Mike Kozak is the most capable candidate running; the one who makes the most sense; the one with the proven track record. As mayor of Bend, his applied vision set the track for most of the things we now cherish about our community.
However well intentioned, Jason Conger’s radical right-wing fundamentalism overshadows reason. Every time we vote for his path back to the traditional values he espouses, the closer we come to traditional society: .1 percent lords, 99.9 percent serfs. Please, quit knee jerking and read history. Right-wing values, in function, eliminate the middle class that is the bulk of everything “American.”
Religious beliefs are cherished, protected here – and with reason – disallowed in American government. Kozak blends good business, good politics, conscience, with an absence of malice, an absence of partisanship.
Kozak’s vision, heart and pragmatism, his intelligence and selflessness will serve us best. He is the only one of the three candidates who can be effective, not polarizing, in Salem.
This article appears in Oct 28 – Nov 3, 2010.
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Very immature and secularist view commentary by R.H.Hodgert. To say “Religious beliefs are cherished, protected here – and with reason – disallowed in American government.” is disgustingly ignorant of how this nation was founded – upon religious freedom, not freedom from religion. If religious belifes are disallowed in our government, then why are there open Bible studies held in Congress, when they are? It is Conger’s “fundamental Christian” beliefs that structure his right thinking, not the evil ways of secular socialists.
Winston–
Come on. I’ve read enough of your writings to know that you know the difference between having a belief and promoting that belief–the First Amendment prohibition.
I know it is stylish to advocate the point of view that the First Amendment doesn’t mention the seperation of church and state, but court decision after court decision have clearly stated the official position and no elected official can be permitted to govern by imposing his religious tenents on the rest of us. A christian sharia is prohibited–and I am not saying that is what Conger advocates. The Constitution protects us from people who want to do that.
The Second Amendment doesn’t expressly state the ‘right to own a hand gun’ or the ‘right to own an assault rifle’ but it too has a legacy of legal decisions that define it in our current historical and cultural context.
And if there were an open bible study held on the floor of the senate or in committee as part of our governemnt’s business there would be near universal outrage. Only those whose views were being supported would be happy–the rest of the heretics would be protesting loudly.