Women’s Health Women’s Choice

Women’s Health Women’s Choice

by | Nov 20, 2020 | Health

Women’s reproductive health is a very sensitive topic. I respect and understand where all sides are coming from on this issue.

Here is what I know from having listened to the women around me. I have Democratic friends who are strictly anti-abortion. I have Republican friends who have had abortions.

It Should Be Not a Political Issue

Over the years I have come to realize that this is not a political issue. It is an individual matter. Regardless of the politics you follow, reproductive health has always been a personal and/or spiritual decision.

The Republican Party used to be pro-choice. It has been documented that office-holding Republicans have modified their stance even though they have not always practiced what they have come to preach.

Let me give you some examples. 

Personal and Spiritual

Regardless of the politics one follows, choice should always be personal and/or spiritual. Your faith will lead you on the right path, not your political party. This is such a sensitive issue that I feel it is time that we stop using it as a political wedge. There has been too much hypocrisy on this issue to also claim the moral high ground. 

A quick story that seems relevant to my position here… Did you know I used to sing in a church choir? This Jewish guy singing in a church choir. Imagine that. It was such a beautiful environment. I loved every minute of it. The church needed tenors and I was excited to learn more about religion while following my passion for singing. The pastor of the church was a proud Republican. He was sweet and loving and pro-life…right up until the moment his wife got pregnant. They were middle-aged and not ready to start the process of raising a newborn all over again. So, they made a personal decision and had an abortion. For them, it was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, word got out though many of the church patrons were accepting of their choice.

I am telling this story to illustrate a point…. women, regardless of political view have made pro-choice decisions.

And conversely, many Democratic women are strongly pro-life. 

This issue is genuinely not a political one.

As long as men continue to force their decisions over women’s bodies this conversation will never be equal.

For generations, principled, spiritual and honorable individuals have been making choices regardless of politics, and they will continue to do so for generations to come.

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Aging With Grace

Aging With Grace

by | Nov 19, 2020 | Health

Working with the elderly and creating opportunities for them to feel healthier in their bodies is important to me.

Centenarians

While researching Centenarians (people living to 100 and older) from around the world, I compiled a list of tips to them living very long, healthy and happy lives. With proper implementation, we can take this anecdotal information and create lifestyle options so Oregon can be the best state to grow old in!

My administration will consult with elderly lifestyle specialists and medical experts to create plans that will help more seniors age with grace.

My administration will focus on 6 areas of lifestyle improvement:

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Currently, Oregon ranks 15th in terms of life expectancy. We can do better. If living a healthy lifestyle is your goal, then we invite you to participate…

As governor, my administration will design an “Aging-With-Grace” interactive website so we can all learn more about how to do our part to support our seniors and offer them valuable resources.

Where you live often determines how well you live and your overall life expectancy. I want Oregonians to live longer and healthier lives while having fun in one of the best states in America.

Aging with Grace…it’s what Oregonians do.

A Healthy Real Estate Market

A Healthy Real Estate Market

by | Nov 19, 2020 | The Economy

Having a healthy real estate market is paramount to a strong and healthy economy.

Because a strong real estate market spreads success to other parts of the economy, it will be a major area of focus for my administration. In Oregon, when new homes are being built at a healthy pace, thousands of people are employed in a variety of industries. This also applies to the work of converting basements and garages into ADU’s (Accessory Dwelling Units). New housing also creates a market for thousands of new products to be sold. Daily. In addition, creating more housing brings in more tax dollars.

As Oregon’s governor I will do everything within my power to strengthen our real estate market while respecting the urban growth boundaries and sustainable green building practices.

Chain Reaction of Jobs

Imagine just one house being built. From this single project, there will be multiple contractors and sub-contractors employed. That alone is excellent. Let’s dig deeper. Those contractors will have to purchase wood, flooring, nails, electrical wires, plumbing gear, drywall, paint, kitchen cabinets, solar panels, energy-efficient items, tools, bathroom vanity, toilet, windows…etc. There are literally thousands of items that go into building a new home or building out an ADU. And by putting an emphasis on purchasing “made in Oregon” items such as kitchen cabinets, that cabinet maker hires more staff, all of whom are getting paid. Now multiply out that for every other product used to make a home and you’ve got a healthy economy working for many.

Incentives for First Time Home Buyers

As governor of Oregon, my administration will create incentives for first-time home buyers and look into reducing permit fees. There should be tax reductions for remodels and new-home builds that fall within the urban growth boundaries. This goal is to create a sustained momentum for a consistent and thriving real estate market.

