142 Comments
User's avatar
Leeann's avatar

This is a big wow in my morning. I’m not in your district - I live in southern Oregon - but I heartily applaud you for your integrity and doing what you were elected to do: serve your constituents. 👏

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Margaret's avatar

Thank you so much for taking the high road, standing tall for all in Oregon. I am a resident of Marion County and a Democrat. I have been reading your emails because you gave me hope that the dark days we are going through may be coming to an end.

My hope now is that members of the Republican Party will follow your lead. It is time that we all put the great state of Oregon first, fix our immediate problems and work together in long term planning. Margaret

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Ben Roche's avatar

You might want to self reflect and figure out why so many Democrats are leaving your party.

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james Dudder's avatar

And we are not going republican either.

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pogi's avatar

No, it is obvious you are going communist.

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Gary J. Blige's avatar

GOOD.

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JNorvelle's avatar

I didn’t vote for you because frankly after a 2nd run of this administration I’m solidly Dem. But I started reading your posts a while ago and found I agreed every time, finally a Republican I agreed with - so weird. I’d share with my husband and say “It’s so weird he’s a Republican.”

Welcome to the other side.

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Diane Wax's avatar

I hope others agree with you

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Diane Wax's avatar

Yes I am the Diane who I've shared company with you and your daughter, (and her BF) and granddaughter.

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Jane Finch's avatar

This just made my day! Thank you for putting your constituents first and having the courage to do what so many elected representatives have not. You rock!!

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Jim Heffernan's avatar

I'm for you, whatever label you attach to yourself! Nobody I read makes as much sense as you have in the recent past.

Good luck with the "secret police bann" you are sposoring.

Jim Heffernan, Tillamook

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Rosalie's avatar

Yes I voted for you as a Republican because even tho I was Democrat your ideas were sound. You used your head. You were dedicated to rational and resolution minded solutions. I will definitely vote for you again and this time as a Democrat. I will also donate when you make your change official.

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Michael Schultz's avatar

I admire your moral conviction to work for your constituents over party! If only more Republicans could find the strength to do so! Then maybe we could begin to see more bipartisan efforts and success to solving issues important to Oregonians. All best success to your new political affiliation. I hope the constituents of your district reward you for this decision by voting to keep you as their representative.

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Holly Robisnon's avatar

Thank you for your courage, your true bipartisanship, your interest in governing, in solving problems, not in posturing. It means everything in this political climate. Kudos!

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Julie Buchenau's avatar

As a Tillamook county democrat, I was touched by your article. I’d like to welcome you to the right side of history. For what it’s worth you’ve just earned my vote.

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Tiffanie Young's avatar

And now we know why you voted for the bill that 90% of your constituents opposed. You have failed the people who elected you. You have failed to hold Salem and the governor accountable for the reckless spending. 0.2% is an easy number to find money for without this massive money grab. WE CAN'T AFFORD THIS

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Kl's avatar

Just bc 90% of the written testimony didn't support the bill, DOES NOT mean that 90% of Javadi's constituents don't support. There is a difference between who is fired up enough to write in commentary. And those that support the bill would not be angry enough to submit testimony. YOU are not the majority

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pogi's avatar

Then why weren't more people from that district in the favor column during oral/written testimony?

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John Calhoun's avatar

Same reason. Anti-tax advocates are always very active at hearings, but polls do not always support their positions. However, advocates for the services show up in even greater numbers, just not at the tax hearings.

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c Anderson's avatar

No, Libs are illiterate and lazy, but you are absolutely on point about Libs showing up for the “free stuff” that we taxpayers are forced to give. Mooches.

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Francis Hicks's avatar

Perhaps what is needed is “The No Outrage Online Party.” Outrage should arise when outrageous things are proposed, or carried out. Unfortunately it is not only Republicans who hurl unhelpful, often meaningless diatribes at anyone who opposes their party line.

