Discovering the Common Ground in Oregon

Welcome to The Oregon Way Blog. Here's to the first of many posts focused on common sense, pragmatic solutions in Oregon.

Welcome to The Oregon Way blog

"Hikers at Pilot Rock" by BLM Oregon & Washington is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Survey Says…Oregonians are More United Than You Think

DHM Research conducted a survey at the outset of 2020. From that poll, they learned that only 39 percent of Oregonians thought the state's best days were behind us. A majority responded that, at a minimum, the next decade would maintain the state's current quality of living; nearly 30 percent anticipated that Oregon would become an even better place to call home. 

It’d be easy to think that a pandemic, protests, and plummeting employment would erase the optimism that pervaded Oregon just a few months ago. Instead, a later survey indicated that, even after several difficult months, Oregonians are still more likely to think the state is headed in the right direction. What’s more, a majority also believe that Oregonians will work together in the coming decade to move the state forward.

Our optimism, our willingness to work together, and our strong sense of place have survived an unbelievably difficult time. Yet, it’s easy to look around and feel like Oregonians are more divided than ever. Stories from the state legislature in Salem suggest that shouting has replaced governing. Articles are more likely to cover protests than community donation drives. Political parties are urging us to rally behind “us” to defeat “them” and acting as though there’s no middle ground that connects us all. In reality, there’s a community of Oregonians that’s ready to move forward together -- not for the sake of a party, not for profits, just for the well-being of people like them that love this state. 

What’s the point of The Oregon Way blog

That’s why we’re launching The Oregon Way blog. It’ll host conversations exploring common priorities across Oregon. From these conversations, we can begin the difficult but essential process of changing our political culture. In short, the purpose of The Oregon Way blog is to build a community of freethinkers that share a common interest in helping identify common ground among Oregonians in every corner of the state. Our hope is that this common ground will serve as the foundation for Oregonians to become less partisan, more connected, and more collaborative.

Contributors to the blogcome from around the state and across the political spectrum. They joined the blog out of a personal commitment to restoring a political climate in Oregon that results in inclusive and responsive governance. Some have held elected office, others have fervently campaigned for specific parties, and a few have managed to stay out of the political fray while remaining engaged in their communities. 

Regardless of their background, contributors’ posts to the blog are not grounded in advocacy for a party or a cause. At times, a contributor may call out one or several parties on an objective, logical basis, but never out of a desire to advance a partisan interest. The whole point of this blog is to upend the idea that we’re divided into camps. Contributors aim to identify values shared across Oregon and solutions that reflect the unique realities facing Oregon’s diverse communities. 

Your role in restoring The Oregon Way

We hope you passionately contribute to this blog. Please send us your feedback. Please let us know if you or someone in your network should become a contributor. Please share these posts with your own social circles to reinforce the notion that between the extremes, there’s an Oregon united by a desire to empower communities, uplift individuals, and inspire innovation in the public and private sectors.