After the defeat of Measure 28 I found myself musing on the nature of democracy and our Oregon democracy in particular. We Oregonians inherited a great experiment in democracy that began here 150 years ago, but really started in England about 800 years earlier. The question is, "Can ordinary people order their society for the good of themselves and their fellows?" There is no blueprint, no clear path to that good. Every generation of Oregonians must ask and answer that question for themselves.

We are on our own. We don’t have a king or a dictator to tell us what is best. We must figure it out for ourselves. Our constitution makes it clear that the people are the final arbiter of the government and its policies.

Over the years our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents have increased the complexity of our government and the things it does as our society has become more complex. But at the bottom the government is still us. We Oregonians are our government and we are responsible for its successes and its failures. We have a duty to understand the reality of it, to reform it when it is wrong and to protect it when it protects the child, the crime victim, and the old, frail, sick and poor. It is our job as citizens to figure out where we need to act together, through our government, and where it makes more sense to act separately. It is our duty as citizens to learn all we can about our society and take seriously and soberly our obligations to support and reform our government. Ultimately, whether it is good, or bad; corrupt or clean; efficient or wasteful is up to us.

Measure 28 was one of those challenges of citizenship we face. We do not need to pass all of the challenges, but we must pass some of them. The measure did not pass and that will lead to the deaths of many of the feeble, old and sick. It will reduce the quality of our schools and the safety of our streets, at least temporarily. The outcome of Measure 28 is a serious failure for some of our fellow citizens.

But I say we came close to passing the test. A high percentage of Oregonians participated in the decision. Measure 28 came closer to passing than any general tax increase since the 1930s. More Oregonians understand the budget problem we face now than did a couple of decades ago, and more importantly, they care about what it means to real people. Ultimately, good citizenship, caring for others, and understanding our government will pay off. We'll have stronger and healthier people, a better economy, a greater number of well paying jobs, and better lives. More Oregonians understand how important well-managed and well-financed public services are today than before the Measure 28 campaign began. That is a success.

This conversation between Oregonians is not over. It started in the 1840s and will continue until the Pacific Ocean covers our land again.

Can ordinary people order their society for the good of themselves and their fellows? Earlier generations have answered, "Yes." Have we been successful in this generation yet? No. But we will have more chances. I have faith in our ability to face reality and the challenge of our lives. Oregonians will not be satisfied with uneducated children, early death for the old, sick and disabled. We will not accept dangerous streets and falling bridges.

Citizenship is not cheap. It demands sacrifice for family, friends, and those we don't even know and will never meet. We can have healthy and prosperous lives, but only if we do many things together that are hard or impossible to do separately. As more Oregonians understand this simple fact, the chances of passing the real reforms we need, both in the legislature and at the ballot box, will get better.