First Post: Too Little Time

If you’ve found this site, it must be by accident, because it’s brand new. But, it’s time I used my voice to add to the fight for Liberty.

The 2012 General Election looms, and I’ll be brief: I do wish we could find the perfect conservative slate to vote, but when has that ever been the case? Instead, I try to vote to do as little harm as possible, to preserve Conservative principles, and sometimes just to keep the pirates from pillaging any more territory.

You can get a lot of good info at ClackamasGOP.Org. I recommend it to you, with some slight differences.

To that end, my recommendations for this election:

*** Candidates ***

US President
Mitt Romney

US House of Representatives
CD3: Ronald Green 503-231-7438 (email)
CD5: Fred Thompson 503-428-7479

Attorney General
James Buchal 503-227-1011 (email)

Secretary of State
Knute Buehler 541-915-3322 (email)

Treasurer
Thomas Cox 503-616-2865 (email)

Labor Commissioner
Bruce Starr 503-352-0922 (email)

State Judiciary
Judge, Supreme Court, Position 3: No Vote
Judge, Court of Appeals, Position 6: James C. Egan

State House
HD39: Bill Kennemer 503-263-8628 (email)
HD40: Steve Newgard 503-653-9085 (email)

Clackamas County
Commission Chair: John Ludlow 503-929-8020 (email)
Commission Pos 4: Tootie Smith 503-949-5667  (email)
Soil & Water Conservation Director Position 1: Earl Bowerman (email)
Soil & Water Conservation Director Zone 3: *** WRITE IN *** Dean H. Harvey

Oregon City
Commissioner Pos 3: Carol Pauli

 *** Ballot Measures ***

State
77
NO (Admin of gov’t) Revision to responses to catastrophic disasters; requires approval by a 2/3rds majorityIf passed, this measure would amend the Oregon Constitution to authorize suspending specific constitutional spending restrictions if the Governor were to declare a “catastrophic disaster”. ORP Central Committee Members voiced concerns about potential unintended consequences and possible misuse of ‘Disaster Declarations’.
State
78
NO (Admin of gov’t) Changes terminology in the state Constitution for the three state gov’t branchesIf passed, this measure would amend the Oregon Constitution, changing constitutional language describing governmental system of separation of powers and making grammatical and spelling changes. It would conform the Oregon Constitution to the Federal Constitution and update antiquated language. This is a housekeeping measure, but its unavoidable side-effect is to further detach modern lawmakers from our foundations. I say make ’em look it up, if they don’t understand it.
State
79
YES (Taxes) Would ban real estate transfer taxes.If passed, this measure would amend the Oregon Constitution, prohibiting real estate transfer taxes, fees, and other assessments except those operative on December 31, 2009. With Oregon’s housing market still struggling, we do not believe additional taxes, fees or other assessments are the solution.
State
80
NO (Marijuana) Would create a cannabis commission to regulate the cultivation and sale of cannabis.If passed, this measure would allow personal marijuana, hemp cultivation/use without a license and it would create a “commission” to regulate commercial marijuana cultivation/sale. We do not believe that this measure would reduce drug dependency. We also believe this measure would have negative impacts on law enforcement, education and the work place in Oregon.
State
81
NO (Animal rights) Bans Columbia River commercial salmon fishing with gillnets by non-tribal persons, allows seine nets instead.If passed, this measure would prohibit commercial, non-tribal fishing with gillnets in Oregon “inland waters,” allowing the use of seine nets. With Oregon’s economy continuing to struggle, we do not believe this measure helps to improve our economic climate.
State
82
NO (Gambling) Authorizes establishment of privately-owned casinos.If passed, this measure would amend the Oregon Constitution, authorizing the establishment of privately-owned casinos, mandating that a percentage of revenues be payable to a dedicated state fund. The Oregon Republican Party supports job creating private enterprise, but we believe that casino gaming should not be expanded.
State
83
NO (Gambling) Authorizes Multnomah County casino.If passed, this measure would specifically authorize the privately-owned Wood Village casino, mandating a percentage of revenues payable to a dedicated state fund. The Oregon Republican Party supports job creating private enterprise, but we believe that casino gaming should not be expanded and that Government should not be picking winners and losers in the private sector.
State
84
YES (Taxes) Phases out estate and inheritance taxes.If passed, this measure would phase out existing inheritance taxes on large estates and all taxes on intra-family property transfers. The Central Committee supports the repeal of this tax.
State
85
NO (Taxes) Allocates corporate income/excise tax “kicker” refund to additionally fund K through 12 public education.If passed, this measure would amend the Oregon Constitution, allocating Corporate Income/Excise Tax “Kicker” Refund to additionally fund K – 12 Public Education. This measure does not guarantee increased educational funding because it does not prevent the Legislature from redirecting funds currently targeted for education and replacing them with these new funds.
Oregon City
3-407
YES (Taxes) Requires voter approval for Urban Renewal bondsIf passed, voters would have to give approval before government can create property owner debt to pay for urban renewal projects.
Oregon City
3-416
NO (Expansion) Requests additional land be made part of the city. If passed, the city gets bigger, and that means government gets bigger.
Oregon City
3-417
NO (Expansion) Requests additional land be made part of the city. If passed, the city gets bigger, and that means government gets bigger.
Oregon City
3-418
NO (Expansion) Requests additional land be made part of the city. If passed, the city gets bigger, and that means government gets bigger.
Oregon City
3-419
NO (Expansion) Requests additional land be made part of the city. If passed, the city gets bigger, and that means government gets bigger.