Driven by fear
Our lives are so permeated with psychological imperatives that it takes a degree in both psychology and advertising to even begin to properly sift through the minutiae thrown at our subconscious minds. At election time, this tragic battle for our souls seems to take the form of emotional blackmail: Hence, whoever can create the most fear will somehow become the winner because it is our fears, after all, which drive us harder than any joys we may contemplate.
The gay agenda with its holocaust and homophobia outbreaks, the police state with its perils of doom, the social service conglomerations and their worst-case scenarios, the crime commissions with perpetrators at every turn of the road, the student lobbies with outcries of empty futures and obsolete minds, the vulnerable poor and elderly, the disabled and unborn who somehow are neglected, the Christian character, which is both maligned and sin-pocked in its own efforts to win our votes, and victims of every act of life prey on our fears until we can hardly discover the difference between truth and fiction anymore.
I would like to urge everyone to please look past the constant barrage of media impersonations of reality and struggle to find a balance in our desperate needs at this moment. If we do not think and act clearly at this time, our country stands to lose more than we realize. Please, think before you vote!
Deborah Martin
Eugene
Do the smart thing, Ralph Nader
For the sake of your cause, Ralph Nader, do the smart thing. In the eight states where you can hurt Al Gore, you should endorse Gore. Tell your supporters in these states that the polls are accurate enough to show that you are not going to win there and they shouldnÕt waste their votes.
But you should tell Gore that in the states where George W. Bush is sure to win, Gore should endorse you, Nader. You would end up getting more total votes and more federal funding in 2004.
Also tell your supporters in the eight states that the choice between Gore and Bush is important. If Bush appoints conservative Supreme Court judges, this could hurt their causes, like the environment and control of corporations.
A Nader-caused conservative Supreme Court would repel women and minorities from the Green Party — and you would be seen as someone who hurt many people in revenge for some personal wrong done to you by General Motors.
If you did drop out in these states, grateful Democrats might:
- Give you a job in Washington in 2001, so you could promote your cause
- Give the Green Party millions of dollars to promote your cause
- Urge their voters to support a Green Party candidate for statewide office to give the Greens a voice — and the Democratic candidate would be given a better job in Washington
Do the smart thing and the right thing, Nader, and endorse Gore in the swing states.
Dan Weiner
Eugene
Let the children thrive
The Oregon Pediatric Society, representing the 300 children’s doctors in Oregon, urges parents to vote NO on the OCAÕs latest anti-gay Measure 9.
Measure 9 does absolutely nothing to protect Oregon students. It keeps schools from giving accurate and complete information to all students. It sends a clear message that hostility against gay peers is acceptable. It prevents trusted teachers, counselors and doctors from adequately reaching out to students, gay or straight.
Children cannot learn to be homosexual, but they can be taught discrimination and hatred. Gay children are known to face social isolation, intimidation and violence in school, and ostracism in many families and religious communities. Measure 9 would only ensure that their schools remain hostile learning environments.
We pediatricians urge parents to create an Oregon where all of our children can thrive. For the third time, we urge Oregon voters to reject the OCA’s campaign against gay children and adults. Vote NO on 9.
Dr. Douglas Hamill
Oregon Pediatric Society
Randall Edwards for treasurer
As state treasurer, I care very deeply about who will be elected this November to replace me. The treasurer has a long tradition of providing financial leadership for Oregon and working on your behalf by prudently managing your tax dollars.
The treasury’s responsibilities have grown over the years and so has the amount of money it manages — now more than $50 billion. Our next state treasurer must have strong financial credentials and proven leadership skills to meet the growing complexity of this office.
Randall Edwards is the only candidate who has those qualifications. I ask that you join me in voting for Edwards to be our next state treasurer.
Jim Hill
state treasurer
