I spent the last weekend in beautiful Enterprise, Joseph and Wallowa Lake, Oregon. As I walked around the Wallowa County Fair (which by the way, was exactly like the county fairs I grew up with), the word got out that I was some sort of talk show host. Though I am on a Salem station, I guess someone, I am sure a complete nutjob, had heard of me. The questioning then began. "What is going on with you crazy Valley people?" and other similar queries.
It seems the folks in Wallowa County are actually CONSERVATIVES, and they don't understand nor do they care for us "city folk" and the "stupid decisions" being made here in the Willamette Valley.
I carefully explained to them "IT'S NOT ALL OF US, PLEASE!!! I told them how basically FOUR Valley counties rule our entire state and those 4 counties HATE anything that remotely smacks of God, America or Conservatism.
That didn't seem to placate them, but at least they understood that not ALL of us over here in the Willamette Valley are completely nuts! They just wanted to know why "we", meaning residents of the Willamette Valley, were letting the Legislature and Governor Kulongoski get away with all that they did in the last session. They understood very clearly how devastating the new tax increases, JOB KILLING TAXES, really are. One might think "aw heck those people are nothing but a bunch of redneck cowboys who couldn't spell their own names". One would be correct, at least that is what THEY think WE think! No, au contraire, they are REALLY smart people and they know a stinker when they see one and that is why they continue to elect some of the smartest people in Oregon, to the Legislature.
The good people of Wallowa, Union, Baker and other rural counties just feel like they have been left completely out of the political picture. Sure they are few, but aren't they still Oregonians? Why must we live with a system that allows 4 counties to run this entire state? Please, someone enlightnen me?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
From Enterprise to Salem: "What are you guys doing?"
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7 comments:
Having grown up in Eastern Washington - a state where the East/West divide is even more pronounced - I can relate.
You ask why 4 counties rule an entire state? Same reason the politics of two states rule our entire country: Absolute Democracy.
When the 17th Amendment was passed it set the stage for our county's move away from a Constitutional Republic to a true Democracy. Prior to 1913 the legislatures of the states choose their Senators. This gave individual states (especially smaller and less populated ones) much more voice than they do now. It was a built in check and balance on the Legislative branch.
Liberals (Statists) like to disparage the phrase "tyranny of the majority" but in reality they love it. All they have to do is convince 51% of the people that a particular candidate will give them everything they could ever want and he's in (regardless if the only thing he's ever done is community agitating, and regardless if what he ACTUALLY says only agrees with 10% of the people). We are quickly declining into a vicious circle wherein the people are more and more dependent on the government, and in turn, vote for those who promise to deliver more and more. Of course, along with the cheese comes the expectation that the government should have more oversight (read, power).
Which brings us to your original question. The folks out in Enterprise are probably similar to the folks in my hometown. They don't want, nor need more government cheese. In fact, they'd just assume the government get out of the way and let them work, thank you very much.
This attitude isn't very conducive to the Statists who have infiltrated every level of government and BOTH of the major parties. Hence, their voice and consequently their representation is continually diminished.
Um...because we live in a system that is majority rule. If your beliefs and ideals aren't the majority, maybe that's because they are outdated or illogical.
Also, saying that a group of people hates God or America because you disagree with them is irresponsible at best. I hope you don't say such things on your radio program to fuel hate and divisiveness.
Lastly, what dictates intelligence? My general feeling is that if you didn't think someone like GWB was stupid, then you may not be so smart yourself...
Matt: psychobob has clearly stated that the "majority rules" ideal was NOT the intentions of our founding fathers.
Just because Portland has 2,000,000 people does not give it the rights to decide what happens in Enteprise, Oregon, population 2,000.
As for the hate God, America etc, you've never been to Portland I take it? You should visit sometime.
I make statements based on observations. Yes I do say such things on my show, you should listen sometime online: www.1430kykn.com Noon Pacific time.
You're right Bob. But, I don't believe that any majority thought that Jews were subhuman or evil. I believe a small group of people use their knowledge to force their agenda on the masses which is easy to do--that's how Bill has a radio show. He is smarter than most people and can force his opinions into others with small minds...
