VOTING IS A SACRED RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

CROWN JEWEL!

by Steve Fair

     Oklahoma voter’s November general election sample ballot is available.  Go to the state election board website to view/print your ballot.  Here is the link: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html

     Sooner state voters will choose from five slates of electors for president/vice president.  In addition to the Democrat, Republican, and Libertarian slates, there are two independents.  There is only one statewide race on the ballot- three candidates running for a six-year term on the Corporation Commission.   There are also congressional, legislative, county and local races on the November 5^th ballot and vary by district.  Informed voters should download their sample ballot.

     A dozen judges/justices are on the November ballot to either retain or dismiss.  Oklahoma uses the retention ballot system where a judge faces voters, but has no opponent.  Voters check ‘yes’ or ‘no.’  If they get less than 50%, they are replaced, but since Oklahoma implemented the retention system, no judge has been removed, but that could change this year.

     Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) has researched rulings on the judges on the ballot.  That information can be accessed at: https://ocpathink.org/judicial-scorecard

     OCPA recommends all three justices of the state Supreme Court on the November ballot be dismissed.  All appointed by former Democrat governors, justices Yvonne Kauger (40 years), Noma Gurich (13 years), and James Edmonson (21 years) voted to kill lawsuit reform, workers comp reform, and struck down pro-life legislation.  If Kauger and Edmonson are retained, they would be 93 and 85 years old before they would face voters again in six years.  Voters should send them home.  

    Nine other judges are on the retention ballot.  Of those, these two should be retired: David Lewis (19 years) and Robert Bobby Bell (19 years).  Both were appointed by former Democrat Governor Brad Henry and their rulings are from the left.

     Oklahoma needs judicial reform.  In the current system, justices and judges are appointed by the governor from a list of three submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC).  The JNC is composed of 15 members, 6 chosen by the Oklahoma Bar Association.  Defenders of the JNC claim it takes the partisanship out of the process, but the fruit has been liberal appellate courts in Oklahoma.  Conservative Oklahoma has liberal appellate courts and that needs to change.  If voters fire some justices/judges on November 5^th, judicial reform will follow.

     Oklahomans will also vote on two state questions on the ballot.  Both are Joint Resolutions, that originated in the state legislature.  Both would amend the state constitution, which is already the longest in the nation.

     State Question #833 would authorize municipalities to create public infrastructure districts (PID) to finance infrastructure improvements in a development.  A PID reduces the amount of money developers have to raise, but it also takes a city of the hook for the cost of development of infrastructure like water, sewer, etc.  SQ#833 requires unanimous approval of the PID, and those who will pay the taxes must agree to it, there is no downsize.  Voters should approve and give this tool to municipalities.

     State Question #834 changes Section 1, Article 3 of the state constitution to state: “only citizens of the United States are qualified to vote in this state.” It seems like common sense that non-citizens can’t vote, but with illegal immigration and border security at the southern border, legislators believe the clarification is necessary.  Voters should approve SQ#834.

     Eligible citizens have until Friday October 11^th to register to vote.  Forms are available on-line at: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/voter-registration/register-to-vote.html  Early in-person absentee voting is available on Wednesday October 30^th, Thursday October 31^st and Friday November 1^st from 8am to 6pm and Saturday November 2^nd from 8am-2pm at your counties’ designated voting location.  Polls at precincts will be open from 7am-7pm on Tuesday November 5^th.  There is ample opportunity for a voter to cast a vote in Oklahoma.

     "The right to vote is the crown jewel of American liberties and we will not see its luster diminished," President Ronald Reagan said.  Oklahomans should cherish their right to vote and faithfully exercise it.

The values of America are antithetical to Marxism!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

COCONUT TREE!

by Steve Fair

     Marxism is an economic and political system based on the work of German philosopher/economist Karl Marx.  Marx co-authored the 1848 pamphlet, “The Communist Manifesto.  He held the capitalist economic system produces conflict between ‘the ruling class,’ and ‘the working class.’  Capitalists, Marx observed, own the tools and machines workers need to do their jobs. By owning the ‘means of production’, capitalists are able to exploit workers and extract a ‘surplus’ (excess profit).

     Capitalists, says Marx, are parasites. They live off the backs of workers. Marx believed if the working class were in power, they would equally distribute resources, thereby creating a classless society.  He said ownership of ‘private property,’ was the real cause of most social ills. 

     Dr. Donald Harris is the father of Vice President Kamala Harris.  Harris, 86, is a Jamaican born economist and emeritus professor at Stanford University.  The New York Times describes Harris as a ‘prominent critic of mainstream economic theory from the left.” 

