Step 1. Diversify Portland's economy, including creating real job opportunities for the blue collar workforce. Use Portland's base of developable, shovel ready land in Rivergate and other industrial areas to promote job growth.

Step 2. Work with Portland's existing businesses to show that Portland values its current employers (not just "small business" - ALL business.) Do what it takes to keep these businesses growing.

Step 3. Portland must have a "Buy Portland First" policy. PERIOD. It absolutely SICKENS me that Portland goes out and buys trucks made in who-knows-where when Portland has a first-class truck manufacturing plant right here on Swan Island. It's called Freightliner. I would rather spend $20,000 more on a truck than the low-ball bid if I knew that the $20,000 was going to pay Portland residents rather than Tacoma residents, or somewhere in North Carolina residents, or somewhere in Mexico residents.

Step 4. Portland needs to work with existing businesses to promote "green", not go out and seek venture capital start-ups. Freightliner has a lot of green technology. Why isn't Portland bringing that business (both design and manufacturing) here to Portland? While we're going crazy over the prospect of Streetcar manufacturing in Portland (never mind it's actually in Clackamas!) Freightliner has a subsidiary that builds hybrid diesel/electric and hydrogen-cell busses. Why isn't that being done right here in Portland? Freightliner builds hybrid utility trucks - does the City of Portland own them?

Step 5. Stop this "migrant work center" B.S. If Portland is serious about creating jobs for Portlanders, then it needs to make that priority ONE. Portland ought to start a job center for Portland residents only. (There's nothing wrong with that, numerous government agencies require you to show proof of residency to gain services. Try getting a Chemeketa Community College (Salem) library card if you're a Portland resident.)

Step 6. Stop studying this idea to death. Things can happen if we simply make them happen. I don't want to waste my taxdollars on studies and consultants so they can sit around at coffee meetings at City Hall (with free Starbucks coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts, of course, paid for by the City of Portland) to discuss last night's sporting scores - and, oh, by the way, how to stimulate the economy.