Now is the Decade of Decision

It has been said that the last ten years were a lost decade: from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 to the disastrous Iraq War to the financial meltdown that continues to bedevil us today. It is true that the past ten years did very little to move us forward and in many ways, put us more at risk. But rather than rehash the actions of the past, we can acknowledge that we haven’t any more time to waste. It’s time to move forward.

This is our decade of decision; a decade where we unite behind a new vision, extract more value from what we do, deal with the tradeoffs head-on, and dedicate ourselves to making things happen. Earl Blumenauer is committed to calling this question in every facet of his work this year; he is committed to working with all Oregonians to make this our Decade of Decision.

Fiscal Fitness

We need to develop a tax code based on fundamental fairness and everyone paying their fair share, not lobbyists in Washington fighting for loopholes and unrealistic expectations of perpetual tax cuts. In order to address our nation’s long term budget problems, we will have to have an adult conversation about tax policy and budget cuts. While Congressional Republicans rely on ridiculous PR stunts, Earl Blumenauer regularly tours on a message of “fiscal fitness” inviting a broad and realistic discussion on the federal budget and our national priorities.

Right sizing energy and combating global warming

We need to move away from fossil fuels not only to fight global climate change, but also to end our reliance on foreign fossil fuels and natural disasters like the ongoing crisis with the BP oil spill. Earl Blumenauer is a champion of alternative energy, joining with Congressional Democrats in moving towards the largest investment in alternative energy sources and continued research and development in US history. We must also upgrade our energy infrastructure so that, for example, the power produced by wind farms in the Midwest or tidal energy on the coasts can be effectively transmitted to where it is consumed.

Investing in infrastructure

Improving our roads and bridges, supporting rail and green building projects, as well as maintaining our public water systems not only produce good jobs now, but are also lasting improvements that contribute to the safety of our communities and long term savings. Earl Blumenauer is a vocal advocate of this rebuilding a renewing America and has formed a coalition of likeminded Democrats as chairman of the Livable Communities Task Force to see this agenda moved forward.

Winning back confidence in government

We must renew our commitment to civil discourse and honest compromise. The public will continue to be divided and the political atmosphere will remain toxic as long as our leaders are jostling for face time on the 24-hour yell-a-thon news networks or one-upping each other with poisonous rhetoric and reductionist talking points. Honestly communicating with voters of the tough decisions we face ahead without resorting to hyperbole or shouting matches is the only way we will be able to successfully confront the decade of decision.