     In 1976, Harris wrote, “Capital Accumulation and Income Distribution,” which criticizes capitalism.  Harris subscribes to Marxist economics.  He has taught it for years.  During the recent debate, former President Trump brought up Dr. Harris and his Marxist views, but the statement was largely ignored.  Three observations:

     First, Donald Harris isn’t running for president.  His liberal economic views are not necessarily held by his daughter.  Parents and their offspring often disagree, but kids are clearly influenced by their parent’s views and values.  Voters have a right to know Vice President Harris’ economic philosophy. 

     The Vice President has repeatedly spoke of her mother’s admonition that she (Kamala) didn’t just fall out of a coconut tree.  “You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you,” her mother would say.  Kinda like the Okie phrase: ‘the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.’  If Kamala Harris, like her father, subscribes to Marxism- economic or political- voters need to know. 

     Second, Marxism never works.  In every country it has been implemented (China, Russia), it has led to a loss of individual freedom, inhumanity, and economic devastation.  In its attempt to create a ‘classless’ society, a clear hierarchy/oligarchy always emerges to manage/control the working class. 

     The most inaccurate tenet of Marxism is workers under capitalism would be trampled and left in poverty until they threw off their shackles and embraced communism.  The fact is during the Industrial Age in America, the quality of life for ‘the working class’ increased more than every before.   A rising tide lifts all boats. 

   Third, America was founded on personal freedom/liberty. Each individual citizen has the right to make choices and decisions without being unduly interfered with by outside forces.   Americans have the right to privately own property.  Capitalism promotes individual initiative and ambition, allowing people to enjoy the fruits of their labor.    

     Last week, Vice President Harris was a guest on Oprah.  In the hourlong interview, Winfrey didn’t ask one tough question.  During the lovefest/cuddle, Harris spoke in clichés and platitudes.  She stated, “We have the freedom to be.”  What does that mean?  Ophrah should have asked if that ‘freedom to be’ applied to the unborn, since abortion was the most discussed topic. 

     America didn’t fall out of a coconut tree.  The United States is a culmination of 248 years of sacrifice and determination by extraordinary people.  It is the greatest country on earth.  Harris admits she is a product of her past, which should give voters pause.  The values of America are antithetical to Marxism.  Voters beware! 

There is only one omniscient being and He isn’t running for office.

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

GOD HAS THIS!

by Steve Fair

 

     The contentious nature of politics turns off most people.  Civility and respect for differing opinions are considered weak attributes in public affairs.  Passion, anger and confrontation are deemed stellar characteristics.  In a recent poll by Statista Research, just 16% of Americans think Congress is doing a good job and over 60% think President Biden is doing a good job.  Citizens mistakenly believe getting involved in politics accomplishes little.  They think all engaged in politics are liars and crooks, but that is not true.  Three observations:

     First, there are principled people engaged in politics.  There are plenty of reprobates, rascals and scalawags involved in what Ronald Reagan called the world’s second oldest profession.  But there are trustworthy, high-minded, honorable politicians as well.  Lumping all elected officials into the same category is unwise and imprudent.  Citizens should judge each elected official on how they govern.  Separating the sheep from the goats can be challenging. 

     Second, Christians should be involved in politics.  That is a controversial statement.  Many theologians claim the temporal nature of politics distracts believers from the eternal (Gospel) and therefore they should not engage in political involvement.  All Christians are political whether they realize it or not.  God set up human government and ordained its authority.  Christians should be involved in the culture and community.  Christ commanded believers to be the salt and light of the world.  Political involvement is Biblical stewardship. 

     The problem comes when Christian political activists and elected officials adopt secular tactics to further a political agenda.  Nowhere is a believer told to use situational ethics to advance a program.  They should labor and God then gives the increase.  Those misguided zealots violate the very values they claim they hold.  That inconsistency gives fellow believers pause when they consider engaging in politics and that is a terrible loss to the process and the country. 

     Third, no human being knows everything.  There is only one omniscient being and He isn’t running for office.  The arrogance and egotism in elective politics has escalated in recent years.  Self-promoting, boasting, and swager are necessary qualities for a candidate.  Exaggeration, sensationalism, and hyperbole rule.  Humility, meekness and modesty are non-existent in today’s public square. Every politician knows the answer to every question.  In the past, admitting ignorance wasn’t considered a weakness, but the modern politico bluffs their way to victory.

