While there were not many victories for freedom or limited government in Oregon yesterday, AFP-Oregon again had some success at the ballot box.  Working together with Ask Damascus - whose volunteers deserve most of the credit - we won five more ballot measures in Oregon's second newest city.

The City now must use the initiative system to propose any changes to that system - just as citizens must.  With City Councilors and grassroots volunteers now on an equal footing, my money's on the grassroots.  Previously the City Council had attempted to take away voting rights simply by a vote of the Council.  

The City Council also lost overwhelmingly on three attempts to undo the reforms AFP Oregon helped pass in the March elections.  Each of these City Council efforts would have resulted in higher costs to Damascus residents for things like electricity and phone service, and would have increased the cost of buying a new home in the middle of the worst real estate slump in Oregon in a generation.  

Damascus has a rogue City Council, a group of individuals who seem to care less about the people they serve then they do about making themselves and City government richer and more powerful.  Happily, Damascus voters have recognized the Council members for what they are, and have now sent them a message from the ballot box eight times.

A word to the wise (well, to the members of the Damascus City Council anyway): You had better get the message this time.