DON'T CHEAT TO MAKE RURAL OKLAHOMA RELEVANT!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

ROADBLOCK NOT GUARDRAIL

by Steve Fair

     In Oklahoma, citizens have the ability to collect signatures to place a new statute or constitutional amendment on the ballot.  They can also get a veto referendum on the ballot to ask voters to uphold or repeal an enacted law.  Oklahoma is one of 26 states that has a mechanism/tool for citizens to petition and enact legislation and bypass the legislature.

     The most impactful initiative petition effort in Oklahoma history happened in 1991, when a group of rag tag citizens from across the Sooner state banded together and got State Question #640 on the 1992 ballot.  They didn’t pay professional signature gatherers to get voter John Hancocks.  They personally stood outside Wal-Marts and went door-to door.  Getting those 230,000 signatures was a high threshold, but they were successful.  Their efforts were rewarded when voters approved SQ#640 in March 1992 with 56.2% of the vote.  SQ#640 amended Article 5, Section 33 of the Oklahoma Constitution restricting how taxpayer money is spent.  Under SQ#640, a revenue bill can only become law if: (1) it is approved by a 3/4 vote of both legislative chambers and then signed by the Governor, or (2) it is referred to a vote of the people by the legislature and approved by a majority. 

     Since passage of SQ 640 in 1992, Oklahoma voters have approved only one state question to raise taxes: SQ#713, which increased tobacco tax in 2004.  No revenue bill had gotten the 3/4^th margin in the legislature until 2018, when HB#1010 was passed- the largest tax increase in Oklahoma history.  SQ#640 has resulted in Oklahomans keeping billions of their money in their pockets instead of sending it to 23^rd and Lincoln.

     This week, the Oklahoma Senate made it harder for citizens to get something on the ballot.  Senate Bill 1027 (SB#1027) authored by Sen. David Bullard, (R-Durant) and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, (R-Bristow) would cap the number of initiative petition signatures that could be gathered from each county.  It passed the state senate along Party lines.  If SB#1027 becomes law, only 10% of the signatures of a petition could come from Oklahoma or Tulsa County.  In the other 75 counties the max number would be 4%.  According to Bullard, the current system allows petitioners to only solicit in urban areas to get the required signatures.  He wants to make signature gatherers to ‘diversify’ and get signatures from throughout the state.  Bullard said SB#1027 puts ‘guardrails” on the Oklahoma initiative process.  Three observations:

     First, SB#1027 violates the concept of one man/one vote.  The founding fathers believed in the one man/one vote concept so much that they required the government conduct a decennial census.  The purpose is to assure fair apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the states, based on population.  SB#1027 would make some Oklahoma citizen’s voice stronger than others.  It flies in the face of ‘equal and fair’ representation. 

     Second, SB#1027 isn’t a guardrail- it’s a roadblock.  Oklahoma’s initiative process doesn’t need to be reformed/revised/amended.  This isn’t the first time (and likely will not be the last time) the legislature has attempted to ‘manage’ the initiate petition process.  What misguided lawmakers fail to understand is in when they make it harder for liberals to get State Questions on the ballot, they do the same to conservatives.   SB#1027 is not conservative legislation and antithetical to liberty and freedom.    

     Third, SB#1027 would not change Oklahoma demographics.  Bullard and Hilbert believe they can legislate rural Oklahoma to significance.  The issue is the population shift in Oklahoma.  Urban areas are growing and are more liberal.  It could have a long-term impact on Oklahoma politics.  The key is educating, not legislating.  SB#1027 sends the message that urban citizens are not as important as rural.

     Contact your state representative and ask them to oppose SB#1027.  It is a roadblock, not a guardrail and a poke in the eye to citizens who championed SQ#640.   

PLAYING THE VICTIM IS USED TO GAIN AN ADVANTAGE!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

VICTIM?

by Steve Fair

     A victim is described as a person who suffers because of some adverse act by another person.  Victims are duped, tricked, swindled or deceived by others. 

     In modern America, many believe they are victims based on the color of their skin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, gender or indebtedness.  They hold a pity party and cry about how everything and everyone in their life is predatory toward them. 

