Since this is long, here's the hook, and the reason I feel compelled to write this morning: I cannot tell you (Liberals) how many people have private messaged me to thank me for speaking up on Conservative issues. Prominent people in our community, business owners, people you might be shocked... and they tell me they appreciate me putting myself out there because they don't feel that they can. They feel that their businesses, positions, and relationships would be in jeopardy if they publicly said how they feel. Take that in, folks. That is called oppression. And it's real. In fact, about half our population is feeling a certain way, and because there is a lack of willingness to hear anything but what you want to hear and believe—or there will be backlash—these folks live in silence to survive. THAT is the divide. And if you're scoffing at this right now, you're the problem. And if that genuinely surprises you, read on.
I've been thinking a lot lately about our Emotional Voters. Our Liberal Democrat friends who are so passionate, and yet...
No good decisions are made from emotional states. So here we are, with this enormous gap in understanding because emotions have hijacked so many brains. (There are literally studies on this, and no, I'm not going to Google it for you.)
Here's the last few things I want to say on this topic at the end of this voting season, and it's really a letter to our Liberal Democrat friends. And so many of you ARE friends... whether you realize it or not, we still have a lot in common. But because I respect you, I'm also the friend that's not afraid of hard conversations... so I'm gonna share a few thoughts. Because I believe in free speech, while I have it, I will use it. Because I know my love for all people, because I'm good at what I do, I choose to believe my business can and will withstand my having my own opinions and life will go on. That's the world I want to live in, and that's the way I'm going to behave—fearlessly sharing in hopes of connection and understanding.
I've watched the dismay, the meltdowns, the complete shock and surprise as Trump was elected not once, but twice. And the only way this is being justified by the Left, because you're being emotional... is to label all those "MAGA," "Trumpers," as racists, bigots, rapist supporters, etc. And what you just did there was dehumanize an entire half of the population. Despite the fact that a large portion of these voters were Black, Hispanic, and immigrants—that's been your story and you're sticking to it.
Rational thinking would say, "Whoa, that came as a complete surprise to me, what are we missing? What is so important to these folks that we aren't addressing? How can we better understand this large population?"
And I have to tell you, people are FED UP with the derogatory name-calling. The labeling without conversation or understanding. The total disregard for the issues that they find important. Trump was the only option, the closest option to having a voice on important issues.
The thing about these voters... and they are not just registered Republicans, they're Independents, and Democrats as well. They're just people who are asking hard questions, who are using their brains to connect the dots and see where things aren't working and need improving. Questioning where things don't make sense. These are problem solvers, not complainers. And instead of using them as team members that are valuable for our overall success as a society, they're being shunned, and in Oregon, not even invited to the table. Literally. As our Association of Realtors said at Governance, they're supporting Republican candidates because it has gotten so lopsided— one side is just doing what they want to do completely unchecked—and financially, that's a problem.
These folks, while maybe registering or identifying in their votes with and as Republicans, aren't necessarily lock and step with all Republican things, all Trump things, and they identify as Conservatives.
Conservatives by nature keep to themselves... they're a live-and-let-live group. These people don't care how you want to live your life, unless you start impeding on how they want to live their life and taking away from their rights. They're not transphobic, they're not anti-gay, many are OK with abortions as an option... the overall sentiment is, do you boo.
And the expectation is that respect will go both ways. The problem we have right now is that it is not the case.
Parties and priorities change over time. At one time Democrats were in favor of slavery, for example. So while Republicans have morphed into a mixed Conservative group, Democrats have very publicly morphed into a Socialist group. They are aggressively taking over cities and states all over, and guess what—they are here. They are in Portland, they have already infiltrated our current officials and groups, and they are growing. Just the other day, a woman running for a seat in Washington County, with her head covered, speaking a completely other language, and with the American flag upside down, gave a speech. She's running to represent who? She wants a power position for why? It's certainly not for Oregonians, nor Americans. This growing trend will continue unchecked, and it should not be tolerated.
When one of the greatest fraud uncoverings of our time was uncovered in Minnesota, what did our Governor do? She immediately took a picture with all the Somali folks she could find and posted, "We stand in solidarity with our Somali friends." You think THAT leadership won't allow socialism to take over this state? In case you're confused, that was the most inappropriate show of leadership that could have possibly happened in that moment.
Now maybe you really like Tina... you like that she supports these side projects... focusing on issues that make you feel, well, passionate. DEI, trans issues, gay issues, abortion, etc. Maybe it's just the mere fact that she is a gay woman is enough for you to identify with her no matter what her policies.
