Letters and Comments for October 7, 2009

Letters and Comments for October 7, 2009

Fight for Republican principles

To the Editor:

As a citizen who has not been involved in local politics, I attended the La Grande monthly meeting of the Republican Party to listen to a presentation by Greg Smith who represents our area in the Oregon House. I was particularly interested as to why he voted as a Republican to increase taxes, which resulted in many people from our community taking the time to sign petitions to get the issue on the January ballot and the expense associated with the effort.

Basically, Mr. Smith said that he was threatened by Democrats in the House that unless he voted with them to increase taxes they would close Eastern Oregon University, the OSU Extension Services office in La Grande and defund 4-H and FFA programs. Mr. Smith also informed us that although he voted with the Democrats, his vote was not needed because the Democrats found the votes they needed from their party and another Republican. He said he knew this fact at the time of the vote. It sounds as though Mr. Smith is a very poor poker player who folded too early in the game.

We in Eastern Oregon have few rural legislators who understand the issues affecting agriculture, logging and small business. We need representatives who are willing to stand up for the people of Eastern Oregon and fight for the principles of the Republican party. It appears to me that the Democrats in Salem just bought Mr. Smith.

Doran Hopkins

Summerville