WORKERS ARE BACKBONE OF AMERICA!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

MADE IN AMERICA!

by Steve Fair

 

Most people only see Labor Day as a day off work and the unofficial end of Summer, but the holiday's origin is more significant.  The first Labor Day celebration took place in New York City in 1882.  More than 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to join the protest for better working conditions. 

The New York Tribune reported, "The windows and roofs and even the lamp posts and awning frames were occupied by persons anxious to get a good view of the first parade in New York of workingmen of all trades united in one organization."  Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894.  Some thoughts about Oklahoma and Labor Day:

Oklahoma's official state motto is "Labor Omnia Vincit" (Latin for "Labor Conquers All").  The motto reflects the strong political influence of organized labor groups during the creation of the state's constitution in 1907.

Well before Oklahoma was the 'reddest state in the U.S.," the Sooner state was a hotbed for powerful trade unionism, and the strongest regional Socialist movement in United States history.  Only Wisconsin had a larger state caucus of elected socialists. 

Oklahoma's organized labor roots remained influential for nearly a century.  The state didn't officially become a right-to-work state until 2001, when 54% of voters passed State Question #695 to make it illegal to require union membership or the payment of union dues as a condition of employment.  Three observations regarding Labor Day:

First, the number of working men is declining.  According to a recent Department of Labor survey, male workforce participation has dropped significantly from a peak of 86.4% in 1950 to 66.8% last year.  Roughly 6.8 million men ages 25-34 aren't even looking for work.  Over half of these non-working prime-age men cite physical health issues, serious illness, or disabilities as the main reason they aren't working.  

Linkenln, the world’s largest online professional network, claims the reason men are not working is not a declining work ethic, but the mismatch between worker expectations of fair treatment and the realities of modern corporate structures. 

President Grant said, "Labor disgraces no man; unfortunately, you occasionally find men who disgrace labor."  In other words, some people just will not work.

Second, U.S. productivity is up.  According to the Department of Labor, nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased +1.4 percent in the second quarter of 2026.  In the manufacturing sector, the increase was +2.4%.  The obvious benefactors of increased productivity are business owners, but if those efficiencies are passed on to employees and consumers, all profit.  If they aren't then productivity will suffer and those profits will dissipate. 

Third, everyone works for themself.  Employees trade their time, skills and labor for a paycheck, career advancement or personal growth.  If an employer is a short sighted, skin flint miser cheapskate tightwad, they have the choice to look for someone who will pay them for their services.  Working for an employer is not the priesthood.  It is a transactional business contract, not a spiritual calling or a total life devotion.  Employers who mistreat their most precious resource- their workers- will not prosper.

American workers are the backbone of the United States.  They have built the highest standard of living in the world.  Everyone benefits when they are taken care of.  For years, U.S. companies sought out the cheapest labor and many manufacturers moved them production overseas.  The Trump administration has done an excellent job of getting many companies to return to domestic production.  American workers, consumers and business owners need to recognize the strategic advantages in national security having products Made in America provides.

Controversy is a last resort for the TALENTLESS!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

GRANDSTANDING!

by Steve Fair

 

Fourteen states, including Oklahoma have constitutions that require a vote regarding a constitutional convention.  The intervals of frequency and the provision on who calls for the vote vary state by state. 

Article XXIV, Section 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution mandates the question of whether to call a state constitutional convention must be submitted to the voters at least once every 20 years.  The last time Oklahoma voters voted on Article XXIV, Section 2 was in 1970- 56 years have passed since the issue has been on the ballot.

On Wednesday, Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order to place proposed State Question 848 (SQ#848) on the ballot for a special election to be held April 6, 2027. 

Stitt's order also instructs the Secretary of State to create the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention Commission (OCCC).  The Commission is tasked with studying the Oklahoma Constitution and make recommendations about the procedures and rules that would govern a state constitutional convention, if voters approve SQ#848.   The OCCC are to submit their recommendations by 12/31/26. 

Oklahoma Attorney General Drummond and several Oklahoma state legislators don't believe Stitt has the authority to unilaterally place a State Question on the ballot.  It is likely the courts will decide the fate of Stitt's order.  Three observations:

First, it is past time to vote on a constitutional convention.  Past elected officials have simply ignored the constitutional provision for a vote for the past 1/2 century.   They feared a runaway constitutional convention could spiral out of control and result in chaos. 

Whether Article XXIV, Section 2 should be in the constitution is subject to debate, but so long as it remains in the document, it should be adhered to.  This past legislative session, the legislature debated the issue.  The Senate and House couldn't agree on how many delegates to a proposed convention would be appointed by each chamber, so the Joint Resolution failed.

