Letter: Palcic the right choice for District 28

October 13, 2020

Hugh Palcic is running to represent Klamath Falls in Salem covering District 28. Hugh has been here for workers, unions and the most vulnerable; building a broad and impressive coalition of support — from Basic Rights Oregon, the Democratic Party, the Independent Party, the Cascade Cannabis Association, OSEA, AFSCME to individual leadership in the local LatinX community, educators, activists, and state treasurers.

Coming out of the COVID-crisis, revealing the longstanding issues of inequality, educational access, the urban-rural divide, District 28 needs leadership that is not built on division and distraction. The region and district feel the effects of 30-plus years of leadership in name only.

It is time for representation that comes to the table in Salem and brings back needed reform, like Broadband Internal for All, expanded K-12 support, business investments with union jobs, forest management reform and adaptation to climate change, and working with local officials on land management, soil mapping and long-term water issues.

Hugh’s experience in leadership positions at local and state levels, and background in public service, lead him to best know the terrain of Salem, and what is on the table to bring back to District 28.

As a Klamath Falls resident and educator, I am enthusiastic to lend my support to Hugh Palcic on November 3 for state senator.

Jonathan Chenjeri

Letter: The left must reclaim ‘conservative’ values

January 6, 2021

American conservatives have done a phenomenal job of engaging in an identity campaign for more than 50 years. They’ve astutely tied political and economic identity to an ideology of “liberal” markets that is contradictory, inefficient and coated in our own cultural history. The left must reclaim individualism, markets and liberty, and attach thereto their sound political and economic policies.

Self-interest is real, and “enlightened” self-interest sees the betterment of oneself in the betterment of all. Conservative market ideology ignores historical social conditions and wealth concentration, claiming that if everyone conforms and embraces competitive values, all will be uplifted.

We know that not everyone advances economically purely because of hard work, rather the dynamics of a person’s complex, intersectional condition impacts this. By exposing the contradictions of class advancement and market “equilibrium” by moving beyond simply taxing and toward alternative economic models, and in developing 21st century measures of development, we can utilize all facets of economic policy for the people.

Campaigning and policy by Democratic Socialists in 2021 must reclaim individualism and expose conservative oversimplifications and contradictions. Campaigns must acknowledge that individuals matter: People find meaning in their labor-power, be that perfecting their artistic ability, dancing, math, science, computer technology, fashion, carpentry, accounting or otherwise.

A better world is possible. A world where all can live with the complexity of their own experience and grow as healthy, creative beings, with access to a decent standard of living. The American Socialist tradition is a noble one, celebrating hard work and the desire to be the best we can be in our lives, creating systems that allow the advancement of each for the betterment of all.

Jonathan Chenjeri

Letter: How ‘Build Back Better’ can help Rural Oregon

November 23, 2021

I’m Jonathan Chenjeri and I’m running for House District 56.

I want to write today on why rural areas need the kind of spending in the Build Back Better and Infrastructure bills. While the price tag is significant, focus here overlooks how the money goes directly to the middle-class and working people, newborns, youth and families.

Spending can be a problem without the demand behind it (not mentioning continued corporate subsidies and increased defense spending), though these are long sought after investments in our communities. Our hometowns are the best places for public investment that enables long-term development.

Apart from what the bill does not do, like increase the minimum wage or support union growth (like the PRO Act), it does help build the foundations for a healthier and more productive workforce. The BBA cracks down on corporate tax loopholes, invests in universal childcare, pre-k, public transit and broadband; lifts up disabled workers, expands Medicare, incentivizes clean vehicles, and creates a Civilian Climate Corps to hire young people to restore our natural resources.

Too often, rural investment has meant incentivizing business from the outside-in through deregulation that doesn’t ultimately result in economic development. A narrow definition of “growth” has led to an underinvestment in rural areas. BBA funds can be locally directed and planned to invest in people, resources and the communities that then generate wealth (making the income more valuable), which can lead to greater supply chains — building from the inside-out.

Our campaign is about innovative thinking and making a New Deal for Rural Oregon. We need leadership in Salem to better advocate for funding in rural areas, not distract with cultural animus. A 21st-century mindset is how we will approach legislation when we get to Salem, please join this effort today for a brighter future.

Jonathan Chenjeri

Letter: Inflation isn’t the problem

January 11, 2022

Concern over inflation and pandemic spending in Oregon, or Build Back Better, is misguided. Opposing childcare support, rent stability, and climate change mitigation reflect outdated scarcity fears, and obscure the real issue: the misuse of our national wealth. We should pay for these bills by finally raising taxes on the rich, raising wages for taxable income, and planful short-term borrowing. This is how our system functions best: countering market instability with public regulation.

Talk of “Bidenflation,” national debts, or disobeying the market echo the false narrative of resource and labor scarcity. It is rather public underinvestment, unhealthy wealth concentration, the household supplementation of wages for credit cards and debts, and overpaying for childcare or insurance that make our dollars unproductive. This economic pattern gives rise to macro-concerns like the national debt.

Critics argue that child tax credits, unemployment, and supply issues have led to a whopping 59% price rise in gasoline; eggs in 8%; and local restaurants, 10%. Inflation, thus, is holding back working families. These numbers are misused, as overall inflation is 6.2%. For example, that 59% is about $1.20, a small spike over 10 years; that 8% is 32 cents, and the 10%, $1. This is the inflation scare game: Distract with present inconveniences from long-term declines in household income, rising debt, displaced small business, and corporate privileges. Class warfare is saying we cannot raise wages, because the consumer will suffer. Inflation can ultimately help business — high demand, higher prices and higher wages brings more income.

A bright future is possible if we work together now. Supporting families with wage increases, debt relief, unions, and infrastructure investment will help everyone in the long-run. These times do call for patience and moderation, the lessons of history are often that we didn’t spend enough.

Jonathan Chenjeri

Klamath Falls

Candidate for House District 56