16 Comments
User's avatar
Sheila Hudson's avatar

Beautifully written. I’m of the mind that we grab every child we can get our hands on and invest in them; feed them, educate them and make sure they’re healthy. What a cheap way to bless the future.

I myself have always worked alongside immigrants and find them to generally be hardworking and humble. I also see them being quintessentially American, believing in hard work, cooperation, education and being successful. They are frequently more morally conservative than gringos and often deeply religious. Seem like good people to me; people that just want a better life and are willing to work and sacrifice to achieve it.

Cyrus Javadi's avatar

Thank you, that’s beautifully said. I couldn’t agree more. Investing in kids (all kids) isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smartest thing we can do for the future. And your point about immigrants rings true in my experience too. So many of the families I’ve met embody the very values we say we admire: hard work, sacrifice, faith, and a commitment to something better. It’s time we stop treating them like a problem and start recognizing them as part of the solution.

Betty Holladay's avatar

I love you, man. Run for the Oregon Senate one of these days. Then go from there. Independent? In any case, you are giving Republicans a good name. So refreshing.

Cyrus Javadi's avatar

Appreciate the encouragement more than you know.

LA's avatar

Well written. You sound like a true die hard democrat

LA's avatar

Well written. You sound like a true die hard democrat

Nancy Hakala's avatar

Can you explain why you identify with the republicans? You sure don’t express your views like one, at least on the issues addressed here.

Cyrus Javadi's avatar

I identify as a Republican because I believe in limited government, individual liberty, and fiscal responsibility. But I also believe, like Edmund Burke did, that true conservatism isn’t about clinging to slogans, it’s about preserving what’s worth keeping by reforming what’s gone off course.

Burke wrote that “a state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation.” In other words, if we’re not willing to adapt with wisdom and moral clarity, we risk losing the very things we claim to protect.

So when I speak up about Medicaid, poverty, or free speech, I’m not stepping outside my principles, I’m applying them. I’m trying to balance tradition with reality, and governance with compassion. That may not always sound like the national party, but I think it sounds like the kind of conservatism worth fighting for.

Janet Mitchell's avatar

WOW! Mr. Javadi, you are giving me and others in Astoria reasons to re-think our position on your being our representative in Oregon. Jan

Cyrus Javadi's avatar

I don’t expect everyone to agree with me on everything, but I do believe we should expect honesty, clarity, and a willingness to explain where we stand. I’m always glad when that opens the door to a second look. Appreciate you keeping an open mind.

Kerry's avatar

I’m an Oregonian and have subbed to your Substack because you sound like the Republicans I grew up with. Honest, sincere people who loved their neighbors, whom you might differ with on policies but could trust not to lie, cheat, steal elections, or attempt to take away human rights from those they look down upon. Thanks for hanging in there as a decent conservative.

Denice's avatar

You have become the swamp! I worked in retail grocery for several decades and the food stamp fraud is rampant. I have personally witnessed illegal aliens cashing welfare checks and sending the majority of it out of the country. Our own governor diverted funds to pay for housing, food and medical for illegal aliens. We have a process for immigration, follow it or be deported. How many other countries raise taxes on working citizens to pay for illegal aliens? I can't wait to get you out of office!

Cyrus Javadi's avatar

Denice—I agree that fraud in any form undermines the system and public trust. When people exploit loopholes or commit fraud, it hurts the very programs that were built to help working families, seniors, and children in real need. That’s why I support strong enforcement and accountability.

But we also need to be honest about the facts. Federal law already bars undocumented immigrants from receiving SNAP and Medicaid. What Oregon has done in some cases is use state dollars to help certain individuals, and that’s a policy we can debate. But it’s different from the claim that federal welfare programs are being overrun by undocumented immigrants.

You and I may see things differently, but I respect that you’ve been close to this issue. I’m not afraid of hard conversations, that’s part of the job. And I’d rather disagree in public, honestly, than hide behind slogans.

Barry Dragoon's avatar

Thank you for your comments which I agree with wholeheartedly. Why in this political climate, are you still aligned with the Republican party owned completely by don the con? It sounds like the party has left you. Be a leader. Hope to see you at the next "Indivisible" demonstration in Tilly.

Cyrus Javadi's avatar

Thanks for the thoughtful comment, and for the challenge, too. I get this question a lot. The truth is, I stay because I believe it’s worth fighting for the soul of the party I joined, not just walking away from it. There are still a lot of people in this state, and across the country, who want the party that stands for responsibility, freedom, and decency, and I’m doing what I can to make sure those values aren’t drowned out by the noise.

Appreciate the invite. And who knows, might see you there.