Trump preaching to the choir!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SNAP THOSE GALLUSES!

by Steve Fair

 

President Donald Trump is coming to Durant, Oklahoma for a rally on Thursday.  The rally will be held in the heart of the Choctaw reservation at the Choctaw casino's event center.  The Durant location was chosen because of its close proximity to Texas, where Senate candidate Ken Paxton is reportedly in a tight race.  Those who want to attend the rally can request up to four tickets on the OKGOP website.  There is no charge for tickets.

Trump will be their third president to visit the Choctaw nation.  President Theodore Roosevelt visited in 1905 to give a speech preparing Oklahomans for statehood just 2 years later.  President Barack Obama visited in 2015 to discuss economic opportunities with tribal leaders.  Choctaw leaders say the tribe is not endorsing- they are just renting the Rs space.

The Oklahoma Education Television Authority (OETA) gubernatorial debate scheduled for that evening between Republican candidate Mike Mazzei and Democrat Cyndi Munson will be recorded and aired on OETA at 7pm on Thursday. 

The last time President Trump came to the Sooner state was in June 2020.  The Tulsa campaign rally was well-attended and blamed by Tulsa county health officials for an uptick in COVID cases.  Bear in mind, the Tulsa County health department is among the most liberal in the U.S., so take what they say with a grain of salt.   

With a month until the general election, here are three admonitions:

First, voters cast their ballot for Party platforms, not candidates.  People who "snap their galluses," and claim they "vote for the man, not the Party," are sadly mistaken.  Once a legislator is elected, the lawmaker will 'caucus' with a Party.  A Democrat may claim to be independent, moderate, and willing to work across the aisle, but they will join the Democrat 'caucus.'  The 'caucus' calls the shots and sets the agenda.  The same goes for Republican candidates.  Independent thinking is discouraged in the legislature because it gums up the agenda.  Sadly, it's more about numbers than principle.

Second, Democrats are more liberal than Republicans.  Their platform is more liberal.  The reason a candidate runs as a Democrat is because the platform is closer to what they believe than the GOP one.  When voters in a Party refuse to support the primary winner because they believe the victor is either too liberal or too conservative, they unknowingly further the opposition's agenda.  Party identification is a reliable decision-making tool, because generally candidates align with their party's platform.

Third, if Democrats take control of Congress, things will get worse.  Things aren't that great now.  Trump's economic policies have yet to produce what he thought they would. Gas and food prices are up.  His foreign policy hasn't produced the results he promised.  Republican voters have legitimate concerns about Trump's policies and that hesitating/wavering might not be enough to get them to vote for a Democrat, but it could be enough for them to stay home. 

Trump will have to rally those who don't show up in Durant.  Flashy assemblies fire up the attendees who were going to show up at the polls anyway.  It's 'preaching to the choir.'  In the next 30 days, individual campaigns better have a plan to get their vote out rather than relying on Trump to motivate lazy Rs to get to the polls.  That's about as safe a bet as a slot machine at the casino.

THE WORLD IS AN UNSTABLE PLACE!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

by Steve Fair

The world is an unstable place.  It often seems things are hanging by a thread. Russia invaded Ukraine four- and one-half years ago.  That conflict has resulted in Russia occupying roughly 20% of the Ukraine, but at a cost.  Over 500,000 Russian soldiers have died in the war, with another 1.5 million missing or wounded.  Ukrainian solider deaths are estimated between 125,000 and 150,000, with another 500,000 missing or wounded. 

Ukraine has become a global leader in military drone technology.  Their drone technology has impressed governments and defense manufacturers around the world.  Ukrainian hit Moscow on Sunday with over 1,000 of those domestically produced drones that hit an oil refinery and several other targets. 

In the middle east, Saudi-led coalition forces fighting Yemen’s Houthis intercepted and destroyed the Iran-backed group's ballistic missile fired at Riyadh at dawn.  The group has already hit a Saudi pipeline, disrupting oil distribution.  That coupled with the worldwide shortage of refining capacity has driven up the price of gasoline and diesel. Three observations:

First, high fuel costs could impact upcoming midterm election.  The Economist now gives Democrats a 93% chance (up from 77% in July) of flipping the U.S. House and a

59% (up from 45% in July) of taking the Senate.  The increases for the Ds are primarily driven by higher prices for gasoline and food.  If Trump can engineer a deal with Iran and stabilize the area, most likely the price of fuel will quickly come down, which could create a shift back to the GOP. 

