Here it is the Holiday Season again, but too many Oregonians do not have much to celebrate. The official numbers indicate that just over 200,000 of our state residents are out of work. But the true number is much higher. Thousands of businesses owners have closed their doors over the last two years. Most of the owners are not included in the unemployment numbers. We have also had tens of thousands of students graduate from school, but they are also excluded from the official State Unemployment static’s.

In 2008 Oregonians passed Measures 66 and 67, which increased taxation on corporations. Even companies who sold a lot of product, but did not make a profit had to pay thousands more in State taxes. Some of these corporations moved out of the state, while adding their employees to the unemployment rolls.

Our government has added to their rolls to reduce the number of unemployed workers, but that costs all of us more money. You see, government workers are overhead expenses like buildings and equipment. The cost associated with their salary and benefits must come out of the state budget. They do not bring in any revenue, but simply shift from one category to another. Oh, they also cost us three to five times more money, but government is not about truth, it’s about packaging and presenting “good news.”

So how do we fix this dilemma? Call, write, e-mail your government representatives and tell them we need a smaller government with less regulations and redundant agencies. Employers will not hire more people unless they are sure those workers will make more profit for the company. It’s just that simple! Would like to work all week and not make any money? Neither do business owners. Government does not make our lives better. They have become a big fat burden, which needs to go on a diet.

Ken Bear Cole

A Second Look Business Consulting LLC

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

- Why the early bird gets the worm;

- Life isn’t always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights

I Want It Now

Someone Else Is To Blame

I’m A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

-Author Unknown

Many Americans understand that government spending that is out of control. One of the largest expenses each year is the military budget. There are numerous opportunities to relocate our armed forces from non-combat locations. We still have tens of thousands of troops located in places like England, Japan, Germany, Spain, Italy and many more. I ask why? Are we afraid that Europe or Japan will be invaded? Let’s place these troops on our borders and ports.

Let’s also thin the ranks. Those who have already served 20 years and have not achieved the rank of E-8 or Lt. Col. and above should be forced to retire. If you are convicted of drug or alcohol abuse two or more time should also be terminated.

Let’s keep this country safe first and foremost. Europe and Asia have relied upon us for too long. It’s time to secure ALL of the United States from ANY undocumented person regardless of race.

Ken Bear Cole

A Second Look Business Consulting LLC

By Ken Bear Cole

President Obama took an oath to defend this nation. He is allowing foreigners to enter into this country illegally, from our southern border with Mexico. Many of those entering into the United States are doing so looking for better income to send back to their home of origin. They are forced to transport drugs into this country and many times held hostage until additional funds are paid to their transporters. These are not bad people, but they are being controlled by criminal drug cartels in Mexico.

Phoenix Arizona has become the second highest kidnapping state in the world. They are Number one in this country. The President is allowing modern day slavery, rape and at times, torture of these immigrants. THIS MUST STOP!!! I know that this problem has existed for decades and previous Presidents should have been impeached for allowing the borders to go unchecked. This is not a Republican or Demarcate problem. It is a threat to the safety for our citizens. I have seen the warning signs posted on the San Diego Freeway indicating that families may be running across the road.

We have been invaded by foreigners who are ravaging our government resources and taking entry level jobs, which were previously filled by younger American workers.

The President should be given 30 days to protect the border or face impeachment proceedings.

Well, our Commander-In-Chief isn’t sending 6,000 troups to guard our southern US border. He is only comitting 1,200. Maybe it would help if he actually read the new Arizona Law or decided to enforce the current Federal statute, which was established in 1940. I guess he is too busy trying to convince congress to spend more money we don’t have.

We need to bring out troups home from all over the world and protect ALL of our ports and borders. Mr. President, you were right. We can not allow 4 more years of Fromer President Bush’s policies. Please do your job and protect this country!

Ken Bear Cole

A Second Look Business Consulting LLC

Many Americans are becoming fed up with political party loyalty. They are endorsing individuals rather then blindly voting for a particular party candidate. If you find yourself in this growing category, you maybe attending Tea Party rallies, consider yourself an Independent or Libertarian. Examine your own thinking as you read the remainder of this article.

