Don't Sign the Marijuana Petition.

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

DON’T SIGN SQ#837

by Steve Fair

         

     A group seeking the legalization of recreational marijuana in Oklahoma is nearing the deadline to gather the needed 170,000 signatures to put State Question #837 on the ballot.  Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action claim legalizing pot for those over the age of 21 addresses loopholes in current Oklahoma law.  "Our enforcement arms will not protect our children. We are attempting to do that," Jed Green, executive director of Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA), said.  ORCA has until November 3rd to get the necessary signatures.  They are working 24/7 to hit their goal. Three observations:

     First, Oklahoma's marijuana consumption has increased in the past 6 years.  According to an October 2024 study, nearly 18% of Sooner state residents regularly use marijuana.  That ranks #15 in the U.S.

     Medical cannabis was legalized in Oklahoma in 2018 but recreational weed is technically still illegal. Medical marijuana has become increasingly affordable in the Sooner State, thanks to the numerous cultivation licenses, reduced barriers for commercial growers, and heavy competition among dispensaries. Which leads to the second point: 

     Second, marijuana has medical benefits.  Most health care professionals acknowledge marijuana does relieve chronic pain by reducing pain and inflammation.  Cannabis can help chemotherapy patients with nausea and vomiting.  CDB has been proven to reduce seizures in some types of epilepsy.  Multiple sclerosis sufferers can benefit from CDB.  Marijuana can lower pressure in the eye, which benefits glaucoma patients.  But Oklahoma's current law allows for citizens to get a medical weed card with little examination or screening, which has resulted in pseudo recreational use already.     

     Third, Oklahoma has already rejected recreational weed.  In 2023, SQ#820 was defeated 61%-39%, which sought to do much of the same thing SQ#837 does.  But national interests will not give up until they are successful.  If passed by voters, SQ#837 would amend the Oklahoma state constitution and the legislature would be powerless to fix any flaws it might have.      

     The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) is leading the opposition to SQ#837.  Police chiefs across Oklahoma have seen firsthand the unintended consequences of the state’s existing medical marijuana program. Before we expand marijuana access even further, we must first address the lack of enforcement tools, regulatory gaps, and the growing illegal market operating under the guise of legal “medical” use., OACP said in a news release. 

      The OACP says the normalization of drug use will allow for more impaired drivers on Oklahoma roads.  The point out there is currently no reliable tool to detect marijuana related DUI in real time.  They point out how the legalizing of medical marijuana has resulted in an erosion of employer rights to maintain drug-free workplaces.  “This initiative does nothing to strengthen our communities. It undermines them. We urge Oklahomans to reject State Question 837 and prevent it from reaching the ballot,” OACP says.

     How close to 170,000 signatures Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) are is unknown.  ORCA has kept their progress close to the vest.  What is clear is out of state interests are funding their efforts and if SQ#837 reaches the ballot, even more money will flow into the state.  If asked, do not sign the petition.  SQ#837 is not good for Oklahoma.

U.S. BELONGS TO ALL CITIZENS- NOT JUST POLITICAL ACTIVISTS!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

YELLOW PHARISEES

by Steve Fair

    

    In 1782, American military troops were not being paid by the Continental Congress.  The Articles of Confederation (precursor to the Constitution) allowed Congress to set up an army in time of war, but no way to collect taxes.  They relied on individual states for revenue, who had no money, so troops went months with compensation.  Troop morale was understandably low.  In frustration Colonel Lewis Nicola wrote what has become known as the 'Newburgh' letter to General George Washington, who was camped at Newburgh, NY.  The first part of Nicola's letter described the hardship many of the army were facing.  The second part criticized the 'republic' form of government.  Nicola suggested General Washington declare himself King of the United States and force citizens to pay their fair share and fund the army.

     Washington's response to Nicola's suggestion was swift and direct.  He rejected the idea of a monarchy form of government and said Nicola's suggestion deeply troubled him.  Many colonial Americans already feared Washington would become like England's Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell ruled as 'Lord Protector' of England for years-essentially as a king.  Washington was sensitive to the Cromwell comparison and repudiated any suggestion he become a king of the new nation. 