Second, the lack of refinery capacity is the real issue.  Crude oil doesn’t become gasoline on its own — it has to be refined, and the U.S. has been quietly losing refining capacity for years. The U.S. has 620,000 barrels per day less refinery capacity than it had in 2019.

That capacity is not coming back immediately and consumers pay the price for that capacity shortage directly at the pump.  Couple that with government environmental regulations and the Renewal Fuel Standard mandate, oil companies aren't willing to invest in new domestic refineries.  At a recent White House meeting, oil executives discussed the capacity issues and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The RFS requires oil refiners and importers to blend 15.5% for total renewable fuel and 6.42% for advanced biofuels in 2026.  The hickory nuts (oil field jargon for veteran) told Trump the blending targets are unattainable.  Whether the targets are relaxed remains to be seen.

Third, all politics are local.  Voter behavior and winning elections depend on how well a candidate addresses issues important to those voters.  Most of the time, national issues are not in the decision tree, with the exception of economic issues.  People vote based on how the Party in power has performed in keeping prices and taxes down.  Trump and the GOP led Congress did lower taxes through the 'Big Beautiful Bill," but the price of food and fuel have increased vs. two years ago.  While those high prices will likely come down, it may not be before the midterms.

It may look bleak for GOP in the midterms, but things can quickly change.  As Crown prosecutor Gérard de Ville fort said in The Count of Monte Cristo: “On what slender threads do life and fortune hang…!”

Voter Engagement is more effective ONE AT A TIME!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

MASS COMMUNICATING!

by Steve Fair

 

Last week, the Republican National Committee held a Midterm convention in Dallas.  Unlike the quadrennial nominating convention where the president and vice president nominees are selected, no official GOP Party business was conducted.  A Midterm convention for Republicans is nothing more than political theatre. 

The Democrats have held three midterm conventions- in 1974, 1978, and 1982.  They used the midterm conventions to debate Party rules and their platform.  The GOP convention in Dallas was an attempt by President Trump to 'get the vote out' for the upcoming November midterms.  Three observations:

First, the Republican Party is fractured.  The Grand Ole Party has deep internal strife between the MAGA base and the non-MAGA minority.  Some Republicans disagree with President Trump's military action in Iran, his policy on tariffs, and immigration and that disagreement is considered treason by the MAGA crowd.  The MAGA crowd requires complete and mandatory agreement with the president's actions.  They insult and put down anyone who presents a critical assessment of Trump's deeds, labeling them RINOS (Republicans in Name Only).  That presents a problem when you need RINOS to win.  If Republicans continue to work against each other instead of together, expect the GOP to lose big in November.

Second, Trump appealed primarily to his base.  "Pretend that I'm on the ballot.  Just one more time," the president exhorted the Dallas crowd.  While the president is term limited and isn't on the midterm ballot, his policies clearly are.    According to the Economist, Trump's approval rating among college-educated Americans has fallen sharply in recent weeks- from 34% to less than 30%.  Those are usually Republican voters, so pretending Trump is on the ballot with that demographic is probably not a sound campaign strategy. 

Third, Trump's coattails could turn out to be a drag.  Candidates running in down ticket races often benefit or are harmed by those at the top of the ticket.  Nationally, that may not be the case this year.  Here in conservative Oklahoma, candidates latch themselves to Trump like a horse to a buggy.  Candidate's mailers, TV ads and social media proclaim how much more Trump they are than their opponent.  But that may not work even in the Sooner state in a general election when the voters tend to not as conservative.  Those pesky moderate Rs might not vote for a Democrat, but they a race blank. 

Republican candidates in Oklahoma are expected to cruise to victory in November, but that is likely not the case nationwide.  In many states congressional races are considered toss-ups and many political prognosticators are predicting a bloodbath for Republicans in November. 

No one fires up their base like Donald Trump, but he is going to need more than just the base to retain the U.S. House.  He needs the RINOs, Americans for No Prosperity, Globalists Club for No Group and many other voter groups he has insulted to triumph in November. 

The RNC would have been better served spending their money on local get out the vote efforts in close congressional district races than staging a 3-day rally preaching to the choir. 

But the president calls the shots at the Republican National Committee and Trump subscribes to Pappy O'Daniel's philosophy: "We ain't one-at-a-timin' here. We're MASS communicating!"  Big rallies and lots of boring speeches may impress those already planning to vote Red in November, but swing voters are better reached one-at-a-timing.

