Disqus - Latest Comments for crloftin

Re: Autos on way out?

crloftin — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 15:25:27 -0000

I too welcome the many choices AV technology will offer us... but it will be important that we gradually embed the changes that it will bring to society in thoughtful, meaningful for us all, and cooperative ways... After all, as the adage goes, we're all in this together! Let's take this as an active opportunity to learn from our past and rethink what have become axioms about transportation in our culture. First and foremost, are notions regarding building, maintaining and utilizing our roads. The idea, nearly as old as the automobile itself, is that costs associated should be born by governments, including all the externalities; or alternatively that the roads themselves should be treated as commodities and be privatized, with any profits that can be extracted for road use to be shared among shareholders. The thinking associated with this must be entirely rethought to incorporate the reality we now live in. This will mean sharing the costs in a more equitable way that ensures that large corporations, both foreign and domestic, pay their fair share for utilizing these assets with the recognition that these costs will ultimately effect both corporate shareholders' profits and corporate customers prices alike. This alone will take time and public discourse to allow for appropriate policy to be developed, implemented, evaluated and refined. This is but one issue with which we will have to contend as we move forward with the technology; let's not put the cart in front of the horse this time around... Let the discussion begin! I would welcome having Nico Larco helping to lead that discussion.

Re: Report: Black Lewis & Clark Student Beaten on Campus

crloftin — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 02:53:14 -0000

And as they should be...

Re: Abuses That Wouldn't Exist in a Socialist America

crloftin — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:09:30 -0000

This possibility of a mixed-economy exists in many places, including Spain! Just observe the success of employee-owned cooperatives that together form Mondragon Corp. that was start more than 50 years ago and is made of over 500,000 workers.

Our only salvation is to start moving in this direction. Power to the People!

Re: Sanders to address 'socialist' stigma in speech

crloftin — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:40:03 -0000

Trickle Down Economics were first implemented by that socialist Ronald Reagan... Google for it if you don't believe me. And you're right... it has nothing to do with the middle-class... As the Reagan team designed it, the nation's largest transfer from the middle-class to the wealthiest Americans began. Thanks, Ronald Reagan!

Re: Pamplin Media Group - City, county join world fossil fuels divestment movement

crloftin — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 14:13:23 -0000

This, sadly, is too little, too late! Do not buy is not the same as divesting. And spending the two years prior to this pledge of "divestment" gobbling up fossil fuel stock to the tune of millions of dollars, and deciding now that they must be held untie they mature is opportunism at its worst! I'm certain that there are those who will say, "Better late than never." But when it comes to CO2 levels in our atmosphere, there may well be no later... It may well be too late!
Fortunately the voters of Portland can choose the more responsible, adult thing to do. Fortunately we need not wait for Charlie Hales to mature to make a decision! I'm am anxious to see what Ted Wheeler says on this matter. If his statements at a recent meeting with environmentalists is any indication, I anticipate I'll be pleased. Yes, this matter is that important to me! I will vote for the candidate who has demonstrated that she/he is committed to doing what is best for the planet (and therefore my children and grandchildren!)

Re: North Carolina Man’s Obituary Asks People Not To Vote For Hillary Clinton

crloftin — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 18:25:16 -0000

Thanks...I have! I'd like to hear him speak to that reformed vision and what made him change his mind. If you see any pertinent links, please send them my way. (Although I'm inclined to think it's because he's trying to sound more like Bernie Sanders... Sanders is talking most of his policy perspectives from the same vantage point he has for years... sans reform! #FeelTheBern!)

Re: Meet Portland’s 16 Biggest Water Users

crloftin — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 18:14:03 -0000

Me, too... Makes for more interesting and trustworthy reading!

Re: Meet Portland’s 16 Biggest Water Users

crloftin — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 18:07:01 -0000

Hmmm... like father, like son?

Re: Meet Portland’s 16 Biggest Water Users

crloftin — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:59:35 -0000

WW is distributed for free! I doubt they are trying to use shock to entice readers to pick up a copy...

