When politicians lose sight of the goal.

Politically, a lot has been happening lately.

Between the rape of Clark County by the C Tran board, and the government closure, heads are spinning everywhere.

Locally, both the people and those in elective government have to keep their eye on the goal. When it comes to the government closure, there's not a lot of direct impact one way or the other, that local people can have.

My position in all of this is clear. I strongly oppose the action by the C Tran board, and I strongly support the closure of government by the Republican House. But at this point, I question whether or not we can have any impact on either one.

As a reminder, the contract with TriMet, has been signed. The ONLY way we are going to make an impact on the contract, is to have a judge rule, that the action by the C Tran board is it illegal and or unconstitutional, or that Mayor Leavitt's involvement in the vote was illegal, because of his obvious conflicts of interest.

Unfortunately for the people of Clark County, Tim Leavitt is one of if not the most arrogant politicians in the Northwest today. He does not care what we think, what we want, what we can afford, what we need, or anything approaching any of that. He has his agenda, as corrupt as it is, and he intends to stick to it, until a judge forces him off of it.

No amount of protester demonstration can change the fact that the contract is already been signed. Yes we all understand that this is what's referred to as the Clackamas gambit, where the contracts were slammed into place even though the people didn't want them to make sure that there was no way that the people can stop them. This however is a different situation because of a legislative wildcard.

There are two elements at work, and either one or both of them will kill this project. The first element, has been repeatedly mentioned by the treasurer of the state of Oregon Jim Wheeler who has shown a great deal of concern over the bazaar financing plans for this project.

The second element is the equally bizarre requirement that the state of Washington abrogate its right to have any input on setting tolls on either I 205 or I-5. My sources within the legislature, have repeatedly assured me, that the Senate will never agree to allow Oregon to have the authority to set tolls.

The idea of calling for a demonstration, which will have no impact or change in the outcome, while perhaps satisfying to those involved, actually puts the protest at risk. Remembering that even if 5000 people showed up, it would have no impact on the contract, the risk is that because of the date and the time for this demonstration that few will be able to show up which the newspaper which is solidly behind this effort, will improperly view as a lack of support for what's trying to happen here.

I urge those in charge to reevaluate this effort and to continue to strive to achieve the goal of not confusing motion with action.

(Dictated with Dragon NaturallySpeaking in preparation for hand surgery later this week)