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Know who
you’re hiring
To the Editor:
In preparing to write this,
two quotes apropos come
to mind:
“Government does not
solve problems; it subsi-
dizes them,” and “If more
government is the answer,
then it was a really stupid
question.” Both by the
late, great former presi-
dent, Ronald Reagan.
Driving around Heppner/
Morrow County, it is deep-
ly unsettling and disap-
pointing to see so many
signs in support of Betsy
Johnson for governor. Ore-
gon desperately needs and
most definitely deserves
better than another gover-
nor who is corrupt, inept or
dishonest.
It is my opinion that Bet-
sy Johnson did not decide,
after 20 years as a dedicat-
ed Democrat and all that
entails, that she was so
disillusioned and lost faith
in her party she changed
her affiliation to Indepen-
dent. Occam’s Razor is a
scientific theory that, sim-
plified, states all things
being equal, the simplest
explanation tends to be
the correct one. That being
considered, it makes more
sense to me that the reason
Betsy Johnson announced
her sudden change to Inde-
pendent while announcing
her candidacy for governor
is that, as a Democrat, she
did not feel confident that
she could/would beat Tina
Koter in the primary to be
the Democrat candidate.
Checking Johnson’s voting
record (which anyone can
do at: just facts.votesmart.
org.) the following report
is but a drop in the horri-
ble-for-Oregon bucket: It
appears she’s never met a
tax she wasn’t in favor of:
-Transit and Gas Tax In-
crease
-Income Tax Increase
-Inheritance Tax
-Increase Business Tax to
Enhance School Funding
(yet she voted No on in-
creasing minimum wage)
-Originally a hold
out vote (the deciding
vote) on the Corporate Ac-
tivity Tax (CAT) but then
flipped and voted in favor
of the $1.6 billion tax on
Oregon sales, selling us all
down the river. This “hid-
den sales tax” has driven
more businesses out of Or-
egon than any other law in
Oregon.
-In April 2021, she
voted in favor of a bill that
alleges Congress should
implement reparations for
African Americans. (In
other words, we should
guiltily pay people who’ve
never been slaves from
tax dollars paid by peo-
ple who’ve never owned
slaves.)
-In June 2021, she
voted in favor of expand-
ing insurance eligibility to
illegal aliens not covered
by Medicaid. She also vot-
ed in favor of in-state tui-
tion and driver’s licenses
for undocumented immi-
grants. (Against the will of
the people.)
-In
the
same
month she voted in favor
to authorize school dis-
tricts to retain educators
based on diversity and cul-
tural merits. (As opposed
to qualifications and cre-
dentials?)
-Most appalling-
ly, she voted in favor of
abortions at all stages of
pregnancy up to the ba-
by’s first breath. Though
she swears (literally) she
“will not give up on Or-
egon without a hell of a
fight.” Her voting record
demonstrates that she has
little regard for Oregon
and our people, she offers
no platform, plan, etc., for
the path forward should
she actually be elected as
our next governor. So, oth-
er than stating that both
parties are broken, what
are her thoughts/plans on
some of Oregon’s biggest
problems-
*800 increase in
violent crime
*homelessness
*the consequences
of the decriminalization of
most hard drugs such as
the escalation of drug traf-
ficking, use and addiction
*failing schools
*the crushing cost
of living/inflation, etc.
What is she for?
What is she against? Who
is Betsy Johnson? A little
research turns up volumes
of information.
*On her website,
Johnson claims she wants
to “hold government ac-
countable (The Governor
Betsy to-do list . . . hold
government accountable to
deliver for the rest of us.)
Now, I was raised on the
principle that if one wants
to lead, one should do so
by example. Ms. Johnson
seems to disagree with
that principle, as personal
accountability is not her
strong suit. This is evi-
denced by her actions in
2013 when she tried to use
legislative immunity to
fight a lawsuit for a traf-
fic accident she caused.
“In 2013, according to
records then-state Sen.