Re: Meet Portland’s 16 Biggest Water Users

crloftin — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:55:08 -0000

We are in a serious state of drought! Yet, there are four private residences that consume at least 1,000,000 gallons of water annually, with the remaining 12 not far behind! Looking at the aerial shots of these homes it is clear the lush, expansive lawns and private swimming pools largely account for this abusive overconsumption.(Others choose to hide their excesses from their neighbors behind hedges!)
Yet according to the prices paid for this water, it appears these home owners pay the same per gallon cost from first gallon to last.
I don’t know why a progressive billing system, one in which the cost of a gallon rises according to the level of consumption used, is not enacted and employed immediately? For example, the average water use for the typical home is 44,800 gals/year according to the article. Water usage up to that level would charged at an entry level and would be billed accordingly at a per-gallon cost per gallon consumed. Exceeding that level of usage would be charged at a progressively higher rate, say two-times the entry level rates. Once an additional amount was consumed beyond one-half of the entry level consumption plus the entry level consumption (44,800+22,400 or 63,000 gals.) the rate charged per additional gallon would again be doubled and the amount of water halved. And so on…
Such a progressive system would be equitable, enabling the best conservationists to consume the least, and be rewarded with the lowest bills. Yet people who feel entitled to consume at will (I.e. those who feel they have the money to pay for their excessive consumption) will be able to continue to consume as they choose! But they, in turn, will be punished with progressively higher water bills that reflect their consumption.
If such a system were enacted we would see how many lawns would be replaced with natural growth, and how many private swimming pools drained in lieu of community swimming pools!

Re: North Carolina Man’s Obituary Asks People Not To Vote For Hillary Clinton

crloftin — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 19:14:23 -0000

I did too... until I found out that he wants to privatize Social Security! No way, Martin O'Malley!

Re: State of the media

crloftin — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 15:46:42 -0000

An alternative voice newspaper with the mission of amplifying oppressed and underrepresented voices on campus is sorely needed at PSU. There are so many opportunities that actually call-out for a broader discussion that are widely overlooked and go ignored with things being left unsaid... PSU can do better! Maybe it's time to bring back the journalism major! Newspapers per se may be dying, but there will always be need for good investigative journalism!

Re: Sen. Jeff Merkley’s position on Internet taxes puts him at odds with many liberals.

crloftin — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:15:10 -0000

As I said below, sales taxes anywhere are regressive and wrong! Senator Merkley understands that, and will not charging a sales tax anywhere! There are no sales taxes in his home state of Oregon, so he has a real understanding of the reasons not to support them! Practically, he understands that this unequal way of extracting the money from those most unlikely to be able to afford them is unjust. Here in Oregon we understand that and generally will not support nor vote for a politician that supports sales taxes!
I cannot account for Senator Warren's support for this scheme, except to assume that since she represents Massachusetts where sales taxes have been customary for decades, she doesn't want to take on the issue at home about how these taxes are disproportionately affecting the people with the lowest incomes in her home state. I generally agree with her, but on this issue I call foul!

Re: Sen. Jeff Merkley’s position on Internet taxes puts him at odds with many liberals.

crloftin — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:13:25 -0000

Sales taxes anywhere are regressive and wrong! Senator Merkley understands that, and will not charging a sales tax anywhere! There are no sales taxes in his home state of Oregon, so he has a real understanding of the reasons not to support them! Practically, he understands that this unequal way of extracting the money from those most unlikely to be able to afford them is unjust. Here in Oregon we understand that and generally will not support nor vote for a politician that supports sales taxes!
I cannot account for Senator Warren's support for this scheme, except to assume that since she represents Massachusetts where sales taxes have been customary for decades, she doesn't want to take on the issue at home about how these taxes are disproportionately affecting the people with the lowest incomes in her home state. I generally agree with her, but on this issue I call foul!

