A Reagan Barbecue!
Paulie Brading
Talk about wallowing in nostalgia, the Jackson County Republican women are inviting fellow Republicans to a Reagan Barbeque in September. This fund raiser invitation arrived on the heels of recently reading R. Teixerva, one of the top political demographers in the country who noted that the 'party of no' has a limited shelf life.
It is becoming more and more difficult to win with conservatism in Oregon. After the 2008 election the Democrats became the majority party in three out of four regions in the country; West, Midwest and the Northeast. Oregon became more Democratic, shifting from a 70,000 voter registration advantage to a 250,000 registration advantage.
Much has been written about the GOP, the party that refuses to change with the times while everything around them is changing. Oregon, like all states is less white. Nationally the minority population is currently 35.7% and is projected to be 56.2% in 2050 and will be the majority. The days of white privilege and injustice are continuong to slowly fade.
The GOP party is splitting with gimmick politics at play among the factions within their party. Oregon is moving on with a surge of younger voters, Latino voters, tolerant voters and with voters who are publically disgusted with the recession served on a platter by the Bush administration. Bachman-esque ramblings continue while income inequality rises. The Oregon GOP is whiter, older and steadfastedly reluctant to deal with today's issues. Their lack of connection is widening.
A BBQ in honor of former Oregon Republican Senator and Governor Mark Hatfield would make more sense. Imagine Senator Hatfield pouring out Oregon history for aperitifs to whet the hunger for governing for excellance.
I'd sip to that.
 |
More Recent Posts | |
Albert Kaufman |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
Kari Chisholm |
Final pre-census estimate: Oregon's getting a sixth congressional seat |
Albert Kaufman |
Polluted by Money - How corporate cash corrupted one of the greenest states in America |
Guest Column |
|
Albert Kaufman |
Our Democrat Representatives in Action - What's on your wish list? |
Kari Chisholm |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
connect with blueoregon
10:27 a.m.
Jun 24, '10
I have no idea what is meant by a "Reagan Barbecue". But that's their business.
All I can think is that, in the immortal (but anonymously quoted) words of a friend of mine, "What are they serving? Right wings and a**holes?"
1:56 p.m.
Jun 24, '10
Someone bring a Ouiji board- who says the leadership of the party has to be alive??
4:33 p.m.
Jun 24, '10
"...the recession served on a platter by the Bush administration."
Rather than just spout political conjecture, how about providing clear, and pointed details - with cited information - that proves Bush was responsible for the recession??? Of course, my comment is rhetorical because this is the same kind of nonsense used by Republicans to attack Clinton and Obama on their policies.
As one who deals with a variety of economic issues on a daily basis, the facts point to a number or reasons for our latest recession. Who's to blame? All of us! Individuals, corporations, unions, the government, etc. A country doesn't fall as fast and hard as ours did without the entire symphony hitting the wrong notes and derailing the concert.
5:54 a.m.
Jun 25, '10
I understand that in honor of the late President, the barbecue will be paid for by the great-great grandchildren of the attendees, and they are paying $150 for each plastic knife and fork.
9:50 a.m.
Jun 27, '10
don't mean to rain on your mutual admiration moment but everyone of your generalizations about the GOP is incorrect. If you don't believe me then last weeks Gallup poll should leave no doubt ...80% of americans donot spport the liberal progressive agenda for this country and a majority (by alot) of americans identify themselves as conservatives. The 08 election was not an endorsement of liberal ideology it was a referendum on Bush and two unpopular wars ...thats all. here is the link to that very current poll with nice graphs
http://iamtheteaparty.net/polls/gallup-in-2010-conservatives-still-outnumber-moderates-liberals
2:56 p.m.
Jun 27, '10
But Robert, what does it mean to be a conservative these days?
Conservatives idolize a President tripled the national debt, had a record 29 members of his administration convicted of criminal offenses (and that doesn't include those who whose convictions were overturned, those who received pardons before trial, and those who benefited from the Reagan and Bush adminstrations obstruction), and sold arms to two countries, Iran and Iraq, who not only were at war with each other (explain to me how that's not grossly immoral), but were officially illegal recipients of American arms.
So much for fiscal responsibility and the rule of law.
8:04 p.m.
Jun 28, '10
I am trying to remember who was convicted of crimes during the Golden years of Reagan? Would that be the ABSCAM-6? No those were all Democrats. Let's see...James Traficant-Bribery, Judge hastings-Bribery, Mariao Biaggi, Talmage? The keating 5? Nope ..all of those people were Democrats too. Wasn't Barney Frank running a gay bath house and running a huge string of prositutes our of his DC apt. during that time? yes ...but he is also a Democrat. hmmmm I remember during Clinton we had a bunch of congressmen convicted in the House banking scandal, also Vince Foster, and travel gate, Dan Rostenkoski,Joe Kolter, Hubbell, Babbitt ./.. nope all Democrats and of course the whitewater scandal not to mention the whole thing where Clinton educated America about what the meaning of is is... I think you get my point and I understood yours. If the increase in the federal deficit under eight years of Reagan took your breath away... then what Obama has managed to accomplish and 18 months should have you swinging from the chandeliers and your head spinning all the way around on your body... also don't forget Congress spends the money not the president Reagan was cursed with Democratic control of both houses for a lot of his term... and when the Republicans controlled both houses of Congress what do you get? You get the Clinton era surpluses. Follow?
8:04 p.m.
Jun 28, '10
I am trying to remember who was convicted of crimes during the Golden years of Reagan? Would that be the ABSCAM-6? No those were all Democrats. Let's see...James Traficant-Bribery, Judge hastings-Bribery, Mariao Biaggi, Talmage? The keating 5? Nope ..all of those people were Democrats too. Wasn't Barney Frank running a gay bath house and running a huge string of prositutes our of his DC apt. during that time? yes ...but he is also a Democrat. hmmmm I remember during Clinton we had a bunch of congressmen convicted in the House banking scandal, also Vince Foster, and travel gate, Dan Rostenkoski,Joe Kolter, Hubbell, Babbitt ./.. nope all Democrats and of course the whitewater scandal not to mention the whole thing where Clinton educated America about what the meaning of is is... I think you get my point and I understood yours. If the increase in the federal deficit under eight years of Reagan took your breath away... then what Obama has managed to accomplish and 18 months should have you swinging from the chandeliers and your head spinning all the way around on your body... also don't forget Congress spends the money not the president Reagan was cursed with Democratic control of both houses for a lot of his term... and when the Republicans controlled both houses of Congress what do you get? You get the Clinton era surpluses. Follow?