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Was reading an article in the Oregonian today about Senator Jason Atkinson backing away from politics and decrying how he's been treated by the party. It's not all that surprising he's been a man on the outs with the Republican party. Unfortunately for the Senator, he fails to see his environmentalist votes on Klamath dam removals, and pushing for plastic bag bans as expansion of government interference and power. Senator Atkinson's heart appears to be more comfortable with government intervention and regulation. We already have plenty of that, and continue to hemmorage wealth and economic activity as a result. Today's GOP has tired of RINO policies of talking about small government, while voting for increased spending and bureaucracy. Senator Atkinson is a genuinely decent human being, but I'm not convinced he's a particularly good Republican. He may fit the Republican model for Oregon circa 1972, but that was when "responsible Republicans" (as described by Democrats), voted to grow the state. It didn't appear to cause problems in those days, as we were still living off the fat of the post World War II boom. The boom is long gone, but the bills for all the PERS, social welfare, and business killing policies have come due. Time to shrink the state, and this time the GOP should really mean it.

GUEST INFORMATION for 04-19-2012

6:15 Benjamin Cole, Institute for Energy Research, we talk refineries closing, lack of a balanced energy policy.

7:35 Jeff Golden, Joseph Snook, they're hosting a town hall meeting bringing together Occupy people with Tea Party types. Any common ground? Find out Monday night, 6:30pm Monday, April 23,7-9 p.m.Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments Medford Congregational United Church of Christ 1801 East Jackson, Medford 97504; 541-772-8860

8:10 Will Reishman, Strategic Financial, we talk about Spain contagion, the financial situation globally, where gold and silver are going. undollars.comackin