Portland Is In Trouble

Portland is in Trouble

Portland, Oregon, is in trouble.

I grew up here and still have family in the area.

I’m here right now and drove through downtown the other day.

This is not the Portland I grew up in, not even close.

When President Trump says it’s a warzone, he probably needs to be more specific.

The downtown westside is a mess, but the rest of Portland looks fine on the outside.

The media can say what it wants.

It can take live pictures to try to debunk the nighttime riots and fighting.

However, I listen to the people who own businesses down there and hear them express frustration that they are ready to leave.

Many have already left, as people don’t go downtown much anymore.

Out in the suburbs, things are relatively safe, not worse than any other big city.

People are fed up, and now the “FEDS” are getting involved.

Since police arrested Nick, the independent journalist, my message box has been flooded with stories from folks who live or work downtown.

They are tired and excited that perhaps change is on the horizon.

I was talking with a friend the other day who is well-connected in Oregon’s political world.

We agree, while we have hope for Portland and the entire state, we don’t think Oregon has hit rock bottom yet.

Oh, if you live here, I’m sure you think How much worse can it get?

You have a governor who is so out of touch with the people she’s taxing them to death.

You’ve got a super-majority in the legislature that claims to want democracy but forces its ideas on citizens in the most authoritarian way.

Portland is all over the national news.

What was once the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest is now joked about and scoffed at by late-night talk show hosts and comedians.

For years, Portland thought it was charming to be the “Keep it Weird” capital, but now that motto is driving businesses, big corporations, and families away from the city.

Weird and crazy are not the same.

This week on our Get Real with Rick Dancer podcasts, we’ll talk with lawmakers about ridding Oregon of the new taxes the Democrats are trying to shove down taxpayers’ throats.

I’m working on a show to take you to the heart of downtown Portland and find out what is really happening.

And then a story that shows the true spirit of Oregon.

A school is looking for help to fund a new stadium.

I have great hope for Oregon and Portland.

But you and I have to speak up, get involved, and quit allowing one failed ideology to set the tone and the message for the place.

You can keep it weird, but crazy is what leads to destruction.