The reason we need separate political parties is very plain and very simple. As a society we have different levels in which each and every one of us is either born into or aspire to a different degree, along with the way we acknowledge different aspects of religions, interpret the constitution, handle civil rights issues and personal freedoms. Living in Different regions helps determine our political views, opinions and separates us from other regions in determining the way we think, the way we view the world, the way we would solve the many problems that face society and most certainly the way we accept our neighbors.

As human beings it is nearly impossible to disregard views which has been established into our developing minds as children and as adolescent 's. Usually if a child is reared as a Democrat that child will stay a democrat all throughout their lives, and if that child is reared as a republican they will stay a narrow minded Republican.

Even if an individual crosses over into another political party it is usually for political benefits where the individual can become more powerful or make some big dollars. I must admit that once in a while when a republican crosses over to the Democratic Party they have came to their senses. When a democrat crosses over to the Republican Party for example, like Joe Lieberman did, it was for political gain besides LIEberman was a republican all along.

I believe it is 100% necessary to keep the county commissioners position a partisan seat. Columbia County is mainly a democratic county, and it is usually hard for a republican to win an election, for example State Senator Betsy Johnson, she was a republican and changed parties so she could win a seat.

While Earl Fisher claims to be a Democrat he does not act like a Democrat, he does not support open government by stating opinions or discussing issues openly with the public at meetings when asked. I have never seen or heard Earl speak out against Republican Hyde's failure to enforce a 1996 ballot measure that would bring millions into the county coffers, to enforce the depletion fee and transportation tax, a tax against corporations a tax that would benefit all county taxpayers, not costing the individual taxpayer a dime.

You have Tony Hyde who is a dyed in the wool republican, I must give Hyde credit he is a typical republican and stands by republican beliefs, such as "there is not a tree that I haven't met that I did no want to turn into a stump", or tramping on Little Davis Bacon, blaming unions for the high cost of things while actually corporate America is the cause for the high cost of things by being greedy. Putting corporations ahead of his fellow citizens, not wanting to collect taxes on his corporate friends, not enforcing ordinances that would go against corporations and benefit the average citizen in Columbia County, typical Republican.

Do you really think that a person would act, or vote any different if the commissioners' seat were non-partisan? Hell no they would not, being non-partisan does not guarantee that you would work any better with your fellow commissioners. If you are a republican and the seat is non-partisan and a decision needs to be made that would tax corporations are you going to vote against republican values and tax a corporation? The answer is NO. I think the voters need to know what party the candidate is from, that way you can know how your beliefs and interests will be handled. That way you will not vote against your best interests.

Earl Fisher was not my choice for county commissioner, he won his seat by fabrication and trumped up stories and by spending more than an individual commissioners race in Portland. He was and is pro corporation in my opinion, and I knew Earl was more republican than democrat and he is showing his true Red colors by trying to end a partisan seat.

I say keep the commissioners seats partisan.