The Governor’s “reset” of government will take more of your money and freedom.

The Governor’s “reset” of government will take more of your money and freedom.

The Oregonian story today about the Governor’s invisibility because he is supposedly hunkered down preparing a plan to radically remake state government has an ominous tone and frankly is mimicking much of what President Obama has been saying for months. Essentially, less freedom and more taxes.

Now, you all know I have a great personal affection and respect for the Governor because of my work with him in supporting our troops, but you also know I strongly disagree with him on most policy issues.

Having said that, the Governor is not known for taking radical positions or pushing the envelope ( a little pilot lingo for you folks). To his credit, he did go strongly against the public employee unions and joined us Republicans in the legislature in 2003 in radically restructuring PERS, costing him much grief in his primary re election bid. But, that is not the norm for this Governor and frankly he learned his lesson with the unions and has sense given them virtually whatever they want.

So, it isn’t a stretch to reach the conclusion that his idea of “resetting” state government will be anything like what he should be doing in being the leader of our state during difficult times. What is that you ask?

He should be radically restructuring government to do more with less, which is being done around the world, in other states and right here in Oregon.

The Oregonian columnist Steve Duin, not a conservative by any definition, wrote a great column  on Sunday http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf?/base/news/1238808326132600.xml&coll=7 pointing out a working example of just such a successful concept being employed in Jackson County Oregon. Government employment has shrunk  by 18%, money is flowing into a rainy day fund, the county budget has been reduced by 36% and service has increased to citizens!

This example should be what the Governor truly considers, rather than what is reported that he will be advancing in raising our taxes by changing the will of the people with elimination of property tax limitation and overturning keeping dangerous criminals in prison.

Governor Ted has an incredible opportunity to lead here by introducing radical ideas that allow government to do more with less. I hope he does just that and we intend to help him along with 17 tea parties on April 15. Join us wont you? www.oregonteaparty.com