     What is a Christian to do in regard to politics: (1) Do not compromise Biblical values to further a cause.  When a believer uses worldly tactics in politics, it reveals a lack of faith in the sovereignty of God.  He sets up leaders and no election result catches Him by surprise.  (2) Get involved in politics.  At the very least, a believer should be a faithful voter.  Involvement can mean political activism or running for office.  Christians should pay attention to what their elected officials are doing.  What is their worldview?  How they view basic human nature will dictate how they govern.  (3) Pray for those in authority.  The most effective lobbying is asking God to move on the heart of an elected official.  God can change their mind/heart more effectively than a yelling constituent.

     In 50 days, Americans will go to the polls.  Those on both political spectrums are claiming the future of America is dependent on their candidate winning, but no matter what the outcome- God has this!  He sets up leaders- and brings them down. 

CONSTITUENTS SHOULD PROVIDE MEANINGFUL INPUT!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SCHOOL THE IGNORANT!

by Steve Fair

     This week on the steps of the Oklahoma Capitol, Senator Shane Jett, (R-Shawnee) announced the formation of the Freedom Caucus (FC) in the Oklahoma state legislature.  The Sooner state is the 12^th state to form a Freedom Caucus in the legislature.  The concept mirrors the FC in the U.S. Congress.

     Jett said the purpose of the FC will be to ‘preserve freedom for families back home and to educate and provide meaningful input to our colleagues before they vote.’   Five fellow members of the legislature also members of the FC stood behind him.  Other members of the Oklahoma legislative FC were not identified because according to Jett members in other states of the FC have faced punishment from their legislature leadership for their participation in the caucus. Three observations:

     First, legislators should be listening primarily to those who elected them.  Constituents within their district are who they represent first and foremost, not a caucus.  If a lawmaker is too lazy or incompetent to read, research and study a bill before a vote, they should quit and go home.  An effective representative develops a network of trusted counselors within their district who advise them in their field of expertise and provide ‘meaningful input.’ It’s not the job of legislators to ‘school the ignorant’ among them.  Lawmakers are there to represent those who elect them.  They aren’t elected to form cliques, fraternities and hold theme parties.  

     Second, freedom and liberty promote independence, not interdependence.  A caucus is formed to promote and execute group think- vote as a bloc.  Group think promotes interdependence.  A legislator should never feel obligated to vote for a bill because a caucus tells them to.  That is the opposite of freedom.  The best elected official is an independent thinker, one not bound to lobbyists, donors, special interests or their fellow legislators.  Good ones collaborate, but don’t capitulate.  They participate, but don’t surrender.  They are independent thinkers who use their own judgment and perceptions to make decisions and solve problems.    

     Third, anonymity is for cowards. Jett said the full membership (other legislators) couldn’t be revealed because of fear of retribution. Jett didn’t identify who the executioner/boogie man in legislative leadership that was going to punish the unnamed for joining the FC.  If an elected official is a member of a caucus and plans to vote with them, then why hide?  If two agree, they walk together- not one hiding behind the other.

     Jett said anonymity was necessary because the focus of the caucus is to be on policy and not personality, but those can’t be separated?  Anonymity hides/shields/protects/shelters cowards.  The truly brave don’t fear retaliation.      

     The FC in the U.S. House has been a vehicle of disruption within the GOP majority and hasn’t truly advanced conservative policy.  They took down the Speaker of the House, stalled legislation they deemed not conservative enough, and attacked fellow Republicans in the media.  They steadfastly refuse to compromise, collaborate, or negotiate.  They are willing to get nothing if they can’t get everything, so most of the time they get nothing.  Many conservatives agree with their values, but not their zeal to get nothing done and continual attacking of the like-minded.  Hopefully the Oklahoma chapter of FC is willing to work and play well with others.  In the meantime, citizens should be helping to school the ignorant.           

VOTERS NEED TO VET CANDIDATES!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

DO THE WORK!

by Steve Fair

     Politics has always included dirty tricks. The presidential campaign of 1828, pitted incumbent John Quincy Adams against Andrew Jackson, a rematch of the 1824 election. In 1824, because none of the five candidates received a majority of the electoral votes, the election was thrown into the U.S. House of Representatives. Jackson had received more popular and electoral votes than Adams which had resulted in bad blood between the two men. The rematch in ’28 became what is perhaps the dirtiest campaign in American political history. Jackson was accused by Adams of murder, gambling, slave trading and treason. They called him a 'military chieftain,' and said his mother was a prostitute, his father a mulatto man, and his wife a bigamist. After the attack on his dead mother, Andrew’s wife Rachel found Old Hickory in tears pointing to a newspaper article and saying, “Myself I can defend; you I can defend; but now they have assailed even the memory of my mother." But Jackson’s supporters were not innocent. Adams was accused of installing gambling tables in the White House at the public expense, of padding his expense account, and even of pimping women for a Russian monarch.

