DON'T KNOW & DON'T CARE!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

IGNORANCE & APATHY

by Steve Fair

 

639,488 Oklahomans went to the polls on Tuesday the 16th.  That is 26% of the registered voters in Oklahoma.  31.4% of Republicans voted, 28.2% of Democrats.  63% of the people who voted were aged 65 or older.  Less than 20% of those undeer 35.  Oklahoma is among the three lowest states in voter turnout.  Arkansas, Hawaii and the Sooner state are at the bottom of the states in voting.   

Here are three reasons why Oklahoma registered voters stay home and don't vote:

First, citizens believe their vote doesn't matter.  Because Oklahoma is so Republican, many stay home and let others determine who will lead the state.  After all- it's only one vote.  Can one vote really make a difference?  Studies show many key elections come down to just a handful of votes.  From 1976 to 2021, more than 85 U.S. Senate elections were decided by less than 3 percent of all votes cast. In the 2000 presidential election, George W. Bush's election was determined by less than one vote per precinct.  Local races are often even closer.    

Second, citizens are uninformed.  According to a recent study, 20% of America's youth do not feel they know enough about candidates and issues to vote.  When coupled with indoctrination and the lack of critical thinking skills being taught to the next generation, it's no wonder young voters are cynical and suspicious.  But ignorance is no excuse.  In a self-governing system of government, citizens have a responsibility to educate themselves. 

Third, citizens believe politics is corrupt.  There is plenty of evidence to support that view.  Candidates pander to big donors and special interests and ignore the average Oklahoman.  The actual track record of the elected official doesn't square with their campaign promises.  You can't tell the difference between the political Parties.  The often-heard cry- 'they are all alike,' has become an undisputed fact. 

Thomas Jefferson said, "the government you elect is the government you deserve." 

Dark money donors/groups cloud the process by funding sensational/provocative material that ignores factual accuracy and objectivity.  Who are voters to believe?  Who can you trust?  The truth is not all politicians are crooks and the political process isn't as shady as many believe.  Ironically some who condemn the tactics of dark money groups employ the same maneuver to further their viewpoint.

A major cause of political apathy in Oklahoma is the lack of political education. Sooners don't know the issues/policies and political Parties and campaigns don't spend the time and money to honestly educate the electorate.  It's easier to inculcate/brain-wash voters than to take time to explain issues.  Elected officials preach transparency and then conceal/obscure important legislation. Honest debate is non-existent.  Tolerance for a differing viewpoint is considered weakness.  Both sides intentionally caricature, distort and exaggerate the other's view.  Situational ethics are practiced with impunity.  Politics has become bad theatre.  

There are four runoff races on the GOP side to determine the Party nominee.  The primary runoff election is August 25th.  Voter turnout is always low for primary runoffs.  The 'hard core' voter shows up for those elections.  Political consultants earn big bucks IDing those voters and making sure they get 'their voters' to the polls.  If Oklahomans stunned the political establishment and went to the polls in mass August 25th, that would strike fear in the hearts of the political elite.

Unfortunately, it will likely not happen because Oklahomans are a great example of not knowing the difference between ignorance and apathy?  They don't know and they don't care!

AVERTING GAZE OR TURNING A BLIND EYE?

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

AVERT GAZE

by Steve Fair

President Donald Trump turned 80 on Sunday.  He celebrated his milestone birthday by holding "UFC Freedom 250," a mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House.  4,000 spectators attended the invitation only event.  On Friday, a federal judge rejected an attempt to block the event by Public Integrity Project (PIP).  PIP filed a lawsuit arguing the event was 'deeply corrupt,' and gave the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 'unfettered access' to Washington, DC's taxpayer funded landmarks.  PIP claimed UFC Freedom 250 turned America's landmarks into billboards.

Trump's Justice Department told critics to simply, 'avert their gaze,' for the weekend and not try to impose their thoughts on the general public.  The DOJ pointed out the Obama and Biden administrations hosted high profile concerts by Beyonce and Elton John on the South Lawn, and there was little concern about those events.  Three observations:

First, taxpayers are not out a dime for the production costs.  The estimated staging cost of $60 million is being shouldered by UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings.  They are expected to lose money on the event, but are deficit spending to market their brand.  Government will provide security for the event, so taxpayers will pay for that.

