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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 10, 2015)
OPINION 6A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 Reagan, the GOP heretic Founded in 1873 STEPHEN A. FORRESTER, Editor & Publisher LAURA SELLERS, Managing Editor BETTY SMITH, Advertising Manager CARL EARL, Systems Manager JOHN D. BRUIJN, Production Manager DEBRA BLOOM, Business Manager HEATHER RAMSDELL, Circulation Manager Welcome back Fall allows us to reclaim our communities W ith autumn in the air, the high school sports season begins. As August’s mega events become a memory, pressure on our city streets and highways diminishes. Tourism does not go away in the fall. Seven cruise ships will be call- ing in Astoria. But those passengers bring no vehicles. In a nutshell, what we rediscov- er in this season is the value of our communities and their importance in our lives. Their cultural and po- litical coherence is one of our most valuable assets. That is one way of understand- ing the high emotion in Gearhart over the matter of short-term rent- als. Year-round residents easily may feel overrun and unsettled by homes that seemingly belong to no one. Schools are, in many ways, the heartbeat of a community. It is a pleasure to see the rhythm of the school year begin once more. Without vibrant schools — starting with preschool and kindergarten — our towns lose their future. There is a link between tourism and community, but it is about much more than dollars in cash registers. If we make our towns more comfort- able for permanent residents, they will be more attractive to visitors. That’s what Maurie Clark understood about Cannon Beach in the 1970s. Astoria has always had tourists. But some 25 years ago, the town lacked the comforts and infrastructure that tourists hope to ¿nd — good restau- rants and hotels. Astoria raised its game with the Riverwalk, a restored historic theater and an aquatic center. There is a sense of coming home about this season. Welcome back. Room to grow, but lots to praise A September report on the state’s rural areas by the 2regon 2f¿ce of Economic Analysis offers much validation for the view that the North Coast is well positioned to keep building on the positive momentum observed this summer. This report, “Rural Oregon,” http://bit.ly/1KZlmq5, isn’t all good for the North Coast. Through this June, we still had about 4 per- cent fewer jobs than before the national housing bust. Recession- driven cuts in government and construction jobs, plus long-term downward trends in natural-re- sources employment, account for our slow jobs recovery. Even so, we are far better off than the south soast and inland southeast Oregon, where jobs are still nearly as scarce as they were at the depths of the recession. The report notes that a particularly aged population is an economic challenge in south- ern Oregon, since older residents tend to have a lower rate of partic- ipation in the labor force. On av- erage, an older population tends to spend less, produce less and start fewer new businesses. However, the OEA’s report picks up on a different economic trend involving older people that is dis- tinctly advantageous: Rural Oregon is in the midst of a strong inÀu[ of well-off migrants from other states, who bring skills, energy and wealth. “Much of the time they are older and relocate to rural Oregon as they re- tire or reduce their work hours. Such migration trends are particularly strong in coastal, central and south- ern Oregon. Furthermore, many bring with them not only a lifetime of e[perience but also wealth, often in the form of California home equi- ty,” the report says. The North Coast — especially Clatsop County — feels qualita- tively reinvigorated by a rising tide of people interested in building new lives here. Many, but not all, are the sort of 50-plus semi-retirees de- scribed in the economic report. Also highlighted by OEA’s anal- ysis is the North Coast’s relatively high level of education. Nearly 22 percent of working-age adults in this region have at least a college bache- lor’s degree. Though this is less than the 33 percent in urban Oregon, the North Coast is far more educated than rural Oregon as a whole, which has college-degree attainment of 18.7 percent. Among rural Oregon regions, only Columbia Gorge has more residents who have success- fully completed a four-year degree. The OEA’s report didn’t look at community college education, but the strength of Clatsop Community College is a great advantage for our county and region, helping educate a work force that ¿lls jobs in our thriving healthcare sector and oth- er industries requiring more than a high school diploma. Much is written about the ur- ban-rural economic divide in Oregon. That a small report like OEA’s has generated so much atten- tion is both an indication of wide- spread interest in the subject, and a commentary on how rarely the state actually produces anything germane to the discussion. Ultimately, local advancement on the North Coast has much to do with sustained initiative, creativi- ty, scenic splendor and our relative pro[imity to 3ortland. There’s clearly still room for improvement in the North Coast’s economy, but OEA’s report is a welcome validation that there are a number of things we can be happy and proud about. Open forum Register today T he Independent 3arty of Oregon is now the third “major party” in Oregon. We want to offer voters more choices on their ballots. Anyone possibly interested in running for of¿ce as the candidate of the Independent 3arty needs to change his or her voter registration to “Independent 3arty” by today. It takes about two minutes, here: http:// indparty.com/register. Or just search “Oregon voter register” online. 3otential candidates need not decide whether to run until the pri- mary election ¿ling deadline, March 8. But, thanks to the 'emocrats and Republicans, current law requires signing up for the Independent 3arty by today, more than eight months be- fore the May primary election. 