Oregon Made Products

My administration will be placing an emphasis and incentives for purchasing as many Oregon-made products as possible in the construction sector.
IKEA, Home Depot, and Walmart are nice, but let’s not send all of our hard-earned paychecks out of our state’s economy when there is such talent right here at home. Supporting the local small business owners means your money stays in Oregon. Real estate can be a huge financial driving force for all parts of the economy in rural and urban Oregon communities.

On average, every 8 years a homeowner sells their home. To all of the homeowners out there, my goal is to keep your home value moving in a positive direction. By supporting a strong and thriving real estate market, there will be more cash in your pocket when that time comes for you to sell your home.

With my 15+ years of experience and knowledge of the real estate industry, Oregon will be in safe hands.

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Black Lives Loved

Black Lives Loved

by | Nov 19, 2020 | Our Community

As your governor, I will foster an environment of love and respect that listens to and supports Black, Indigenous and People of Color. BIPOC. A more equal Oregon is a more prosperous Oregon for us all.

Black-owned Businesses.

Our goal is to make it easier for start-ups to get the financial and legal assistance needed. I want to empower Black-owned companies to pursue land ownership. This is the model that my administration will be focusing on: Africatown Land Trust.

Due Promotion and Better Paying Positions

In businesses throughout Oregon, we can all do our part by advocating for BIPOC employees to receive due promotions and higher pay. Fixing pay disparity will be immensely beneficial to families.  It is a much needed and long overdue first step.

Reimagine Oregon

As governor I plan on bringing in organizers and leaders of Reimagine Oregon in order to go over every one of their policy demands and see what more needs to be done for them to come to fruition. Everything from education to transportation to community safety is on the table.

The Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act

Black families have had to endure the worst in lending practices for decades. Redlining has had a direct impact on families across our nation.
Generations of failed inheritance ownership protection has dominantly affected Black landowners. Oregon needs to take part of the UPHPA

Prison Reform & Support for Job Training

As governor, addressing unfair prison sentences will be a priority. Many Black Oregonians have served disproportionate prison or jail sentences for drug possession and minor misdemeanor charges as compared to their white counterparts. We can reduce sentences and expunge convictions where appropriate. Getting unfairly sentenced Oregonians back into society with job skills and training so they can be productive family members is a good start. 

Police Accountability

More can and should be done regarding police accountability. I support Portland Measure 26-217.

Running for Office

I will do everything within my power to support and encourage Black people to run for political office.  Through increased representation, their voices can be heard and their political needs can be met. Government should work for all Oregonians.

Owning Real Estate

Becoming a homeowner is building a foundation for your future. This can create a positive ripple effect that will benefit Black families for future generations. 
My goal is to lay the groundwork and make it easier for Black families to own real estate through outreach.

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After-School Oregon

After-School Oregon

by | Nov 19, 2020 | Youth Empowerment

After-School Oregon

Oregon spends millions of dollars each year incarcerating juveniles. Let’s focus on prevention to help save our state millions. I plan on issuing an executive order for the creation of a new state office. After-School Oregon.

It has already been well-documented that after-school programs cut teen delinquency in half. After-school programs keep kids away from drug and alcohol use and are effective against depression, teen suicide and homelessness.

A dedicated agency specializing in greater efficiency of our after-school programs throughout Oregon is exactly what we need. A whole new level of thinking for our youth. We should adopt violence prevention services — such as street-based violence interruption work and emotional or trauma-related therapy.
After school and summer programming can increase youth school attendance and reduce contact with the criminal justice system.

Making After School Programs Interesting

Let’s develop after-school programs interesting enough that kids will be excited to join.

According to studies, risky teen behavior typically happens between 3-6pm. Let’s offer young Oregonians a safe and an exciting alternative to being on the streets.

New Avenues for Youth

Music, sports, arts, games and job training skills can be presented to kids in an interactive, creative and fun way.

Let’s look to top national and international after school programs to light the way with engagement and productivity as our goal.
 
A solid after–school program is the surest way to help your child go into higher education and be a productive member of society.
We will be contacting each and every one of the 471 high schools and giving them a proven, effective working model.

How do we pay for expanding After-School Oregon?

Oregon’s Gigantic Graffiti Wall

Keeping kids off the street will also help with graffiti which is an unfortante by-product of kids looking for an outlet. My administration will be introducing the first of its kind, Oregon’s Gigantic Graffiti Wall.  Awesome!

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