But Oregonians are watching, and Democrat leadership looks like hypocrisy.
No Kings protests, Save Democracy... (protests have completely lost their meaning) and YET, you are fine with Kotek running over voters time and time again. You're fine that whole half of our population doesn't even get a seat at the table, no voice, because the one-party rule doesn't need their input to make whatever decisions they want. You're fine with that, because it's in your favor (although... hello, we're ALL living in this expensive state that's crashing down).
Things to note: When talking about running over voters for the gas tax, not only was Tina NOT sorry about it, there are literally plans to do it again with a different name next year. When confronted with the fact that the bills that Tina has been promoting all have to do with new taxes, and that all of her plans to fix our problems WILL COME with new taxes, Kotek never denied that either. Understand— that is the plan. And it's not just for the wealthy (who will leave our state); she's coming for all of us. You think taxing floaties was where she'll stop? She's just getting warmed up.
One doesn't have to demonize the current Governor to say—she's not doing a good job. The numbers are in, facts are what they are, it's not working. And ALL she had to do in these debates is get up there, take some accountability and say, "You know what? You're right. We tried some things, it's clearly not working, and we've come up with a plan to address these things and do x, y, z differently moving forward." But she DIDN'T. If you're voting for her, you know—the plan is to STAY THE COURSE. The course so far is sinking the boat, makes us one of the highest taxed in the US... but sure, why not keep doing what's clearly not working!
And that's what's frustrating to half our population. You're not good leaders. You don't actually believe we should all have a voice. You don't actually believe we should all be able to have freedom of speech, or be free to have our own beliefs. You are so busy being afraid that Republican rule will take away your rights— and yet, you've had NO PROBLEM rolling over the rights and voices of others. You're not open-minded, you're oppressive, you're bullies, who are intent on shoving your ideologies down everyone's throats, forcing them to concede to your beliefs without respecting theirs.
We can't say the Pledge of Allegiance in schools anymore, Christianity can't be in the schools, but Drag Queens, DEI, and trans education are pillars now that we can't escape. (Despite our kids scoring lowest in the nation and basic standards taken out, yeah... why not focus on these.)
You're so afraid of women losing their rights with Conservative leadership, and yet, you've all fought to let men/boys into women's sports, taking away opportunities, scholarships, and wins time and time again— celebrating it as "bravery." It's trampling our girls/women.
You can wave the rainbow flag all over the damn place, in some of the most inappropriate places, zero consideration for co-opting a very special Christian symbol, so while this may surprise you—is crazy offensive to lots of folks. But let's take a couple days ago: women at a sporting event in Portland were attacked and thrown out of the event for the pro-women tee shirt they were wearing. That freedom does not go both ways. It's complete intolerance for anything and anyone who doesn't align with your ideology.
You see, the examples go on and on where you are not the party of openness, understanding, and let's all get along... you are militant about your beliefs or nothing at all. Your way or the highway. And it's all led with emotion. And the repercussions of disagreeing with you are becoming more and more oppressive. It's been happening in the UK, people jailed for their Facebook posts. Silenced for speaking out against progressive and dangerous agendas. And that's why I speak up... what's coming isn't because of a King in DC. What's coming will be ushered in by a group of emotional voters, who are incredibly easy to manipulate because they're all emotions. In fact, there's literally a playbook for taking over the US using the Leftists because they're so easy to manipulate. A scary history of how this plays out, in fact... go check out Iran in the 70s.
I'm not saying you're not good people. I'm not saying you can't still have your own opinions. We all should. But your opinions shouldn't run over others' abilities to have their own beliefs, their own freedoms, their own boundaries. And in governance, your opinions might have to take a backseat to actual facts.
It's not Conservatives that are burning the world down. It's not Conservatives imposing their beliefs on others. It's not Conservatives cutting off friends and family because we have different beliefs.
Right now, it is really, really important that we have the ability to have rational conversations. That we move with logic, not emotion. That we include everyone at the table, because THAT is leadership.
I know a lot of folks have wrapped their identity up in their political stance... they're taking everything so personally. So I'm not trying to attack... but I am trying to appeal to your common sense. You don't have to change who you are, or what's important to you; you don't have to change your affiliation. But I am asking that you take a beat when you're filling out your ballot and ask yourself, am I an emotional voter? And what will be the consequences of these choices? Please vote responsibly.