's and beyond.
It worked. Time to start suing again. Sue the Forest Service for mis-management of valuable resources. Sue the EPA for passing regulations that kill people. (How many people died in Chicago this past week because they couldn't afford expensive air conditioning?) Sue the pants off every agency. Get judges to block mandates and then file motion after motion to keep the block in place.
Another is to circulate petitions. I notice an Al Franken right here on Ricochet asking us to sign a petition. If, as we believe, the people really are on our side of practical, they will sign them. Petitions are hammers; fighting hammers.
Any other ideas on how to fight?
Oct '10
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
Had been an Oregon resident since way back and always enjoyed the co-operation between folks with regard to the husbandry of the environment. Too late I noticed, one could not fish without releasing an expected dinner, shoot or hunt without Forest Rangers appearing like CHP speed trap enforcers.
The environment came to be taken over by Yuppie Day hikers and those that turned the place into their private Disney experience.
Very sad indeed. Never pleased about the transformation, so forgive me.
Oct '10
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
Did neglect to mention that back in the day, any given Oregonian would tell you they were going hunting or backpacking. If such a soul did not return at the appointed time, no one worried much. A terrible freedom to surrender.
Apr '11
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
Pilli:
Any other ideas on how to fight? · 13 minutes ago
If you're wanting to think up some great out of the box ideas to fight this, a great way of doing that might be to make calls to the actual voters we need to reach. It's easy to get into the mindset where you're making persuasive arguments to educated and informed people who already agree with you and, more importantly, read the same things as you. Spending an evening or two making calls to guys who haven't read those things, but have read some things you haven't (if you're not familiar with the North American Union, you may have a treat in store for you!) can really help understand the race in a way that reading the news and talking to your friends simply doesn't.
And, as a side benefit to honing your personal plan, you'll be making a real difference to the outcome, albeit in a manner that doesn't allow you to see the creativity involved, and doesn't generally allow you much exercise of your own creativity (there are some exceptions, when people draw you into conversations).
Apr '12
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
Your comment reminded me of an experience I had over the July 4th holiday. My 11 year-old grandson who lives in SF was visiting. His father is a Chomsky-reading progressive. The kid and I were watching "Restrepo" and talking about the fact that war sometimes has good guys and bad guys. He asked me, in all seriousness, "In the election, I forget. Is it the Democrats or the Republicans who are the evil guys?"
Aug '10
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
Hi Tami! Welcome to Ricochet.
Jul '10
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
Fight back? Are many of you truly serious? What if we got some retirees in the Ricochet community, put together a semi-literate group, and made our way across the US speaking at schools and re-educating our youth. They've been systematically brainwashed into feeling instead of thinking about our environment. Catch them while they’re young, and we might have a fightin’ chance for the next generation of voters.
While many of the schools would rather close than let us in to speak, still we could find creative ways to accomplish this. After successfully visiting several schools, there would be articles about us (i.e., free advertising), making it embarrassing for those schools that would deny us entry.
For those schools where we would speak, we might have to stay in a given location for a few days as doubtless the teachers would try mightily to disabuse any of our converts of their ‘wrong’ thinking. We would then find ways to strengthen those students’ resolve – perhaps even drawing a few more to our side.
I know, I know – it’s late and I’m babbling. But we can dream, can’t we?
Or, ...
May '12
Re: Let's Re-Calibrate Their Priorities!
I just commenting so that Tammy J can get her free Ricochet mug :)