     This past weekend, a reported 2,000 "No Kings" rallies were held across the United States.  This is the second time these rallies were held since President Trump took office for his second term.  Across the country, liberal Democratic elected officials addressed the attendees, criticizing Trump for illegal immigration enforcement, cuts to government spending, and the current government shutdown.  Three observations:

     First, the United States is not a monarchy.  No Kings is right about that.  America's form of government is a constitutional republic.  Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, and the government's powers are limited by the constitution. The system separates power into different branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any one entity from becoming too powerful. 

     The No Kings organization states on their website: "This country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants.  It belongs to We the People — the people who care, who show up, and who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity."   The second statement is where they get off the rails.

     Second, America belongs to all citizens, not just those who show up. Political activists, on both ends of the political spectrum, make the mistake of dismissing the views of taxpaying citizens who aren't as informed and engaged as they are.  These political Pharisees thump their chest and 'thank God they are not as these unconnected losers are- even these low information voters.'  They want their views and values to have a disproportionate influence on public policy. 

     They deny it but their actions advocate for America to be an oligarchy- a form of government where political power is held by a small group of people, rather than being distributed among the total population.  An oligarchy offers little opportunity for outsiders to join the ranks of the insiders.  Exclusivity, exclusion and cliquishness are practiced.  Instead of educating citizens, oligarchs spend their time, talent and treasure manipulating their fellow citizens.  They organize rallies and express selective outrage.  Their goal isn't better government- it is staying in power.

    Three, liberals continue to remain out of touch with the average American.  Their inability to recognize what is important to the average voter is why President Trump was elected in 2024.   Many people at the No Kings protests wore yellow, a color organizers said is to show unity, but the color yellow is most often associated with cowardness.  Fact is, the average American is color blind to politics.  If anything, they see red when it comes to politics.   The average citizen seeks policies that provide economic stability and security for their family.  Political stunts and tricks turn them off.  Participants in the No Kings rallies are the activist base of the Democratic Party, which has shown itself to be out of touch with the average American.  The 2026 midterm elections will tell the whether Americans are still with Trump or not?

     The use of executive orders (EOs) by presidents’ reeks of a monarchy.  EO use has increased in recent years.  When Biden opened the border with an EO, liberals kept quite because the action was consistent with their values.  When Trump used the same tool to close the border, he is a sovereign monarch.  Consistency in politics is lost.   Maybe all political activists are yellow Pharisees, just trying to remain relevant.     

RULES FOR THEE, BUT NOT FOR ME!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

POKE IN THE EYE!

by Steve Fair

 

     The United States National Guard is a state-based military force that becomes part of the U.S. military reserves when activated for federal missions.  The majority of National Guard members hold a civilian job full- time while serving part-time in the Guard.  From the nation's founding until the early 1900s, the U.S. maintained a minimal army and relied on state militias for the majority of military troops.  After the Spanish-American War, Congress was called upon to reform and regulate state militias' training.   In 1903, Congress passed a bill that provides funding for National Guard troops to receive the same training as regular troops.

     National Guard units can be activated for federal active duty during times of war or in the event of a national emergency declared by Congress, the President or the Secretary of Defense.  They can also be activated by a declaration of a state of emergency by the governor in a state.  When the National Guard is not under federal control, the governor in the state is the commander-in-chief for the units in their state.  There are over 443,000 members of the U.S. National Guard.

     In June, President Donald Trump activated 4,000 members of the California National Guard for 60 days to respond to violence in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.  Last week, Trump federalized the National Guard in Portland, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois to help deal with crime in those cities.  Federal courts have repeatedly ruled against Trump's action.  The president has threatened to use the 1807 Insurrection Act if federal courts continue to try and block the Guard deployments.

     On Wednesday 200 members of the Texas National Guard were sent to the Chicago area.  Texas governor Greg Abbott supports the move.  Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt doesn't.  In an interview with the New York Times, Stitt condemned the deployment of National Guard troops across state lines.  “Oklahomans would lose their mind if Governor Pritzker in Illinois sent troops down to Oklahoma during the Biden administration,” Stitt said.  Three observations:

     First, Trump's action stepped on toes.  Stitt is right-most Okies would go nuts if National Guard troops from a blue state were sent to the Sooner state.  Trump knew using Texans in the Chicago deployment would make the Sand-hillers mad.  While the president has the authority to deploy National Guard troops at his discretion, it would probably have been wise to use the troops from the state of Illinois.  The problem is Illinois Governor Pritzker has avoided dealing with crime in his state and left Trump little choice but to bring in carpetbagger troops.

