By Dick Bernard

Special to the Sentry

My coast-to-coast perspective of the comparisons between Oregon and Maine continues as my wife and I complete more than 10 weeks of our transcontinental transition. Comparisons come to my attention almost daily as I scan the “Oregonian,” the state’s largest newspaper and the “Courier,” Grants Pass’ local daily. What emerges are bits and pieces of data that relate to demographics, local color and culture and, of course, politics, the national obsession for 2008.

Oregon is growing. Twice as many people come to the state annually as those who leave for elsewhere. In fact, Oregon will, by the census of 2010, qualify for another member of the U.S. House of Representatives, increasing from five to six. Newcomers to Oregon come from the western states, mainly California, Idaho and Texas. By comparison, Maine’s slower growth will not affect its congressional count. It will stay at two.

But, in both cases, jockeying for a place on the ballot is going on constantly. I haven’t had much opportunity to learn the names of the players here in Oregon, but I am acutely aware of the battles in Maine. Mainers are blessed with political talent and are, as far as I can determine, ahead of the curve. Oregonians vacillate between a history of progressivism and a nagging presence of libertarian “naysayism.” The only political signs I’ve seen here are for Ron Paul. That may change as the contest for the Democratic delegate lead is prolonged, giving Oregonians a possible shot in the May 20 primary. Who would have thought!

My hat is off to Maine’s citizen legislators. Only now is Oregon embarking on annual sessions, amidst some considerable “naysaying.” Both states have Democrats in the State House:  John Baldacci in Maine and Ted Kulongoski in Oregon. Maine’s two Senators (Snowe and Collins) are Republicans but Oregon is split between Gordon Smith (R) and Ron Wyden (D). 

Maine’s large unenrolled proportion of voters keeps the state relatively moderate and that seems to be the case in Oregon as well. Democrats here have enjoyed recent electoral successes, but only because the unenrolled (Oregonians say ‘unattached’) have tipped the balance.

But aside from politics, what is concurrent in both states are the continuing struggles and changes going on in the culture wars. Spousal abuse is ongoing; errant teen behavior is a constant; overwork from doing two or more jobs is increasing; health care issues abound; and environmental concerns are a daily item in the news, both in print and on television.

But in sharp contrast to those negatives are the positive attitudes toward newcomers we encounter wherever we go. Like Mainers, Oregonians are friendly, out-going and show much interest in our recent arrival. Mainers hunker down in winter and greet each other as spring arrives with new energy and enthusiasm. The more moderate weather here encourages much of the same. Oregonians, like Mainers, value the environment and are proud of their green orientation.

But there is one great constant: each state’s proximity to the ocean and its effect on perception and thinking. Mainers can imagine the transit across the Atlantic to Europe and beyond and Oregonians are westward oriented, toward Hawaii and the Far East.

Just within the last few days, the shifting winds and waves along the Oregon coast have revealed the hulks of long lost ships and more dramatically the encrusted cannons from vessels assigned to protect the coastline or research new routes and entries to the many rivers and bays of the state. I can recall reading about the same in the local press in South Portland, stories of downeast storms that ravaged the Maine coast.

Before closing out this particular postcard, I want to remind South Portlanders how lucky you are to have proximity to a first class cultural sophistication next door to you in Portland. I think it may be superior to that of Portland, Ore., nearly three hours by car from us in Grants Pass. 

In five minutes you can be transported across the Fore River to all the arts offered in Portland. Go and enjoy! See you next time. I’ve attached my e-mail, dnkbern@clearwire.net, in case you may wish to comment on my views. 

Dick Bernard is a former South Portland resident who now makes his home in Oregon.