BY DAN CAROL
Life After Measure 30?
Time to go on the offensive.
S
o I was smart enough last time not to predict
the outcome of the Iowa caucuses.
On the outcome of Measure 30, my heart
and my head are split. The smart money in Vegas says
no way this thing passes — voters haven’t approved an
income tax measure in Oregon since the Model T era.
Yet I am hopeful enough to think the voters of
Oregon might come around and vote yes for schools.
But I am not betting on it.
Whatever happens with Measure 30 on Feb. 3, I can predict
this: The state will still be in an extreme fiscal and public education crisis with no solu-
tions in sight.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
For too long, Democrats and progressives in this state have been playing defense.
With the exception of the 1996 Minimum Wage campaign (which won, thank you Joy
Marshall), when was the last time we were pushing for real resources to end up in the
pockets of working Oregonians? Instead, we bid low, ask for little, confuse voters with
complicated process reforms, get nothing, and then spend most of our time fighting
outrageous proposals from the radical right that voters understand. We worry about
being responsible and realistic, while the right cranks out one shameless proposal
after another. How about we stop this sad song?
I think I can name a different tune in three notes.
Bid Big: A Bond Measure For Us. Remember when Gov. Kitzhaber bailed at the
last minute in 1990 on a major education initiative? We’ve been in a defensive crouch
ever since. How about running a massive bond measure that inspires Oregon to lead
not the race to the bottom but to reach for the top. Imagine a billion dollars of invest-
ment (or more) in community college workforce training grants, youth apprenticeship
programs, green manufacturing tax credits and other common-sense business and
education investments. Let the right wing complain about why this isn’t smart — and
let Oregon voters and businesses see their economic future in our ideas.
Get a New Governor. Seriously, do we have one now? Ted Kulongoski is literally
missing in action. By choice. At a time of crisis, he keeps calling for the progressive
grassroots to rise up and tell him what to do, and I think the answer is now quite sim-
ple: Start polishing your resume. You’ve abdicated the mantle of leadership in 2004
and ignored the call to ambitiously make the case for public education, investment
and Oregon’s greatness. Ted’s strategy of keeping his powder dry until 2006 has been
all about one thing — his re-election. Well, as they say, he who hesitates is lost. And the
Incredible Missing Governor is off the grid in my humble opinion.
Can You Say “Moderate Republicans?”” Don’t freak out on me but there is NO
WAY we will ever get a sustained progressive agenda on the board, anytime this
decade, with just the Democrats leading the charge. So I think we should be open to a
pro-public education, pro-investment, pro-land use law, progressive Republican guber-
natorial candidate in 2006. Think about it: The Republicans in the state legislature
come in one flavor right now: very, very right wing. Imagine if they had a few moder-
ate buddies up there in Salem to muddy their waters or better yet, a Republican
Governor who wouldn’t go along with every crazy proposal and had some undeniable,
mainstream credentials. The fact is that a political terrarium that hosts a few healthy
moderate Republicans poses a bigger problem for their agenda getting passed and
would help our cause immensely in the next 10 years. So let’s keep an open mind —
while we keep an eye out for the new Tom McCall.
In the meantime, it’s fingers crossed on Measure 30. Oregon has always been a
leader — and right now we’re leading the nation in defining a new vision of a la carte
government. People think they can pick and choose what they will pay for — be it
schools or sidewalks. Progressives know it’s not that simple. But reversing this mess —
and the misconceptions — is going to take a creative and ambitious vision of our com-
mon heritage and our common future. That’s a prediction I’ll be banking on.
Dan Carol is a Democratic political strategist and a founding partner of CTSG (www.ctsg.com), a progressive
consulting firm based in Eugene and Washington, D.C.
Please Join Us At
Riverpark Health Care Campus
Saturday, February 7th 10am-4pm for the
First Annual Health & Wellness Fair
Over 25 booths including: Gateway Medical, Rainbow Optics, Lincare, Willoughby Hearing, Curves
Fitness, Easter Seal Pool, Oasis Wellness Products, Rejuvenation Mind Spa, Massage, Reiki,
Mobile Oral Hygiene, E-Z Coil Shoes, Physical Therapy, In-Home Care, Home Heatlh, Nursing,
Emerald Valley Kitchen, Chiropractor, Vicky's Salon, Herbal Products and much, much more . . .
Free Door Prizes, Refreshments and Entertainment
Free Lectures on Osteoporosis and Body Mechanics with Tina Meyer, MSPT
Free massage, balance testing, walker and wheelchair maintenance,
food samples, hearing checks, blood pressure, eyeglasses cleaning,
information, mini manicures and much more!
Call Elizabeth for more information 345-6199
425 Alexander Loop (off Goodpasture Island Rd.)
R iverpark
HEATLH
CARE
CAMPUS
www.touchmark.com
JANUARY 29, 2004 7