VIEWPOINT:  A GLIMPSE AT OUR FUTURE

By Jared Mason-Gere

At the beginning of the June, I had the good fortune to attend Emerging Leaders Day put on by FuturePac and the House Democratic Caucus. The event is held biennially for potential state representatives and those interested in furthering the party cause in Oregon. I arrived with hopes of learning how the DPLC can better connect with the state leadership to strengthen our county Democratic delegation in the legislature; I left with my faith in the bright future of Oregon restored and my belief in the “big tent” strongly affirmed.

I met bright, vibrant visionaries from all reaches of our great state: A senior at Willamette University who has filed his papers to run against an incumbent Republican in Gresham, a mother-daughter team of political activists from Bend, the mayor of Waldport, civil rights activists from downtown Portland, and the former mayor of Monmouth, just back from his second tour in Iraq as a major in the Oregon National Guard. These were people from very different places and different backgrounds, all coming together in hopes of continuing the rescue of our state government from the grips of the right wing zealots who have presided over the Oregon’s economic, educational, and environmental decline throughout the last decade.

The day’s events provided attendees not only with the chance to network with Party activists throughout the state, but to get a glimpse of the inside workings of the Oregon House, and to shadow a legislator as he attended to the morning’s business. I was pleased to be paired with my state representative, and the elder statesman of Lane County’s Democratic delegation in the House, Robert Ackerman. Representative Ackerman invited me to sit in on several meetings with him, and took the time to give his insights on public service, and how to be an effective legislator. I was impressed with the respect that Rep. Ackerman garners throughout the political spectrum, and his ability to bring people together to solve problems. My time with him left me proud that such a genuine person with such a deep understanding of the law and Oregon’s rich political traditions was my voice in the House.

Following my time with Representative Ackerman, I watched deliberations on the floor of the House, and saw the iron fist of Karen Minnis in action. She had all of her minions, including our own Debi Farr marching in lockstep as the Republicans killed a bill requiring insurance coverage of clinical breast exams.

The day wrapped up with inspiring speeches from Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown and House Minority Leader Jeff Merkley on the importance of reinstating a Democratic Majority in the House if we ever want to see Oregon’s promise restored. Finally, Governor Kulongoski spoke to us about his love for public service, and the ability of each and every citizen to change our state for the better.

During my time in Salem earlier this month I saw first hand the hard work that our great Democratic legislators are doing to make this a great place to live. I rubbed elbows with some of Oregon’s emerging leaders and I caught a glimpse of Oregon’s emerging Democratic majority.