I am outraged by many things happening within our state and the United State writ large, but labeling those who think differently as enemies, or terrorists does nothing but fuel angry responses: broken windows, broken friendships, even broken families. STOP!

There is my outrageous comment. I will listen to and consider your viewpoint. If I think I have a shot at bringing light to the subject I will respond. Otherwise, I may simply let you say your piece and carry on with my life.

Oregon voters voted down Ranked Choice Voting recently. I hope we get another shot at approving it, with better education as to how it works. RCV allows for candidates with views that don’t perfectly fit party platforms to offer fresh ideas—ideas that may bring the very change needed. Many polls show Americans across party lines are less divided on any number of issues (immigration and government subsidized health care for example) than the rhetoric of elected officials reflects.

In the end it is not Us vs Them. We are all Us. We need to figure out how to start acting like it.

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Darlene McGrady's avatar

Absolutely NO on ranked choice voting. Even the county election clerks say no....

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Darlene McGrady's avatar

I just don't agree with you. Oregon is one of the highest taxed states in the nation. Republicans are saying no to new taxes. Perhaps the money is there, somewhere in the budget, but being spent on non-essentials. How about moving money being spent on illegal aliens and DEI programs to necessary road/water projects....I believe a DOGE project is overdue in Orgon. Also, Oregon is a sanctuary state, which prevents us from receiving Federal funds. Revoking this status

would equal more money in our coffers.

As for books in schools representing various lifestyles - (I am a retired teacher from Southern California) never in my wildest dreams would I have discussed sexual matters/preferences with my students, or read them a book depicting young boys having oral sex. Such books are not age appropriate for young children. If parents want their children reading such books, they can purchase them. Have you read any of these books in any school library? Many are pornographic, and cannot even be read aloud at a school board meeting! Once again, I am emphasizing 'age appropriate' education.

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Kl's avatar

have you seen the numbers of wht DOGE savings are? ZERO. IN fact, DOGE cost the Federal Gov't moneey.

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Darlene McGrady's avatar

You are incorrect. Not only did DOGE save us money, but it brought to light what horrific and outrageous waste the taxpayers of this country have been forced to pay for...Every American should be shocked and angry.

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Ralston Elko's avatar

Are you smoking crack? The only shocking part of doge was the destruction it wrought and the easily identifiable lies it told about nonexistent “savings”. And even then, it didn’t end up claiming that it achieved anywhere near the “savings” it promised when it started because the promises were so insanely farcical.

The Republican Party is a confidence game that is eating itself. The lies are so pervasive and detached from reality that it convinces its constituents to live in a fantasy land. That mass psychotic break with reality is destroying this country and you, Darlene, are its avatar. Please reevaluate your worldview.

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pogi's avatar

Crack is whack but better than fentanyl. Maybe the drug cartels associated with the Oregon Democratic Party could bring a little more of both in to improve the state. Some illegal campaign donations from non-taxpaying pot shop owners and stolen crypto money would help too.

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Eric Wallace's avatar

You cannot actually be this ignorant…

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Ragpad's avatar

And you were a teacher - now retired? Oh, man! I shudder to even think how good a teacher your would have been!

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Mariah Rossi's avatar

I am the mom that read from the book "The Haters" at my local school board meeting in southern Oregon. So of the books I challenged still disturb me as an adult. No child should read these sexually explicit books. The only purpose is to groom these kids for adults sexual agenda.

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Darlene McGrady's avatar

100%

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pogi's avatar

Leftists refuse to let kids be kids. Groomers love this state.

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Gary J. Blige's avatar

shut the fuck up

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Mariah Rossi's avatar

No

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Gary J. Blige's avatar

fair enough. Continue to be a fascist idiot

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Paul G's avatar

The federal government no longer has DEI programs and it (by far) spends more money terrorizing and deporting immigrants than it ever spent “on” them. Plus we’ve lost their productivity, taxes, and contributions to Medicare (which they can’t use).

