The article on the average age of Oregonians gave many reasons why this is the oldest state west of Mississippi, (“Oregon is the oldest state in the West, and it’s getting even older,” July 9). These included low birth rate, people aging in place and lack of diversity. Oregon has a much lower share of people under 20 than the nation overall.
Nowhere did the article mention the government’s role in the lack of young people in our state. When our governor and other leaders decided to shut our schools down for longer than most of the rest of the country, people saw that Oregon does not prioritize children or families. This attitude manifests itself in the legalization of drugs, which makes many cities unsafe, and the defunding of police, which has led to out-of-control violence.
Oregon is not a desirable place to raise children. So many families have left, never to return. I will never forget what the then-governor did to my children. As a public school teacher, I see the results of this shutdown every day. We need to recognize the harm the government has done to families. If we want them to return, we need to make our state a place where families want to raise children.
Heather Seely Roberts, Newberg
To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.