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. 

VOTERS SHOULD NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CUT TAXES!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

NO ON 845 & YES ON 847!

by Steve Fair

 

On November 3rd, Oklahoma voters will see two state questions on the ballot.  State questions 845 and 847 were both sent to voters through legislative referendums.  Below is the lowdown on the two:

State Question #845 would amend article 7-B, Section 3 of the state constitution.  It proposes to amend the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) structure.  The JNC was established in 1967 by a vote of the people.  When there is an opening in the judiciary, the JNC nominates three candidates for appointment by the governor.

The stated reason the JNC was established back in 1967 was to remove the partisan influence from the judiciary.  It followed a major scandal that occurred in 1964-65.  Three Oklahoma Supreme Court justices were convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for favorable rulings over a twenty-year period.  The fallout from the scandal was the JNC.

The JNC is made up of fifteen (15) members.  Nine of the fifteen have to be non-lawyers.  The governor appoints six of the non-attorneys by the congressional district’s boundaries from 1967 and they serve six-year terms.  The Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA) appoints six members.  The other three serve as 'members at large' for two years.  The Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Tempore each appoint one of the at large members and the JNC members appoint the last at large member.  Of the three Members at Large, no more than two can be from the same political party.

If approved, State Question#845 would change the district requirement to the current congressional boundaries, allow commissioners to serve two six-year terms, remove the 'non-lawyer' provisions and permit any number or all of the commissioners to be attorneys.  It would also remove political Party membership for the at-large members.  remove the requirement that no more than three commissioners appointed by the governor be from the same political party and that no more than two at-large commissioners be from the same political party. 

The JNC needs reformation- or elimination- in Oklahoma.  In the recent past, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has consistently issued liberal rulings and undermined conservative legislation.  But SQ#845 is not the answer.  The proposed changes to the JNC empowers the OBA more in the process than it is already.  Some of the changes in SQ#845 are fine, but the fishhooks in it make worse than the current system.  Until the legislature gets serious about truly reforming the JNC, voters should vote no on SQ#845.

State Question #847 proposes to reduce the annual growth limit of the calculated cash value of property assessed for taxation.  It would reduce the annual growth from 5% to 4%.  It would reduce the annual growth amount for homestead exemption from 3% to 1.75%.  SQ 847 would eliminate the hard income cap to qualify for the senior property valuation limit, and change the senior property tax freeze into a tiered cap. Instead of locking the assessed value at exactly zero percent growth, the value would be permitted to rise by an annual limit of 1.75% or higher, depending on income.

Supporters say SQ#847 would protect property owners from sharp increases. Critics note slower growth in property values would also slow the growth of funding for local schools and services.  They point out property tax monies stay in the community where it is collected and are one of the few ways local citizens directly control funding for local services. 

Voters should never miss a chance to reduce their tax burden and the size of government.  The critic's argument voters directly control local funding through property tax is valid and accurate and that is precisely why voters should vote yes on SQ#847.  

Like Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell once said: “Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them.”

On August 25th, YES 'EM BOTH!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

YES ‘EM BOTH!

by Steve Fair

 

Oklahoma was the first state in the United States to include in its state constitution the right for citizens to circumvent the legislature and amend the state constitution.   Since Oklahoma became a state in 1907, 116 citizen-initiated ballot measures have appeared on the ballot.  The legislature regularly raises the number of signatures needed to get a state question on the ballot.  The number of signatures needed to get on the ballot is now 15% of the number of votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. 

The second way and the most common way state questions get on the ballot is a legislative joint resolution.  Joint resolutions bypass the need for an initiative petition and refers state questions directly to voters.  They do not require the signature of the governor.

Oklahomans will be voting on two state questions on August 25th- SQ#844 and SQ$846.  Here is the scoop on both:

Oklahoma State Question 844 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.  Authored by Oklahoma Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, (R-Tuttle), HJR 1987 passed the House 69-22 and the Senate 38-7.   If approved, SQ #844 would alter how Oklahoma state government reimburses local governments and school districts for revenues lost due to the statewide five-year property tax exemption for manufacturing plants.  It would amend article 10, section 6B of the Oklahoma Constitution. 

Currently, the State must reimburse common schools, county governments, cities and towns, emergency medical services districts, vocational technical schools, junior colleges, county health departments and libraries for revenues lost as a result of each exemption provided.  Those exemptions have become expensive according to Paxton.  In 2024, the state paid $93 million in reimbursement. 