     The solution to modern victimhood seems to be to shout louder about your victimhood.  Moral authority in modern culture is directly proportional to how many ways a person can claim to have been to have been victimized.  The more victim categories people are in, the more empowered and authoritative they are.  Pick the right victim level and you can have a ‘free pass’ to do and say almost you want in modern America.  Three observations:

     First, there are real victims.  There are those in society who experience harm as victims of crime, abuse, natural disasters, and social injustice.  It is important a society acknowledge and address their needs.  Showing compassion and understanding to those who in need is a mark of a civilized Christian society.   Throughout the Bible, oppressing innocent victims is condemned by God.  People do suffer unjust evil at the hand of others.    

     Second, there are fake victims.   There are those who falsely portray themself as a victim to gain sympathy, attention, or to manipulate others for personal gain.  They falsely accuse others of wrongdoing and fabricate stories to promote themselves.  These self-entered, conceited narcissists never take personal responsibility for their actions.  The actions of "fake victims" undermine the credibility of genuine victims.  It makes it more difficult for true victims to receive support and justice. 

     Third, there are no victims.  Jesus, who was the ultimate innocent victim, did not adopt a victim mentality.  He recognized God is sovereign over all things.  Jesus (1) trusted the Father, (2) did not repay evil for evil, and (3) loved His enemies. Playing the victim can distort reality, damage relationships and suck the joy out of life.  Embracing a philosophy that everything happens for a reason is biblical.  John MacArthur says, “The default position of all fallen human beings is to blame someone else for our condition, blame someone else for our issues, and blame someone else for our troubles. We say to ourselves: I’m basically a good person but I’ve been affected by bad people.“ MacArthur says those who paint themselves as a  victim seek to avoid facing their own shortcomings.   

     Victimhood drives modern morality and politics.  Identity politics divides society into victims and oppressors.  Liberals and conservatives perceive different victims.   In the past, calling yourself a victim was synonymous with weakness.  Now it is used to gain an advantage over your opponent.  Playing the victim is cowardly.  Blaming events, circumstances in the past as a reason to misbehave in the present is spineless and shows weak character.

     Holocaust survivor and author Edith Eger, 97, says, “Suffering is universal, but victimhood is optional.”  

 

SAY NO TO THE OKLAHOMA FOOD POLICE!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

FOOD POLICE!

by Steve Fair

     “Should you be eating that?” people ask.  While trying to be helpful, they come across as bossy, overbearing, and intrusive.   The food police are everywhere- external and internal.  The internal judgmental voices in your head that condemn you for eating a piece of cake and those eternal self-righteous, pharisaic do-gooders who try to protect yourself from yourself.  The internal police you control- the external not so much.  In America, what you eat is under bi-partisan attack.

     Ten Republican led state legislatures are currently considering barring SNAP (Food Stamp) recipients from using their benefits to buy candy, soda and other items that are high in sugar and fat.  Similar federal legislation was considered in Feb. 2024 that would have done the same thing.  “American tax dollars should not be used to pay for junk food and endanger the health of the most vulnerable Americans. The fastest way to Make America Healthy Again is to encourage balanced diets and stop subsidizing unhealthy food choices," U.S. Senator Mike Lee, (R-Utah) says. 

     The Oklahoma state legislature has gotten into the act.  Senate bill # 4, (SB4), authored by Sen. Kristen Thompson, (R-Edmond), would ban 21 specific food ingredients in Oklahoma.  SB4 passed the Republican controlled Agriculture and Wildlife Committee by a 10-1 vote and now goes to the full Senate for consideration.  Only one lone Republican opposed it in committee.  SB4 has the exact same language as dystopian laws in California and Vermont.  Three observations:

     First, the government has no right to tell citizens what to put in their body.  The irony is that many of the same people who pitched a fit about mandatory COVID vaccines support telling people how to eat.  What inconsistency and hypocrisy! Liberty and freedom preaching zealots telling you what to eat expose their socialist side.     

