Stefiel Provided an Excellent Example of Duty and Service!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

Stefiel Understood Duty!

by Steve Fair

     On Friday retired Air Force Chief Sergeant Stefiel Johnson was laid to rest at the Fort Sill National cemetery.  He was one week short of 92 years.  Stefiel spent 30 plus years in active military service.  He served in both the Army and the Air Force.  In the Air Force, he was in charge of tons of munitions(explosives). After retiring, Stefiel and his wife Laura settled back home in Duncan and they became active in the Stephens County Republican Party.  That is where I first met them.  Here are my comments about Stefiel. 

     First, Stefiel was a patriot.  He loved America.  He had dedicated his life to serving and to duty and that went beyond his military service.  In 1994, he agreed to serve when I asked him to serve as the Republican representative on the Stephens County election board.  Our appointed ‘Republican’ representative on the board wouldn’t return phone calls and ignored the local Party.  After discussion, the local Party leadership sought someone who would be our eyes and ears in the election process and was one of us.  Stefiel was that person.  He was faithful, willing to serve and did the job without fanfare.    

     Second, Stefiel was a campaigner.  Once a Republican nominee was determined, Stefiel was all in for the candidate.  He was the ‘Sign King.’ He put up more campaign signs than anyone I have ever seen.  He loved it.  Stefiel worked on winning and losing campaigns and prior to 2004, most Republicans running were not successful.  Winning or losing didn’t seem to matter to Stefiel.  He simply put up more signs.  He worked on local campaigns, as well as legislative and statewide campaigns.  More than once, campaigns had to order more signs because Steifiel had ‘ran them out.’  In his signature overalls, Stefiel put thousands of miles on his truck traveling Stephens county sticking signs in the ground.  When his health prevented him from putting out signs, he and Laura would man the local county GOP HQ.  He stayed engaged.

     Stefiel never sought or held a leadership position in the SCGOP, but he was critical to the growth of Republican Party affiliation in Stephens county.   He and Laura were among the first awarded the Dr. Gerald Beasley Jr. Memorial Award.  The Beasley award is awarded annually to a top volunteer in the Stephens County GOP.  They were well deserving.

     Third, Stefiel was consistent.  That was probably because of his long time dedication to duty.  Stefiel faithfully worked elections for over twenty five years.  Stefiel faithfully attended SCGOP monthly meetings.  He attended dozens of OKGOP[S1]  state conventions.  He sat through hours of self-promoting, boring political speeches.  Stefiel saw beyond the rhetoric and stayed focused on the real goal; better government. 

    Stefiel Johnson didn’t seek glory or recognition during his time on earth.  He did his duty and worked behind the scenes.  That type of unseen work is what makes an organization/community successful.  Stefiel provided an example for Americans everywhere- get involved and stay involved in your government. 

    Precinct meetings and county conventions for the GOP are being held across the state.  Go to okgop.com to find out when your area is holding their meetings.  You have an opportunity to make a difference by being involved.  It is our duty as citizens.  Stefiel understood duty- do you?

You don't get a break, man!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

…and so it begins!

by Steve Fair

     On his first day in office, President Biden signed seventeen (17) Executive Orders.  Most overturned President Trump’s EOs.  With the stroke of a pen, Biden halted funding for the building of the southern border wall, shut down construction of the Keystone pipeline, reversed the travel ban on several Muslim countries associated with terrorism, rejoined the Paris climate treaty, and rejoined the World Health Organization.  He directed the Census Bureau to require ‘non-citizens’ be included in the Census and the factored into the apportionment of congressional representatives.  He signed an EO that allows transgendered children to use whichever bathroom they feel comfortable with.  “All persons should receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation,” Biden said.   Biden restored collective bargaining for federal workers and laid the foundation for a $15 federal minimum wage.  Economists agree a hike to the federal minimum wage would kill 3.7 million jobs in the U.S.   In his first week, Biden has signed over thirty EOs.  Three observations.

