This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE (10-19-04)

The election heads down the home stretch and already there are claims and counter claims that there are irregularities in registration.

A host of lawyers have apparently been dispatched to what are termed key states.

It looks like 2000 all over again with a race that has developed into one of the nastiest, dirtiest elections of all time.

But....let’s turn our attention back to the eight issues which face Oregonians.

Last Thursday, I recommended a Yes vote on measures 31, 32 and 35 and a NO vote on measures 33 and 34.

Let’s take a look at measure 36. It would amend the state constitution to declare that only a marriage between a man and a woman is legally recognized as marriage.

It has been disturbing to me to see the issue of homosexuality brought out of the bedroom and now facing voters nationwide.

Homosexuals have conducted an aggressive campaign over the pasts few years in an effort to force everyone to accept the premise that their conduct is normal. Most everyone understood that there were such activities, but ignored it since it seemed to be, as they say, a closet affair.

Emboldened by earlier successes at forcing the rest of us to accept their conduct in one way or another.....in my view they decided to take the final leap....and force us to accept their conduct as legalized marriage. They do not seem content with the word civil union...or other words to describe their sexuality except to cover it with the holy name of marriage.

State after state may adopt constitutional words limiting marriage to a man and a woman....but it will be a quagmire unless it eventually becomes a part of our national constitution.

Measure 36 re-affirms what I believe is marriage....a man and a woman....and deserves a resounding YES.

Measure 37 is an outgrowth of the very restricted land use laws enacted by this state some years ago. These laws have restricted or greatly limited useage of certain property. I have always felt that if government reduces the value of your property...you should be compensated accordingly....and I am voting yes on 37.

Measure 38 is one that will be most difficult for voters not involved in the mechanics of the workmen’s compensation situation.

Much has been said and written about the problems of the State Accident Insurance Corporation. The agency, known as SAIF has been plagued by problems in recent years.

Measure 38 would abolish the agency and turn their activities over to private enterprise.

Since this agency does cover employment areas statewide, it seems to me that, even with its problems, it is still a better agency to handle this issue rather than it being piecemealed out to various private insurance companies.

There is no question that SAIF, itself, has some problems, but they are not unsolvable.

My vote will be no on measure 38.

Already the ballots are in the mail......as a voter you owe it to yourself to carefully read the issues....the views of those in favor or against it...and make up your own mind.

But above all......make certain that your vote will count.

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.