TO THE EDITOR
MORE ABOUT ALLERGIES
The article, “Gesundheit!” (2/5) offered
some good information. Thank you. In sup-
porting good health, it helps to remember we
can address causes and/or symptoms. One
major factor related to allergies and absent in
the article is the role pH, or acid/alkaline bal-
ance, plays in maintain-
ing good health. An al-
kaline pH of 7.0 to 7.4 is
considered optimum for
the human body. When
the pH becomes acid
(below 7) the door
swings open to lowered
immunity and a reduc-
tion in the body’s ability
to maintain good health.
Diet, stress, insufficient
exercise, pollutants, and
most grooming products
we use contribute to acid
pH levels. Clearly, our
choices matter and those that assist in main-
taining an alkaline pH are basic in addressing
the causes of good health or illness.
Another effective way of addressing both
system and symptoms is through the use of
therapeutic grade essential oils. Many prod-
ucts are labeled “essential oil” and “pure es-
sential oil” even though they need contain
only 5 percent of any grade essential oil, in-
cluding synthetics. Most are not therapeutic.
Some are detrimental. On the other hand, true
therapeutic grade oils offer dramatic relief
from symptoms while supporting immune
function. There are many body-workers and
other health practitioners, as well as allergy-
prone individuals, in this area who combine
therapeutic grade oils with other treatment
options such as homeopathy, nutrition, and
massage with excellent success.
Jan Meredith
Eugene
NOW ALLERGY-FREE
I appreciate your getting the
information
out
on
Nambudribad’s Allergy Relief
Technique for relief of airborne
and other allergies (2/5
“Gesundheit!”). I was miserable
every spring until I discovered
Dr. DeSiena and NAET. After a
series of simple, non-invasive,
and inexpensive treatments (one
for each allergen), I am essen-
tially allergy-free! And the treat-
ments last for life. I tell every al-
lergy sufferer I meet about
NAET, but you have done this much more ef-
fectively.
Art Linn
Eugene
COOKING FOR FIDO
As a general practice veterinarian with a
special interest in clinical nutrition, I have to
say that most of the clients I meet who feed
their pets raw meat diets are conscientious
and caring people who want the very best for
their animals. With that said, however, I also
have seen a number of health problems in
pets fed raw meat diets.
Bacterial gastroenterocolitis, with atten-
dant vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes inap-
petence, is one of the most common disease
consequences of these diets. Although many
of these infections can be resolved with an-
tibiotic usage, some are potentially fatal. If
you feed your pet raw meat, it’s possible that
he or she will wind up on repeated courses of
antibiotics, and antibiotics, like any other
Local Campaign Contributions by Sector
BY EBEN FODOR
New Growth Money
Rare glimpse into local development politics.
drugs, have side effects and cannot be consid-
ered truly “natural.”
Another, even more serious infection
transmitted by undercooked or raw meat is
toxoplasmosis, a protozoal infection that can
attack any organ system in the body. I have
had feline patients who have died of central
nervous system toxoplasmosis, which caused
paralysis and seizures, Toxoplasma pneumo-
Lane County, Oregon – 1998-2003
$500,000
$409,090
$400,000
$300,000
$220,600
$200,000
E
ver wonder why the pro-growth/pro-sprawl forces always seem so influential at
the city and county level? Part of the answer can be found in a rare glimpse into
who funds local political campaigns, provided by The Register-Guard newspaper in
a recent article titled “Old Growth Money” (12/21/03). Some analysis of the reported data
shows that there is a second story that could be headlined: New Growth Money.
The newspaper’s report compiled all campaign contributions in Lane County, Ore. over
the past five years and grouped them according to business affiliation. The newspaper took
advantage of Oregon’s campaign finance reporting laws requiring that the business affilia-
tion of every contributor of more than $50 be reported. The affiliations of smaller contri-
butions could not be identified and were therefore not included in the totals.
The newspaper found that the “Forestry Related” category was the area’s largest po-
litical funding influence, at 22 percent of the total. This was hardly surprising, since tim-
ber has always played a big role in the local economy. The real story, however, is re-
vealed by combining all the land development businesses into a single category. This
new “Land Development Industry” category includes those businesses that profit di-
rectly from new construction and land development, such as construction, gravel, heavy
equipment, financing and real estate.
As shown in the graph below, the Land Development Industry represents by far the
largest political interest group — the source of 42 percent of all identifiable local cam-
paign funding. The primary economic interests shared by this group are regional growth
and unfettered land development.
In order to get the complete picture, the interests of the Forestry Related category
must also be considered. This group includes many business owners who, in addition to
selling lumber to construction markets, are also land developers and real estate in-
vestors. Therefore, a large portion of the spending in this category should actually be in-
cluded under the “Land Development” category. While a precise total is not possible, a
rough estimate is that half, or more, of all local political campaign funding is on behalf of
land development interests.
C
ampaign spending doesn’t guarantee outcomes, but it certainly influences the
results. This is especially the case when “pro-business” candidates can raise
record amounts for their campaigns and outspend opponents five-to-one. With
4 FEBRUARY 19, 2004
$87,700
$100,000
$85,940
$81,310
$55,870
$44,740
$0
Land Devel Industry
Forestry
Related
Civil Servants & Unions
Police & Prosecutors
Sports / Recreation
Candidate to Self
Doctors & Dentists
Source: Data adapted from Register-Guard newspaper, 12/21/03
This information is based on an analysis by the newspaper of 4,800 campaign contributions of more
than $50 over a five-year period to local races and ballot measures for Lane County and Eugene and
Springfield. Contributions to state and federal campaigns are not included. The “land development
industry” category comprises 42 percent of all identifiable contributions and includes: real estate
($175,940); heavy equipment & gravel ($93,510); construction ($86,370); and financial services
($53,270).
so much clout, the land development industry can virtually ensure that a majority of
local politicians are “growth friendly.” Typically these elected officials favor expediting
and streamlining land development. They tend to support government subsidies and in-
vestments that stimulate growth, but think that government taxes and land use regula-
tions are excessive and overly burdensome.
No other single-interest group comes close to this degree of dominance in local poli-
tics. And the situation is certainly not unique to Lane County. Cities and counties across
the country are under the thumb of the land developers and their coalition of growth
profiteers. This campaign financing data illustrates what I have come to believe: The
land development industry is the most powerful political force in America today, at the
local level.
This “behind-the-scenes” view of local campaign financing helps explain why citizens
have to work so hard to achieve any reforms for responsible land use, growth manage-
ment and environmental protection. It also shows why local campaign finance reforms
are needed to restore true balance and democracy to the public policy process. Petition
#53 is now circulating to gather signatures for limiting campaign donations ($100 for
local candidates). To learn more about this important effort, see the Money is Not
Democracy website (www.fairelections.net).
Eben Fodor is a community planning consultant based in Eugene and author of the book, Better, Not Bigger: How to
Take Control of Urban Growth and Improve Your Community (New Society Publishers, 2001).