Why didn'tThe Oregonianexpose Sizemore sooner? email message to Letters@news.oregonian.com (4/19/98) *UNPUBLISHED* Bully for The Oregonian for revealing the facts about Bill Sizemore, a bankrupt con artist (Org. 4/19/98). However, the unanswered question is what took The Oregonian so long to publicize the story? It is inconceivable that the paper's editors and reporters who cover Oregon politics from the inside on a daily basis have not known about Sizemore's broken promises and fast deals for years. Why are the voters only now hearing the truth about this fellow who has become a financial and tax guru for thousands of ordinary voters? Had The Oregonian told the full story about Sizemore's fast dealings six years ago, Oregon's schools, roads, parks, public health, children and family services, and many other public systems, decimated by budget cuts due to Sizemore's initiatives, would be doing the jobs they were designed for, instead of fighting for their own survival . The tax-cutting measures that Sizemore and his wealthy backers have supported through Oregon Taxpayers United would have looked a lot less appealing if the public had known this information about the fast-talker who has been the front man for much of Oregon's "hate-government" movement. Indeed, if all the article's facts are correct, Sizemore might even have gone to jail for criminal fraud; now it is too late because of statutes of limitations. The Oregonian should take part of the blame for the damage Sizemore and his movement have done to school children and the public. The paper has consistently given a very positive press to the tax-cutter movement;the suppression of the truth about Sizemore is a damaging blow to the paper's credibility. ____________The Apprentice |