     According to author Joseph Cummins, politics is not getting dirtier as some claim. In his book, Anything for a Vote, Cummins says, “a rough rule of thumb is that incumbent parties tend to play the most dirty tricks, perhaps because they have the ways and means to do so." Cummins says the dirtiest presidential race was not the Jackson/Adams race, but the Johnson/Goldwater race in 1964. “President Lyndon Johnson, seeking his first elective term after taking over for the assassinated JFK, set out not just to defeat Goldwater, but to destroy him and create a huge mandate for himself.” Cummins says that Johnson had a top-secret after-hours team that planned the dirty tricks. “There were sixteen political operatives, in close contact with the White House, who set out to influence the perception of Goldwater in America’s popular culture.” “They put out a Goldwater joke book entitled You Can Die Laughing.” “ They even created a children’s coloring book, in which your little one could happily color pictures of Goldwater dressed in the robes of the Ku Klux Klan.” So dirty politics is nothing new- it’s been around since the beginning of the Republic. And it happens at all levels of politics- not just at the national level. When campaigning begins to include signs, opponents begin using dirty tricks to keep the other guy’s name out of the public eye.  The recent primary runoff elections in the Sooner state included some ‘dirty’ politics, but the mudslingers didn’t fare well at the polls.  Three observations:

     First, attack politics works.  Political operatives like to say they only work when you are behind, ahead or even- in other words- all the time.  Voters like a good scandal.  They love sensualism. Puffery and hyperbole appeal to our base nature.  Policy is boring, so personality becomes the focus in most races.   Until voters refocus their focus, mailboxes will continue to be filled with attack pieces.

     Second, anonymous attack pieces should be largely ignored.  With the expansion of ‘dark money’ groups, funding can come from anonymous/non disclosed donors.  That namelessness and obscurity shields the money source of the attack, fueling unsubstantiated claims, caricaturing and distorting of policy positions, personal attacks and downright lies. Those pieces of trash should be promptly thrown in the round file.  It does appear voters in the primary runoff were not swayed by the dark money pieces.  If voters continue to ignore them, the money will dry up.

     Third, dirty politics is used to distract.  Campaigns and groups that stoop to slinging mud lack the confidence to run on policy- or they often have something to hide.  When a candidate paints themselves as a committed Christian, but violate fundamental principles in God’s Word, their sanctimonious, hypocritical spirit is exposed.  True believers don’t lie, cheat and steal to win an election. 

     It’s difficult to cut through the rhetoric and self-promotion in politics.  Discerning who is an able, honest, selfless person who wants to serve and not be served requires work.  Do the work!

AMERICA NEEDS TO GO BACK!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

PEOPLE LIKE REFORM!

by Steve Fair

     During an annual performance evaluation with their supervisor, a salesperson is told they have failed to achieve the agreed upon results for the past 3 ½ years.  It is pointed out they failed in virtually every area and their lack of productivity was unacceptable.  In fact, the territory is in worse shape since it was assigned to them.  The salesperson doesn’t argue with their superior’s gauging, but instead brazenly asks for a promotion.  “If you will promote me, reward me with a more prestigious position and title, I promise to fix everything I have messed up,” they promise.  The boss gives them high marks for boldness and arrogance, but low ones for accomplishment, perception and discernment.  They are not promoted, but terminated.  Those scenarios play out every day in the business world.  Low-productive employees don’t get promoted in the real world- they get fired.  That is seldom the case in politics.

     In a well delivered 37 ½ minute speech on Thursday evening at the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her Parties’ nomination and loudly proclaimed, “We are not going back, America!” She promised to give the middle class a tax cut (Trump idea), stop illegal immigration at the southern border (Trump did that), and get inflation under control.  In her speech, she hammered former President Donald Trump’s policy positions in some areas and pilfered others as her own.   Three observations:

     First, most Americans want to go back.  Four years ago, the southern border was secure.  Americans were paying 20% less for groceries and 40% less for gasoline.  The prime interest rate was less than half of what it is today.  Businesses were expanding.  Jobs were being created.  Manufacturing was returning to America.  Fast forward to 2024 and 75% of Americans say they are worse off economically than they were four years ago.  The majority of Americans would happily go back to when the border was secure and inflation wasn’t out of control.    

     Second, Harris has huge blind spots.  A personality blind spot is a trait or aspect of a person that they are unaware of but that can affect their behavior, thoughts, and actions. Blind spots can be attitudes, beliefs, emotions, or habits. They can limit a person's effectiveness and make it difficult to grow personally or professionally.  Everyone has blind spots but how a person deals with them defines their character and values.  Blind spots can cause major damage if not acknowledged. 