     Second, the food police put undue burden on the food industry.  Ingredients bans, required declarations, warnings and other state mandates currently cost the industry (and ultimately the consumer) billions.  Some food processors elect to withdraw or not do business in states where the volume doesn’t warrant the increased packaging costs.  Consumers in those states have less choices and less freedom.

     When the feds last year were mandating what could be purchased with food stamps, the National Grocers Association (NGA) issued the following statement: “No consumer purchases have ever been subjected to this Orwellian level of snooping by the Federal government, and it would set a terrifying precedent of intruding on the most private areas of our lives.”    

     The temptation to restrict what recipients of SNAP can buy presents an ethical/moral dilemma for conservative Republicans:  Do they really believe in individual liberty or do they attach strings to a gift?  Sadly, many abandon their principles and side with special interests.

     Third, SB4 is unnecessary and intrusive.  The disappointing thing is Republicans authored it and passed it- not northeast liberals.  Oklahoma has become California.  It’s not likely any of the legislators who voted for SB4 campaigned on banning food ingredients.  Unnecessary cookie cutter legislation crafted by special interests is introduced by clueless lawmakers who campaign on seeking wise counsel from constituents, but never do.

     Evelyn Tribole,  the author of six books on cooking and health, says, "Unless you killed the chef, there is no morality or guilt in what you eat.” 

Just say No to the Food Police in Oklahoma!

In a Golden Age, Ds will complain because everythings YELLOW!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

GOLDEN AGE!

by Steve Fair

     On Tuesday night, President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress.  In the hour and 40-minute speech, the president proclaimed, “America is back!”  He praised Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the cuts they have made in the government’s footprint.  Trump detailed many of his actions since he was sworn into office six weeks ago.  Throughout the speech, Trump was cheered by Republicans and jeered by the Democrats.  Many political pundits- on both sides of the aisle- called Trump’s speech, “brilliant, vivid, and a great hit speech.’”  Trump was just Trump- loud, boisterous, and high energy.  Three observations:

     First, Democrats looked mad.  From Rep. Al Green’s (D-TX) disrupting of the speech and being removed from the chamber to members holding up signs with political messages, the optics the Ds projected was anger.  Anger and indignation should be reserved for marches and protests, not a joint session of Congress presidential address.  Democrats didn’t applaud the 13-year-old cancer survivor Trump introduced during his speech.  Many rank-and-file Democratic members privately criticized their leadership for telling them to sit on their hands.

     Sen. Elissa Slotkin, (D-MI) delivered the Democratic response speech.  Spending the majority of her brief 10-minute presentation attacking Trump, Musk, and Republicans, Slotkin concluded by exhorting Democrats to: (1) Don’t tune out, (2) Hold elected officials accountable, and (3) Organize.  Good advice for all Americans.  The problem is elected Democrats are out of touch with America.  A CBS News poll (hardly a conservative source) conducted after the speech found a majority of viewers approved of Trump’s speech.  

     Americans are heeding Albert Einstein’s advice who said, "Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution."  Negative people are only happy when they bring you down to their level. 

     Second, Trump loves political theatre.  It was the longest speech by a president to Congress in 61 years.  Waxing long and eloquent, Trump was informal and humorous.  The spectacle of the Democrat’s annoyance and crossness made Trump look good.  One of the president’s strengths is his ability to not get rattled under pressure.  Trump pointed to the Ds and stated: “these guys wouldn’t give me credit if I found a cure for a deadly disease.”  That comment was met with stone-faced, expressionless looks by the elist self-enthralled leftists.  Trump feeds off the reaction of his listening audience- positive or negative.  His style is politically unconventional, but in November Americans showed they are sick and tired of traditional politics.     

     Third, is America entering a golden age?  President Trump claims it is.  He ended his Tuesday speech saying, “My fellow Americans, get ready for an incredible future because the golden age of America has only just begun.”  What exactly is a ‘golden age?”  It is defined as a period of great happiness, prosperity and achievement.  

     America has many challenges.  A recent Pew Research poll found inflation the issue most Americans are most concerned about, followed closely by the unwillingness of elected officials to deal with it.  Americans are tired of empty promises.  They want action.  They want radical change.  That is why Trump was swept into office. 