Second, most Oklahoma voters could care less about a constitutional convention.  Most Okies have no idea Oklahoma's state constitution is one of the longest and most detailed state constitutions in America.  Drafted in 1907, primarily by tribal leaders, progressive Democrats, and future governor Charles Haskell, using the rejected 1905 Cherokee/Sequoyah Constitution as a framework, the document has a clear populist bent.  

Rural Oklahoma was surprising a hotbed for socialism in 1907.  The Sooner state had a higher percentage of registered Socialist Party members than any other state. 

That explains why Oklahoma was the first state to include a provision for an initiative petition process, empowering private citizens to amend the constitution without the legislature. 

The document fragments power in government.  Oklahoma directly elects more statewide officers vs. other states.  The state constitution also limits the power of the Oklahoma governor.  But most Oklahoma citizens don't care about a constitutional convention.  That is why no pressure has been put on elected officials about Article XXIV, Section 2. 

Third, the issue is being used to grandstand.  Stitt apparently failed to communicate with legislative leaders or the Attorney General before he issued his decree.  Why?  Because the guv knew his action would raise their blood pressure and get headlines.  Stitt could have addressed a vote on Article XXIV, Section 2 early in his eight-year tenure, but chose to wait until now and his edict isn't executed until he is out of office.  Stitt's timing is suspect.  Political games by elected officials waste taxpayer dollars and are exhausting.  Controversy is a last resort for the talentless.   

The legislature should work next session to get the state question on the ballot next year.  Oklahoma citizens should recognize the risks involved in holding a constitutional convention.  It could result in a bigger mess of a state government than already have.

VOTER TURNOUT IS KEY!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

MIDTERMS!

by Steve Fair

 

Midterm elections occur every four years—exactly halfway through a presidential term. They are critical in determining the balance of power in Washington.  TheY determine the sitting president's legislative agenda and judicial confirmations.  All 435 members of the House of Representatives are on the ballot and normally 1/3 of the 100 Senate seats.  But with special elections, 2026 will have 35 Senate races, including one in Oklahoma. 

The current balance of power in Congress has Republicans controlling both chambers with razor thin margins.  The U.S. Senate currently has 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.  The GOP has 218 seats in the House with Democrats holding 215 (2 seats are open). 

The future balance of power hinges on 20 key toss-up House races and 6 Senate races, (including one in Texas), It is a long shot the Democrats can gain control of the Senate, but they hold the edge in the House if history is any indicator.

Since World War II, the Party of the sitting president has lost an average of 26 seats in the House and 4 in the Senate in the midterm elections.  Only twice (1934 and 2002) has the president's Party gained seats in both chambers in the midterms.  Three observations:

First, midterm elections are regarded as a referendum on the sitting president's performance.  Can Republicans run on President Trump's second term performance?    The latest Quinnipiac University poll found only 32 percent of all registered voters support how President Trump has handled his second term in office. Fifty-eight percent of respondents disapprove.  That could prove to be a problem in the general elections.  Swing voters often determine the winner in toss-up races and an unpopular president could be the difference in winning and losing.  Trump remains popular among most Republicans.  He has a 79% approval rate, but that number is down 10 points in the past two months.

Second, President Trump's hold on the GOP has visibly weakened.  Just last week, three Republicans endorsed by the president lost their primary race.  In all, 10 GOP nominees for Congress or statewide office endorsed by Trump, have lost this cycle. Just a few months ago, when Trump helped bring about an apparent end to the political careers of Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, and Texas Senator John Cornyn, his blessing appears to not carry the same weight it did.  Part of the reason is Trump has endorsed some lousy candidates who are unqualified to do the job and voters didn't blindly follow his advice. 

Third, the balance of power in Congress always hinges on turnout.  Small shifts in who shows up at the polls can flip the House and Senate and alter the trajectory of government.  Historically the Party out of power is more motivated than the Party in power.  A recent HarrisX poll found Trump/MAGA Republicans were more likely to vote than Democrats (70%-63%).  Will GOP voters follow up and show up in record numbers in November?  It remains to be seen.

President Trump consistently defies historical conventional political wisdom.  His ability to motivate his base is unprecedented in U.S. history.  If anyone can get the causal GOP voter off the couch and to the polls, it's Trump.

David Letterman said about the midterms: "Tomorrow is Election Day. It's what they call the midterm elections, and you can cut the indifference with a knife. It's the day Americans leave work early and pretend to vote."