Betsy Johnson (D-Scap-
poose) rear-ended a driver
stopped at a redlight in her
hometown. The driver of
the other car was injured,
causing lasting health
problems. Ms. Johnson,
who was not wearing a
seatbelt, was also seriously
injured. But the crash was
also significant for the way
that Johnson attempted to
fight off the lawsuit filed
by the women in the other
car. Melissa Gallentine, 42,
says Johnson tried to avoid
taking any responsibility
for her injuries and damage
to her vehicle by claiming
she was performing legis-
lative duties driving to the
Capitol. (Rachel Monahan,
“Willamette Week,” “Bet-
sy Johnson crashed into
another motorist. Then she
tried to claim legislative
immunity,” July 6, 2022)
*In 2007, John-
son admitted to ethics vi-
olations after she failed to
report profits from a land
sale. The Government
Standards and Practices
Commission investigated
whether “Johnson failed
to report her profits from a
property sale that has been
linked to legislation she
sponsored. The parcel next
to the Scappoose airport
was sold three months af-
ter purchase for a $119,000
increase in value. The leg-
islation she sponsored
gave special access to
landowners with property
next to airports. Johnson
admitted to the ethics vio-
lations and was fined.” (Ju-
lie Silverman, Longview
Daily News, “Board Au-
thorizes Probe of Betsy
Johnson Land Deal,” June
23, 2007)
*In 2008, Johnson
was under criminal inves-
tigation by the FBE after
admitting to violations of
state ethics laws. “”Sen.
Betsy Johnson, D-Scap-
poose, who admitted to
violating state ethics laws
earlier this year, is now
under a criminal inves-
tigation by the local FBI
office. Three sources who
have been interviewed by
investigators say the FBI,
since last summer, has
been looking into business
dealings by the Democrat-
ic Senator” (The Orego-
nian, “FBI looks into Sen.
Betsy Johnson Dealings,”
January 8, 2008) Perhaps,
in response to these reve-
lations, Oregon Republi-
can Party Chairman Justin
Hwang, said it best . . .”In
a time when the public’s
trust in government offi-
cials is alarmingly low,
Oregon citizens need to
know that those in public
office have integrity and an
unwavering commitment
to personal ethics and ac-
countability. Oregonians
are tired of “Rules for thee,
but not for me.”
This member of
the public loudly seconds
his statement.
Johnson believes
in protecting corporate oli-
garchs (after all as heir to a
timber fortune, she is one)
and insurance companies
from accountability. From
someone who’s worked
with her on a few state
agency projects, “She talks
the talk of representing the
people of Oregon, but her
bottom line is deregulating
business and land at the
expense of working peo-
ple, neighborhoods and the
environment while placat-
ing the country club set.”
Besides her ex-
tremely progressive voting
records, Tina Kotek is the
person most responsible
for making it legal to camp
in any public space in Or-
egon, apparently includ-
ing sidewalks, subjecting
Oregonians to sidewalks
covered in tents, garbage,
drug paraphernalia, hu-
man waste and filth, drug
addicts openly using their
drugs, puking on them-
selves, passed out asleep
on the sidewalks and door-
ways to businesses, etc.,
and subjecting unsuspect-
ing passers-by to random,
unprovoked and violent
attacks. As for the plan or
platform she has for Ore-
gon, I have only heard her
say she wants to be Ore-
gon’s first full lesbian gov-
ernor. While that my be a
feather in her cap, I fail to
see how that helps Oregon
or Oregonians.