     Americans are tired of living in a Dark Age.  They can use a little light.  When America enters the golden age, Democrats will probably complain because everything will be too yellow. 

Sausage Making is not a Spectator Sport!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SAUSAGE MAKING!

by Steve Fair

     Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a former entertainer.  He played the part of the president in a popular Ukrainian TV show titled, “Servant of the People.’  He was elected by a landslide in 2019 after helping create the political Party title the same as his TV show- Servant of the People.   Zelenskyy’s presidential campaign was unconventional.  He used social media, stand-up comedy, and a YouTube channel to reach voters.  His message was anti-establishment and anti-corruption.  His campaign tag line was: “Bringing professional, decent people to power.”  He had little policy experience and had not sought public office before.

    This week, Zelenskyy visited the White House with the stated purpose to negotiate an end to the three-year war with Russia.  It didn’t go well.  Zelenskyy and President Trump got into a very public dispute.  Tempers flared and Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House.  Reactions in the U.S. and around the world varied.  Three observations:

     First, Russia is America’s sworn enemy.  In the aftermath of WWI, the Soviet Union was formed as a Communist/Marxism form of government.  The U.S. opposed the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and its ideology and the Communist leaders who came to power never forgot it.  Even though Russia and the U.S. fought together as allies against Nazi Germany, tensions persisted throughout WWII.  Following WWII, the Cold War began.  It was a period of competition and confrontation between the U.S. and Russia, marked by espionage, wars over the spread of communism and the build-up of nuclear arms.  President Reagan’s ‘peace through strength’ strategy resulted in the eventual economic collapse and breakup of the old Soviet Union.  But leadership in Russia has remained steadfast in their goal of destroying America’s capitalism economic system and reuniting the old Soviet Union.  No matter how friendly they appear, Russia remains America’s sworn enemy.

     Second, the Ukrainian government is corrupt.  Corruption goes back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.  Politicians, organized crime and oligarchs seized the country’s vast natural resources as their own.  The U.S. State Department described Ukraine government as a Kleptocracy or Thievocracy- a government whose leaders use their power to steal the wealth of their people. 

Make no mistake- bribery, graft, and payola are alive and well in Ukraine.   

    Zelenskyy is not a noble champion of democracy, but unfortunately his acceptance as a champion of freedom and justice is bipartisan.  Democrats and Republicans alike are big fans of the smooth talker.  But since the war started with Russia, Zelenskyy has outlawed eleven opposition political Parties and invoked martial law.  He is ruling in his country as an unelected dictator. 

     An audit a year ago by Zelenskyy’s own defense secretary found $262 million dollars of fraud and kickbacks by members of the military and parliament.  Most of that money came from American taxpayers.  President Trump puts the amount of aid at $350 billion thus far- other sources claim it is ‘only’ $182 billion.  But whatever the number, the United States has sent more money to Ukraine than it cost to fight the Vietnam war.

     Third, Russia needs Ukraine’s resources.  That is Putin’s motivation and the primary reason he invaded Ukraine.  He needs their agricultural production to feed the Russian people.  Russia needs their natural gas, oil, and minerals.  He grew weary of trying to negotiate and decided he would simply take it.  Diplomacy almost always works when all sides seek a workable solution, but when talks broke down, Putin deployed troops. 

     The Russians and the Ukrainians share a language, a religion, and history, but it been far from brotherly.  Ukraine and Russia both trace their origins to Kyivan Rus’, an early medieval state formed in the ninth century.  Lenin had to fight a very strong Ukrainian national movement during a civil war waged from 1917-1921 to keep Ukraine in the Soviet Union.  Many Ukrainians believe Putin wants to eliminate their right to exist and identify as a separate people.

     Last week, Americans saw how the sausage is made.  The practical and often unpleasant, messy aspects of a process usually not made public were on display.  Some Americans were appalled/embarrassed/ashamed by President Trump and Vice President Vance’s behavior toward Zelenskyy and his being asked to leave the White House.  Zelenskyy played the victim because his goal is to get more of American taxpayer dollars.  This week, Americans learned that sausage making is not a spectator sport.