As expected, the news that Oregon is considering legislation to become a self-serve state has brought out much fear and handwringing from the usual suspects. With Oregon being one of only two states to not allow self-serve gas, I can assure you it’s no privilege to be “different” in this way. It merely serves as one more reason for the rest of the country to laugh at us.
Should we really be proud of the fact that our state makes it illegal to perform a basic remedial task because we’re too good/lazy to get out of our cars and do what our neighbors to the north, east and south already do? If they can manage to briefly stand outside (under a roof, because gas pumps are covered) and stick a nozzle in a car, is it really a point of pride to say we can’t handle the same?
For those who can’t or won’t, there will still be attendants at every gas station. To the rest: trust me, you can do this. It’s not rocket science. To those claiming jobs will be lost, one of the main drivers of this legislation is the fact that there are shortages in gas station attendants, making wait times for gas that much longer.
Polls show that the majority of Oregonians want self-serve. Don’t hold our freedom hostage to your trepidation. Please let us join the 20th century.
Bryce Fisher, Gresham
To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
