Letters to the Editor

Guest Opinion: Bentz Defends GOP Budget that Hurts His District

At a recent town hall, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-District 2) was asked to explain and defend the federal budget proposal put forward by House Republicans. That proposal calls for drastic cuts in a number of critical services, and even more tax breaks for corporations and the super-rich than they already enjoy. Bentz argued GOP dogma, saying that such drastic cuts were necessary because our current spending levels are not “sustainable.” That’s a little disingenuous, and I think the congressman knows it. The standard conservative argument is that we have to give the rich guys a break because otherwise they can’t create the jobs we need. But by multiple metrics, it’s clear the rich boys are doing more than fine.

On the other hand, the rest of us are still living with the legacy of the Great Recession of 2008-09 and the debilitating effects of the COVID pandemic. Given the bedeviling and persistent issues of homelessness, rising home costs, the high cost of child care and college education and the cost of groceries, prescription medications and other daily needs (thanks in large part to price gouging by corporations during the pandemic), the middle class is struggling. In some cases, struggling hard.

The Republican proposal calls for cutting $880 billion from Medicaid and $230 billion from food stamps. It would give $4.5 trillion to corporations and the super-rich in tax cuts. Those are big numbers, and a little abstract, but they represent real damage to working families in Oregon, and in Bentz’ very own district. Across Oregon, tens of thousands would be pushed deeper into poverty, and the state would have to deal simultaneously with a budget deficit and an economic slowdown.

In Bentz’ district, the 22,000 people in the district who receive health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act would see average premiums spike by $1,110 per year, a 45% increase. Through direct cuts and eligibility gimmicks, the 171,641 people who rely on Medicaid are at risk of losing a significant portion of their health care coverage. This number includes 70,112 children and 13,559 seniors. The Republican plan also threatens Bentz’ constituents with aggravated poverty and hunger. The 62,796 residents of the second congressional district who need food stamps to survive would be in dire straits.

There is no moral or an economic justification for making life harder for regular Americans so that the super-rich can keep skating and accumulating even more wealth at our expense. Especially considering that they have succeeded because we let them. We have given them a friendly environment in which to grow and thrive in a free, stable and democratic system. Part of the grand bargain is that they give back their fair share in the form of taxes to help sustain the blessing of liberty to which we are all entitled, and for which many have sacrificed their very lives to protect.

—Jeffrey Richardson

Reclaiming Our Health: Resistance Through Functional Medicine in the
Current Trump Regime

As a Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner living locally, I am deeply inspired by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), whose resistance against oligarchy speaks to more than just politics — it’s about reclaiming our health and future. Their fight for justice isn’t just political — it’s personal, affecting each of us in our daily lives, particularly women.

Oligarchy, where power and wealth are concentrated in the hands of a few, is more than a political issue. It impacts our physical and mental well-being. Women, especially, bear the brunt of this inequality. From hormonal imbalances to autoimmune diseases and mental health struggles, our health care system — driven by corporate interests — often overlooks us. Chronic stress, exacerbated by these inequities, manifests in inflammation, fatigue and disease.

This is where functional medicine offers a vital solution. By addressing the root causes of disease rather than just masking symptoms, functional medicine empowers us to take control of our health. Through a holistic approach that focuses on diet, stress management and lifestyle changes, it offers women the tools to combat the chronic effects of living in an unequal system. It’s a form of personal resistance — a way to prioritize our health and wellness.

Just as Bernie and AOC fight against systems that hurt us, functional medicine provides us with a pathway to resist by taking control of our bodies. Through mindfulness, nutrition and addressing stress and imbalance at the root, we don’t just heal — we resist. When we heal ourselves, we contribute to a larger movement for justice and equity. Together, we can reclaim our health and resist systems that undermine us. It’s time to fight for a healthier, more equitable world.

—Colette Whelan, DNP, FNP-C, AFMCP

Need Public Input for Soil and Water Pay and Benefits Discussion

I encourage the public to offer comments at the next Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) board meeting on March 31, 6pm. Given $2.1 million in added revenues from the levy that passed in November, the board is making decisions on staffing, pay and benefits. The district staff is presently 3.5 FTEs and has had annual budgets from grants between $140,000 and $800,000 in the past 10 years. Should the district add a budget officer (given added reporting requirements with the levy) who also assists with human resources? Should all current staff positions receive new job descriptions and significant additional pay (e.g., 20-40%)? If all positions receive significant pay increases, should all positions be advertised widely to better ensure we get the best applicants and present staff have to compete for their jobs? If the pay increases are approved, should present staff start at Step 1 or at a higher step based on their tenure? In addition to an increase in pay, should employee benefits also be increased, including beyond what is offered by the federal or state governments to their employees? If positions are advertised, should the board oversee all four to five selections or only select the manager and let that person select the rest?

Board members have differences of opinion on each of these questions and public input may help. Go to the DSWCD website for information about the next board meeting and contact information. I am a DSWCD board member but am only representing myself in this letter.

—Robin Vora

Support Funding for Wildlife Crossings

After years of driving between Portland and Bend, I’ve seen firsthand the dangers people and wildlife face on our roads — dead deer along the highway, sudden animal crossings in low light and long delays caused by animal-vehicle collisions. These incidents aren’t just inconvenient; they’re dangerous and tragic for both people and wildlife. There are over 7,000 documented deer or elk collisions a year, costing an estimated $140 million. By contrast, the wildlife underpasses along Highway 97 south of Lava Butte have reduced such collisions by 90%. The lesson is simple: Wildlife crossings work. The problem isn’t that deer cross our roads— it’s that our roads cross their forests. It’s our responsibility to build safe passage where highways cut through critical habitats.

And yet Oregon only has five such crossings statewide, far less than our neighbors — Idaho has 17 structures while both Washington and Nevada each have more than 20. Highway 20 from Bend to Suttle Lake, a road many of us drive during dusk, has been identified as a key wildlife corridor that would benefit from such crossings. The state legislature is considering how to secure dedicated funding for wildlife crossings in Oregon. Please urge Rep. Levy, Rep. Kropf, and Sen. Broadman, or your local representative/senator, to make this a priority for improving road safety and removing barriers for wildlife.

—Malcolm Costello

Letter of
the Week:

Thanks for sharing, Malcolm. More wildlife crossings seem like a win-win.

—Chris Young

This article appears in The Source Weekly March 27, 2025.