Weekly Opinion Editorial
DIVIDES & DILUTES!
by Steve Fair
For nearly a century, the Democratic Party ruled Oklahoma. When Republicans took control of the state
House in 2004, it was the first time in over 75 years the GOP had a majority in
the legislature. Oklahoma was a
one-party state and corruption ruled.
From Supreme Court bribery scandals to payoffs to county commissioners,
Sooner tax dollars lined the pockets of crooks. Dishonesty and duplicity have
been reduced since the GOP took over state government and while Oklahoma government
isn’t perfect, it’s better than it was when the Ds were in control.
A group called Oklahoma United is planning to run an initiative petition
drive to get State Question #836 on the ballot.
They want the Sooner state to move to a top-two primary, where all
candidates are listed on the same ballot, regardless of Party affiliation. The top two would go the general
election. It is possible the top two
would be from the same Party. They have
to get 173,000 signatures to get SQ#836 on the ballot. Three observations:
First, it’s about winning elections. Democrats face an uphill battle in
elections. Republicans now dominate Oklahoma
government. The GOP has super majorities
in both chambers. All statewide offices
are held by Republicans. County officials
are overwhelmingly Republican. Instead
of educating the public on the virtues of being a Democrat, the Democratic
Party’s response is to get their candidates to register R and run as a
Republican. For voters in Oklahoma, winnowing
out the chaff (Republicans in name only) from the wheat (true Republicans) has
become difficult. Party affiliation used
to mean something, but now it’s just a brand to win an election.
Second, a political Party should choose their own nominee. It shouldn’t be necessary to state the
obvious, but Republicans should choose the Republican nominee- Democrats the
Democrat- Libertarian the Libertarian. The Baptist don’t let the Methodist vote
on who their pastor is going to be. The
Rotarians don’t let the Ambucs vote in their officer election. Their processes are closed- as they should be. A closed process doesn’t exclude- it simply prevents
outsiders from ‘raiding’ a Party primary and nominating a weaker candidate.
Third, Party affiliation is a
person’s first vote. Party affiliation
should be a matter of conviction, not convenience. People often align with a Party so they can
vote in primary elections or based on family tradition or geographies. While no
political party is perfect or has all the answers, there is a distinct
difference between the two major parties and honest citizens should align with
the Party that reflects their convictions.
If someone wants to vote in the GOP primary, register Republican. This isn’t brain surgery.
The Oklahoma Republican Party filed a lawsuit last week in an attempt to
block SQ#836 from reaching the ballot.
The GOP says it petition violates the U.S. Constitution’s first
Amendment associational right’s clause.
It also states SQ#836 is a radical change to how current elections are
conducted in the Sooner state and that is not disclosed in the petition. Whether
the state GOP will win in court remains to be seen.
Oklahomans can do three things to stop SQ#836: (1) Don’t sign the
petition. No matter how pretty the young lady is with the clipboard, resist
signing. If the group fails to get the
required signatures, SQ#836 will not be on the ballot. (2) Recognize SQ#836 is not about fairness-
it’s about control. There is nothing ‘fair’
about open primaries. Open primaries are
not more moral/ethical/righteous than a closed primary. Open primaries actually promote gamesmanship,
deception, subterfuge, chicanery and treachery. (3) Recognize Party affiliation is
important. It’s not about exclusivity-
it’s about values.
Educate your family and friends. Get the word out- liberals are trying to change Oklahoma- and not for the better. SQ#836 doesn’t ‘unite’ Oklahoma- it divides and dilutes.
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