FAIR AND BIASED: SCGOP FISH FRY IS A BIG DEAL!

Monday, May 12, 2014

SCGOP FISH FRY IS A BIG DEAL!

Weekly Opinion Editorial

FISH FRY IS A BIG DEAL!

by Steve Fair

     On Saturday, the Stephens County Republican Party will hold their tenth annual Fish Fry. It is an annual fundraiser to benefit the local GOP. The local county Republican headquarters is possible because of this fundraiser. The SCGOP Fish Fry has evolved into the largest gathering of Republicans in Oklahoma annually, outside a state convention. That is quite an accomplishment when you consider that just twenty years ago, Stephens County Republicans could hold their meetings in a phone booth.
     The first SCGOP Fish Fry was held in 2005 and the speaker was Congressman Tom Cole. Through the years, the event has featured both politicos and entertainers. Keynotes have included a Will Rogers impersonator, a John Wayne impersonator, and Prayer Force One, a bus painted like Air Force One. For the first couple of years, it was held in the Territory Hall at the Fairgrounds, but the last five years, the event has been held in the Stephens County Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena. Last year U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe spoke to over 750, the year before, Senator Anthony Sykes to a similar number. In 2010, Senator Tom Coburn spoke to over 850. The largest crowd in the event’s history is expected this year when Governor Mary Fallin is the keynote speaker. Republicans will travel from all over the state to be at the largest gathering of Rs before the June 24^th primary.
     This event is unique for a variety of reasons. First, it is completely and totally planned and executed by volunteers. There is no caterer, decorator, event planner, or professional fundraiser. Local GOP volunteers clean, bread and fry the fish. Local candidates and elected officials serve the fish and everyone helps clean up. It is a complete team effort. The local Party owns two large ‘Cajun Cooker’ fish fryers, and borrows two others. Each of the fryers has four frying baskets. The huge crowd is served hot fish with all the trimmings in less than thirty minutes. The logistics itself is impressive. Why would volunteers invest their time and energy on an event that requires hours of sacrifice? Quite simply, because they believe they are making a difference in their government. They know the money raised will be used to help elect solid conservative candidates to office.
     The second reason the event is unique is because it features only one keynote speaker. Unlike most political events, where everyone who is an elected official or a candidate gets to speak, on Saturday night only Governor Fallin will speak. There will be literally dozens of elected officials in attendance. Nine of the twelve statewide elected officials in Oklahoma are expected to attend. More than a dozen state legislators will be there. There will be at least three candidates for the open U.S. Senate seat and both candidates for the Corporation Commission seat. And none will get to speak from the platform other than the keynote speaker. They are encouraged to campaign and engage those in attendance person to person, but this event is a fundraiser for the local Party, not a candidate forum.
     The final reason this event is unique is because it is fun. Most political events can’t be categorized as fun. The Stephens County GOP Fish Fry features clowns (real ones, not just the politicians) for the kids, fun videos and there is an informal causal festive atmosphere. It’s readily apparent the organizers of this event don’t take themselves seriously even though they take the cause very seriously. There is laughing and joking and the live auction becomes entertainment in and of itself. This year, the auction will have a pair of George HW Bush’s socks, a Browning 28 gauge over and under, and a Henry Golden Boy 22! This event is special simply because it is different than a normal political event.
     The Stephens County GOP does present the Dr. Gerald Beasley Jr. Memorial Award at the Fish Fry. It is an award given annually to a local volunteer activist who has demonstrated a true grassroots spirit of changing their government from the bottom up. The late Dr. Beasley was a long time Duncan physician whose passion was politics. The recipient of the award is not publicly disclosed until the time of presentation.
If you want to meet a lot of elected officials, have some great fish and a fun time; come join the Stephens County Republican Party on Saturday night at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. It all kicks off at 6pm, but rest assured the candidates and the clowns will be there early. For ticket information, call 580.656.7951 or email leon@wpmonline.com.

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Why FAIR & BIASED?

FAIR- because that's my name and BIASED because the truth is we are all biased- either for something or against it. What's important is that our bias(opinions) are based on right- on absolute truth and not on changing values. What's right cannot change based on a change in circumstances. That is the basis for situational ethics.

