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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2019)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • MARCH 1, 2019 • Town Hall Wyden said. “And, if this is the case, this core Sau- di royal government is not going to be able to use the United Sates as a playground. They are not going to be above the law.” from A6 “I’ve voted for laws that authorized more than $100 billion for border se- curity,” he said. “I have voted for fenc- ing. I have voted for drones. I have voted for radar. I have voted for peo- ple. I support common-sense, effec- tive measures for border security and, friends, building a wall does not meet that test.” Government Spending Concern about the $22 trillion na- tional debt was raised by a citizen who asked, “What has to happen for our government to learn to spend within its means?” “The biggest challenge we have in the federal budget, by far,” the sena- tor responded, “is that ten thousand people are going to turn 65 every day for decades and decades to come and they’re going to be eligible for Medi- care.” Wyden addressed the students in the audience. “If we don’t figure out a way for seniors to get good care and hold down the costs for all of you students, lots less money for you,” he said. “Lots less money for student loans. Lots less money for science. Lots less money for technology. Lots less money for parks.” He pointed out that in the near fu- ture, 80 percent of Medicare spending will go toward patients with two or more serious chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. “So we’ve got to get on top of the debt, and if we don’t, it gets passed on to you guys,” warned the senator. “And to get on top of the debt you’ve got to deal with health care and you’ve got deal with Medicare, and that’s what I’ve focused on.” Climate Change Accountability Next, a student asked about Juli- ana v. United States, an ongoing case originally filed in 2015 by 21 youth School Funding A student asked if schools in Oregon could expect more funding. The senator pointed to a core difference in how Oregon pays for schools as opposed to other states – timber. In the past, timber har- vested in Oregon, which was on federal land, was DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL sold and the money went Sen. Ron Wyden spoke to a packed gym during the Feb. 19 community Town Hall. into the public coffers for services such as schools, Wyden said. plaintiffs. The lawsuit asserts that the speaks to the question of whether the “Well, when the environmental laws youths’ rights to life, liberty and prop- President of the United States is above started to change, I wrote a bill called erty have been violated by the govern- the law. Nobody in America is above the Secure Rural Schools bill. Lane ment as it failed prevent the harmful the law.” County gets a lot of money under it — effects of climate change. As a member of the Senate Select millions of dollars, ” he said. “The legal issue here is whether the Committee on Intelligence, Wyden af- Wyden noted that he has proposed students have what’s called, ‘stand- firmed his commitment to telling the creating an endowment that would let ing’ — a legitimate interest in being public the story of the investigation. rural schools know with certainty how plaintiffs to the suit,” Wyden said. “I “As long as I’m Oregon’s guy on the much money they could receive each can’t think of anybody who has more Senate Intelligence Committee, this standing on something like this than investigation is not going to get swept year. “The big difference, though, is that students. I’m with the students on this under the rug,” he said. “Nobody is go- the federal government owns most of and I’ve been supporting the court ing to be able to bury it.” our land,” he lamented. “That’s why we case.” The senator also put the govern- don’t’ have money for local services ment of Saudi Arabia in his crosshairs the way they do back East.” Government Accountability in reference to a recent spate of Saudi A member of the community voiced her concern that people in Washing- ton are not held accountable to legal trespasses, citing the ambiguity of the Mueller investigation’s potency as an example. Wyden said that he has previously stated that “if anybody in the Congress tries to derail the Mueller report from being made public, I will go the floor of the United States Senate and fight until it is made public.” He added, “It Caring for Children’s Teeth Educating your children about good oral care will promote a healthy mouth as they age. Get your child to learn good habits and teach them how to properly brush and fl oss. This could help them avoid costly dentist bills in the future. The American Dental Association recommends a fi rst visit to the dentist as soon as the fi rst tooth comes in and no later than 1 year old. This early exam can give your dentist an opportunity to identify tooth decay and discuss bad habits that may promote decay. Baby Teeth Your child’s fi rst set of teeth are nearly completely formed at birth. According to the ADA, your child’s teeth will typically begin showing around the six-month mark. Taking great care of these baby teeth is very important in the health of permanent teeth. Properly maintained baby teeth can help permanent teeth grow in straight. Baby teeth should be cleaned every day. They should be wiped down with a wet washcloth as they begin to show. Once the teeth become bigger and stronger, you will be able to use a child’s toothbrush. Bad Habits You can help your baby avoid learning bad habits by discouraging thumb sucking, sleeping with a bottle or excessive use of a pacifi er. All of these habits can lead to serious dental trouble if performed after permanent teeth have set in. Constant sucking can cause problems with the growth of your child’s mouth and the alignment of his teeth. It’s best to break Arabian nationals being mysteriously whisked out of the country before fac- ing trial or completing their sentenc- ing for crimes committed in Oregon. The crimes included rape, a hit-and- run homicide and possession of child pornography. The Saudi government has been fingered by authorities as a likely accomplice in the Saudi nation- als’ disappearances. “I’m not going to allow a medieval regime to flout diplomatic norms,” Early Childhood Education A retired educator asked for the sen- ator’s views on early childhood educa- tion. “Dollar for dollar, there is no smart- er place to put scarce resources than early childhood education and vulner- able kids,” said Wyden, emphasizing the importance of supporting healthy neurological development as early in a child’s life as possible. 7A “You either get there early or you play catch-up for years to come,” he said. “I’m a very strong supporter of those early childhood programs.” Abortion Lastly, a freshman student asked if the recent New York law allowing abortion at any time if a mother’s health is at risk will find its way in Or- egon. “First of all, I don’t think this a mat- ter for politicians to jump in the mid- dle of,” Wyden said. “Number two, it is for a woman and her health care provider to make the decision. And number three, what is called ‘infanti- cide’ by some is illegal in every part of the country.” Citizens United The senator closed the forum by addressing his own concerns with the nation’s political status quo. “There’s one important issue that hangs over — that clouds every oth- er aspect of our ability to make the changes that we need in this country,” he said. “And that is a Supreme Court decision called Citizen’s United.” The landmark 2010 case ruled that private organizations may participate in political campaign spending in the same way as citizens as defended by the First Amendment. “It basically says that the rich guy’s checkbook is exactly the same thing as the poor person shouting on the street corner. I think that’s absurd,” said Wyden. “So I hope that as all of you leave today, you will also reflect on the need to change the way we finance elections in America, because in much of America, they don’t have town hall meetings like this anymore.” The senator finished the night on a note promoting grassroots move- ments. “I’m working to overturn Cit- izens United and as long as I have the honor to represent you in the United States Senate, this is way we’ll do it,” he said. these habits long before his permanent teeth grow in and avoid these unnecessary risks. Toothpaste and Floss Once your child is over 3 years old, the ADA recommends the regular use of children’s fl uoride toothpaste. Fluoride is an active cavity fi ghter and can strengthen developing tooth enamel. You should apply no more than a pea-sized drop of toothpaste to your child’s toothbrush. Your child should brush their teeth no less than twice a day for two minutes each time. 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