The dark cloud of authoritarianism are breaking. Good news from Oregon's constant bad news.

Silver Linings: Oregonians Pushing through the Storm

By Dr Mark | December 4, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

Show Summary: It’s hard not to get discouraged when the current government seems hell-bent on ruining America. But the best way to cure socialism is to be forced to live under socialism. And right now, Americans are fed up and have had enough. Is it happening here in Oregon?

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of June 2021 — Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on out network of stations.

Original Air Dates: December 4th & 5th, 2021 | Guests: Alek Skarlatos & Donna Kreitzberg

This week: Two guests this week but a common theme: silver linings. First up is candidate for Congress, Alek Skarlatos who is running again for CD4, despite the overwhelming advantage democrats gave to democrats running there—going from a +1 Republican to a +9 democrat with the redistricting.

A ten point swing? Can you be any more obvious about your gerrymandering, democrats?

But lo and behold a ray of sunshine broke through and Alek sees some real advantages for himself and Republicans running in other districts.

Alek Skarlatos: Running for Oregon’s CD4

What’s the sunshine? In case you missed it, Peter Defazio, long, long-time incumbent, decided to step down and not run in 2022.

Wait, what now?

Yes, despite being gifted a 10 point swing in Oregon’s newly drawn CD4 (going from a -1 D deficit to a +9 D advantage), DeFazio stepped down. This was a silver platter. What on earth must those internal polls have been showing?

See old vs new the redistricting maps on 538 blog

Tune into hear other silver linings Alek sees — not only his own district but other districts in Oregon. In their greed, did Dems dilute Portland’s influence?

Real School Choice on the Ballot?

Then Donna Kreitzberg who managed to get past the first hurdle to put school choice—real school choice—on the ballot as a constitutional amendment. This is a game changer. Tune in to hear the details of why this could truly transform Oregon schools for the better.

Want more info? Want to get involved? Send an email to info@K12Dollars.com

Looks like all the fearmongering and on-again, off-again schools (not to mention parents, also at home with lockdowns, getting to see and hear exactly what their kids were being taught) ticked off the wrong people.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Links and Info

Alek Skarlatos’ Segments (1–3)

FYI, Alek Skarlatos’s campaign website is AlekforOregon.com
538’s What Redistricting Looks Like In Every State – Oregon (via fivethirtyeight.com)
- Old map: 2 solid dem, 2 toss ups, 1 solid Rep.
- New map: 2 solid dem, 2 leaning dems, 1 toss up, 1 Republican
What Oregon’s New Congressional Map Tells Us About 2022 (YT, Sept 28, 2021)
ORS 188. Congressional and Legislative Districts; Reapportionment (ORS 188, 2019 edition)
Peter DeFazio will retire from Congress in latest blow to Democrats (Politico, Dec 1, 2021)
- “[DeFazio’s] move also comes as Democrats are widely expected to lose the majority in the House in 2022, which is likely to have factored into his decision.”

Donna Kreitzberg’s Segments (4–6)

Their websites are not ready for prime time yet, but when they’re live, they will be linked here. In the meantime, if you want more info or want to help make this happen, send an email to Donna at info@K12Dollars.com. The email is working even if the website isn’t ready quite yet.

Read the four support documents:

Some background on Donna Kreitzberg, the Real School Choice Amendment, and goals (PDF)
Summary of the Oregon School Choice Amendment (PDF)
Text of the School Choice Amendment, received and stamped by the Oregon Secretary of State’s office (PDF)
School Choice Amendment Protections Against Government Regulation (PDF)

Burned Out Teachers Are Launching Their Own Schools Instead of Abandoning Their Passion—And Succeeding (Tampa Free Press, Dec 1, 2021)
- “According to a survey by the RAND Corporation, almost one-quarter of teachers planned to leave the profession in 2021”
- “Rather than abandoning their passion for teaching, some educators are discovering that they can do what they love and avoid the bureaucracy and stress of a conventional classroom by starting their own microschools. Microschools are modern twists on the quaint, one-room schoolhouse model”