Re: Sen. Jeff Merkley’s position on Internet taxes puts him at odds with many liberals.

crloftin — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:40:16 -0000

Yea! Thank you for saying that, Jacobite! Why don't people get it? Senator Merkley understands.... that's why he has my support!

Re: Sen. Jeff Merkley’s position on Internet taxes puts him at odds with many liberals.

crloftin — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:37:58 -0000

As I said in my comment, he is concerned about everyone paying their fair share... it's just that he understands that sales taxes don't do that! Figure it out... don't get duped into thinking that any sales tax would do it! Sales taxes, unlike progressive income taxes (without the loopholes) would be... Do the math!

Re: Sen. Jeff Merkley’s position on Internet taxes puts him at odds with many liberals.

crloftin — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:32:33 -0000

Once again, I agree with Senator Merkley! As a progressive-liberal I understand that sales taxes are, by their very nature, regressive and unequally burden those less likely to pay them! Let's face it, a 5% sales tax on a sale, say $5 dollars on a $100 sale, doesn't mean the same thing to someone living with a $15,000 dollar annual income as someone that has a $250,000 income. In this case the difference is like night and day! Don't even give a thought what $5 means to someone with an income over $1 million or $1 billion!

Senator Merkley understands that, as do the rest of the politicians in Oregon.... and has a lot to do with why they get elected, and why they don't! Senator Merkley also seem to understand that sales taxes that have been imposed in other jurisdictions in one of the greatest dupes that the average American has been subjected to... to the point they think that these taxes are a necessary evil that they must swallow.

Yay for Senator Merkley for watching out for us at home here in Oregon! This is one of the biggest reasons he has my support, and my vote! There are other reasons, but this is a biggie!

Re: KOIN 6 One-on-One: Senate candidate Dr. Monica Wehby

crloftin — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:25:29 -0000

I'm with you!Now we have to stay after the Koch Bros. and Koch Industries to show them we don't need then trying to buy our political offices; Senators, Congress Reps, national, statewide or local... Not even dogcatchers! David & Charles, keep your money and products! Go back to the hole from where you came!

Re: KOIN 6 One-on-One: Senate candidate Dr. Monica Wehby

crloftin — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:18:16 -0000

Acrually neither (though no one has even been charged with a crime yet, we know it won't be either of them!) So what's your point in suggesting one of them is guilty here?

Re: Projects include coal export plan

crloftin — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 17:25:57 -0000

What a terrible idea... to raise funds to help enable a private foreign corporation to export toxic coal to foreign nations to pollute our atmosphere, after training and barging the coal through the state and the Columbia River! And for what? The promise of a few hired hands? Oh yeah... Let's not forget the shareholders of this nearly broke foreign company who will stop at nothing to ravage our state to enrich a few while leaving us with the mess! #NIMBY... Thank you

Re: Less parking, tastes great

crloftin — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:09:27 -0000

I whole-heartedly support this idea, and would like to see it expanded! It's time to start encouraging people to use the mass-transit options so available to Portlanders and try to get people to use more of their own and best mobility option: walking! Passenger cars are a thing of an unenlightened past...

Re: Bus Project Names New Executive Director

crloftin — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:59:01 -0000

So pleased Oregon's Bus Project found someone familiar with Oregon... a Portlander to boot!... to lead the effort to turn out the vote! I wish you the best, Tara!

Re: Flunk Factories

crloftin — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:52:39 -0000

I think everyone concerned with what's been happening with public education for years now should read Diane Ravitch's recent book, Reign of Error... you can pick it up at the Multnomah County Library or Powell's. Really!

Re: Water Rebels Don't Like Charlie Hales Calling Them "Clowns"

crloftin — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:40:26 -0000

Just another attempt for corporations to privatize a public resource... once you get through the fog they are laying around this proposed bill! Wake up Oregon!

Re: The Labor Movement Will Be Televised

crloftin — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 15:21:58 -0000

Let's not forget retired Union workers, and non-Union members who understand the value of unions, collective bargaining and working together... Time to build ways for them/us to get involved... other than just making financial contributions!