Republicans better not just pretend to vote in November if they want to retain the balance of power.

SANDERS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM- BUT HAS THE WRONG SOLUTION!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

ROBIN WAS A THIEF!

by Steve Fair

 

Democratic Socialism is a political and economic system that combines a democratic secular government with a worker-owned economy.  Those who subscribe to Democratic Socialism want to replace America's capitalism economic system with a system based on human need rather than private profit.  Democratic Socialism is just  a half click away from communism. 

Both system critique capitalism and seek economic equality, but they differ fundamentally on governance and methods. Democratic socialism combines a socially oriented economy with multi-party, political democracy and civil liberties. Communism, is historically rooted in Marxism/Leninism.  Communism envisions a classless, stateless society where all property and the means of production are commonly owned and run by a single party. 

Prominent self-identified Democrat Socialists currently in Congress include House Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-NY) and Rashida Tlaib, (D-MI) alongside Senator Bernie Sanders, (D-VT) in the Senate.  All three members caucus with the Democrats. 

In recent Democrat primaries, Democratic Socialist and left-wing candidates have secured notable primary victories by defeating long-serving incumbents in safe Democratic congressional and state legislative districts.   Socialism is now mainstream inside the Democratic Party.  According to a recent Washington Post poll, 75% of registered Democrats said they would be open to a Democrat Socialist for president.  The same poll showed 55% of all voters wouldn't.  A Fox News poll found 52% of Democrats view socialism favorably.  Among young adults (ages 18-34), nearly half hold a favorable view of socialism.  That is mainly driven by economic pessimism, high living costs, and a rejection of traditional establishment politics.  Three observations:

First, Uncle Bernie Sanders correctly identified the problem.  U.S. income and wealth inequality is at historic highs.  Federal Reserve data shows the top 1% of the population in America control 31% of the nation's wealth.  That top 1% has more wealth than the bottom 90% combined.  A Pew Research poll revealed the percentage of adults in 'middle-income households' fell from 61% in 1971 to less than 50% last year.  America's middle class is shrinking. A large portion of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. But while Bernie got the diagnosis right, his treatment is way off. 

Second, government is not the solution.  Sanders and the liberals seek to take from the rich and give to the poor.  They want government to regulate more by forcing private businesses to pay higher wages to their employees, force landlords to lower rent, and cap profits for businesses.  Excessive government regulation, or red tape will lower productivity by forcing businesses to divert time, money, and labor away from core output and innovation toward mandatory compliance tasks.  Government deregulation is the solution.  Removing roadblocks will spur growth and personal incentive. 

Third, Republicans are losing the battle for the minds of America's youth.  Historically the GOP championed the philosophy of limited government, lower taxes, and reduced federal intervention in the economy.  But Republicans have deficit spent and over regulated just like the Democrats.  Young people see little to no difference between a capitalist and a socialist.  They don't understand that nothing is free and that someone is always paying the bill.  That's the result of overregulation and government overreach- ignorance and cynicism.  Who can blame the youth when people act only out of self-interest?  The logical conclusion is pessimism and distrust of those in control. 

Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor.  Robin justified his actions as righting what he perceived as wrongs.  He once said, "Rob? That's a naughty word, we never rob!  We just sort of... borrow a bit from those who can afford it."  

That is the goal of socialism- take hard working people's money to give to those who will not work.  But no matter how he spun it- Robin was still a thief!

SIRLOIN STOCKADE MURDERER UP FOR PAROLE!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

DENY PAROLE TO STAFFORD!

by Steve Fair

On July 16, 1978, three teenagers and two male adults were murdered at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant in south Oklahoma City.  The victims ranged in age from 15-56 years old.  Six days after the murders Harold Stafford died in a motorcycle wreck in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Harold's sister-in-law, Verna Stafford went to view his body in Chicago and police arrested her as a suspect in the Sirloin Stockade killings.  She implicated her husband Roger Dale Stafford in those murders and a total of 29 other killings in seven different states.

On October 17, 1979, Roger Dale Stafford was convicted of nine murders, and sentenced to death.  His wife Verna was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and given two life sentences.  Verna testified against her husband, and later divorced him while he was on death row. Roger Dale Stafford was executed by lethal injection July 1, 1995.  Stafford never acknowledged his guilt.

In an eerie twist, two weeks later, the AG's office received a $5 Sirloin Stockade gift certificate, purchased in El Reno, with the message "Hey, you got away with it. I am murdered and you helped do it! I am innocent and you know it" written on the back and signed "Roger Dale Stafford 103767". Investigators determined it had been mailed from McAlester, Oklahoma (where Stafford was imprisoned), on July 3, two days after Stafford's execution. 

