Just as Oregon led the nation as the first state to recognize Labor Day as a holiday, the United States should follow Oregon’s lead by implementing a national motor voter registration law. That was the message U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley shared at a L
abor Day picnic at Oaks Park.
The picnic, sponsored by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, attracted nearly 15,000 people, according to park officials.
“Across the nation there are dark forces that are all about voter suppression,” Merkley said. “They don’t believe in democracy. They want the powerful and the privileged to run our country.”
“But what are the first three words of the Constitution?” Merkley asked. “‘We the people.’ It’s not ‘we the privileged.’ It’s not ‘we the powerful.’”
Oregon is the first state in the country to make voter registration automatic when you go to the DMV (Department of Moter Vehicles). Since its inception on Jan. 1, 2016, a total of 222,197 new voters have been registered, according to the Elections Division.
“With each month of 2016, we are adding a new wave of Oregon voters,” said Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins. “With fewer than 90 days until November 8, we are on track to give over 250,000 new voters the opportunity to participate in the general election.”
During his remarks, Merkley called for a doubling of the national minimum wage; for national (paid) sick leave; and for a public option choice under the federal Affordable Care Act.
“And let’s make sure that we don’t have trade agreements that undermine the success of American workers,” Merkley continued. “We can’t compete against countries that pay workers less than a dollar an hour and no environmental rules. We know that already. Let’s not dig this hole any deeper.”
Merkley said if the U.S. doesn’t make things in America, “we won’t have a middle class in America. So let’s make things in the United States of America!”
The Northwest Oregon Labor Council didn’t invite U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden or U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamicci on to the stage to speak because of their support for fast tracking the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Fast track status requires Congress to take an up-or-down vote on trade agreements, with limited debate and no amendments.
Merkley gave a shout out to Gov. Kate Brown, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, and Tobias Read, a candidate for state treasurer. He asked picnickers to vote for them in the general election in November. He also put in a big plug for Brad Avakian, who is running for secretary of state.
Republicans “really want to control” this office, he said. “And they’re bringing in a lot of outside money to do it.” Merkley said redistricting is a big reason the GOP is working so hard for the seat. “We’ve seen what’s happened in Texas and North Carolina and other states” that redistricted in a way that give Republican candidates an advantage at the polls. “Let’s make sure that Brad Avakian wins. It’s a critical, critical race,” Merkley said.
