The owls and the tree huggers weren’t to blame after all (surprise, surprise):
“Big Money Bought Oregon’s Forests. Small Timber Communities Are Paying The Price,” by Tony Schick, The Oregonian and Lylla Younes, ProPublica, and OPB, June 11, 2020:
Excerpts:
“DNA Tests Show Southern Members of Congress and Constituents are 65% Mexican (and 20% French): Results Surpass Congressional Dining Hall Chef’s Prediction Based on the Popularity of “French Fries with Salsa” Side Dish”
“Members of Congress Fail American History Test: Only 13% Earn a Barely Passing Grade (60% or better).”
Hmmm. Telling lies, making up part-truths, or simple obfuscation is clearly very difficult for some of us, but a piece of cake for others, e.g. Onion writers, Andy Borowitz, advertisement authors, drug and tobacco company CEOs, etc., etc., etc.
Every federal employee knows about the Hatch Act, which dates back to 1939:
You can Google the following searches to find out more about the Hatch Act:
Volunteer, apply for paid positions, engage. Look for local, state and national opportunities that match your skills and your bliss. For example:
Maybe we need a political party named “Better Candidates.” Most of us would vote for “Better Candidates” in our local elections, too. Sigh. In the meantime, these popped up during my morning tour of our interweb estate:
Nicholas Kristof in the NYT: If Hillary Clinton Groped Men
Katha Pollitt in The Nation: On November 8, Pussy Grabs Back
There are good arguments for fixing existing political parties, but what if you decided to start your own party instead?
1) Think it through: Do you really want to get into this for the long haul? Learn about political and law making processes: Draft an Oregon Initiative or propose a federal law to one of your U.S. representatives to Congress. (Voting rights for 16 year olds or clapping is allowed only at the end of the State of the Union Address, maybe?) Take a look at this, “Nine Steps to Draft a Bill.” Or read the Citizen Engagement webpages on Oregon Legislature.
2) Learn how existing political parties operate so you can become an expert on what needs to change: Run for office under existing state laws and political party rules, which you’ll find at their respective political party websites.
Oregon Legal Research Blog