Situation Ethics is a theory that is concerned with the outcome or consequences of an action; the end, as opposed to an action being intrinsically wrong. In the case of situation ethics, the end can justify the means. There are no absolutes. Your actions are guided only by your conscience.

A person's view of right can be subjective. But there is a way mankind can definitely know what's right and that is revealed in God's Word- the Bible. As His creatures, we should be biased toward things our Creator is for and biased against those things He is against. May God grant us the grace and understanding to know the difference.

PARTY AFFILIATION IS IMPORTANT! by Steve Fair- written in 2009

How important is political party affiliation? Some people mistakenly believe only politicians need political affiliation, which they use for support to get elected. They contend the electorate or voters, do not need to be aligned with any Party. These same people often state they “support the man, not the Party.” But whether they recognize it or not, they are supporting a party when they “support the man.”
Most of the Founding Fathers had a negative view of political parties. In his farewell address to the nation, George Washington warned about political parties saying, “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” In spite of Washington's warning, political parties were formed anyway.
From 1796 to 1828 the first political parties were formed. Starting with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, two opposing factions arose. Each was concerned with how the new government was to be organized. The Federalists believed in a strong central government. Their philosophy and beliefs would closely mirror the Democrat Party today. The Anti-Federalists strongly supported the rights of the states. They would more closely align with Republicans today.
Since the mid 1800s, the Ds and Rs have been the two major political parties in our country. Political parties flourished in our government mainly for legislative organization and expediencies sake. Why is Party affiliation important for the average voter? Party affiliation is important for three very simples reasons.
First, party affiliation is the first vote a citizen casts. When a citizen registers as a Democrat, then they are aligning philosophically with the values, beliefs, tenets, and positions of the Democrats on the issues. Party affiliation “defines” you are and what you stand for. It should be taken as seriously as a vote for a specific candidate. Research what each Party stands for, their positions on issues, and then align with the Party that is closest to your values. Copies of both major Party platforms are available on-line or at the local library.
Second, legislatures organize themselves and conduct business using party affiliation. The legislative branch of government is the most powerful arm of the three branches of government. Legislative bodies hold closed meeting of party members, called a caucus to decide on questions of policy or leadership. The Republicans hold a caucus meeting and the Democrats hold a caucus meeting-both at the state and federal level. Unfortunately, conservative, moderate and liberal philosophies do not hold caucus meetings or control the legislative agendas- parties do. When someone says they vote for “the man,” not the party, they fail to understand the power and function of a caucus system in a legislative body. The Party in the majority controls appointments, Chairmanships, the agenda and countless other things through the caucus.
Third, party affiliation should be a matter of conviction, not convenience. Often, people align with a party so they can vote in primary elections or based on family tradition or geographies. Even candidates will align, file and run affiliated with a Party they have little philosophical agreement with. That decision is made out of convenience, not conviction. While no political party is perfect or has all the answers, there is a distinct difference between the two major parties and honest citizens should align with the Party that reflects their convictions.
The Democrat Party is more liberal than the Republican Party. Liberals believe in more government control of business, the environment and speech, using large bureaucratic programs to address real or perceived social ills and constant reinterpretation of the Constitution. Liberals are more inclined to trust government than the people themselves. They see the role of government as a great provider of goods and services and have little faith in the individual to solve his own problems.
Republicans are more conservative than Democrats. Conservatives believe in less government control of the environment and business. They want fewer and less comprehensive government programs to address real or perceived social ills. They believe in personal responsibility and trust individuals to make decisions for themselves. Republicans believe in a strict literal interpretation of the Constitution. A person should find out which of these philosophies best fits their view if they wish to actively participate in the political process.
Party affiliation is important. Washington’s prophecy has come to past, and political parties have been used to empower “unprincipled men,” on both sides of the aisle, but like it or not, political parties are a reality in our system of government. Each concerned citizen should evaluate the philosophy, values, beliefs and tenets of each Party and align their party affiliation accordingly.

FAIR AND BIASED

Monday, May 12, 2014

SCGOP FISH FRY IS A BIG DEAL!

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PARTY AFFILIATION IS IMPORTANT! by Steve Fair- written in 2009

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