     Second, Trump's action is divisive.  The president has the authority to activate troops and send them to other states.  Other presidents have done it during times of national emergencies.  President George W. Bush sent National Guard troops from throughout the country to Louisiana during Katrina.   But Trump's action was an intentional poke in Pritzker's eye.  He could have used Illinois troops, but decided otherwise. 

     Third, the federal government is always trying to undermine state rights.  The 10th amendment in the U.S. Constitution says: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”  For decades, the federal government usurped the authority of states.  However, since the Supreme Court has taken more 'originalist' interpretation of the Constitution, many issues like abortion and gun control have been pushed back to the states.  Trump's action sends the opposite message.

     Governor Stitt is Chairman of the National Governor's Association (NGA), a non-partisan group.  His remarks were the first criticism about the deployments from a sitting GOP governor.  Several Democratic governors had threatened to leave the group if the NGA did not condemn the interstate use of troops.  Stitt said that wasn't why he spoke against Trump's action.  Stitt is right.  Republicans would have condemned President Biden had he done what President Trump has done.  You shouldn't have rules for thee, but not for me.

DEMOCRATS SHOULD OWN GOVENMENT WASTE!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

PULL THE PLUG!

by Steve Fair

 

     The U.S. federal government shut down October 1st.  Last week, the U.S. Senate took four votes on both Democrat and Republican proposals to fund the government with a Continuing Resolution (CR), but lacked the votes for passage.  After the votes, the Senate adjourned for the weekend.  The U.S. House is scheduled to return to DC on October 14th, but could come back early.      

     During a shutdown, federal employees designated "non-essential," are furloughed.  Essential services like air traffic control and the military are not impacted.  Past shutdowns have resulted in federal employees working without pay during the shutdown, but getting back pay once the shutdown ends.  Social Security payments are expected to continue, as are food stamps and WIC benefits.  Medicare and Medicaid will continue.  The IRS will continue to collect taxes.  Passport processing and services could experience delays.  Oftentimes, the average American doesn't even notice the government is shutdown.  Three observations:

     First, many U.S. federal government functions need to be shut down.  The federal government is notoriously bloated, wasteful and extravagant.  Government agencies spend tax dollars with impunity and no accountability. President Ronald Reagan said, “No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!”  The Trump administration has threatened to permanently layoff some federal workers during this most recent shutdown.  That would be unprecedented.  Does Congress have the political will to pull the plug on wasteful spending?  Time will tell.

     Second, federal government shutdowns are nothing new.  Since 1976, the government has shut down 20 times.  The longest government shutdown happened in 2018 and lasted 34 days.  The current shutdown is happening because Democrats will not support the Republican written CR.  The Ds cite four recent national polls showing Americans will blame President Trump and Republicans for the shutdown more than the Ds.  Sen. Chuck Shumer, (D-NY), said, "Donald Trump and the Republicans own this shutdown."  

     The opportunity to reduce government spending and waste shouldn't be wasted by the GOP.  They should 'own' the shutdown and force Democrats to own the waste.

     Third, Congressional Democrats are putting politics over people.  Holding the federal government hostage to force through a $1.5 trillion dollar wish list of pork is a risky strategy.  Refusing to support the Republican CR to keep the lights on is the height of partisan.  Obstructionism is the failed political scheme that put the Ds are in the Congressional minority.  Expect Congressional Ds to cave quickly because Americans will blame all elected officials, no matter Party, if a shutdown dawdles.

     In 1974, Congress passed a bill revising the budgeting process.  In the 50 years Congress has used the system, only four times have they passed all the required appropriations measures on time.  It wasn't the intent.  Rather than pass individual spending bills, like the '74 bill outlined, Congress has instead used omnibus bills and CRs to fund government.  An omnibus bill bundles 12 annual appropriations bills into a massive spending package and is hundreds of pages long.  It is often passed at the end of a legislative session, in the dark of night.  Tax payers should demand government spending be justified.  If it's not, pull the plug!