     Harris’s blind spot is her inability or unwillingness to accept responsibility for her own actions.  She wants America to promote her when she failed in the job she was hired to do.  Like an arrogant, clueless, unperceptive salesperson who wants to be rewarded for poor performance and ineffectiveness, Harris can not honestly evaluate her own performance. 

     Three, Harris can still win.  America is a divided country.  The Democrats appear to be energized and united around their nominee.  Republicans are infighting and feuding.  Elections are about who votes.  Harris will have a strong get out to vote effort.   Republicans should be prepared to be as effective at getting their infrequent voters to the polls.

     In the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou,” Junior tells his daddy, Governor Pappy ODaniel the reason their reelection campaign is languishing is because their opponent is a ‘reform’ candidate.  Junior notes: “People like that reform.  Maybe we should get some of that reform daddy.”  Pappy hits him in the head with his hat and says “I’ll reform you, you soft headed dufus- we’re the incumbent.” 

     Elected officials have a track record and they either run on that record or from it.  Harris is running from her record.  Her campaign strategy is to borrow Trump’s most popular policy positions, use clever slogans and hyperbole to deflect attention from that track record.  Junior Odaniel must be Harris’ political strategist, because she is running as the ‘reform’ candidate and she is the incumbent. 

SKILLED MANIPULATORS GET ELECTED!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

CUT & PASTE

By Steve Fair

     Years ago, there were three Republican candidates for county sheriff.  Two were experienced law enforcement officers- the third a perennial candidate for office.  At a GOP booth at a major outdoor event, all three candidates campaign material was laid out on the table.  The two viable candidates had well written, well produced, slick campaign push cards to distribute.  The third candidate took the other two candidate’s push cards, cut and pasted what he agreed with, and put his name at the top.  He didn’t bother to retype.  When confronted by his opponents, he explained he agreed with what they stood for.  Voters didn’t buy the plagiarist’s story and he received less than 40 votes in the primary election. Three observations:

     First, Vice President Harris is cut and pasting President Trump policy.    This week, Harris announced she supports exempting tips from personal income taxation for service workers.  Trump has been touting that concept for months.  Trump has endorsed a $5,000 per child tax credit to help struggling families.  This week, Harris announced she supports a $6,000 one.  Harris claims to now support hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a drilling technique that involves injecting pressurized liquid into a well to extract oil and gas.  Trump has consistently supported fracking.  Harris says she supports private health care, walking back her long-time support of national health care.  Trump has consistently said Americans should manage their own health care. 

     Harris is not just borrowing Trump’s policies.  She supports price controls, similar to those enacted by President Nixon to control the inflation the Biden/Harris administration created.  She wants to empower the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorney generals, “to investigate and fine food companies that violate the federal ban.”  

     For those too young to remember, Nixon’s price controls were an utter disaster.  They simply delayed the inevitable and created shortages.  The price controls resulted in the demise of many food processors and ingredient providers.  Unable to pass along real price increases in a reasonable period of time drove many out of business.  The end result was the American consumer paying more for food.  Government rarely fixes anything with regulation and interference.  It helps when it gets out of the way.

     Second, will the real Kamala Harris stand up?  Is her recent conversion to conservative policy real or it just a ploy to get votes?  Consider Harris’ track record of the aforementioned issues: (1) Biden/Harris expanded the reach of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to hire more IRS agents specifically to target ‘tipped workers.’  (2) During the 2020 presidential campaign, Harris said: ‘there is no question, I’m in favor of banning fracking.’  But energy exploration (drilling) is a big issue in battleground Pennsylvania, so now she supports fracking? (3) Harris has consistently supported a single payer health care system ran by the government since she was in elective office.  So now she doesn’t? 

     Harris has contradicted the Biden/Harris administration policy and unless Harris was converted on the road to Damascus(unlikely), this looks like the ultimate confidence game.

     Third, skilled manipulators get elected.  Because such a low percentage of American voters pay any attention to public policy, all too often connivers finagle and beguile the naïve to get into office.  Once there, these public servants abandon their campaign promises and govern to help their true constituency- their donors.  That’s why America has record inflation, an out-of-control national debt, and a huge government footprint.  Until voters hold their elected officials accountable, it will be the same old same old.

     Solomon said in Ecclesiastes there was nothing new under the sun, meaning no matter how things seem new to us, in their essence they are the same.  Voters need to recognize the ‘cut and paste.’