     First, Biden’s call for unity in his inaugural speech was disingenuous.  Virtually all of his Executive Orders overturned Trump administration policy.  That is not uncommon when presidents from opposite Parties follow one another, but Biden’s call for America to come together lacks authenticity.   His actions don’t mirror his rhetoric.  Elections have consequences and Biden proved that by signing EOs reversing many of Trump’s policies.  Calling for unity while you sow division is the height of condescension, arrogance, and haughtiness.    He shouldn’t be preaching unity.

     Second, the use of Executive Orders should be curtailed.   Trump signed 217 in four years, Obama 276 in eight years, George W , 290 in eight years, Franklin Roosevelt 3,522 in 12 years.  The first fifteen presidents in our nation’s history issued 120 total, but starting with Lincoln, they became more common.  Congress can veto an EO with a 2/3 majority, but they seldom do.  The legislative branch is supposed to be the most powerful of the three branches, but presidents (in both Parties) are using EOs to circumvent the legislature and sovereignly make and enforce law.  It should be stopped and Congress should schedule votes on every EO issued by President Biden(or any president).   

     Third, Biden will reverse, rescind, overturn, and nullify everything Trump did the past four years.  With Democrats in control of both chambers of Congress, he will likely be successful.  America is in for a tough couple of years.  The mid-term elections of 2022 will likely result in a swing back to the right, but until then expect Biden and Harris to push for socialist policies that will hurt America business and trade.  The hope of America is not Donald Trump running in four years.  It is having Trump supporters stay hooked up and work to elect conservatives at the local level(school board, municipal, county).  They need to pay attention all the time, not just on election years.    

     When challenged by a reporter on his trashing of Trump’s response to the coronavirus, President Biden snapped, “Come on- give me a break man!”  Sorry, but the president doesn’t get a ‘break.’  Elected officials, at all levels, should be willing to defend themselves, their policy decisions and their votes.  When American voters force them to defend their actions, they will have recaptured their government.

A Movement Doesn't Die With One Person!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

BIGGER THAN ONE PERSON!

_{by Steve Fair}

     On Wednesday, President Donald Trump became the first United States president to be impeached twice.  He was charged with ‘incitement of insurrection,’ in conjunction with the overrun of the U.S. Capitol on January 6^th.  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D-CA) had given Vice President Mike Pence an ultimatum to invoke Section 4 of the 25^th amendment within 24 hours or the U.S. House would precede with impeachment.   Pence said he wouldn’t invoke the 25^th.  After little debate, the vote to impeach was 232-197 with 10 Republicans joining all the House Democrats, with 4 Republicans not voting on the resolution.   All 5 Oklahoma House members voted against impeachment.  Four observations:

     First, impeachment is a ‘political,’ and not legal action.  While seldom used in the past, Democrats have used it twice in one year.  Alan Dershowitz, one of Trump’s lawyers at his first impeachment, but who endorsed Biden for election in 2020, said, “Trump has not committed a constitutionally impeachable offense.”  Dershowitz said the Democrats had ‘weaponized’ the impeachment process, which is not its purpose.  During her speech presenting the charges, Speaker Pelosi quoted Abraham Lincoln and the Bible.  “He(President Trump) must go.  He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love,” she said.  Rep. Tom Cole, (R-OK) spoke on the floor Wednesday.  “I can think of no action that is likely to further divide the American people than the action we're contemplating today.” Cole said.    Now the articles move to the Senate, where Sen. Chuck  Schumer, (D-NY) said he will push to convict Trump, even after he is gone from office.  Why?  Because a conviction would prevent Trump from seeking federal office.

     Second, why do the Democrats (and some Republicans) want Trump out of politics?  They claim its because of his loud mouthed, shoot from the hip, in your face behavior but that is just part of it.  The establishment fears the movement Trump has created- one that puts America First.  They hate his policies as much as they do his personality.  What they fail to understand, it that whether Trump is the leader of the movement or not, Washington has likely changed forever.

