Commentary
Betsy Johnson, Guns and TEDx
by Julio Castilleja Betsy Johnson is likely to be an Independent candidate for Oregon governor this November. Over the weekend, she made a surprise appearance in front of the crowd at TEDx in Portland, and, when pressed on gun reform by the audience, said that “the style of the gun doesn’t dictate the legality.” She said this…
Read More >What’s what in our government…. Ranked Choice Voting Explored
Let’s get smarter about different voting methods like Ranked Choice by Dannelle D. Stevens – Election Integrity Study Group MultDems may have heard rumors that we need to change our voting methods. Other cities like Ann Arbor, Michigan, San Francisco and 29 others RankedChoiceVotingCities2021 opted in for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Why would any city…
Read More >Disability Voices: Use the Podium to Get Your Message Across
by Ed Carter, AbleFutures.org As a person with a disability, you’re probably used to advocating for yourself. But, there are many others who do not or cannot do the same. If you’re looking to use your voice to make the world (or even just your community) a more equal playing field, then consider running for…
Read More >What’s what in our government… Let’s get smarter about the Oregon legislature and its short sessions
by Dannelle D. Stevens, Election Integrity Study Group Given the old idea that Oregon is a small state and does not need a full-time legislature, our state legislature does not meet full time. This worked when Oregon was simply a farming and logging state. Oregon is very different now. Yet, over two years, the state…
Read More >What’s What in Our Government? Let’s Get Smarter about Portland, Oregon
Contributed by Dannelle D. Stevens, Chair of the Election Integrity Platform Sub-committee Portland used to be called “the city that works”. Now, it doesn’t seem to work! What can YOU do about it? A lot! First, note that a citizen-oversight group is working on making a difference and has the power to make a big difference! The…
Read More >Democrats and the Oregon Economy in a Changing Climate
The longer we delay, the more climate change adaptation and mitigation will cost. Taking the wrong actions today could also increase costs; increasing energy prices would hurt the pocketbooks of Oregonians and reduce the competitiveness of Oregon businesses in the global marketplace.
Read More >A brief history of the racial culture in Oregon and why Juneteenth matters
Today, Oregon is known as one of the most broad-minded states in the country. It has consistently for years been placed in polls as one of the top 10 most liberal states to live in. Portland, the state’s largest city, has hosted the most continuous Black Lives Matter protest in the nation. It is…
Read More >MARCH Digest: Strengthening Democracy
This month, in honor of the leadership of the women who have brought us to this point, it’s time we move strongly to fulfill the promise of democracy by undoing the recent anti-democratic shifts and by passing laws that strengthen our democracy. The March Digest is dedicated to the women who brought us to this point of pushing back authoritarianism by focusing on how we now move forward to strengthen democracy. We have worked too hard and come too far to rest now just shy of the goal of truly protecting democracy for future generations.
Read More >Reparations Resolution FAQ
On Thursday, June 9, 2020, the precinct committee persons (PCPs) of Multnomah Democrats will vote on Resolution 2020-13 The Debt: the Case for Reparations. The resolution’s primary author, Quinton Blanton, provided this FAQ for PCPs to read in advance of the vote. What is the purpose of a reparations program? In the book From Here…
Read More >Reflections on Pride 2020
By Rachelle Dixon and Eric Delehoy On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a neighborhood gay bay in New York City. They harassed and brutalized patrons, as they always had. But this time, patrons had had enough. Marsha P. Johnson, a Black Trans Woman, and Sylvia Rivera, a Latina Trans Woman, led patrons…
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