Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 2006)
______________________ <ri’1|Jo rth u ih ffîbseruer Page A 4 December 20. 2006 Opinion articles do not necessarily reflect or represent the views o f The Portland Observer O pinion ★ support Facing a Failed Policy from this election, but twoessential things stand out: Every vote counts; and do not start unnecessary wars. Among the 30 House seats gained by by U.S. R ih . W ii . i . iam L acy C lay the Democrats, Republicans lost Last month'selection wasa stun 22 of those races by less than ning rejection of President George two percentage points. And, of W. Bush's Administration by both those, 18 were won by fewer Democrats and the vast majority of than 5,(MX) votes. So, if you ever Independents. wonder why we fight so hard to Most Americans finally came to defend your voting rights, the the conclusion that things had election results prove how jus, a gone terribly off course in Wash handful of voters can make a ington and they voted for the new Demo- huge difference. The war in Iraq is a trag ed y that should have never happened. In 2003, I opposed the Forced Authorization Resolution because I didn't believe the non sense about weapons of mass destruction and the spin about Saddam's alleg ed links to Al Queda. And, now, after al most four bloody years, and over 22,000 Ameri cratic majority to get things back on track. can casualties, we're still waiting for the O f course, the President is still the Presi President to face the reality of his failed dent, and we'd like to find some common policy and finally adopt a new direction in ground with him in order to advance the Iraq. A direction that will let the Iraqi people Congressional Black Caucus' key priori decide their own future and get our troops ties. Issues like disparities in healthcare, out of harms way. home ownership, academic achievement, The Congressional Black Caucus will household incomes and inequities in the demand that the President learn that the justice system. lives of our brave sons and daughters Thankfully, the unprecedented number should never be put at risk in a war that we of black committee and subcommittee chair never had to fight. man will put CBC members in a historic- Congressman William Lacy Clay, D- position to advance our positive agenda. Mo.. is a member o f Congressional Black There are many lessons to be learned Caucus. A war that we never had to fight fiMSTÀTE _ THE draft Most Americans finally came to the conclusion that things had gone terribly off' course in Washington. A4ÎMORVTIES /iN p -T H Ê YezoK RAMGÉÇ l l l l l III* Invest in Education, not Incarceration Misguided priorities making matters worse by J udge G reg M athis WE ARE E THE E CLASS OF 2020 Last year, more than 7 million American people - that's about one in every 32 adults - were behind bars or on probation or parole. The U. S. has. foryears, imprisoned more people than any other country in the world. Yet, we don't have the highest literacy rate. And our economy continues to take a hit as jobs are outsourced to foreign countries with a cheaper and better educated workforce. Inner-city schools fail half of their students and jobs are removed from communities, replaced with guns and drugs, resulting in incarceration, if you're lucky, death if you're not. Nonetheless, many U.S. states have cut their edu cation budgets to compensate for rapid growth in prison populations and prison construction. The misguided priorities that inform such decisions have only served to further marginalize already oppressed populations. It’s time that this country shifts its focus away from i mprisonment and commits its resources to education and empowerment. In the past 20 years, more than a thousand new prisons and jails have been built in the U.S. Yet, our prisons are more overcrowded now than ever. Ac cording to the Justice Department, the total number of inmates increased 35-percent from 1995 to 2005. The nation’s ‘war on drugs' and the stiff sentencing laws that grew out of that war are largely to blame. The numbers of individuals sentenced for drug erimes increased nearly 65-percent between 1996 and 2003, accounting for the largest increase in inmates in the federal system. If federal and local governments were to adequately fund the nation's public schools, ensuring all stu dents had access to high-quality teachers, tutoring and after-school programs, we could stem the growth of the nation's prison population. With support, many could be steered away from drugs and the street life and pushed towards college or vocational school. Instead, the country has poured its money into a criminal injustice system that, instead of creating special programs designed to rehabilitate the low- level offender, corals these lost souls into the nation’s prisons. Upon release, having no education and no skills, many return to the lifestyles that landed them in prison. It’s a dangerous cycle and only prison architects and big business benefit. In 1977,1 was incarcerated for 7 months. I was told that itcosttaxpayers$30,000to incarcerate me. Ayear later, I enrolled al Eastern Michigan University under an affirmative action program. Because I was poor, I had to use loans and taxpayer supported government grants to pay for my education. The cost of my four year education was $24,000, less than the cost of my short jail sentence. No longer a burden to taxpayers, I am a significant taxpayer, helping, through my tax contributions, to pave the way for others who’ve yet to get an oppor tunity to make a way for themselves. The tax dollars used to support my education were a worthy invest ment, one that benefits all of society. America should take note and act accordingly Judge Greg Matliis is national vice president o f Rainbow PUSH and a national board member o f the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. College is closer than you think. It may also be more expensive than you realize. So plan for your future now by investing with the Oregon College Savings PlanSM °o & & /O Investors enjoy these benefits: • Contributions are Oregon state tax deductible up to $2000* • Tax-free growth • Tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses • Use your savings at schools nationwide Call toll free today or visit our website for your free enrollment kit. cv 'e y % /W 5Äc dngxedient fax. eatxg. occasion ~ Daily Lounge Special ~ Hours Open: Sunday - Wednesday 11am - Midnight Thursday - Saturday 11am - 2am 1 .8 6 6 .7 7 2 .8 4 6 4 OregonCollegeSavings.com U a Lunch Coupon This Plan is an easy and effective way for Oregon families to save for college. It combines outstanding tax benefits, Randall Edwards sm art investment choices and flexible control features Oregon State Treasurer 20% off Lunch with this Coupon Not Valid with any other Coupons Alcohol Excluded, Expires 1-31-07 to help investors reach their goals State Treasurer Randall Edwards. Plan Administrator Not FDIC insured nor guaranteed and may lose value. ‘Subject to recapture under certain circumstances. The Oregon College Savings P lan* is administered by Oregon State Treasurer Randall Edwards and distributed by OppenheimerFunds Distributor. Inc. Non-residents of Oregon should consider whether their state offers a 529 plan with tax DJ Friday & Saturday No Cover Charge Free Pool on Sunday & Karaoke Complimentary Wi-Fi advantages and should consult a tax advisor. Carefully consider Plan investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Plan documents contain this and other info. Investors should read these documents carefully before investing. CCopyright 2006 OppenheimerFunds Distributor. Inc. All rights reserved. 2808 NE MLK JR, BLVD, Portland OR 97212 503-493-8127 ~ Visit us at www.spiceofportland.com