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Lynn St. Georges's avatar

All DOGE “achieved” was stealing our personal data for the broligarchs to use to feed their AI. The damage DOGE otherwise caused will be felt for years if not longer, and may be unrecoverable. People need to wake up.

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Sarah's avatar

Anyone in Salem who votes for new taxes and not reign in the bloated budget will never receive my vote. This state is run by the supermajority of democrats who are ruining our beautiful state. One day I hope people will wake up and see it is the policies of the democrats that are ruining this state. I don’t care for the republicans, but they are at least listening to 90% of voters who do not want this new tax bill passed.

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MerkinBall's avatar

Wow... 90% huh? Got a source for that or is that another 'I believe it and everyone has to be as gullible and bad with numbers as I' comment?

But let's be real: If you want people to believe that you "don't care for the republicans," maybe don't have a profile pic of you and a guy decorated with your Orange Deity in it.

Also, maybe don't have your profile full of Pro-MAGA cult comments, either.

You probably defended the "Big Beautiful Bill," didn't you?

When you get some free time, take a moment to look up the terms "hypocrite" and "political cult."

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itzatwist's avatar

Um, where have you been lately, MerkinBall?

Testimonies received by the Oregon House was over 96% NO to the Transportation Tax Bill.

In case you missed it, Javardi was the deciding 36th vote to pass the House

Now all it has to do is pass the Senate.

Still with me MerkinBall?

There is no "orange" here

There is no "Big Beautiful Bill" here

There is no "maga" here

You're in Oregon, Ok?

The Senate vote is delayed for several weeks because one of the Senate Democrats is recovering from a medical issue

Now you are all caught up, MerkinBall

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MerkinBall's avatar

I'm not.

So you believe that testimonies equate to the majority of voters? That's strange. Where did you learn this?

How did you miss the context of the Orange deity? Go back and reread my reply to Sarah until you figure that out.

Same with the BBB.

Ugh, and same with the MAGA comment.

It's almost like you didn't read/understand/follow anything about what you just replied to. It's almost like you recognized some triggering nouns in my comment and got so triggered that you entirely forgot the context of how they were used. Totally not something a person in a political cult would....

Try again.

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pogi's avatar

Something tells me that you are "90% of people believe in common sense gun control" person.

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Kl's avatar

You are conflating 90% of written testimony was against the bill vs the % of ALL voters that did support the bill. The people submitting testimony are often angry enough to voice their opposition. Those that support and feel confident it will pass, often will not submit testimony. Please understand this basic fact and stop misrepresenting the 90% quote from Drazen.

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Neal Lemery's avatar

Courageous and honest. Serving the people of Oregon

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Darrell Lucus's avatar

You didn’t leave the GOP. It left you. Welcome aboard.

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DF's avatar

I knew you were a Democrat….don’t mind taxing everyone for everything instead of managing the people’s money wisely which the Democrats in Salem don’t do… I understand your thoughts that you think you’re being reasonable but I think you have drank the Kool-Aid. You will not get my vote again.

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Gary J. Blige's avatar

you think he drank the Kool-Aid but you're literally in a death cult

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c Anderson's avatar

Conservatives don’t believe in abortion—which is truly a Democrat death cult. Abortion is a religious sacrament for liberals. There were 4,415 babies just this quarter aborted in Oregon.

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Gary J. Blige's avatar

I don't care. Conservatives want to kill actual people who are already alive.

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c Anderson's avatar

Did you know that if a woman is pregnant and murdered, it counts as two murders? Here you go:

Search Assist

Yes, under the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, if a pregnant woman is murdered, it is considered a separate offense, counting as two murders: one for the woman and one for the unborn child. This law recognizes the unborn child as a legal victim in such cases.

Unborn babies are real people.

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Gary J. Blige's avatar

i don't care what you or your AI assistant say

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Gary J. Blige's avatar

you haven't caught me in some sort of hard-logic "gotcha"

you've only demonstrated that you don't understand the concept of consent

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