'AN MEEK 3ortland Editor’s note: 'an Meek is co-chairman of the Independent 3ar- ty of Oregon. By TIMOTHY EGAN New York Times News Service In just under two weeks, the Re- publicans who want to be president will gather in Simi Valley, Calif., at the presidential library of Ronald Reagan for their second debate. You can e[pect much brown-nosing, bloviating and outright fabricating in homage to the patron saint of all true conservatives, the charming 40th president. If only the candidates were truthful to the man and his record. For the real Ronald Rea- gan — serial ta[-raiser, illegal immigrant am- nesty granter, de¿cit creator, abortion enabler, Timothy gun control Egan supporter and peacenik — would never be allowed on the stage. The party has moved so far to the right from Reagan’s many centrist positions that the guy would be told to go ¿nd a home among the 'emocrats. More than three decades after Reagan was ¿rst elected, his name is invoked, like political Tourette’s syn- drome, by everyone from Scott Walker to 'onald Trump. But there’s a gaping dis- connect among Republicans between the Reagan worship of 2015 and the reality of his long, public career. Start with immigration, and the po- lice-state proposals that have driven Trump to the top of Republican polls. As president, Reagan signed a bill that granted amnesty to nearly three mil- lion people who were in this country illegally. And then he went a step fur- ther, acting on his own after signing the ¿rst bill, to e[tend amnesty to an- other 100,000 people. Reagan would never back the authoritarian roundup and depor- tation that Trump advocates, or the Big Brother tracking of immigrants “like FedE[ packages,” as Gov. Chris Christie has proposed. While Trump vows to build a giant wall, Reagan is best known for four words: “tear down this wall.” He was referring to the Berlin barrier, but he could have been talking about obstruc- tions for immigrants from south of the border. “I believe in the idea of amnes- ty for those who have put down roots dent. But if you want to see an act of real consequence, turn to the abortion liberali]ation bill that Reagan signed as governor of California in 1967. Legal abortions in his state went from 518 a year to nearly a million over the ne[t decade. Want to hear another round of cat- calls? Let’s talk guns. Shot by a cra- ]y man, Reagan became an advocate of sensible ¿rearms legislation. He backed the Brady Bill — named for his wounded press secretary — that was David Goldman/AP Photo signed by 3resident Clinton. It required Republican presidential candi- background checks for criminals, and date Jeb Bush waves to the crowd a waiting period. He also supported an while walking past a portrait of assault weapons ban, as most Ameri- former President Ronald Reagan cans still do. His words against assault after speaking at the RedState weapons are credited with helping the Gathering Saturday in Atlanta. ban pass a reluctant Congress in the Clinton era. The Brady Bill has stopped more and lived here for some time and may have entered illegally,” said 3resident than 1.2 million people, those with Reagan. You can hear the boos in the felonies or a history of mental illness, Reagan Library should any Republican from buying guns. And on that stage in Reagan’s library on Sept. 16, the say such a thing today. Ta[es. Yes, Reagan reduced the top Brady Bill will be hard-pressed to ¿nd rate, which was onerously high. But a single supporter. Well, at least Reagan was tough on he was no absolutist, as required under the senseless no-new-ta[es-ever pledge the Commies — a foreign policy with that all Republicans are supposed to muscle. Yes, he was. But Reagan had a soft spot. While ne- take. Reagan raised gotiating a nuclear ta[es at least four Reagan arms treaty with the times during his two Soviets, this sunny terms in of¿ce, and 11 was a optimist envisioned times by some read- even grander step. ings of the record. conservative an “My dream,” he He had to do this because the federal for his time. wrote in his memoirs, “became a world free de¿cit and the si]e But his of nuclear weapons.” of government bal- Cue the John Lennon looned all out of pro- record was song “Imagine.” portion while he was 'id I mention that president. Yep, with complicated. he sold arms to terror- Reagan the govern- ists? That he supplied ment-hater in charge, the si]e of the federal government grew money and sophisticated weapons to to 5.3 million employees, and the fed- what would grow into the Taliban and eral debt nearly tripled, to $2.9 trillion. create the monster of Osama bin Lad- What’s more, he raised the debt ceiling en in Afghanistan? Or that perhaps the — something modern Republicans are worst foreign policy debacle on his willing to shut down the whole shebang watch — the death of 248 Marines at the hands of terrorists in Lebanon, re- over — 18 times. Heretic! What about social issues — the sulting in a shameful retreat — makes bedrock of values? It’s a given that Re- Bengha]i look like a game of pinochle? I mention these things now because publican candidates oppose abortion in nearly all cases. Some of them want no one will in the upcoming debate. Reagan was a conservative for his the government to reach into the bod- ies of American women and declare time. But his record was complicated. ]ygotes to be people, protected by an What’s happened to Republicans since then is similar to what Reagan once intrusive federal intervener. And the sainted Reagan? Yes, he said about his earlier political af¿lia- mouthed the pro-life line, while doing tion — he didn’t leave the party, the ne[t to nothing for the cause as presi- party left him. The myth of quality family time plan instances of e[traordi- scores of emails to ¿gure nary candor, plot episodes of out which week ne[t sum- e[quisite tenderness, engi- mer we could all set aside. It wasn’t easy. But it was very summer for many years