I applaud Mike Marshall’s systematic approach to electing Oregon’s next governor (“Opinion: The voters have a job to do,” Jan. 9), but I differ with him on the specifics. I do not agree that a changing climate and racial inequality are “existential.” The lack of public confidence in governmental institutions may be.
Marshall identified four specific problems candidates should be asked to address: corporate influence on the Legislature, the tax system, the rural-urban divide and misinformation. He blames corporate interests for killing cap-and-trade legislation, but a more appropriate stance for Oregon would be to strengthen our ability to adapt to climate change. The corporate tax structure is part of the negotiations to bring industries to our state and retain the industry we have. As Marshall noted, public misinformation is a national problem; it is better dealt with at that level (the advocacy “news” channels aren’t all bad in that they provide a check on each other’s excesses and omissions, and those of the government).
The lack of public trust in government institutions and the rural-urban divide truly are of concern, but Marshall’s views reflect some of why that is so. In particular, he seemed to equate the rural counties with racism. This is not helpful and does not facilitate an exchange of views on different values.
Allan Halderman, Portland