Saturday June 7th was our first political parade. We had a lot of fun, met a lot of people and got sore from running back and forth across the street and trying to catch up with the float. Luckily I was in fairly good shape since I have knocked on almost 2000 doors which, as you might imagine, requires some walking.

As we handed out literature about our campaign I was struck by hearing several times from those few who declined to accept our material…”wrong party”.

So, were those individuals saying they are from the “wrong” party or I am from the “wrong” party? What constitutes a “wrong “party? Aren’t we all Oregonians? Are there “wrong” Oregonians?

As I knock on our neighbors doors and talk about how we can make things better in our communities I also hand out a piece of literature that talks about our campaign. As I am telling about the fact that I am a commercial fisherman who has had enough and am going to go take care of our business myself, I watch as some scan one side then the other of the literature, then back and finally say, “what party?”.

There is a reason I did not put a party affiliation on any of my literature. There is a reason why I don’t introduce myself as a member of a party. It is simply this: I am fed up with partisan politics. We have serious problems and they require our best efforts so I want people to give themselves a chance to hear what I have to say before they pigeon hole me. I vow to continue to try to avoid those catch phrases and buzzwords that we tend to stereotype one another by so that we can think beyond the wedge issues and get down to the important business of “We The People”.

Knocking on our neighbors doors is a fascinating, educational and sometimes heartbreaking experience.

The other day I met a woman who has had 30 brain surgeries over the course of 6 years whose life is consumed with pain and worry. I have met an author (who wishes to remain anonymous) who was just finishing his 6^th book when I knocked on his door. I have met educators who have trembled with frustration over the injustices they see in the education system and I’ve sat with a mother while she cried over the prospect of her son going to Iraq the following week and maybe never returning to see the unborn baby his fiancée carries.

Daily I am fascinated by the incredible amount of talent behind our neighbors doors; Decades of experience in every trade there is; nuclear engineers and renewable energy pioneers; Authors, artists and loggers with new ideas for how to do things; proud mothers of daughters and sons who have made the most of the decades of savings that were spent to send them to college.

And then there is the frustration. People frustrated by the lack of common sense exhibited by their leaders; Frustration with rules, regulations and laws that contradict each other and common sense. I meet people who have been inspired to vote for the first time ever, or in years, and I’ve met those who have given up in exasperation vowing never to vote again.

The most memorable and personally inspiring new voters were a twenty-something couple in Gold Beach who asked if I would help them register. When I came back the next day with registration cards (I had given out all I had) they had invited friends over to talk with me about politics, registering and voting. Their engagement, hope and trust were humbling. Experiences like those strengthen my resolve to do whatever I can to make things better in our community for them and all of us.

We are still looking for a new campaign manager. There has been some confusion regarding Katie's role in the campaign. Katie is an intern working for the campaign as an assistant to the yet-to-be-hired new campaign manager. We are accepting resumes by email at rickg@ari1.com

In other news: we wil be in the Coquille Gay 90's Parade this weekend. We will also have a camapign table inside the community center. Please drop by and say hello. Bring a friend!

I was completely wrong on the spelling of Katies (that is the right way) name. So, for the record it is spelled Katie Ericson.

 A lot has happened since the last posting. Our Office warming party was somewhat more than warm. It was in the mid 90's outside and considerably hotter inside. Even so about 15 people came by to chat and sweat. Thanks to all who helped and attended. That's the good news.

The not-so-good news is that our campiagn manager, Christy, has moved to Seattle to take care of her father. He was struck suddenly with debilitating cancer and Christy must attend to him. His prognoisis is not good and Christy is the only family member available to help him through this time. Thank you, Christy, for all of your hard work and dedication. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad.

Yesterday we brought an intern onboard who Christy had found before her dad became ill. Her name is Katy Erickson. she comes from the Obama campaign. She says her first memory of a political thought was at the age of 7 when she was "glued the TV watching the coverage of the Kansas City bombing and wondering who did what and why". Katy is "fullfilling a dream" to be working in politics and I'm sure she will be a real asset to the team. She will be in the office from 1pm till 4 pm most days. Call and welcome her at the office number 396-5530.

More big news is that the Coos Dems voted on the 20th to contribute $1000 per month to our campaign for common sense for the next five months! Thank you Coos Dems! This will pay for Tee shirts, signs and a banner that we will be wearing/walking with in the Gay 90's parade.

I will be attending the Azalea festival this weekend, trying to stay dry, and talking with the people there.

Rick