     Third, no effectual, successful movement is greater than one man.  Donald Trump is clearly a cult of personality.  There may not be a populist to ever recreate what he has done.  His ability to fire up people who haven’t been engaged in politics/government is unprecedented.  But the truth is many involved in the MAGA movement have zeal but not according to knowledge.  If they stay hooked up and their involvement results in changes in government- at all levels- over the next decade in America, then the movement has been successful.  The proficiency of an effective movement is it doesn’t die when the excitement dies down.

     The accomplishments of the Trump four-year term were impressive:  Appointment of three members of the SCOTUS, over 200 federal judges confirmed, multiple successes in foreign policy, strong economy, and reduction of government regulations on businesses.  But the national debt under Trump increased at its highest rate ever.  The federal government footprint grew by 20%.  That isn’t conservative.  Republicans need to be objective and realistic and not practice blind loyalty to a cult of personality.   A movement is bigger than one person- or it should be.

RNC has lost its objectivity!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

What a Week!

by Steve Fair

  What a week! On Wednesday, a joint session of Congress convened to certify the 538 Electoral votes in the 2020 presidential race.  Outside thousands of President Trump supporters gathered for a rally.  After being warmed up by Eric and Donald Jr, President Trump spoke to the passionate crowd just as the proceedings in the House chamber started.  “We will never give up; we will never concede. We will stop the steal. We’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, and we’re going to the Capitol…We’re going to try and give our Republicans, the weak ones…the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country.”  After the Electoral votes for Arizona were challenged, the two chambers went into debate.  At that point, several hundred of the crowd breeched the security blockades and begin to push their way into the Capitol.  Some took to breaking windows out of the Capitol and crawling into the building.  An Air Force combat veteran was shot and killed by Capitol police crawling through a broken window.  Lawmakers were rushed to secure locations and tear gas was used on those inside the Capitol.  It took until late in the evening to clear the Capitol and get Congress back in session.  The National Guard was called out and set up a perimeter around the Capitol.  At 3:30am, Vice President Mike Pence announced that Joe Biden was the winner of the 2020 president election. Four observations:

     First, there is no justification or excuse for desecrating the U.S. Capitol.  Video of people hanging from the gallery balcony or sitting in the Speaker’s chair were disturbing and showed incredible disrespect for the building.  It made America look like a third world country.  Breeching security should result in consequences and it appears many have already been charged.

     Second, frustration with their government fueled most of the protestors.  That’s understandable, but it doesn’t justify breaking the law.  Taking the law into your own hands is anarchy.  Many Americans share the frustration with an out of control, non-responsive government, but choose to not break the law. 

     Third, the Trump supporters are a persistent, dedicated group.  Some call them crazed- others committed, but clearly they are not going away.  Elected official’s actions in the coming days are going to be under more scrutiny than in the last 50 years.  That is a good thing and people paying attention to their government- at all levels- will improve it.

     Fourth, Trump is not going away.  Like it or not, he has maintained control over the national GOP.  His handpicked Chair and Vice Chair at the RNC were reelected in Florida, two days after the riot at the Capitol.  Donald Trump Jr. screamed, “This is Donald Trump’s Republican Party,” at the Capitol rally and it appears he was absolutely right.  The RNC will be nothing more than Trump’s PR and fundraising arm for the next four years.  That is unfortunate because the primary job of the national Party(Party leadership at all levels) leadership is to ‘conduct fair primaries’ and to help get the GOP nominee elected, not tilt the process to favor one candidate.  When they do that, they lose all creditability with other Republicans.  By keeping the Trump team intact at the RNC, it sends a message the fix is in for 2024.

           May God have mercy on America.  Only He can heal this broken nation.

