Setting limits on campaign spending
Fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Buckley v. Valeo, legitimizing the idea that spending money in elections is a form of free speech. Thirty-four years later, Citizens United v. FEC went even further, granting corporations and unions, not just individuals, the right to spend unlimited sums to influence American elections.
These rulings, and the distorted view of the First Amendment behind them, have had serious consequences. Nearly $15 billion was spent in the 2024 election cycle alone, even as large majorities of Americans agree that money in politics is a threat to our elections. Here in Oregon, where we value civic participation and close-to-the-voter elections, it’s increasingly difficult for ordinary voters to compete with massive outside spending.
Even at the state and local level, Oregonians have limited authority over how money operates in our elections. That power has been centralized in the hands of unelected judges who were never meant to write election policy for the entire nation. It’s part of why everything feels so broken: a system where citizens cannot govern the rules of their own elections is not sustainable.
There is hope. A constitutional amendment would restore the ability of Congress and the states, including Oregon, to set reasonable limits on money in politics. Our nation is at a turning point, and we need to take action now. I encourage my fellow Oregonians to learn more about this vital issue, and urge our elected officials to support a constitutional amendment that will allow us to create common sense limits on the power of money in our elections.
Maud McCole, Eugene
Other things to consider about Good, Pretti deaths
While we all can agree that the deaths of the two protesters in Minneapolis were regrettable, it should be noted that those deaths were entirely preventable.
First and foremost, the incompetent and corrupt Biden administration allowed millions of illegal aliens into the United States without any sort of vetting or other means of identification.
Second, the sanctuary city policy of Minneapolis makes it very difficult for law enforcement to do their job. This, coupled with a fawning media and cowardly politicians cheering on and encouraging lawlessness, contributed largely to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Raymond Moreno, Eugene
Support lodging tax increase for wildlife
The most important bill (to these readers) in the 2026 legislative session is HB 4134: “1% for Wildlife.” It adds 1.25% — less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day — to the statewide Tourism Lodging Tax (TLT). This legislation had bipartisan support in the 2025 legislature, but failed to get a floor vote in the Senate before adjournment. Funds raised with this fee go directly to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife and habitat conservation. They assure a sustainable funding stream in the face of uncertain federal funds. This year’s bill adds .25% for wildlife stewardship and rehabilitation programs, including wolf depredation compensation.
Biological diversity — both floral and faunal — knows no geopolitical bounds nor ecological/economic bounds. Wildlife species, and their habitats, abound in Oregon. They transcend whatever artificial bounds we attempt to place upon them. Local, national, and international tourists visit throughout every year to enjoy our oceans, forests, valleys, mountains, watersheds, meadows, and deserts. Thus, in addition to the intrinsic ecological value of biodiversity, the economic value of our wildlife exceeds the investment to sustain it. From whale watchers to bird watchers, hunters to fishers, wildlife opportunities abound. Let’s make sure they stay that way.
Please urge your state representative and senator to vote YES on HB 4134.
David and Judy Berg, Eugene
Former Minneapolis residents horrified
As former residents of South Minneapolis, we are observing the horrifying, sad andgratifying events unfolding in real time; the horrifying killing of Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Pretti, then the sad adolescent, cruel and destructive response of the Trump administration and his sycophants.
What’s gratifying is to see the same savvy and united uprising of the activist neighborhood, many public officials, and the Twin Cities, and now in Eugene, Springfield, and the many other Oregon towns. Stay strong until ICE stands down and is held accountable.
“I’m not mad at you,” she said, and then Renee Nicole Good was dead …then Alex Pretti…???
Jan Nelson, Edward Winter and Rebecca La Mothe, all Eugene, et al.
Not all protesters are vandals
The First Amendment gives us the right to peacefully assemble and to petition the government for a redress of our grievances. To me, this is more than a right. It is my responsibility. If the citizens had not risen up in 1776 in the American Revolution, we would be an English territory under a king. That would have served the king well, but not the rest of us.
So I peacefully assemble and protest against anything that infringes on my freedom or the freedom of others; against anything that goes against the protections of the Constitution’s due process of law. I protest ICE and the many laws they break to meet quota.
I stand on the corner with my sign and I glory in the endless stream of cars honking in agreement and the occasional middle finger. It is invigorating to see the American spirit is alive and well.
Last Friday, during this peaceful gathering on Seventh and Pearl, a second, smaller gathering took place with a different approach at a slightly different location. They made loud noises and banged on the federal building office windows to the point of breaking the glass. The message was clear and the response was predictable.
I do not favor violence to any degree, from protesters or ICE agents. It draws attention away from the message we had congregated to express. But, I caution myself and others to not use disruption, broken windows or spray paint as an excuse to lump together the entire protesting world, imposing the identity of the minority with the entire movement.
Some people are horribly disturbed at the breaking of windows and spray paint. I’m against it, too. But I am more horrified at what is happening to citizens and guests in the U.S. by the violent and illegal grabbing of people off the streets — like they did in WWII Germany to the Jewish population. So if we are outraged at a broken window more than we are outraged at cruel and atrocious illegal arrests without warrant or due process, we need to rethink our stance and our purpose.
Candy Neville, Eugene
Not handouts, hands up
What if we could end homelessness — not with handouts, but with high school diplomas?
Research consistently shows that lacking a diploma is the single greatest risk factor for homelessness. Yet traditional education fails millions who learn differently. Global Sovereign University exists to change that.
GSU is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation built on one principle: teach a man to fish. Our free online platform meets learners where they are — whether they’re visual thinkers failed by rigid classrooms, adults seeking trade skills, or anyone overlooked by conventional systems.
What makes us different? Gamified learning that rewards progress. AI tutoring available 24/7. And “Civilization Builders” — retired professionals volunteering as mentors to share real-world wisdom with the next generation.
We don’t measure success by grades. We measure it by changed lives: someone landing their first job, a parent helping their child with homework, a veteran transitioning to civilian employment.
Education shouldn’t create dependency. It should build capability. GSU provides the tools; learners build their own futures.
Visit GlobalSovereignUniversity.org to learn more, volunteer as a mentor, or support our mission. Together, we can build a bridge to freedom—one learner at a time.
Dr. Gene A Constant, Eugene
