Oregon's Democrats
by Miguel Martinez Jr.

One of the most Pacific states of the United States is Oregon which is popularly known as the Beaver State because, during the 19th century, thousands of these small animals were trapped and their pelts made into beaver hats.  Little is known about the origin of the name "Oregon", which was first applied to what is now the Columbia River and then to its valley, but some authorities believe the name may have come from the French word ouragan, "hurricane".            Oregon's boundaries are Washington to the north, Idaho to the east, Nevada and California to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.  The two striking physical features of Oregon are the Cascade Mountains, which divide western from central and eastern Oregon, and the Columbia River, which unites these regions.  The capital of Oregon is Salem but its largest city is Portland and within the state there are 36 counties.  The state of Oregon has an estimated population of 3,204,000 ( 90.8% white, 1.6% African American, 2.4% Asian, 1.3% American Indian, and 4% Hispanic ).  It has 5 representatives and 7 electoral votes. Oregon gained statehood on February 14, 1859 and became the 33rd state.            Oregon is an experimental commonwealth and laboratory of reform and a maker of national trends.  Oregon is an affluent high tech civilization where one can still see much the same land and water that Lewis and Clark saw in 1805 when they came down the Columbia River gorge, past what is now Portland.  Today's Oregon is more confident it can live comfortably with growth.  In the 1990's it has been the nation's ninth fastest growing state, adding nearly 400,000 new residents.              Founded by New England churchmen, Oregon today is America's most unchurched state, with the lowest rate of church membership, with large numbers of believers in astrology and New Age lore.  Oregon a generation ago produced one of the first bottle deposit law, decriminalized marijuana, legalized most abortions before Roe v. Wade, and backed limits on development and use of property.  Most recently, it has produced an Oregon Health Plan which rations medical care, denying specialized low priority treatments to medical recipients, and in 1994 adopted a measure legalizing physician-assisted suicide.  A gun control law was passed banning semi-automatic weapons, and weekly betting on professional sports games was legalized.  More recently Oregon seems to be moving a bit in the other direction.  Voters in 1996 rejected an expansion of the bottle bill and bonds for Portland's light rail, and while Democrats hold most high offices here, Republicans control both houses of the state legislature.            Back in the 1960's this state showed only the mildest of regional variations in partisan preference, disposed to support articulate moderate Republicans, like its two long term senators, Mark Hatfield and Bob Packwood, first elected in 1966 and 1968, both now no longer in Congress.  But in the 1980's and the 1990's cultural splits have favored first Portland oriented Democrats and now rather conservative Republicans.  Presidentially Oregon has voted Democratic in the last three elections, but Bill Clinton's margin narrowed slightly.            Oregon was once the most Republican state in the West, voting for Thomas Dewey over Harry Truman in 1948, and recently it has been one of the most Democratic, voting for Michael Dukakis over George Bush in 1988.  It has voted twice for Bill Clinton by solid margins, although his percentage went down from 1992's 43% - 33% to 1996's 47% - 39%.  But it had large votes for Ross Perot and in 1996 they kept Clinton under the 50% mark.  The closeness of Oregon's two Senate contests in 1996 suggests neither party can take Oregon for granted in 2000.  Currently the Governor of Oregon is John Kitzhaber who's greatest achievement was by far the Oregon Health Plan.  Its strategy is to ration treatments in order to cover more people, using the medicaid system as a lever.  Blocked by the Bush administration, it went into effect in February 1994.            As Democrats, Oregon believes and states, " that in a representative democracy  'We the people' are the government".  Oregon therefore rejects the view that government is the enemy.  As Democrats, Oregon views government as a partner in their attempts to better themselves and their communities.              On this basis, Oregon therefore declared the following planks to be the platform of the Democratic Party of Oregon.  The education view of Oregon is that the right to a high quality public education, including higher education, is a fundamental principle of our society, should be accessible and available to all who choose to attend.  They support excellent public education that is adequately funded and available to all.             As for the rights of workers, Oregon supports the rights of workers to organize, to bargain collectively, to strike if necessary without the threat of permanent replacement, and to hold jobs that provide essential benefits and family wages.  They oppose "Right to Work-for-Less" initiatives and legislation.   Their view on public safety is that personal safety is a fundament al right.  They support a criminal justice system that protects the rights of victims and the accused.  Oregon supports effective rehabilitation programs and victim restitution when appropriate.  They also believe that economic opportunity, education and community involvement are key elements to preventing crime.              As for health care, Oregon believes all people should have access to affordable comprehensive and confidential health care that promotes wellness.  They believe abortion should be legal, safe and accessible, and that there should be strong support programs reducing unwanted pregnancies.  They stand by the belief that clinic personnel patients have an inalienable right to freedom from harassment, intimidation, and physical harm.  They also support programs which protect public and personal health and the rights of injured workers.             In the case of environment and natural resources they support a natural resource management program that provides for a sustainable economy and a healthy environment.  They support protecting, strengthening and enforcing Oregon's policies ensuring clean air and water, safe waste disposal policies, community recycling and land use planning.   In regards to human rights and justice, Oregon supports strong enforcement of current laws against discrimination and reject any attempts to limit protection from discrimination for any group.  Because the are sensitive to the diverse beliefs of their society, they support the historic constitutional separation of church and state.  Oregon also believes that they must work together to honor Indian treaty rights.               Their view on tax policy is that they support making Oregon's tax system more progressive by tax reforms that adjust the income tax rates, wider income tax brackets, and equalize the rates paid by corporations to those paid by individuals.  They  believe that their mix of taxes should provide adequate revenue to meet the State's commitment to quality education and to other essential services.  They also oppose a general retail sales tax.   Oregon's view on election laws, is that free and honest elections are essential to democracy.  Their society must ensure that elective office is available to all worthy candidates regardless of their personal wealth or that of their associates.  They support campaign finance reform that works towards this goal.  They also believe that the double majority election requirement is contrary to participatory democracy.               As for economic opportunity a healthy and sustainable economy is essential to Oregon.  They support diversity in Oregon's economy, policies that provide family wage jobs, access to child care, affordable housing, incentives to small business, and programs that promote a skilled and educated work force.              Oregon's view on family and community is that government has an obligation to be supportive of families and to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves.  This assistance must be designed to maximize individual dignity and independence, while encouraging initiative.  They support the continuation of social security in its present form and oppose privatizing this vital social insurance program.  They support a broad and diverse definition of  "family".             Last but not least, transportation, Oregon advocates a comprehensive, affordable and environmentally sound transportation plan that supports rail, light rail, air roads, and alternative transportation in Oregon and the United States.