You Might Be A Libertarian If:

• You believe in individual rights and the responsibility for your own actions.

You can choose to live in a neighborhood controlled by a homeowners association, which determines the height of your grass and color of your house, but you should also be able to decide to not live in such a neighborhood.

• You believe our government should pass and enforce laws to protect us from ciaos.

We need traffic codes to make sure we all drive on the same side of the road, but the government has no right to determine the color of our cars. We need public safety without micro management.

• You believe in freedom of thought.

It’s not wrong to be different, but it is wrong to demand that every adult conform to your opinions.

• You believe you have the right to protect your property from trespassers.

Fencing, alarms and even animals should be allowed, so long as they do not harm those outside of your property. Claymore mines and lazier guided weapons are over the top.

Maybe Libertarians are not strange little people demanding the repeal of all laws. Maybe they just want the right to be left alone, to live their lives as they choose without harming others. Who knows, you may see a Libertarian in the mirror.

Ken Bear Cole

A Second Look Business Consulting LLC

Rebuild Oregon and the City of Fairview invited candidates running for Multnomah County Chair (Mike Darger, Jeff Cogan and Wes Soderback) to face tough questions from the community.  For unknown reasons, Mike Darger was unable to attend the event–even though he confirmed his participation.

The situation would have been easy enough to resolve by Rebuild Oregon endorsing one of the candidates in attendance; however, Mike received more votes in our online poll.  Rather than giving our endorsement to the candidate who received the second most number of votes, the Rebuild Oregon members in attendance last night felt our organization should with hold our endorsement for this position.

Lately I have heard politicians compare the new law passed by Arizona, to that of Nazi Germany. Maybe it’s time to view Schneider’s List again. During WWII, the Nazi storm troopers killed those who did not have their papers in order. Civilians were not sneaking into Germany at that time. People were looking to escape the violence of the day.

The Arizona law is very similar to the current Federal law, which requires non-citizens to carry passports or some other form of identification indicating authorization to be in the country. The new law does not allow government officials to stop people based upon their skin color. No one will be executed on the spot. To be questioned, the person must have committed an infraction of the law. A police officer asks everyone to produce identification if they are stopped for a traffic ticket.

The reason this law is important is to attempt to identify criminals. People become criminals when they overstay their visa or enter this country illegally. Phoenix Arizona has the number one kidnapping rate in the country. They are also second in the world. Why? It’s all about drugs and other criminal activities.

All of this could be stopped if the Federal Government would place our troops at our southern border. Let’s stop stationing our armed forces in Europe and Asia. They are needed to combat the drug cartels to our south.

Ken Bear Cole

A Second Look Business Consulting LLC

WHAT:

Andre Wang for State Representative – Cinco de Mayo Celebration

WHERE:

4th Street Brewing Co. – 77 NE 4th, Gresham (corner of 4th & Roberts)

WHEN:

Wednesday, May 5 – 5:30pm to 7:30pm . . . or later.

WHO:

Joining the festivities will be:

• Rep. Bruce Hanna, House Republican Leader
• Rep. Andy Olson, House Republican Whip
• Rep. Scott Bruun, Candidate for Congress
• and House candidates from around the metro area.

Contributions welcome but not mandatory.  Suggested contribution of $50 per person qualifies for the Oregon political tax credit to a qualified political committee.  Please make contributions to Andre for Oregon (PAC 14009) – PO Box 443, Gresham OR 97030.

Fairview City Hall
Thursday, May 6th 2010
6:30 – 9:00

Rebuild Oregon invites you to participate in the Spring Voters Forum.
This event will be moderated by telivision & radio personality Michael Convery and will
be broadcast live by Metro East Community Media on their local public access channels.

Candidates for the following races will participate in the forum:

Multnomah County Chair:

• Jeff Cogan
• Mike Darger
• Wes Soderback

Multnomah County Sheriff:

• Dan Stanton
• Muhammad Ra’oof

Metro Council District:

• Shirley Craddick
• Christopher Gorsek
• Jeffrey Reynolds
• Duke Shepard

Metro President:

• Rex Burkholder
• Tom Hughes
• Bob Stacey

Come and participate in local democracy by meeting and hearing from candidates in these important local races.