Right now, there could be a manufacturing company about to move into Oklahoma and we know nothing about it. Then all of a sudden, we get hit with a very large property tax reimbursement that we have to absorb that takes away from other things,” Paxton says.

Critics of SQ#844 claim it would eliminate the guaranteed constitutional protection for schools and emergency service funding that has been around for 41 years.  They don't want the legislature to decide how much revenue- if any- local entities would receive.

Giving duly elected legislators power to control reimbursements will provide more transparency and accountability to the process.  Voters should approve SQ#844.

Oklahoma State Question#846 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.  Authored by Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, (R-Tuttle) and eight House members, SJR 47 passed the House 78-15 and the Senate 39-8.  If approved, SQ846 would amend the state constitution to mirror current state law, which requires voters to show identification at their polling location before they vote.

Proponents argue placing the rule in the constitution "sets it in stone" so that a future Legislature cannot easily eliminate voter ID rules without a direct vote from citizens. Critics argue the amendment is redundant because a voter ID law is already active. 

Voters should approve SQ#846.  It's just common sense to verify who is voting is who they say they are.  Making it harder for cheaters is never a bad idea.

Because SQ#844 and SQ#846 are statewide ballot measures, all registered voters in Oklahoma are eligible to vote on them, regardless of political party affiliation.

On August 25th, voters should yes 'em both!

IGNORING AMERICA'S NATIONAL DEBT IS NON-PARTISIAN!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

by Steve Fair

 

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. While the actual vote to separate from Great Britain took place two days prior on July 2, approving the text on July 4 established the official birthdate of America.  It wasn't until August 2, 1776 the Declaration was signed. On that day, 56 of the 65 delegates signed the handwritten parchment copy.  Seven outright refused to sign the Declaration.  Two were absent due to illness.

On Saturday July 4, 2026, America celebrated the 250th anniversary of declaring independence from Great Britain.  Parades, rallies, fireworks, and feasts marked the occasion.  Americans love a party, even when they don't know what they are celebrating.  According to a Cato Institute poll, 46% of Americans had no clue what the holiday actually commemorated.  A whopping 61% of Generation Z (ages 14-29) were clueless about Independence Day. 

Sadly, the youth in America know nothing about how and why the United States was founded.  The principle each individual possesses unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, is foreign to them.  To them, one system of government is as good as the next.  That is why socialism/secularism is on the rise in the U.S.  As America celebrates the Semiquincentennial, here are three observations:

First, America has failed to educate the next generation.  As evidenced by the Cato poll, the youth of America have little knowledge of the United States system of government.  Relying on public education to instill the story of how America came to be hasn't worked well.  Parents haven't taken any equity in passing along why a representative democratic republic is a superior form of government.  The lack of participation by parents in America's self-government system has reaped extreme apathy in their offspring.

Second, America has failed to keep the dream alive.  Since the country's inception, those who came to America believed regardless of background, one could prosper, achieve happiness and financial success through hard work, determination, and initiative.  But that dream has been damaged by government mismanagement and irresponsibility.   

The U.S. national debt has grown from $75 million in 1776 to over $39 trillion in 2026. Deficit spending by government has put massive tax burdens on taxpayers, so consumers do the same and spend more than they make.  Individual credit card balances in the United States are over $1.25 trillion.  Until citizen and government discipline themselves to live within their means, the American dream will be a nightmare.

Third, America is ruled by a permanent political class.  Those 56 signers of the Declaration envisioned "citizen-statesmen" those who would serve for a limited time and then return to their private lives.  The founders were largely unpaid or offered minimal per-diem wages. They feared a permanent political class would lead to corruption and elitism, ie elected officials who listen only to special interests and ignore their constituents.  Sound familiar?  Increasingly in America, the only people who can afford to run for office are rich people.  The average person can't win because it takes big money to run a political race.  So long as the 'grassroots' operate like a circular firing squad and refuse to collaborate with anyone who doesn't 100% agree with their views, expect the wealthy to win and rule.

In 2012, Senator Tom Coburn wrote, "The Debt Bomb."  The book warned America's threat to survival wasn't from foreign governments, but from Washington politicians who were spending America into bankruptcy.  "Everyone from both the right and left must sacrifice to fix America's mounting debt problems," the late doctor said.  Coburn predicted America's debt problem will be its demise. 

Meanwhile, America has become Wayne's World; Party on America- Party on!