This week, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board said Verna Stafford, who is now 73, has passed stage one of the parole process in June, meaning she could be one step closer to getting out on parole.  Verna will go to a second round of parole hearings next week.

Oklahoma State Senate President pro tempore Lonnie Paxton, (R-Tuttle) opposes Verna receiving parole.  In a letter sent to the state Pardon and Parole Board Paxton wrote: "There are no conditions, circumstances or arguments that can justify recommending her release. The Pardon and Parole Board should remember the victims, remember their families and vote accordingly.”   Sen. Paxton is right- Verna Stafford should remain in jail and here is why:

First, the heinous nature of the crime.  Even 48 years after the murders were committed, Oklahomans remember the cruel, senseless nature of the crime.  Verna's participation- active or passive- is undisputed.  Justice is not served when criminals get released.  The victim's families have been deprived of their loved ones for almost half a century.  They deserve justice. 

Second, there is no guarantee Verna is not a danger to society.  Criminals can be rehabilitated, but success depends on dealing with the root cause of bad behavior.  The secular approach is to deal with their substance abuse, mental illness, lack of education, and job skills.  Ignoring the real root cause- man's inherit sin nature- results in secular solutions to spiritual problems.  Until God does a work of grace in a heart, rehabilitation is nothing more than behavior modification. 

Third, there are consequences for actions.  Verna was captured in January 1979 and has been continuously incarcerated since March 1980- 46 years.  She was sentenced to two life sentences.  Has Verna paid her debt to society?  The answer is NO!  She should complete her original sentence.  Every choice a person makes sets off a chain reaction, creating results that can be good or bad, fast or slow. What Verna did shaped her future.  It affected others and she should be held responsible for the outcome.

Contact the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board at (405) 521-6600 or email them at Boardmembers@ppb.ok.gov.  Urge them to deny parole for Verna Stafford.

"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls." Al Gore

 Weekly Opinion Editorial 

by Steve Fair

 

On August 25th, Oklahoma Republican voters will choose the Party's nominee in four races: Governor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Labor Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner.  Last week, we looked at the races for Governor and State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  This week, we will look at the other two races- Labor Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner. 

Labor Commissioner.  Only four states elect a Labor Commissioner through a statewide vote.  Georgia, North Carolina, Oregon and Oklahoma.  In the other 46 states, it is a gubernatorial appointment.  There has been a movement for the Oklahoma governor to appoint, but that would require a vote of the people to amend the State Constitution.    

Oklahoma's Labor Commissioner is responsible for supervising the administration of all state laws relating to labor and workplace safety and gathers and publishes information about the workforce of Oklahoma.

Four candidates ran for the GOP nomination for Labor Commissioner.  No candidate received a majority of the vote in the June primary, so the top two advanced to the August runoff.  Rep. Kevin West has represented House District 54 (south OKC/Moore) since 2016.  West received 41.8% of the vote in the primary.  His opponent is Rep. John Pfeiffer who has represented House District 38 (Grant, Garfield, Kay, Logan and Noble counties) since 2014.  He received 35.3% of the vote.

The two candidates have similar backgrounds- both served in the State House (the legislature, not prison) at the same time.  This race has been mostly civil, but recent mailers have the candidates accusing the other of being a 'radical,' (whatever that means). 

In this race, voters have a unique opportunity:  They can simply compare how the two candidates voted on key legislation and then vote for the one who aligns with their views/values. 

Insurance Commissioner.  Eleven states elect an insurance commissioner.  In the other 39 states, the position is a gubernational appointment.  Like the Labor Commissioner, to make the Insurance Commissioner an appointed position would require a vote of the people. 

The Insurance Commissioner enforces state insurance laws, regulates thousands of insurance companies, licenses insurance professionals, and protects consumers by investigating complaints and ensuring market fairness.  The agency has an annual budget of $35 million and has 12 divisions, and about 120 employees.

Four candidates ran for the GOP nomination for Insurance Commissioner.  No candidate received a majority of the vote in the primary, so the top two advanced to the runoff. 

Bob Sullivan received 37.4% of the vote in the primary, with former State Senator Marty Quinn got 27.7%.  Sullivan, from Inola, has been an independent insurance agent for twenty years.  Quinn has spent 40 years in the insurance agency, in addition to serving in the state legislature for 16 years, representing Rogers County. 

