Spot on as usual Brian. Our only problem with Substack is that we are preaching to the choir. How do we get these messages out to the population at large? The even more difficult problem is if we do get the message out, how do we get these people to understand that what we talk about here is completely in their own self interest!
Opponents of the DSA agenda argue that these policies create a hostile environment for investment and entrepreneurship in the Portland region.
Critics often point to several potential economic consequences:
Businesses Leaving the Region
Higher taxes, heavier regulation, and a politically adversarial tone toward business can make relocation to more business-friendly states more attractive.
Reduced Investment
When investors and developers perceive a city government as hostile to private capital, they tend to deploy that capital elsewhere.
Housing Supply Constraints
Strict rent regulations and tenant policies can reduce incentives for private developers to build new housing, potentially worsening long-term supply shortages.
Growing Budget Pressure:
Expanding government programs while weakening the tax base can create structural fiscal pressures that eventually fall on taxpayers.
The “Salting” Strategy
One tactic frequently discussed within DSA organizing strategy is known as “salting.”
In a strategic document titled “Organize for Power: A Future to Win,” associated with the Portland DSA’s 2026 steering committee slate, the chapter states that it intends to organize workers through an Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee and a “robust salting program.”
Salting is a labor-organizing tactic in which activists deliberately seek employment inside targeted workplaces with the explicit goal of organizing those workplaces from within.
A “salt” is not simply an employee with strong political beliefs. It is someone who intentionally takes a job as part of a coordinated organizing strategy aimed at building internal support for unionization or institutional change.
In many cases, that organizing intent is not disclosed to employers during the hiring process.
The Portland DSA platform also describes its goal of building power across “unions, community institutions, and grassroots activists” while forming “intentional coalitions” throughout the region.
Critics argue that this strategy raises questions about how broadly the tactic may be applied — not only within private workplaces but potentially inside public institutions, nonprofits, advisory boards, and publicly funded organizations that shape local policy.
The concern, according to critics, is one of accountability: if individuals affiliated with a political organization intentionally place themselves within influential civic institutions, residents may reasonably ask whether those individuals are primarily accountable to the public or to the political network whose agenda they are working to advance.
The Bottom Line
Portland’s current challenges — rising costs of living, declining investment, strained public services, and increasing competition from other cities — did not emerge overnight.
Critics argue that they are the predictable outcome of policies driven by ideological activism and embraced by political leaders influenced by groups like the Democratic Socialists of America.
Supporters of the DSA agenda contend that these policies promote fairness, worker empowerment, and economic justice.
Opponents argue the opposite: that the result is a shrinking tax base, a weakening business climate, and a city that is becoming increasingly difficult to live in, work in, and invest in.
Whether Portland continues down this path — or chooses a different political and economic direction — will likely shape the city’s trajectory for years to come.
Don’t forget (non)participatory budgeting, supported by DSA, which proposes to enshrine a provision in the charter to take 2% of the general fund budget, or $16 million at this time, and then- undemocratically- have a small number of people (not everyone) “vote” how to spend it. This not only would force the council to cut general fund services like parks, police, firefighters, arts, etc. by $16 million, but would divert the money to special interest groups and certain nonprofits that are promoting this scheme. Their signature gatherers have even been telling people the money will fix potholes, or “the money is there”- in the midst of a $169 million fiscal gap! Apparently growing on trees!
Priorities 1 and 2 will fuel priority 3. Eliminating the police and confiscating the property of productive citizens will drive the “normies” out, leaving only the true believers and those dependent on the government. The problem is that the model isn’t sustainable, leaving only the question of how the DSA will spin the city’s collapse.
Pushback against Councillor Morillo: the root causes of criminal behavior are genetic susceptibility, incompetent parenting, and chaotic neighborhoods. Some people need to be separated from society, even if it isn't their fault they hit the trifecta.
Portland Police aren't necessarily the hand of tax collection. I suppose it's true that a corporation might choose to ignore a new tax, but I don't think it's likely. A corporation is a system, with some controls, staffed by everyday people who tend to abide the law. They often pass their outputs through unaffiliated legal and accounting counsel who have oaths and laws requiring them to abide the law. They will participate, in some way, with new revenue-gathering legislation a DSA body passes, and the administration will redistribute it in accordance with the DSA's preferences.
On the other hand, if the streets become insecure because police are phased out, don't underestimate the amount of medical training DSA members elect to get, and in the case of Portland Street Response, are paid to get. Also, don't forget about the Socialist Rifle Association which has members employed in our county. The "we protect us" slogan is serious for the diehard members, and they get credit for sharing tactical training. I doubt there are as many guys training as DSA soldiers for street combat as there are right-wing militiamen, but I think both groups are ready and waiting. I also know it won't take more than 10 guys in black bloc with cursory training to run the completely un-organized normie dads out of Portland. Who, if not police, will do any supression of mob and black bloc violence? No one. That's why the DSA wants police to atrophy on the vine. Union mobs might be available, if you tell them "it's for the kids/living wages."
1000 serious people could take this city over for a decade. Merely 6 threaten to incapacitate the CIty administration.
Spot on as usual Brian. Our only problem with Substack is that we are preaching to the choir. How do we get these messages out to the population at large? The even more difficult problem is if we do get the message out, how do we get these people to understand that what we talk about here is completely in their own self interest!
Well done post!
