Welcome To Our Campaign For Common Sense

 As Robin and I consider whether or not we will run again we want you to remember some things

We need to be the change we want to see in the world. I know our lives are full and time is precious but if we are to make things better where we live it is up to us. And I know that after so many years of near hopelessness it is tempting to give a sigh of relief and let the new administration "take care of things". But neither Obama or any other leader or administration can be expected to fix our problems. Ultimately we are responsible for our future and our participation is essential to building that future. So, what can we do?

• Get your news from more than one source
• Look deeper than the headlines
• If you disagree with what your representatives are doing call them and tell them so and why
• Don't just offer criticism, offer solutions
• Go to at least one local government or constructive meeting a month
• Commit to getting involved. For example I just agreed to sit on the Board of the Coos Watershed Assoc. Call your local Watershed Association and ask them if there is a position open. The time commitment is usually no more than an hour per month so it is a "big bang" for your time spent.
• Attend your political parties monthly meetings. It will help you understand the way the system works (or doesn't) and many times there are timely issues of discussion you can learn more about
• Remember that knowledge is power and propaganda is the "anti-knowledge"

Thank you all for your encouragement to run again and know we are carefully considering what we will do. In any event I will be doing what I can. Please join me.

And remember:

As your representative I will work for common sense solutions to our common problems because I believe in some basic similarities we share: A belief in a power greater than ourselves; The love, care and concern for our families; and a hope that we can leave things better than we found them so the future looks brighter to those who follow.

In order to build a brighter future we need a solid foundation. The four cornerstones in the foundation of our future are education, jobs, natural resources and health care.

When elected I will work for improved educational opportunities especially in the area of vocational education because some of our kids don't want to go to college and some of them can't afford it.

I will work to create more small business, family-wage jobs and more stability in those we already have because they are the backbone of our economy.

I will work to ensure thoughtful, conservative access to our shared, natural resources because they are the heart of our economy.

And I will work to guarantee the availability and the affordability of health care for all Oregonians because a medical disaster should not have to turn into a financial disaster.

I believe that focusing on our similarities should shape policy. I believe that focusing on those similarities should define the issues. And I believe that by focusing on the basic similarities we all share we can reconcile what differences we have so together we can build a brighter future.

I look forward to seeing you on the road to that brighter future.

Rick