Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin thurs, november 21, 2023, by devadmin
As American citizens, we know that freedom and liberty are God-given, non-negotiable rights. We believe in the, uniquely American, ideal that all people are created equal. We believe free speech and the freedom to peaceably assemble must be protected. We believe that America is just, not unjust. Our economic system gives everyone the best chance for success and comes from our freedom to live within the risk and rewards of our independent lives and personal responsibility. America is, by far, the most tolerant and diverse society on the planet. This is true, regardless of nationality, race, creed, religion, sex, or socio-economic status. Our freedom and unity depends on our belief in these ideals, not from the state’s power to force us into living by the arbitrary dictates of the majority party.
The last four years have been extremely rancorous in Salem because of the collectivist elites who want to control and run your life. Does life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, belong only to our rulers or to people as individuals? Is the American Dream open to Oregonians? Are people free to initiate appropriate and just pursuits as individuals and families? Will the Democrat supermajority allow the citizens of Oregon to pursue human flourishing or will our individual endeavors require a license or permit with endless fees and paperwork that serve no purpose, but to generate revenue for the administrative state?
During the last two legislative sessions as the Minority Whip, I strongly encouraged the Senate Republican body to stand fast in their historic decision to drop all pretense with regard to having a bipartisan session.
It was obvious, the Democrat supermajority wanted only control – all-encompassing control. The supermajority refused discussions tailored for rural counties versus their utmost-priority– the Portland metro-area.
Republicans strove to protect the inalienable rights of our constituencies and stood together to specifically stop three destructive and unconstitutional bills. First, was a bill that would have denied the right to self-defense through unconstitutional gun regulations. Second, was a horrendous Cap & Trade greenhouse-gas taxation scheme, and last was a non-consensual mandatory vaccination and medical service regulation that would have denied schooling to any child with pre-existing medical conditions related to vaccine uptake.
We also worked to stop a fourth bill; a gross receipts sales tax disguised as an education bill that Oregonians had already defeated at the ballot box in 2016. But the Democrat supermajority ignored the voice of the people in favor of gouging taxpayers to fund their special interest friends.
You see, Democrats have enough votes to pass any legislation, without a single Republican vote; including new taxes, increases for existing taxes and fees. As the super-minority, Republicans had only one last protection against the biased and unrepresentative actions promoted by Oregon’s radical left. We denied quorum to the Senate Chamber and fled Salem on three occasions. We took this drastic measure to stop the tyranny of the majority and to protect the hard-working, law-abiding Oregonians who reside within our beautiful state and were denied their appropriate voice.
Following our actions, Governor Brown called upon Oregon State Police to give chase and issued orders to forcibly return Republican Senators to Salem so that the Democrats could pass their radical agenda. Thankfully, we were successful in our mission to represent hard-working Oregonians. These horrid infringements on our constitutionally protected liberties and inalienable rights were stopped.
Salem is out of balance and the marbled halls have been organized to preserve the powerful. Republican bills, amendments and ideas are readily dismissed, while public access and comment is limited or completely denied.
As we all know, 2020 has been a year unlike any other in Oregon’s history. The COVID-19 uncertainties, the lockdowns of schools and businesses and the subsequent permanent closings of so many small businesses within our communities. The dictatorial abolition of the right to assemble and religious freedom is un-American. It is heartbreaking to witness the struggles of everyday Oregonians desperately juggling home, work, and their children’s education. Although President Trump has provided financial support for small businesses and unemployment claims, people must be free to resume their normal lives. Already struggling businesses must have the freedom to serve their customers as they see fit and not face the fear of executive agency bureaucrats fining them into bankruptcy or forcing their closure.
Senate District 28 is clearly saying that they don’t want the riots, mayhem and violence that is erupting within the Democrat controlled metro-areas of our state. They want Senators who are willing to stand strong against the leftist indoctrination of our youth and the re-writing of our Constitution’s proud and historic legacy of – Freedom and Justice for All.
Although the imbalance in the legislature creates roadblocks, I was able to pass significant legislation which includes increasing the number of providers who would be eligible for Oregon’s Rural Medical Tax Credits; improving Oregon Tech’s standing as the west coast’s most modern technological institute; increased funding for community colleges while allowing 2-year colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees; changed arbitrary rules which would have denied access to school funding for small school districts and preserved due process for water-right holders.
My endorsement list includes:
- Oregon Right to Life PAC
- Oregon Firearms Federation Political Action Committee
- Oregon Farm Bureau Federation
- Timber Unity PAC
- Associated Oregon Loggers
- AG-PAC
- Oregon Dairy Farmers Association
- Oregonians for Food & Shelter
- Oregonians for Medical Freedom PAC
- Parents’ Rights in Education, PAC
- Coalition for Healthy Oregon
- Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs
- Oregon Chiefs of Police Association
- Sheriffs of Oregon
As the current incumbent and office holder for Oregon’s Senate District 28, which includes all or part of five counties – Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Deschutes and Crook – I am running for my second four-year term in this November’s General Election.
Thank you for your vigilance in defending the American Dream against the anger, riots and destruction allowed, excused and nurtured by those who deny America’s greatness and seek to destroy the unity that blossoms within the American dream.
Join me and together we will continue to fight for our traditional American values – our freedom of speech, assembly and redress; our private property rights and water rights; the right of parents to choose appropriate educational opportunities for their children; our right to consensual medicine and healthcare; the freedom to worship when and where we please, and our right to keep and bear arms without infringement.
If we don’t stand for rural Oregon Values and common-sense… No one will!
Regards,
Dennis Linthicum
Oregon State Senate – District 28