The Economic Criticism:
Opponents of the DSA agenda argue that these policies create a hostile environment for investment and entrepreneurship in the Portland region.
Critics often point to several potential economic consequences:
Businesses Leaving the Region
Higher taxes, heavier regulation, and a politically adversarial tone toward business can make relocation to more business-friendly states more attractive.
Reduced Investment
When investors and developers perceive a city government as hostile to private capital, they tend to deploy that capital elsewhere.
Housing Supply Constraints
Strict rent regulations and tenant policies can reduce incentives for private developers to build new housing, potentially worsening long-term supply shortages.
Growing Budget Pressure:
Expanding government programs while weakening the tax base can create structural fiscal pressures that eventually fall on taxpayers.
The “Salting” Strategy
One tactic frequently discussed within DSA organizing strategy is known as “salting.”
In a strategic document titled “Organize for Power: A Future to Win,” associated with the Portland DSA’s 2026 steering committee slate, the chapter states that it intends to organize workers through an Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee and a “robust salting program.”
Salting is a labor-organizing tactic in which activists deliberately seek employment inside targeted workplaces with the explicit goal of organizing those workplaces from within.
A “salt” is not simply an employee with strong political beliefs. It is someone who intentionally takes a job as part of a coordinated organizing strategy aimed at building internal support for unionization or institutional change.
In many cases, that organizing intent is not disclosed to employers during the hiring process.
The Portland DSA platform also describes its goal of building power across “unions, community institutions, and grassroots activists” while forming “intentional coalitions” throughout the region.
Critics argue that this strategy raises questions about how broadly the tactic may be applied — not only within private workplaces but potentially inside public institutions, nonprofits, advisory boards, and publicly funded organizations that shape local policy.
The concern, according to critics, is one of accountability: if individuals affiliated with a political organization intentionally place themselves within influential civic institutions, residents may reasonably ask whether those individuals are primarily accountable to the public or to the political network whose agenda they are working to advance.
The Bottom Line
Portland’s current challenges — rising costs of living, declining investment, strained public services, and increasing competition from other cities — did not emerge overnight.
Critics argue that they are the predictable outcome of policies driven by ideological activism and embraced by political leaders influenced by groups like the Democratic Socialists of America.
Supporters of the DSA agenda contend that these policies promote fairness, worker empowerment, and economic justice.
Opponents argue the opposite: that the result is a shrinking tax base, a weakening business climate, and a city that is becoming increasingly difficult to live in, work in, and invest in.
Whether Portland continues down this path — or chooses a different political and economic direction — will likely shape the city’s trajectory for years to come.
Don’t forget (non)participatory budgeting, supported by DSA, which proposes to enshrine a provision in the charter to take 2% of the general fund budget, or $16 million at this time, and then- undemocratically- have a small number of people (not everyone) “vote” how to spend it. This not only would force the council to cut general fund services like parks, police, firefighters, arts, etc. by $16 million, but would divert the money to special interest groups and certain nonprofits that are promoting this scheme. Their signature gatherers have even been telling people the money will fix potholes, or “the money is there”- in the midst of a $169 million fiscal gap! Apparently growing on trees!
This seems like it could be illegal, or at least a legal challenge or potential lawsuit if it were to pass.
Thanks for keeping a watchful eye on these miscreants Bob.
Priorities 1 and 2 will fuel priority 3. Eliminating the police and confiscating the property of productive citizens will drive the “normies” out, leaving only the true believers and those dependent on the government. The problem is that the model isn’t sustainable, leaving only the question of how the DSA will spin the city’s collapse.
McCarthy was 100% correct.
Pushback against Councillor Morillo: the root causes of criminal behavior are genetic susceptibility, incompetent parenting, and chaotic neighborhoods. Some people need to be separated from society, even if it isn't their fault they hit the trifecta.
the abolish the police and then redistribute then is such an utter scam.
obviously they aren't going to abolish the police because otherwise how would they force people to redistribute their wealth?
without peple all you have to do is incorporate in montana and say "no".
I didn’t say it was logical. I honestly think it’s mostly blind rage and hate in need of a target.
Portland Police aren't necessarily the hand of tax collection. I suppose it's true that a corporation might choose to ignore a new tax, but I don't think it's likely. A corporation is a system, with some controls, staffed by everyday people who tend to abide the law. They often pass their outputs through unaffiliated legal and accounting counsel who have oaths and laws requiring them to abide the law. They will participate, in some way, with new revenue-gathering legislation a DSA body passes, and the administration will redistribute it in accordance with the DSA's preferences.
On the other hand, if the streets become insecure because police are phased out, don't underestimate the amount of medical training DSA members elect to get, and in the case of Portland Street Response, are paid to get. Also, don't forget about the Socialist Rifle Association which has members employed in our county. The "we protect us" slogan is serious for the diehard members, and they get credit for sharing tactical training. I doubt there are as many guys training as DSA soldiers for street combat as there are right-wing militiamen, but I think both groups are ready and waiting. I also know it won't take more than 10 guys in black bloc with cursory training to run the completely un-organized normie dads out of Portland. Who, if not police, will do any supression of mob and black bloc violence? No one. That's why the DSA wants police to atrophy on the vine. Union mobs might be available, if you tell them "it's for the kids/living wages."
1000 serious people could take this city over for a decade. Merely 6 threaten to incapacitate the CIty administration.