The news from our nation’s Capitol is by turns frustrating, scary and at times downright creepy. When the country and the planet cry out for action, the government appears paralyzed. Given some of the extreme proposals, sometimes we are thankful for inaction.

As someone who lives the turmoil of conflicting world views I, too, am frustrated, even appalled. But I see the world beyond the beltway and a path to a better more sustainable future.

For over 30 years, at all levels of government, I have been fighting for “livable communities.” I created The Committee for a Livable Future (LivPAC) to work with candidates all across the country that share this vision.

These policies can literally save the world. A contribution to LivPAC, whether $5 or $5,000 will be put to immediate use helping to educate and elect like minded candidates that share these priorities across the country.

Using Portland and Oregon as our laboratory, we’ve demonstrated how people can use more and better choices to revitalize neighborhoods and local business districts. Investments in light rail, streetcars, and bicycle facilities reduce energy, forced driving and saves money. Healthy food connections to local farmers markets and community based agriculture can produce healthier families and stronger local economy. In the Portland metropolitan area, even health care is less expensive and higher quality.

For the last 15 years I worked to translate the lessons learned in Oregon to the national, and even the international arena.

• Leading the fight for safe drinking water and sanitation for poor people, saving lives, money and making friends and strengthening ties with America.
• Helping communities use light rail and streetcars to transform their development patterns and commuter choices.
• Championing the bicycle movement. Building momentum nationwide, reducing congestion and pollution, and creating economic development and tourism.
• Promoting clean energy development in wind, solar, and geothermal to reduce global warming.
• Reform the Farm Bill, creating better food, a healthier environment, stronger family farmers, and ranchers all at less cost to taxpayers.
• A little heralded reform will save money and lives in future disasters by helping the Corp of Engineers to employ best practices of today not 30 year ago.
• Congress’ leading advocate for Public Broadcasting, especially when National Public Radio is under attack.
• Legislative and advocacy for empowering families to deal with end of life issues may have been called Palin's “death panel” lie, but is the path to more control and respect for families’ wishes, better health care at lower risk.

Admittedly, some of these practices and policies are not yet widely accepted but outside the beltway in big cities and small towns America they are taking hold.

“Livable Communities” is not just a nice phrase or a novelty issue but an essential strategy if we are going to meet the challenges with our economy and environment head on. If we are truly going to make a difference and help save the world, we need to make sure that men and women who share our goals are elected.

The recent upset election of Kathy Hochul in an overwhelmingly Republican district in upstate New York demonstrates the fluid nature of the electorate. In this climate we can make a difference. In fact, we have been making a difference for years. Our political action committee, LivPAC (the Committee for a Livable Future) has generated over $1.5 million in contributions to candidates in the US House and Senate who share our commitment. LivPAC not only supports candidates with financial contributions, but we also provide them with information on key issues and on the ground support. I’ve also logged countless hours campaigning all over the country to ensure that we elect more people who share our ideals and values.

I hope you will help me in this effort. Please send a contribution today so we can help get like minded candidates elected. Whether your investment is $5,000 or $50 it will be put to good use immediately.

Together we can all help save the world.

Sincerely,

Earl Blumenauer