It’s time for Oregonians to have more say on what is goes on within their communities.

Give Power BACK to the People

Amendments are a great way to tackle issues at the state level. But they are sometime difficult to get on the ballot, and elections are too infrequent to keep up with the needs of our diverse communities. That’s why I’m looking for a quicker and more direct way for Oregonians to get things done…

Power To The People

As your governor I will introduce a ground-breaking Power To The People program.
This will allow Oregon residents to suggest new ideas and major concerns about their home counties for quicker redress. This will be a direct administrative portal that will acknowledge and represent all 36 counties respectively since concerns and topics will vary greatly between places like Multnomah County and Malheur County. 

Real-Time Input

Submitted entries into Power to the People will be publicly available so county residents can see what is going on in their home regions and what issues need to be addressed.
Our elected representatives will be required to stay updated in this administrative site respective to their counties to be fully aware and more importantly…accountable to the issues of their constituents. After all, they should be working for you. 

How Will it Work?

Every registered Oregon resident with a legal address will be able have direct access to Power To The People and, if they choose, make recommendations on what issues or concerns should be addressed within their county. Every citizen within their respective county can review all of the ideas and choose those ideas that resonate with them. We will see in real-time which topics are gaining the most traction. The top concerns should be the focus for that county. 

From there, we will generate a cost analysis for each of the top 10 ideas. That will help put local issues into better perspective. Haven’t you always wondered about the costs for local improvements and wanted to hear ideas on how to pay for them? The goal is to put power back in your hands!
Then it will be up to your elected officials to make the change that you want to see happen… as fast as possible. Democracy in its most transparent form.

Those who blatantly lie on the campaign trail, in political advertisements or while in office needs to be held accountable. We have been witnessing unbelievable amounts of lying from those elected to government. They recognize that there will be no consequences to their actions and so nothing is stopping them from not telling the truth.

Truth in Politics

Did you know that it is illegal to lie on a resume for a government position? Truth in Lending laws are applied and that is a good thing. Truth in Advertising laws are also nationally implemented. So, don’t you think “Truth in Politics” should also be in effect?

Held Accountable

If a politician has been informed by an independent non-partisan fact-checking panel that they are telling a clear, verifiable and undeniable lie and they refuse to immediately and publicly acknowledge and correct the record, then they need to be held accountable.

Truth matters

Brazen, lying politicians are directly affecting our livelihoods. Our economy. Our health. Our careers. Their words have a profound impact on our communities. Truth matters!
To be very clear, I am not calling out any politicians here in Oregon. I am setting a foundation for protecting the future of Oregon’s democracy.

How can we protect our freedom of speech and the 1st Amendment while still holding political  liars accountable? What does “accountable” mean? That is not for me to decide alone. Let the people speak and let their voices be heard.

Truth In Politics Act

As your governor I will request the formation of the Truth In Politics Act to hold those accountable for the damage of what their words can cause.

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OREGON’S 7 DECREES OF ANTI-CORRUPTION

My administration will implement Oregon’s 7 Decrees of Anti-Corruption to prevent corruption within our state government. Any congressperson or candidate who does not support and abide by all 7 decrees will have an unofficial title attached to their candidacy….”PUBLIC NOTICE: This politician does not support Anti-Corruption policies”

1. Dark Money

We will be expecting any candidate or campaign that accepts dark money or money from Super PACs with undisclosed motives to make immediate disclosures:

(1) All political fundraising, campaign donations, Super-PAC spending must be immediately disclosed electronically/online and made easily accessible for public viewing. Disclosure shall include exactly where every dollar came from and any expectations or requests for action based on contributions.
(2) Like the warning on a pack of cigarettes, candidates must disclose a warning to the public that they are allowing dark money to infiltrate their political campaign.

2. Making it Easier for Third Parties

Oregon voters want a third party. We should respect the will of the people and make it easier for third parties to thrive by giving voters more choices. One way to do this is by creating a state-wide voting system that encourages third-party candidates while also assuring the people that their vote will not be a wasted vote.

Star Voting will do exactly that…allow people to vote their conscience. This new voting system will allow for greater diversity in our government whose elections are currently dominated by negative campaigning and Big Money.
This will of course get pushback from those in the 2-party system, but as your governor I can assure you I will make it my mission to repair our broken election system.

3. Conflict of Interest

Politicians must recuse themselves from voting on any bills, laws, amendments or policies from a for-profit industry, organization or company that has donated to their campaign. Specifically those from the BIG-5.
For example, if the oil industry donated hundreds of thousands to an individual’s political campaign, then that politician may not vote on any laws pertaining to that industry. Under Oregon’s 7 Decrees of Anti-Corruption, it would be considered a conflict of interest and an unethical violation of their duties.

4. The Lying Politician

Lying on the campaign trail or while in office needs to be considered a crime.

Any politician who is blatantly lying to the public needs to be held accountable and needs to face consequences. If a politician is made aware that they are telling a clear, verifiable and undeniable lie by a non-partisan fact-checking panel and they fail to immediately and publicly acknowledge and correct the record, then they need to be held accountable and charged with a a crime punishable by law.

Truth in Politics should be a no-brainer.

5. Gerrymandering

When congress had a 12% approval rating and over a 90% re-election rate we know the system is broken. We will end gerrymandering in the state of Oregon by creating an independent, fully transparent redistricting commission that will follow strict guidelines to ensure accurate representation for all voters, regardless of their political party. Gerrymandering is political thievery.

6. Political Fundraising

Politicians will no longer be allowed to raise money during the workday when they should be serving their constituents. Many politicians spend time fundraising for their future elections instead of working in the present. This is a betrayal of their constituents. This is also a betrayal of the job they swore an oath to do. Politicians are not elected to raise money for themselves; they are elected to create and pass laws for the people they represent.
Only in the 6 months prior to an election should political fundraising be allowed.

7. The Politician & The Lobbyist

All politician-to-lobbyist communications must be fully transparent and entered into the public record. The lobbyist must be identified, and questions must be answered — Who do they work for and what do they want?

Did you know politicians get paid vacations, lavish gifts and huge amounts of money in the form of campaign donations from the lobbyists of special interest groups? In return, politicians create laws that are VERY favorable to those industries the lobbyists represents.

Furthermore,  any congressperson leaving Congress will be prohibited from working for a paid lobbyist firm for up to 5 years after leaving their elected position. They will also be prohibited from negotiating lobbyist jobs while in office. This will help to end the revolving door of corruption.

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