July 4th

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Welcome to Sherwood

David Wu hosted a town hall at the Sherwood Police station tonight. He did not have a supportive audience. But I have good news: he's not for amnesty... he's just for allowing people who came here illegaly to become citizens.

I was an early call-on to ask a question and when I began on the amnesty issue one of Wu's approximately four supporters starting screaming at me about how "I won't work in the fields." And I mean screaming.

It was the only time the Mayor had to step in to tell people they would be asked to leave if they were disruptive.

It was downhill from there: "Why didn't you read the cap and trade bill?" "We don't want government taking over health care." We are sick of your spending and sick of your taxes."

Video to follow...

We can breathe easier

From OFF:

Late last night, the Oregon legislature adjourned "sine die." "Sine die" is Latin for "let's take a few months off and then come back and raise whatever taxes and fees we overlooked since January."

Those Latins were very efficient with language.

This session is over. In normal times, Oregonians would not have to fear for a greater loss of money and liberty until 2011, but the days of our bi-annual session seem to be almost certainly, just a happy memory. The legislators will be returning to the Capitol in February.

No one is safe

Oregon Senate puts illegal workers, bosses on notice
Lawmakers are set to crack down on businesses that hire illegal workers, don't pay taxes, or otherwise make it harder for law-abiding employers to compete.

The Senate, in a marathon afternoon session on Monday, approved House Bill 2815, which requires the departments of justice, revenue, employment, and other agencies to work together to track businesses that pay employees in cash.

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, said that investment should bring in an estimated $7 million this biennium in increased income, unemployment, and workers' compensation taxes.

Getting between The State and "it's money" is like standing between a mother bear and it's cubs. At this point your protected class status evaporates as the voracious appetite of the legislature will throw anyone and everyone under the bus to get another nickel.

Now we meddle... on the wrong side

Honduras Defends Its Democracy
Hugo Chávez's coalition-building efforts suffered a setback yesterday when the Honduran military sent its president packing for abusing the nation's constitution.

It seems that President Mel Zelaya miscalculated when he tried to emulate the success of his good friend Hugo in reshaping the Honduran Constitution to his liking.

But Honduras is not out of the Venezuelan woods yet. Yesterday the Central American country was being pressured to restore the authoritarian Mr. Zelaya by the likes of Fidel Castro, Daniel Ortega, Hillary Clinton and, of course, Hugo himself.

I have been watching this story over the weekend with absolute incredulity at the reporting by the mainstream press and the response from Obama and Hillary.

It seems that wherever the enemies of liberty rear their ugly heads our American liberals will stand in support of them.

When in Rome

In accordance with this 24 hour news cycle I'm only allowed to talk about Michael Jackson...

We can ignore the whole cap and tax vote going on today. The largest tax increase on the entire population of the United States just isn't as newsworthy as Michael Jackson.

Giving government the ability to control energy consumption, which all individuals and industry is involved with, isn't as important as Michael Jackson.

A sweeping change in American policy that is outside the constraints set up by our founding documents should not be discussed. Talk about Michael Jackson.

Just beat it.

If it was so popular it would have already happened

Obama Moves to Push Immigration Reform Back into the Spotlight
President Obama is trying to put immigration reform back on the front burner as he plans a meeting with advocacy groups and key lawmakers this month and pledges his commitment to a fair and practical solution.

A key argument for Republicans to get on board with immigration reform is the Hispanic vote. Former President George Bush was competitive with John Kerry in 2004, but Latino voters supported Barack Obama by a wide margin over John McCain in 2008.

Remember when the key argument was "is this the right thing for America?" Now it's "can this demographic keep me in power?"

Poll question: Do you want something done about the 12 million (ha!) illegal aliens in this country?

If you said yes they probably put you in the "support amnesty" results.

But logic says that if amnesty really was supported by a majority of Americans we would already have seen it pass since the politicians all want it. The only thing that holds them back is fear of the voters. We stopped it before and we will stop it again.

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater

Love Endures, But Green Cards In Doubt For Immigrant Widows
A different sort of immigration rally is happenined on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Tuesday morning.

It's organized by a Portland lawyer and a cohort of unlucky widows and in-laws. They're chipping away as what has come to be known as the “widow penalty.”

Who can resist a love story? This one begins in a club near a U.S. Army post in Korea. Rosalie Scrabeck had just started working there as a bartender and hostess when a certain soldier caught her eye.

She's describing infantry Sgt. Derek Scrabeck. He hailed from the small Willamette Valley town of Dallas, Oregon. Rosalie is a citizen of the Philippines. Soon they were dating.

To make a long story short, they were married at the American Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. The couple moved to Oregon in December 2007.

The U.S. requires a two-year waiting period before an immigrant spouse can receive permanent residency. That's to weed out sham marriages.

In this case, tragedy struck 20 months into the marriage. Derek drowned when the small fishing boat he was riding in capsized along the Oregon Coast.

The Filipina discovered she was deportable because she's technically no longer married to an American.

It must be incredibly frustraing for the "60 to 70 other such cases in the western U.S." to be told they can be deported this way while watching people who broke the law from the begining being treated like victims.

I've heard of other stories where a legal immigrant makes a mistake on a document and is subsequently deported.

The difference here is intent. Rosalie did not come here illegaly, she intended to make America her home with her American soldier husband. She is an immigrant that we welcome and in this case she is the victim.

Rosalie is not currently breaking our laws by working illegaly and the law should be changed to allow her a green card as she is a true immigrant to the United States, not some greedy lawbreaker who doesn't consider this his or her true home.

The progressive agency

Bilingual Spanish S.H.I.B.A. Field Officer
$42,564 - $62,244 ANNUALLY

The Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) is a progressive business regulatory state agency dedicated to the mission of protecting consumers and workers in the State of Oregon.

The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) recruits, trains and manages a statewide volunteer counseling network to help senior citizens in: Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Supplement, Long-Term Care Insurance, and other types of health insurance such as Medicare Advantage and Stand-a-lone Prescription Drug Plans.

The successful bilingual Spanish speaking candidate will earn 5% more than the salary listed on this announcement.

When the going gets tough the tough start hiring Spanish translators to sign people up for government programs. I guess that's what makes DCBS so progressive...