neer intimacy in an appoint- ed hour. essential. now, my family has kept to We can try. We can cor- Couples move in to- our ritual. don off one meal each day gether not just because it’s All 20 of us — my siblings, my or two afternoons each week economically prudent. They dad, our better halves, my nieces and and weed them of distrac- understand, consciously or instinctively, that sustained nephews — ¿nd a beach house big tions. We can choose a set- pro[imity is the best route ting that encourages rela[- Frank enough to ¿t the whole unruly clan. to the soul of someone; that ation and uplift. We can ¿ll Bruni We journey to it from our different it with totems and frippery unscripted gestures at une[- states and time ]ones. We tensely div- — a balloon for a child, sparkling wine pected junctures yield sweeter rewards vy up the bedrooms, trying to remem- for a spouse — that signal celebration than scripted ones on date night; that the “I love you” that counts most isn’t ber who fared poorly or well on the and create a sense of the sacred. previous trip. And we Àing ourselves And there’s no doubt that the degree whispered with great ceremony on a at one another for seven days and sev- of attentiveness that we bring to an oc- hilltop in Tuscany. No, it slips out ca- en nights. casion ennobles or demeans it. Better to sually, spontaneously, in the produce That’s right: a solid week. It’s that spend 15 focused, responsive minutes section or over the dishes, amid the drudgery and detritus of their routines. part of the ritual that mysti¿es many of than 30 utterly distracted ones. my friends, who endorse family close- But people tend not to operate on That’s also when the truest confessions ness but think that there can be entirely cue. At least our moods and emotions are made, when hurt is at its rawest and too much of it. Wouldn’t a long week- don’t. We reach out for help at odd tenderness at its purest. I know how my 80-year-old father end suf¿ce? And wouldn’t it ward off points; we bloom at unpredictable ones. a few spats and simplify the planning? The surest way to see the brightest col- feels about dying, religion and God The answer to the second question ors, or the darkest ones, is to be watch- not because I scheduled a discrete en- counter to discuss all of that with him. is yes, but to the ¿rst, an emphatic no. ing and waiting and ready for them. I used to think that shorter would be That’s reÀected in a development I know because I happened to be in the better, and in the past, I that Claire Cain Mill- passenger seat of his car when such arrived for these beach er and 'avid Streitfeld thoughts were on his mind and when, There’s vacations a day late wrote about in The for whatever unforeseeable reason, he or Àed two days early, Times last week. They felt comfortable articulating them. simply And I know what he appreciates telling myself that I had noted that “a workplace to when in truth I also culture that urges new and regrets most about his past be- no real wanted to — because mothers and fathers to cause I was not only punctual for this I crave my space and substitute hurry back to their cu- summer’s vacation, but also traveled my quiet, and because I bicles is beginning to there with him, to fatten our visit, and for weary of marinating in shift,” and they cited he was uncharacteristically ruminative sunscreen and discover- “more family-friendly on that Àight. physical It was over lunch at the beach house ing sand in strange plac- policies” at Microsoft es. But in recent years, presence. and NetÀi[, which have one day that my oldest nephew spoke I’ve showed up at the e[tended the leave that with unusual candor, and at unusual length, about his e[pectations for col- start and stayed for the parents can take. duration, and I’ve noticed a difference. How many parents will step off the lege, his e[periences in high school With a more e[pansive stretch, fast track and avail themselves of this — stuff that I’d grilled him about pre- there’s a better chance that I’ll be around remains to be seen. But those who do viously, never harvesting the generous at the precise, random moment when will be deciding that the quantity of answers that he volunteered during that one of my nephews drops his guard time with their brood matters as much particular meal. It was on a run the ne[t morning and solicits my advice about something as the intensity of it. private. Or when one of my nieces will They’ll be lucky: Many people ar- that my oldest niece described, as need someone other than her parents to en’t privileged enough to e[ercise such she’d never done for me before, the tell her that she’s smart and beautiful. discretion. My family is lucky, too. We joys, frustrations and contours of her relationships with her parents, her Or when one of my siblings will Àash have the means to get away. back on an incident from our childhood But we’re also dedicated to it, and two sisters and her brother. Why this that makes us laugh uncontrollably, and we’ve determined that Thanksgiving information tumbled out of her then, suddenly the co]y, happy chain of our 'ay isn’t ample, that Christmas Eve with pelicans overheard and sweat love is cinched that much tighter. passes too quickly, and that if each of slicking our foreheads, I can’t tell There’s simply no real substitute for us really means to be central in the oth- you. But I can tell you that I’m even physical presence. ers’ lives, we must make an investment, more tightly bonded with her now, We delude ourselves when we say the biggest components of which are and that’s not because of some or- otherwise, when we invoke and vener- minutes, hours, days. As soon as our chestrated, contrived effort to plumb ate “quality time,” a shopworn phrase beach week this summer was done, we her emotions. It’s because I was pres- with a debatable promise: that we can huddled over our calendars and traded ent. It’s because I was there. By FRANK BRUNI New York Times News Service E