Shades of Green

By Joe Keating

Editor’s Note: The Portland Alliance does not endorse candidates. The following column by Joe Keating is printed for the purpose of educating our readers. Other candidates for governor will be offered the same opportunity to explain why they are running in the coming months.

For 18 years I have been a hands-on progressive activist fighting to make Oregon a better place. A place that protects and enhances its people and its environment. During this period we have suffered from political and moral gridlock at the hands of Democrats and the Republicans who are both controlled by Big Business. At no time in my experience have things been darker. I believe that finally people are fed up with bad government and are ready for change. In my experience the outrage level of our citizens has never been higher.

It is against this reality that I have decided to seek the Pacific Green Party’s nomination for Governor.

To me, good government means creating an atmosphere where people are placed first — ahead of the money interests of a few. It means respecting and protecting the wonderful natural resources that have been given to Oregon. It means redefining our priorities. It means earning the respect of Oregonians by clear and creative deeds.

The inability of the state to generate adequate funds to operate in a manner that protects our people and our natural resources is a huge knot that hangs over us. I more than understand the reluctance of Oregonians to support new taxes when they see their present taxes so mismanaged. So do we grind to a halt while our education and health care systems rot? The answer is No. We creatively look at generating more state revenues with a minimum of financial impact on our citizens.

Oregon is a jewel whose natural environment is undervalued. People from all over the world come here to enjoy our air, our water, our beaches, our deserts, our forests, our mountains. They come here to enjoy the vitality of our people.

During the course of the campaign we will be unveiling fresh approaches to take economic advantage of our state assets. We will provide a new economic model which will, for a start, re-evaluate the use of state tax credits, corporate tax equity, industrial zones for light industry, legalization of industrial hemp, the bloated prison system, the Oregon Investment Committee, and the creation of a rainy day fund. Once you step back and get your creative juices working there are lots of economic tools to break the revenue gridlock and bring the state back into balance.

We will have a spirited, highly visible, action-based, statewide campaign. We have made arrangements with the good folks at Back 2 the Wall to rent the bus named COOL. Our campaign crew is high-spirited and talented. We will campaign hard on economic vitality, the environment, peace, labor, education, social justice, the Oregon Health Plan, land use, and corporate charter reform.

When I arrived in Oregon 18 years ago, I came with determination to put my shoulder to the wheel and help keep Oregon a place filled with wonder for all of us. It is with that same determination that I now run for governor.

For more information or for issues that you would like to see discussed in this column, please contact Joe Keats at keats@aracnet.com.