22 August 2014
Curing Congress…
Five years ago, Americans’ approval rating of the U.S Congress was at 39-percent. According to a recent Gallup Poll, that has now dropped to just 13 percent. That equates to seven out of eight people surveyed saying they do not approve of Congress. Despite being a member of that august body, Fourth District Congressman Peter DeFazio is among the majority.
Peter DeFazio – “A high degree of partisanship is a problem. The House, the biggest problem comes with Gerrymandered districts which are redrawn so they’re not competitive.”
Excessive partisanship is driven by the way district lines are drawn to include predominately members of only one party.
Peter DeFazio – “Which means from a democratic perspective you going to pull people to the left; and from a republican perspective you’re pulling people to the right, which are pulling members of congress further apart.”
Oregon, especially the Fourth District, is pretty well balanced. DeFazio figures his district is one of only 80 or 85 out of 435 that could swing either way any given year. The only solution, he says, is redrawing the lines to provide for more balance.
Peter DeFazio – “And the Federal Government can’t order this because of the Constitution. But some states like California, Iowa and others have adopted non-partisan redistricting so that they get districts that are fairly drawn; that will be a fair match for either party or even minor parties.”
A similar measure was put before voters in Oregon several years ago. It failed.
Open Primary Gets Thumbs Down
Oregon voters this fall will decide whether or not to implement an “open primary” system that would allow all registered voters to vote on any candidate in a race, no matter what political party affiliation they may have.
It’s intended to provide more choices to voters. If approved, it would send the candidates with the two highest tallies on to the general election in the fall.
The state’s Citizen Initiative Review panel, a 19-member board appointed to review ballot measures and make recommendations, met this week and reviewed measure 90.
The panel voted 14-5 to oppose the measure with the majority saying while it may increase choice for voters in the primaries; it would reduce options in general elections.
Kool Coastal Nights
An estimated 300 classic cars will be on display this weekend in Winchester Bay during the 22nd annual Kool Coastal Nights.
Many of the cars will line up this evening in the Salmon Harbor parking lot for the burn-out contest, revving their engines and smoking their tires.
Tomorrow’s show and shine along Beach Boulevard will be followed by the “parade of champions” with award winners picking up their trophies.
The show is open to all “pre-70s” vintage cars and trucks.
Hot 100 Radio Auction
The airwaves on KCST and KCFM will be converted to an audio auction block beginning at 9:15 this morning.
The hammer will go down on exactly 100 items valued at more than $18-thousand in the Hot 100 Summer Radio Auction.
Coast Radio and its advertisers have teamed up with deals on a wide variety of gift items, furniture, recreational gear, art and dining.
General Manager Jon Thompson says the beneficiary of this auction will be listeners who save on average about 45-percent on their purchases.
