When Democrats Rule -- "All politics is local."

[stevedeshazer]

-- Tip O'Neill

There's been a lot of hand-wringing here of late about how Democrats aren't getting the job done, and on the national level I think that's partly true. But that's not the whole story.

On the state level, at least in mine, things are getting done.

In 2006, Democrats took over the Oregon Legislature after sixteen long years of Republican rule. Sixteen years of obstruction, obfuscation, and just plain not getting the job done.

Here's an example of what can happen when a state throws Republicans out of office and elects Democrats:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/118317396752560.xml&coll=7

<snip>

Democrats put GOP through agenda wringer in 2007 session
Legislature - A rising Republican star leaves politics, and the governor foresees dominance

Saturday, June 30, 2007
HARRY ESTEVE
The Oregonian Staff

Outnumbered and outranked for the first time in 16 years, Republicans in the Oregon Legislature threw obstacle after obstacle onto the tracks of the Democrats' political express train.

Then they watched as Democrats, including Gov. Ted Kulongoski, blew through them or found a way around.

Republicans stage a walkout to stop a corporate tax increase? Kulongoski sends state troopers to round them up. Republicans won't provide votes for a cigarette tax increase? Democrats refer it to the ballot.

"The Democrats came in with an agenda, and they left with the agenda complete," said Rep. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas. An Army reservist who served multiple tours in Iraq, Boquist was considered a rising star in the party. But as the session came to a close, a dispirited Boquist announced his retirement from politics.

"You get to the point of, is it worth it?" Boquist said.

(note: Boquist owns his own private military contracting outfit, ICI)

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In just six months, the new Democratic majority in the Oregon Legislature passed:

--tax credits for green energy development

--spending boosts on schools and universities

--a bill to ensure equal rights for gay couples

--expanded Oregon's landmark bottle deposit bill to include water bottles

--created a rainy day fund to see the state through future tough economic times

Don't get me wrong, there's much more that needs to be done. But the argument I hear over and over on DU and other progressive outlets is that the Dems aren't doing anything.

That simply is not true.

The difference?

There is a massive shift of public opinion against the Republicans and their failed ideology

Ride the wave, baby. We're winning.

Keep the heat on, but don't give up.

Never give up.