Leaving office early?
by Steve Fair
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life, you will have been all of these.”
~George Washington Carver
~George Washington Carver
Some Oklahoma House Republican members are leaving because they are young and ambitious. They are chasing the dollar or the next rung on the political ladder. Those members have never been dedicated to helping Oklahoma move forward and their departure will not leave a ripple in the political pond. Their selfishness and “me first” attitudes have not endeared them to the GOP grassroots or to Oklahoma voters as a whole. That may partially account for their early departures, but a more likely factor will be their own selfish interests. Twenty years from now their impact in the legislature will be little more than a notation in the Oklahoma Political Almanac. They ran for office because it looks good on their resume. They could care less about the issues or the average Oklahoman- it's all about them.
Other members are leaving because they have become disgusted with the process. After serving in the minority for the early part of their tenure in the House, optimism was high in 2004 when the GOP gained a majority. These “gray hairs” thought they would be called upon for advice and counsel, but instead many were passed over for newly elected, younger, more aggressive members. The new leadership rebuffed their experience and ability to work across the aisle with their Democrat counterparts in a gracious manner.
The situational ethics practiced by the new “principled” leadership was inconsistent with what was being press released to the public. The older members concerns on how business was being conducted was ignored and berated. The new GOP mandate was not working for the benefit of Oklahoma, but staying in power and increasing the number of “R”s. Any and all campaign methods- right or wrong- was on the table, if it won elections. Seeing no real difference in the policies and actions of the new GOP leadership and the old Democrat leadership, these members opted to leave early. Their departure is not a positive one and their experience will be missed.
Some legislators have more personal reasons for leaving. They have sacrificed time with their family to serve and it’s time to mend that fence and get their priorities straight Others have health issues or business concerns. That happens every election cycle and their departure is not out of the ordinary.
But there is hope. Some of the newly elected GOP House members are older, seasoned people with more life experience than those departing. That doesn’t mean young people don’t ever have good innovative ideas. In fact, some of the best ideas come from sharp young minds, but ignoring the older members because of age is a mistake that reveals arrogance. Some of the newly elected members with some years on them have a “point of reference” that gives them a different perspective than their younger counterparts. All of us can look to our youth and regret some of the decisions we made. The same can be applied to public service. Some of these members have lived longer and can help their younger counterparts avoid those mistakes they made.
House Democratic leader Danny Morgan, D- Prague has been quoted as saying Democrats will make gains this election cycle. “We’re going to be very pleased when this election cycle is over with the gains that we make,” Morgan confidently states. But if that is the case, it will certainly go against conventional political wisdom. Oklahoma Republicans do well in Presidential years. Oklahoma has not gone for a Democrat presidential nominee since 1968, so it’s a safe bet that John McCain will carry the state. I predict we will gain three seats in the House and take the Senate for the first time in state history.
But what Oklahoma Republicans in the state legislature do with that power depends on how well they learned their Sunday school lesson on the subject of respecting their elders. The leadership should listen to those who have traveled the road before.
Other members are leaving because they have become disgusted with the process. After serving in the minority for the early part of their tenure in the House, optimism was high in 2004 when the GOP gained a majority. These “gray hairs” thought they would be called upon for advice and counsel, but instead many were passed over for newly elected, younger, more aggressive members. The new leadership rebuffed their experience and ability to work across the aisle with their Democrat counterparts in a gracious manner.
The situational ethics practiced by the new “principled” leadership was inconsistent with what was being press released to the public. The older members concerns on how business was being conducted was ignored and berated. The new GOP mandate was not working for the benefit of Oklahoma, but staying in power and increasing the number of “R”s. Any and all campaign methods- right or wrong- was on the table, if it won elections. Seeing no real difference in the policies and actions of the new GOP leadership and the old Democrat leadership, these members opted to leave early. Their departure is not a positive one and their experience will be missed.
Some legislators have more personal reasons for leaving. They have sacrificed time with their family to serve and it’s time to mend that fence and get their priorities straight Others have health issues or business concerns. That happens every election cycle and their departure is not out of the ordinary.
But there is hope. Some of the newly elected GOP House members are older, seasoned people with more life experience than those departing. That doesn’t mean young people don’t ever have good innovative ideas. In fact, some of the best ideas come from sharp young minds, but ignoring the older members because of age is a mistake that reveals arrogance. Some of the newly elected members with some years on them have a “point of reference” that gives them a different perspective than their younger counterparts. All of us can look to our youth and regret some of the decisions we made. The same can be applied to public service. Some of these members have lived longer and can help their younger counterparts avoid those mistakes they made.
House Democratic leader Danny Morgan, D- Prague has been quoted as saying Democrats will make gains this election cycle. “We’re going to be very pleased when this election cycle is over with the gains that we make,” Morgan confidently states. But if that is the case, it will certainly go against conventional political wisdom. Oklahoma Republicans do well in Presidential years. Oklahoma has not gone for a Democrat presidential nominee since 1968, so it’s a safe bet that John McCain will carry the state. I predict we will gain three seats in the House and take the Senate for the first time in state history.
But what Oklahoma Republicans in the state legislature do with that power depends on how well they learned their Sunday school lesson on the subject of respecting their elders. The leadership should listen to those who have traveled the road before.
Two passages of scripture the young leadership should study and commit to memory:
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
Job 12:12
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:32
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