Delano Photographies, Inc. interdependencies of late-twentieth century life? How could we prevent a focus on local needs from degenerating into the kind of myopia and meanness illustrated by the oil-rich Texan whose bum- persticker urges drivers to "step on it and freeze a Yankee"? And most vexing of all: would it really be possible for Portlanders and people everywhere to become self-reliant rapidly enough to head off some future call to global war, based on the premise that our survival was dependent on access to some other nation's resources? In seeking answers to these and many other questions we have come to a much fuller understanding of who we are and where we are in this special place called Portland. Our research has shown us both a community with serious problems and a community in which many people are already working toward some very creative and promising solutions. A vision has emerged in our minds and on these pages of how Portland and other communities around the country can meet the special challenges of the coming decades and become more democratic, more beautiful and more self-reliant places in which to live. We are excited by that vision. We believe that you will be, too. —RAIN
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