That leaves us
with Republican candi-
date Christine Drazan. I
had the distinct pleasure of
meeting her while she was
her in Heppner at an event
hosted by the Morrow
County Republicans. Lis-
tening to her speak, I was
amazed at her well thought
out plan for Oregon. It is
bold, thorough, and touch-
es on so many problems
created by Oregon’s self-
ish, tone deaf leadership
and plaguing the every day
lives of Oregonians. Meet-
ing and speaking with her,
I found her to be down to
earth, genuine and sincere
in her hopes, plans and
goals for Oregon and our
people. She answered ev-
eryone’s questions direct-
ly, honestly and passion-
ately. I noticed a decidedly
refreshing difference be-
tween her and others, past
and present, campaigning
for Oregon’s highest of-
fice. Not only did she listen
to and hear our questions
and concerns, her attitude
is not the “I, I, I, me, me,
me” of the arrogant and
ambitious. Rather, she is
humble, approachable, and
“we” minded; grounded in
the knowledge of who she
wants to work for . . .Ore-
gonians, all of us. I would
not, however, underes-
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 28, 2022 -- THREE
timate her. To read her
As your next gov- represents
everything
kindness and friendliness ernor, I will take deci- these ravenous wolves
as weak or unequal to the sive action to address our detest. First, the primary
mountainous task ahead of state’s out-of-control cost Trump supporters must be
her as Governor would be of living to help Oregon taken down by the FBI and
a mistake. But, hey, don’t families.” -Christine Dra- the DOJ with the unques-
take my work for it. . .lis- zan
tioned support of the press
ten to some of her own
Christine Drazan and media. Their homes
words:
is the responsible choice must broken into and pos-
*Regarding home- to fix what folks like Bet- sessions confiscated and
lessness: “Homelessness sy Johnson and Tina Kotek otherwise intimidated as is
should be rare and tempo- have done to Oregon, happening every day.
rary.”
which used to be such a
These wolves in sheep’s
*Regarding the es- beautiful part of our great clothing see the Ameri-
calating crime rate: “Our nation. Don’t take my can people as their great-
brave men and women word for it, do your own est threat. The wolves in
need all the resources to research. Voting is such a the press and media have
protect us. I will increase big responsibility and pa- painted White and Un-
funding to put more cops triotic duty. It’s important cle Tom Black, patriotic,
on the street and end the to know who you’re hiring Christian,
unapologetic
lawlessness in Portland.”
for the job. I have provided American men as enemies
*Regarding Cap several sources to help you of the coming ‘woke’ State
and Trade: She led the begin..
of Mexico, Canada and
walkout to stop Cap and
“True ignorance is America. These ‘woke’
Trade. As governor she’ll not the absence of knowl- controlled American gov-
“end Kate Brown’s Cap edge, but the refusal to ac- ernment institutions are
and Trade executive or- quire it.”-Karl Popper
arming up. “One hundred
der.”
three executive agencies
*Regarding ram-
outside of the Department
pant drug use and abuse:
of defense spent $2.7 bil-
“measure 110, which de-
lion on guns, ammunition
criminalized hard drugs in
and military style equip-
Oregon, has been a com- To the Editor:
ment between 2005 and
“Beware of false proph- 2019.” (The Philadelphia
plete policy failure. We can
and should be investing ets which come to you in Trumpet, p. 19, 10/22) In
in addition recovery pro- sheep’s clothing, but in- contrast the number of
grams, but I believe we can wardly they are ravening state and local law enforce-
do that without enabling a wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) ment officers has declined
culture of drug abuse to Wolves are something we by almost 15% during the
persist on our streets.” Ad- understand in Eastern Or- same time period. (op.cit.
ditionally on this measure, egon. A ravening wolf is Phil. Trumpet)
which was passed by vot- ferociously hungry, fierce
Jesus well said, beware
ers at a mere 58 percent, and brutal. Wolves oper- of wolves dressed as sheep
she said she “will revisit it ate in packs. They usually and watch their deeds not
and bring it back to voters attack the most vulnerable their words. The fruit of
to include punishments/ of their prey, however they these wolves is repre-
fines up to $1,000 and/or will go after the most pow- sented by the Dow Jones
a rehab program.” (Under erful to teach their young Stock Market losing 7000
the current policy the fine how to kill. Wolves pros- points since January this
is $100.00 or an assess- per most when they have year with hardly a negative
ment at a rehab facility, human benefactors that word regarding the current
however, program funding remove the boundaries that Administration.
constrain them.
has yet to materialize.)
These wolves are cow-
Wolves are most danger- ards individually, brave
*Regarding edu-
cational failures: “Demo- ous when they are clothed hearts only in their pack. I
crats under Kate Brown, in positive vestiges. Jesus exhort Americans that love
Tina Kotek, Betsy John- warned you would know our country, love God,
son, etc., shut our schools them by their fruit. Jesus is love our way of life, love
down without any idea warning about wolves that our heritage (good with the
how it would affect stu- appeared to be your bene- bad), to keep the faith and
dents. Furthermore, our factor, your friend, your never give in, never give
state was one of the last to representative, your min- up. The only true God of
re-open. They failed our ister, your governor, but our Fathers is for us, not
kids. We can’t trust them inwardly they are a fierce against us. We shall prevail
threat to your life and the by our faith, because it is
to lead our state.”