Plus, if you look at the way Israel currently treats the Palestinians, I think evil seems a fitting word...
And you're also right about the Founders. They wanted a country with low taxes for white people, but things change as does the majority opinion over time. I think the unfairness of rural Oregon being forced to play by the "libreral" majority is a drag, but what do conservatives always say about moving out if you don't like it?
I never said the Founders intended on a majority rule...I said that's the system we live in today. And i do have a highly elevated sense of my intelligence based on life experiences. It's not my fault that most people cannot think for themselves and rely on T.V. and radio personalities to tell them what to think...and it's not a hobby to call people stupid--it's a lifestyle...
And GWB was stupid. He was put into power by intelligent people around him based on a family name and did his best to run us into the ground...
Experience does not produce intelligence, and your comments quite clearly illustrate this.
It is rare I encounter someone as arrogant and condescending while at the same time as seemingly ignorant and uninformed as you.
I am disappointed that you excuse the Holocaust while calling the only democracy in the Middle East "evil." I've been to Israel. They are not evil, and you (despite saying people who only rely on TV are "stupid") are simply repeating the erroneous ideas of many racists in the media who have no idea what is actually happening there (if not purposely distorting the actual facts in an effort to garner sympathy for those they deem "oppressed").
You say that if conservative Eastern Oregonians don't like the changes liberal Multnomah county is making they should move, because that's what conservatives always say. This is a false comparison. When conservatives tell Liberals to move, it is because there are already countries doing what they want the Liberals want to force on everyone else. Instead of subverting the founding principles of the nation, perhaps they would be happier to live somewhere where they already have the kinds of things they want.
Personally, I don't want anyone to move. I'd rather educate people on the principles of freedom from tyrannical rule and the value of self-reliance that the people who found the country wanted to preserve.
As for GWB and his intelligence, GWB and Barak Obama both got their graduate degrees from Harvard. If Bush is "stupid" then so is Obama. Like I said before, I happen to believe otherwise. Really, the "Bush is an idiot" mantra is beyond stale and is exemplary of simply regurgitating worn out talking points.
Well, Bob...
I suppose I have to be very specific in my responses so that you may not misunderstand...
I NEVER said anything remotely close to excusing the Holocaust. I made a comment regarding how Israel treats the Palestinians which I am not sure we can deny that they have been rounded up and encamped. When I say Israel, I am speaking solely of the political aspect and not the people. I too have been to Israel and found the people to be wonderful--as they typically are in most of the places I have been. I have an uncle and two sisters-in-law who are very pro-Israel but do not deny that the Palestinians have been treated unfairly. But, like me, they understand Realpolitik so we can justify all day...Are you going to tell me that Israel has not continued to violate its U.N. charter? Increased settlements? Closed roads in and out of Gaza? Instituted their own version of apartheid? If you honestly think that Israel is the victim then I can understand how although I will disagree until the day I day that you are wrong. I would like to see your documentation on the statements...
My experiences in EDUCATION and TEACHING have, I feel, made me at least aware of the world around me and that does not always translate into intelligence so point taken. However, I do believe that my ability to think critically and ask questions tends to equal intelligence whereas a vast majority of the people I encounter do not. Maybe the circles you run in are of an elevated intelligence and I need to spen some time elsewhere...
You are also right on the tiresome debate of GWB's intelligence although I don't know how Obama is part of the discussion since he also attended Harvard and do not see them as remotely close in intelligence...so I will gladly drop it...
As for the founding principles and the "Liberals" and moving, I spent the better part of my adult life trying to educate people on exactly this subject but I really don't think people are interested at the college or high school level. I have found that once in the workforce and the issue of taxes and big government truly affect people and their incomes, this is when people really need to be educated on the facts of tyrannical rule and self-reliance. But, I feel that by then their minds have already been closed to the point of no return. And didn;t Jefferson suggest a little revolution from time to time? As the founders were very radical in their ideas and thinking, are you suggesting that radical thought now be closeted for the greater good?
You are obviously well-read and I enjoy the discourse so far...
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