I used to think that Knute Buehler was a reasonable moderate. But in the governor candidate debates he advocated for reinstating Oregon’s death penalty and relaxing child immunization policies.

By taking these stands, Buehler violates the medical principal of “First, do no harm,” and he certainly advocates moving us towards a more backwards, more expensive, less civilized and less safe Oregon.

The death penalty? Outlawed in almost every civilized nation — but not China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

Every year, fewer nations support the death penalty; even developing-nation Mongolia repealed the death penalty in 2017. For 60 years, studies have shown that the death penalty is not a crime deterrent and costs taxpayers far more than sentences of life-without-parole. In California, that’s $1.26 million for cases seeking death, vs. $740,000 for similar cases not seeking death. It would be $90,000 more per year for housing a death row inmate vs. other inmates in the same prison.

We are entitled to pass laws to keep us safe. The death penalty exists for retribution, and I’m sure that as citizens we are not entitled to vengeance. Nor are we entitled to other taxpayers paying for our vengeance.

Childhood immunizations? Medical studies have repeatedly shown that immunizations are safe and effective in eradicating diseases and illnesses — IF a great majority of the population is immunized.

Opting out because you believe a 30-year-old British study that has since been debunked as fake, is anti-science magical thinking. And it jeopardizes the health of the whole community.

We already allow parents to opt out. The U.S., the U.N., The World Health Organization, The Gates Foundation and many other organizations fund immunization programs around the world to provide basic health care available to us in the U.S.

Buehler wants to roll back Oregonians’ protections against disease?

Neither of these positions makes sense.

Does Buehler think that companies will locate in Oregon if we’re that backwards? Would Buehler raise taxes to pay for the death penalty? Pull funding from education, job growth initiatives or homeless solutions?

If these opinions don’t make sense for a smart guy like Buehler, they indicate that Buehler will justify nonsensical, antisocial, anti-science dangerous opinions to gain votes.

That’s not leadership. Leadership is articulating a vision of a safer, more just, more efficient society, gathering differing opinions and solutions focused around a shared future and executing well.

Buehler just joined the ranks of candidates who are fueling fear, rather than inspiring community. We should elect leaders who demonstrate leadership skills that encourage community-minded behavior.

Most Oregonians want better education for our children, more efficient government and physical and economic security. Are we willing to become a more primitive people to achieve those goals?

Gov. Kate Brown didn’t create our problems, and it’s going to take tremendous leadership to work our way forward — not backwards.

We are Americans and Oregonians, smart and resourceful, Democrats, Republicans, independents and smaller political parties.

We know how to develop technologies, create collaboration between business, education and government sectors.

We will make our way through disagreement to solutions for our pressing social problems.

However, if we do that by regressing — killing for vengeance and allowing disease to encroach on our communities — we become a more backwards Oregon.

Whatever we choose to become, we message our values to the rest of the country. Do we really want to return to the Wild West — a less civilized time — which wasn’t very pleasant for most people?

Buehler, please stop trying to be a cowboy, and start being a forward-looking leader.

You have energy and intellect to offer — but you’re on the wrong path. Brown, you’ve got my vote, because you appear to seek solutions through civilized values and dialogue, rather than merely seeking votes.

— Shannon Mara lives in Bend.