*Regarding Bet- lives of your loved ones.
our God ordained destiny.
In America today we have (s)Stuart Dick,
sy Johnson’s car accident:
“This is clear abuse of leg- removed the constraints Irrigon
islative immunity. No one that kept the wolves at
should be above account- bay. In the 1960’s the Su-
ability or above the law, preme Court removed the
especially those in power. Bible, prayer and the Ten
Oregonians are tired of Commandments from our
self-serving
politicians. schools and our govern- To the Editor:
We deserve leaders who ment. Today the final con- The collective exhale we
follow the law and tell the straints of the Constitution all heard Sunday morn-
and the Bill of Rights have ing as horse trailers, RVs
truth.”
*Regarding infla- been severely undermined. and vendors headed out of
tion: “We have and extra The wolves have formed town officially signaled the
layer of inflation in Ore- a dangerous and raven- completion of the 112th
gon thanks to the policies ous pack that not only at- Pendleton Roundup. A
passed by Kate Brown, tacks the most vulnerable tip of the hat to countless
Tina Kotek and Betsy but now brazenly attacks volunteers and the entire
Johnson.
Unfortunately the most powerful. These Roundup board for another
all signs seem to point to wolves can be known by wonderful event. Roundup
things getting worse before their fruit and can be iden- is truly an eastern Oregon
tified by what they control. classic.
they get better.
Make no mistake, These wolves, by pretend- While another successful
if I were in the Governor’s ing to be Americans, have Roundup is now in the
office today, every pos- taken control of the gov- rearview mirror, activity
sible option for address- ernment. The wolf pack is increasing here at Blue
Community
ing inflation and the cost can be identified as pro- Mountain
of living would be on the gressive Socialist global- College. This week we
table. I won’t sit idly by ist Democrats and RINO welcomed faculty back to
while Oregonians continue Republicans that control campus on Monday with
to suffer the consequences the FBI, CIA, DOJ, House the first in-person preser-
of poor policy decisions. Representatives, Senate, vice event in several years.
Pay raises for the political- most Circuit and Federal Tuesday BMCC staff and
ly powerful (see: “Oregon Courts, our school system faculty greeted students
State workers to get earlier and higher education. The with our signature event:
raises, bonuses,” on ore- wolves ravenous behavior Welcome to the Pack.
gonlive.com) yet nothing has been shielded from Welcome to the Pack helps
for everyday Oregonians. the American people by students navigate their
No help for our seniors on their control of the media, way through all those first
fixed incomes. No help for press, Facebook, Amazon, jitters; finding the build-
working families strug- and entertainment indus- ing where their classes are
gling to keep up with $5- try. These same wolves to be held, clearing regis-
plus per gallon gas prices own and control CNN, trations, learning all the
and grocery bills that have ABC, NBC, ABC, TIME, ways they are supported
sky-rocketed: with re- NEWSWEEK, (and much through advising, tutoring,
cord inflation, all options more) and virtually all ma- financial aid, scholarships,
club and athletic activities
should be on the table. jor newspapers.
One day these wolves and more. My thanks to all
That includes:
*Repealing
the will take off their sheep’s who worked so diligently
low-carbon fuel standard. clothing, but only if and to make this event a grand
when they have taken over success.
*Gas tax relief.
*Suspending the America and much of the On the topic of success,
gross receipts tax that is world. First they must take BMCC is moving forward
adding an extra layer of in- down those that still love with several successes in
America, love God, love our quest to continuously
flation.
*Moratorium on our heritage, way of life, improve the way we serve
new regulations/taxes that our freedom and liberty. students and our commu-
have the potential to fur- That is why Donald Trump nities. We recently held a
must be destroyed. Trump -Continued to PAGE Eight
ther drive up process.
False
profits
come in sheep’s
clothing
Success is all
around us