It's amazing what people will make up when they get "torn" by an issue.

Oops I clicked on the wrong thread to post that.

Perhaps I was torn on where to click.

I wonder why the Oregonian said we were in the bottom half instead of the bottom third?

Or the bottom 10?

Perhaps it's because the Oregonian has it's own measure of State ranking. The level of Democrat control of the State.

Therefore the Oregonian places Oregon at the top.

Give me a break. Have you noticed how the federal government is doing under the Republican White House? A disaster in every respect, and it was at its worst in the years when they had the upper hand in Congress, too.

One key reason for the grade is fiscal instability due to over-reliance on income taxes and the kicker. We're pretty average in terms of per capita spending (20th).

Jack,
What does the federal government have to do with who runs Oregon?
And if you think the federal government is a disaster in every respect, how would it be if it were run like Portland?

I find it hard to believe that the government was at its worst when the GOP had a majority of the Congress. Look at it since the GOP lost the upper hand -- public opinion of Congress is equal to or at sub-Bush levels, and nothing -- NOTHING -- of any significance whatsoever has been done since the last election.

As with any public or government agency with a de facto monopoly: what is the incentive for continuous improvement / customer service / any sort of competence that is comparable to the private sector? When you're on the public dole, you're set for life. Just camp out, don't be a whistleblower, and collecting those paychecks until you start gettin' that sweeeeeet public-job pension.

Sheesh - grade inflation rears it's ugly head everywhere (not just in schools). My grade for Oregon government - D- (as in D minus).