The two candidates agree Oklahomans are paying too much for insurance, but disagree on how to handle it.  Sullivan agrees with AG Drummond's lawsuit against State Farm and Allstate.  At a candidate forum, Sullivan suggested jail time for insurance executives.  Quinn said that wasn't the answer and those who suggested it were sensationalizing the issue.  He pointed out insurance companies pass on lawsuit costs to their customers in the form of rate hikes. 

The incoming Insurance Commissioner will wield more power over rate hikes than their predecessor.  House Bill 3781 was passed by the legislature this year and takes effect July 1, 2027.  It will empower the next insurance commissioner to challenge excessive rates.

Quinn recognizes the balance needed for insurance providers to make a profit in the state and for Oklahomans to not get fleeced by the insurance companies.  Trying to force business to lose money by suing them will result in their abandoning the market, resulting in less options for Oklahoma consumers.  In this race, Marty Quinn is the clear choice.

Primary runoffs are notoriously famous for low voter turnout.  Former Vice President All Gore was right when he said: "A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls."  Don't be that guy!  Do your homework and vote in the primary runoff August 25th!

RUNNER-UPS OFTEN LEAPFROG OPPONENTS IN OKLAHOMA!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial 

LEAPFROG!

by Steve Fair

 

On August 25th, Oklahoma Republican voters will choose the Party's nominee in four races: Governor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Labor Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner.  If history is an indicator, the candidate that finished second in the primary has about a 35% chance to win in the primary runoff.  It happened in the 1990 gubernatorial race when Bill Price beat Vince Orza.  It happened again in 2006 Mary Fallin beat Terry Neese in the Lt. Governor primary runoff. 

2018 was the year for the GOP primary runner up.  Kevin Stitt (governor), Matt Pinnell (lt. governor), and Leslie Osborn (labor commissioner) all finished second, but subsequently beat their first-place opponent in the runoff.  Here is a quick look at two of the four GOP primary runoff races on the ballot in August:

Governor: The runoff election will between Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Senator Mike Mazzei.  The two emerged from a field of nine GOP candidates.  Drummond finished slightly ahead of Mazzei.  Neither got 50% of the vote to win the nomination outright.  The winner of the runoff will advance to the general election (November 3rd) to face the Democratic nominee, State Representative Cyndi Munson, and three independent challengers.

The Republican primary for Oklahoma governor saw $70 million spent on campaigns. Mazzei has reportedly loaned nearly $10.9 million dollars to his campaign.  Drummond has put $2.5 million of his own money into his gubernatorial bid.  Political action committees (PACs) and 501(c)(4) dark money groups spent $17 million to try and influence GOP voters. 

Campaign messaging in this race has turned nasty.  Increasingly, both candidates are 'defining' their opponent as liberal, tax loving, and out of touch with average Oklahomans.  One of the areas where the two candidates differ is the proposed smelter plant in Inola. Drummond remains opposed to the project, citing water and electric supply, and local opposition.  He has filed a legal challenge to halt the plant.  Mazzei supports the project, (as does President Trump) citing the economic impact, job creation and the plant's role in national security and munitions manufacturing. 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction:  The runoff election will be between Robert Franklin, a long-time public educator, and James Taylor, a pastor and a public-school history teacher.  They emerged from a field of seven GOP candidates in the June primary. 

Taylor benefited from a strong grassroots turnout in the primary to make the runoff.  He spent less than $10,000 for his statewide race.  He has been a perennial candidate for the 4th district congressional seat, having ran four times against Rep. Tom Cole.  Critics of Taylor claim he doesn't have the skills to do the job and would be Ryan Walters 2.0.

Taylor responds he is not Walters and wants to promote increased parental involvement and teacher mentoring to improve Oklahoma public schools.  Taylor has also been questioned about his stance on school district consolidation, which is unpopular in rural Oklahoma. 

Franklin is an Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame inductee with a long career in public education.  He wants to reduce classroom size and expand teacher pipelines to address the teacher shortage in Oklahoma.  Franklin is the clear choice of public educators.  Franklin has been branded a RINO by critics because he is a recent convert to the GOP.  His recommendation of a book at a candidate forum June 2nd has raised eyebrows of conservative voters.   In the book, "Separation of Church & Hate," author, comedian, and broadcaster John Fugelsang supposedly advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. 

This race has each campaign caricaturing the position of the other candidate.    Determining what is true presents a challenge and voters should proceed with caution. 

NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt said, "Second place is just the first place-loser."  That may be true on the track, but in Oklahoma, the August 25th primary runoff offers a silver medalist the chance to leap frog the gold.