Second, UFC Freedom 250 is a risky move by Trump.  The event could backfire politically.  Many Americans are struggling with rising costs and strained household budgets. By celebrating his birthday in such a grandiose way, Trump runs the risk mid-term voters might be offended at the elaborate staging.  With Republicans holding a slim margin in the U.S. House and the looming midterms, Trump needs to fire up the base.  That appears to be the strategy for staging the UFC event.h

Third, averting your eyes isn't the same thing as turning a blind eye.  Avert your eyes means to look away or avoid looking at something. It is used to prevent someone from seeing something unpleasant, private, graphic, or overly bright. 

Turning a blind eye is when you deliberately ignore or pretend not to notice something you know is wrong, harmful or out of line.  People often 'turn a blind eye' to avoid confrontation, dodge responsibility, or skip dealing with an uncomfortable situation. 

In midterm elections, keeping voters enthused is key.  Whoever turns out their voter base usually wins.  Swing voters don't usually participate in the midterms.  Heading into the 2026 midterms, Democrats hold an 8-point enthusiasm gap according to lpsos.  It's not uncommon for the Party in power to not have as much excitement than the Party out of power, especially for the midterms.  What is concerning is a recent Washington Post- ABC News poll showed 73% of Democrats thought the 2026 midterms were more important than past midterms.  Only 52% of Republicans thought that.  It appears many GOP voters are turning a blind eye and ignoring the very real possibility Democrats could gain control of the House.  John Pilpot Curran said, "The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance." Republicans better remember that come November.

Oklahoma voters have no excuse for not voting.!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe

by Steve Fair 

On Thursday, Oklahoma voters can start voting in the primary election.  In person absentee balloting is available at the election board on Thursday, Friday from 8am-6pm, and Saturday from 8am-2pm.  Precinct voting will be on Tuesday June 16th from 7am-7pm.  Voters are required to show a valid ID to vote.  With nine statewide races on the ballot, plus congressional, state legislative, and local races, voters should expect to have a double-sided ballot.  One state question is also on the ballot- SQ#832, which proposes to raise the minimum wage in Oklahoma. 

In the last ten days, mailboxes and airwaves have been dominated by politics.  Candidate's policy positions are caricatured and exaggerated by dark money groups, who do not have to disclose their donors.  These 'special interest' groups are often from out of state and engage in destructive politics to win races.  These outlandish ads and mail pieces grab voter's attention and confound many.  What is to be believed?  What is true and what is a lie?  Three tips on how to sift or filter through the havoc. 

First, ignore dark money mailers and ads.  They are generally funded by nonprofits and super PACs that hide their donor base.  They focus on sensationalized attack driven tactics.  Dark money groups are barred from coordinating with a candidate, so their mailers are largely useless for finding out a candidate's official position on an issue.

Second, all candidates have a track record.  It may be their voting record in a legislative body.  It could be their employment history or their education background.  It takes some effort to check how a person voted or what experience a candidate has, but the measure of what a person will do is what they have done. 

Third, listen to those you trust.  Seeking counsel from someone who pays attention to politics is wise.  Bear in mind that having someone tell you who to vote for is a little like letting someone do your homework, but it's better than blindly going into a voting booth and playing eeny meeny miny moe.  Now if your mother is knowledgeable about politics, add "My mother told me to pick the very best one, and you—are—it!".

Oklahoma voters should vote no on SQ#832!  Up until 1937, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled that government lacked the authority to set wages for private business. 

During the Great Depression, the political pressure caused the SCOTUS to cave and a minimum wage was established.  Setting wages is not a legitimate function of government. 

In Oklahoma, if a candidate doesn't get 50% of the vote, plus one vote (majority of the vote), they face the candidate who finished second in a runoff.  it's a safe bet that some of the statewide races will have runoffs.   The primary runoff election will be held August 25th.  The winners in the primary runoff then advances to the General Election on November 3rd.  Voters haven't seen the last of political mail- 5 more long months of propaganda.

Oklahoma voters have no excuse for not voting.  With early voting available, every citizen should exercise their right to vote, even if they use a counting our rhyme to make their choice. 

President Reagan said, “Voting is a precious right that for two centuries Americans have fought and died to protect. Let's all honor that sacrifice this election day.” Amen!