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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Friday Emergency services Living with wildlife Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport 10 things to know for Thursday Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Medford robbery suspect arrested after pursuit in Bend Dispose of documents and prescription drugs safely on Saturday Emergency services Teenager struck, killed by pickup Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. 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Dameron Marie Melvina Besette-Hull James Emmett Boozer Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Fredenburg grand slam powers Chieftains Warriors storm back, top Pels SOU's Neal fifth, Reitman seventh in CC multis Giants sweep Dodgers on Maxwell hit Weekley, de Jonge share lead in Zurich Classic Varsity 541 College Sports SOU's Neal fifth, Reitman seventh in CC multis Aspiring Duck quarterback bucks the odds Marshall stays with Ducks to get better Eckert, Beavers take series from Arizona Randall drives SOU into postseason Pro Sports Warriors storm back, top Pels Giants sweep Dodgers on Maxwell hit Weekley, de Jonge share lead in Zurich Classic Griner, fiancee Johnson arrested after fight Title Quest Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Blog: Weekend Impossible Business briefs Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan Frontier Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport New home in an old house Real Estate News New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Matthew T. Mangino: Faulty hair analysis has far-reaching implications Granlund cartoon: Paging Dr. Oz Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Letters to the Editor, April 24 Michael Gerson: 'The Road to Character' starts with humility Editorials Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Our View: Public's right to film police should be protected Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 24 Letters to the Editor, April 23 Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Columns Michael Gerson: 'The Road to Character' starts with humility Dana Milbank: The right's new claim: same-sex marriage is deadly Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Anniversary: Bobbie and Don Mills celebrate 60 years together Anniversary: Wayne and Shirley Tinnin celebrate 50 years together Community blog: Jackson County Votes to Pay Wildlife Services: the War on Wildlife continues ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Food Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Community blog: Oregon Breweries to grow or seriously to grow? The joy of true wasabi Season Stepp: Veggie treat hidden deep inside artichokes Tammy Kelly: The South’s favorite side dish — slaw Home and Garden Costa Living: Basking in flower power Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Paul Rogers: Enjoy convenience of container gardening Home Help: 3 quick, easy kitchen and bath upgrades Health Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Brent St. Germain: One year and counting Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Moment in Time presents 'Viejo con Nuevo' Britt adds Watkins Family Hour concert with Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple and others Theater 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland Music Maria Muldaur at the Unitarian Fellowship Genticorum at Paschal Winery Southern Oregon Repertory Singers Live Music in Local Clubs The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Reader Review: 'Danny Collins' a sentimental and funny tribute to John Lennon Reader Review: 'Birdman' for the birds Movie review: ‘Ex Machina’ is the droid you’re looking for Movie review: Fairly smooth sailing for ‘The Water Diviner’ Movie review: ‘Age of Adaline’ is sweet but a little sloppy Dining Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District ... Saving money, making money with trout ... Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute ... Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District ... Saving money, making money with trout ... Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute ... ANOTHER VIEW Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 22, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Apr. 22, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> When postal worker Doug Hughes — otherwise known as the gyrocopter dude — landed his gizmo on the West Lawn of the Capitol, he wasn't worried about being shot down, he says. He must be a believer in miracles because he might have been shot down — and probably should have been. Horrible as this would have been in retrospect, he could as easily have been carrying a dirty bomb as 535 letters to members of Congress. Setting aside for now the debate about security, let's turn our attention to his proclaimed mission of shining a light on our corrupt campaign finance system and his urgent plea for reform. We tried that, Mr. Hughes, and it created an even bigger mess.  Today's salient political adage goes like this: Behind every successful politician is a billionaire — or several. Most everyone running for president — that would be Hillary Clinton and perhaps 19 others — will likely be asked about this travesty, but Clinton already has made transparency a key issue in her campaign. What rich cake. The former secretary of state who purged her private server of 30,000 "personal" emails — and who is otherwise known as one of the least transparent politicians in American history — promises campaign transparency. This tells us two things: Transparency polled well in focus groups; Clinton is adept in the art of political jujitsu. Campaign finance reform is indeed on many minds, if only in greater America. Beyond the Beltway, people like Doug Hughes choke and spit when talking about politics and politicians. The notion that a few rich people can determine who leads this essential nation is a sour, cynical-making joke that borders on the criminal. There's nothing free about paid-for elections —  unless  everybody knows where the money came from. Ever since the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, generally known as "McCain-Feingold," our two-party system has been on life support. If, in pre-reform America, too many wealthy people were donating large sums to candidates, at least we usually knew who they were. In post-reform America, too many are still giving large donations — but in the shadows. As one philanthropist put it to me, "Money will always find a way." And so it has, which usually puts people in mind of The Koch Brothers, who inarguably have earned their own definite article. Contrary to public perception, TKB aren't just two rich guys. More aptly, TKB is a political bank into which many other wealthy people deposit large sums to be spent wisely. And though Democrats and liberals love to demonize the Kochs , non-transparency and mega-bucks are hardly unique to Republicans. The Clinton machine raises money like no other, from Wall Street to Hollywood to, who knows, Chipotle? It will be fun to see that list! But billionaire backers, much as we'd all love to have one, bring troubles. Among them is the fact that an endowed candidate who hasn't a chance of winning can remain in the race far longer than his candidacy warrants. This leads to the sort of death by a thousand insults we witnessed in 2012 when Republican candidates seriously damaged Mitt Romney before Democrats got their aim straight. Additionally, as outside groups gain dominance, political parties are withering. This spells doom for political comity. As much as we enjoy taking sides, the parties themselves have to meet in the middle within their own organization. Super PACS, which tend to form around extreme ideas and whose donors get to remain anonymous, are accountable to no one. Graver still, mega-donors rob candidates of control over their own campaigns. In effect, campaign finance reform took away the message from the messenger. Who really is calling the shots, nobody knows. Hint: It's not just the Kochs. Hughes may have been irresponsible and "off" when he flew his crazy bird into restricted airspace, and he's lucky to be alive. But he was also exercising his right to free speech — transparent to within an inch of his life. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke to this idea during oral arguments in 2010's Doe vs. Reed, saying that it takes a certain amount of "civic courage" to run a democracy. With his remarks, Scalia provided a glimpse at what would be the best system: Let anyone give as much as he wants to whomever he wants — but out in the open. It takes courage to stand where you put your money. Or to deliver your letter to the U.S. Congress in person. See Mr. Hughes? Your stunt worked. Kathleen Parker's email address is [email protected]. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 22, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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