On the Issues

Together on jobs:

Our state government should concentrate on creating an environment in which thriving businesses create jobs. But we can't agree on that statement alone - we need to find agreement on the choices that it implies. For example, our natural environment creates jobs in a number of ways: by providing timber to harvest, to process and to build with and by providing a healthy, beautiful surrounding that helps Oregon attract and retain workers and jobs in other industries. For business to grow, we need to expand and maintain our infrastructure. Can we do this while maintaining a sensible tax structure and without trampling on property rights? Jobs will not be created unless there is an educated, healthy work force to fill those jobs. Can we agree to improve health care and education? I believe we can if we are willing to work together.

Together on education:

Education is the key to a thriving culture and business environment. Today's schools face budgetary problems, linguistic challenges and a vast array of student needs. We are asking more of our schools, kindergarten through college, than our parents did. Adequate funding to meet these challenges is an investment in infrastructure which we ignore at our peril. The questions of the best systems and procedures for operating our schools and colleges in a global setting must continue to be addressed at every level with patience and good will. There are no easy answers but tough problems can be solved by people working together.

Together on health care:

Oregonians agree that our health care system needs fixing. The United States spends far more on health care than any other country. Yet we live no healthier lives , nor do we live longer, than the people in countries which spend less. To address this disparity, we need to move the discussion beyond the polarizing dialogue of "socialized medicine." We need to concentrate on goals we can agree on: we need to expand coverage, reduce run-away costs and maintain consumer choice. It won't be easy to achieve but together we can come up with answers that are right for Oregon.

See more issues on my blog at www.keithwangle.blogspot.com