Oregon Elephant

Wu's Whoppers, today's version

The setup:

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/or01_wu/pr100810edufunds.html

In the above-linked release, David Wu claims credit for his vote on H.R. 1586, which basically backstopped state budget shortfalls with federal (i.e. taxpayer) money. 

This was done by changing the tax rules for multinational corporations, reducing their tax credits for foreign taxes paid.

Wu's words:

“Today Congress is helping fill in the budget hole that states like Oregon are facing so that we can keep teachers in schools, firefighters in firehouses, and cops on the beat.

“Thanks to this bill, 2,000 Oregon teachers will be able to stay in our schools—which means that 2,000 families will also be able to keep food on the table and continue to be a productive part of our economy.

“And on top of that, the bill’s funding for Medicaid fulfills our moral duty to assist with health care for the poor.

“This bill is about doing the right thing—and it’s about jobs in Oregon and America.

“The icing on the cake is that we’re not adding a penny to the deficit because we’re paying for these programs by closing a tax loophole for corporations moving jobs overseas.”

Wu's whopper:

1. The states in the most trouble will get the most money.  So, states like California (which has run itself into the ground in an almost epic way) will get lots of federal money, whereas states that have run their economies well (such as Utah) will get very little assistance.  In other words, it is Darwinian in the reverse...survival of the least fit.
2. Wu says it is about "doing the right thing".  Would the right thing not include accountability?  Where is the assurance that the state government will manage this money any better than they have already managed their economy?  Oregon was in trouble even before the economy fell off a cliff - the truth is this giveaway is like giving gasoline to a pyromaniac.
3. Wu says that "we are paying for these programs by closing a tax loophole for corporations moving jobs overseas."  This is a lie.  A company that pays foreign taxes will have its taxes increased.  It has nothing to do with moving jobs overseas.  For example, if Intel has a business in France, and sells products there, and hires French employees, it would stand to reason they would pay French taxes on that income.  It used to be that a corpoation got a tax credit for foreign taxes paid...this has been significantly reduced  With the economy the way it is, this will certainly hurt large companies.

Work for a large company?  Know anyone who does?  You are now more likely to get laid off, thanks to David Wu.

Former Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh running a radio ad supporting Dudley, criticizing Kitzhaber

The Oregonian is running an ad covering the new radio ad by Chris Dudley, with former Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh (who was known as a moderate) supporting Chris Dudley and attacking John Kitzhaber as “part of the Salem establishment”.

The Kitzhaber campaign of course referred to it as a “negative ad”, but it’s actually pretty tame as political ads go, and I think sets the right tone for a former Governor…earnest, to the point, critical without being mean-spirited.

Listen to the ad here.

You can read more about Vic Atiyeh here.

Galizio resigning...let's get busy for 2010!

The Oregonian is reporting that State Rep. Larry Galizio is stepping down to take an education position working for the Governor.  As he's my representative, I am fairly familiar with him.

He was a strong campaigner, and the Tigard district is fairly conservative (by Oregon standards).  We should start right away in trying to recruit a good candidate to run in 2010.

Wu manipulates audience selection (probably)…survives PDX townhall (barely)

Well, David Wu’s Portland town hall meeting at Good Samaritan Hospital is over.  I didn’t make it, but from the report in the Oregonian, it sounds like it went much like the meeting last night in McMinnville.  Clearly, Wu wasn’t about to risk meeting with all his constituents, as attendees were given numbers, and questioners were “randomly” (you can raise your eyebrows and snicker here) selected to be able to ask questions.  Here’s a snippet from the article describing the process:

It helped that a sizable share of Wu's audiences Monday and Tuesday, both exceeding 125 people, appeared to support Democratic health care reform legislation. It also helped that Wu and his staff kept tight control over the proceedings.

Hundreds couldn't even get inside. Those who lined up early enough to gain admittance were handed numbers, and only those whose numbers were drawn could speak. No follow-up questions were allowed, and Wu wisely avoided remaining engaged with several who ignored that rule.

It’s quite a contrast to see the anger and apprehension at these town halls, and compare them to the President’s “town hall meeting” (snickers again) today.  It was clear Obama wasn’t going to risk anything so messy as a challenging question.  That audience appeared as “scrubbed” as a hospital floor.

Listened to some of David Wu's town hall on the radio today...wow.

So, I was listening...and I was tuned in long enough to hear him berating a SIXTEEN year old, asking him if he'd been paid, bused in, etc....wow. 

Just wow.

Ooops...the townhall is PDX is tomorrow, not today.

My mistake...

David Wu townhall meeting today...be there!

I'm going to Congressman David Wu's townhall meeting today in Portland at noon.  Here is the info:

August 11, 12:00-1:00
Good Samaritan Hospital, Building 2 Auditorium; 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland

Be there to ask the tough questions!  Be respectful and not disruptive, but defintiely make your voice heard!

Michael Steele’s trip to Oregon – how about a free event?

So, Michael Steele is coming to Oregon March 12, which I think is an awesome opportunity to build interest and enthusiasm concerning the party.  He’ll be doing a fundraiser dinner to raise money for the party here in Oregon, which is entirely appropriate.

However, what about some kind of an event for people who might not have the money for a fundraiser but might be interested in listening to a national party spokesman?  Also, it would seem this would be a great chance to expose the Republican party to independents or independent-minded Democrats who would be inclined to come listen to Chairman Steele, but aren’t necessarily prepared to contribute – at least not yet.

I think a free event where local Republicans are encouraged to bring a friend to hear Steele speak could be a great opportunity.

Oregon House votes that teachers can keep their junk food vending machines (for now...)

This from the Oregonian...

SALEM -- The sponsor began the debate declaring it a "dumb bill," but the Oregon House still spent the better part of a half hour Thursday debating whether teachers should be able to buy sugary sodas or big candy bars from the vending machine in the school employee lounge.

The vote was close, 33-26, in support of House Bill 2419. It seeks to exempt employee areas from a law restricting the sale of junk foods at Oregon schools.

I'm overcome with two thoughts...

• I'm glad they voted the way they did
• Amazed that it was such a close vote (maybe I sholdn't be, given the political climate)
• Why in the world does this even need to be brought up?  Enforcing dietary standards on teachers?  Sheesh.

Former WA Gov. Gary Locke to Commerce - should be good for free trade

As a recent transplant to the Great Northwest, I'm not too familiar with him, but:

• The Oregonian says he'll be good for trade and good for the Northwest
  
  
• Politico says some of the work he did for China might make things difficult
  
  
• and here's a look back at Locke delivering the Democratic response to Bush's State of the Union in 2003