It's not a healthy one

By Shawn Lindsay

Remember when presidential candidates actually campaigned in Oregon? Now they simply treat Oregon as an ATM.

In 2004, both President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry drew huge crowds for public campaign rallies. But in 2012, both President Obama and Gov. Romney popped in just long enough for quick and private fundraisers. What changed? Oregon has proven itself to be a one-party state. And with that, we have become politically irrelevant at the national level.

Becoming politically irrelevant is only one of the many dangers of being a one-party state. Another danger, and a more hazardous one at that, is the lack of debate and compromise. Just look at this last election. Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, a Democrat, refused to publicly debate her Republican opponent because she knew the likelihood of a R...

As I wrap up my service as State Representative to the people of Washington County, I am excited to announce that I am not ending my public involvement. In fact, I'm happy to announce the launch of my Oregon Leadership Initiative. This new effort is "dedicated to supporting candidates and causes that promote the principles of free enterprise, educational excellence, and making Oregon an economic leader." Check out my new website and sign up to get involved.

If you have not already used your 2012 Oregon Political Tax Credit, I hope you will use it today to support this new initiative.

How does the Oregon Political Tax Credit work?

If you file an Oregon tax return, you can make a contribution of up to $100 (married filing jointly, $50 individual filers) to a political action committee like Friends of Shawn Lindsay and receive every dollar of it back when you file...

By Shawn Lindsay

Historical accounts usually paint the victors favorably, primarily because such accounts are written by the victors. Not this time. I write as one of the latest victims sent to the Oregon Republican graveyard by a Democratic majority district.

Every two years, after yet another loss, the Oregonian editorial board writes that "Oregon Republicans must rebrand themselves." We're already at work on that. But, respectfully, it's time that Oregon rebrand itself. Oregon is no longer "independent" or "bipartisan." No, to its detriment, Oregon is a one-party state.

shawn lindsay.jpg Shawn Lindsay
If Oregon wants to find a path to relevancy in the United States and foster debate and compromise that will lead to better legislation for all Oregon residents, it must accept hard facts and rebrand its politics.

Oregonians demand bipartis...