Sometimes a Grandstander gets in the Game!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

MATTERS WORTHY OF CONGRESS!

by Steve Fair

 

     Wednesday’s opening of the Electoral College votes before a joint session of Congress will be a lesson in U.S. government, so tune into C-Span or set your VDR.  On Saturday eleven Republican senators indicated they would vote to not seat the Electors from four contested seats until an Electoral Commission with full investigatory and fact-finding authority conduct a 10-day audit of the election returns in the disputed states. Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune, (R-SD) said any objection to seating Electors from the disputed state, ‘would go down like a shot dog.’  Four observations:

     First, it would not be the first time an Electoral Commission has been appointed.  In the 1876 presidential election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tiden, there were serious allegations of election fraud in three states.  One of the states- South Carolina- reported an impossible voter turnout of 101%- more people voted than were registered.  Congress appointed a 15-member commission consisting of 5 senators, 5 congressman, and 5 members of the Supreme Court.  The commission voted 8-7 to award the contested electoral votes to Hayes, giving him a one Electoral vote victory over Tiden.  Democrats agreed to Hayes being president if Republicans would pull troops out of the South and Hayes was sworn into office on March 5, 1887.  The republic survived that very contentious election and it will survive this one.

      Second, Congress has an obligation to verify contested states followed their own election laws.  Congress is not given constitutional authority on how individual states conduct their elections, but it is the duty of Congress to insure states follow their laws.  There are many questions that at least 4 and up to 7 states ignored their own election laws.  Without integrity at the ballot box, the republic is doomed. 

      Third, by conducting an audit, perhaps future fraud can be avoided.  At this point, it doesn’t appear there are enough votes to get a commission appointed.  The lip service many Republicans give to root out fraud and corruption is just that- lip service.  The ‘swamp’ is afraid an audit might uncover something they don’t want uncovered.  Cheating at the ballot box has been going on for 150 years, but the cavalier, indifferent, dismissive way Congress has avoided investigating it may have come home to roost.  Until 2020, the average American wasn’t paying much attention, but a recent poll showed 40% of Americans believe the 2020 election was stolen and it is not just those wearing tin foil hats.  Congress may be forced to actually do something this time if those Americans keep paying attention.

     Four, some elected officials are clearly using this as a political opportunity to appeal to the GOP base.  Senators Cruz and Hawley are ambitious grandstanders and are likely 2024 Republican presidential candidates.  By their own admission they have little chance of getting the Commission appointed.  Contesting the seating of the Electors- even if it is long shot- boosts their stock with the hard-core rank and file GOP activists and kickstarts their 2024 campaign.  Sometimes the grandstander gets into the game.

 

     In their press release, the eleven Senators said: "These are matters worthy of the Congress, and entrusted to us to defend. We do not take this action lightly. We are acting not to thwart the democratic process, but rather to protect it. And every one of us should act together to ensure that the election was lawfully conducted under the Constitution and to do everything we can to restore faith in our Democracy."

     The American people need to keep the pressure on their federal representatives to take on (1) Ballot box integrity and (2) Introduction of a Constitutional amendment standardizing the election procedure in electing the president and vice president in all states.  Those are ‘matters worthy of Congress.’

2020 is a year to forget, not remember!

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

by Steve Fair

     2020 comes to a close on Thursday.  It has been a year to remember.  In the not so distance future, there will be books written and movies made about 2020.  Americans have become more acquainted with Zoom and on-line video meetings than they wanted to.  They have eaten at home more.  They have learned to recognize people by their eyes, since masks are the fashion statement of the year.  Let’s recap 2020 by month.

     In January Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping aside from their royal duties.  The next day COVID-19 arrived in the United States when a Washington state man who had traveled from Wuhan, China tested positive.  Kobe Bryant and his daughter were killed in a plane crash on the 26^th.  Britain officially left the European Union on the 31^st.

     In February, the impeachment of President Donald Trump dominated the news.  Impeached by the U.S. House in January on a partisan vote, Trump was acquitted by the Senate February 5^th on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.  Parasite dominated the Oscars, the first time a non-English speaking movie won Best Picture.

     In March, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.  Experts claimed that up to 70% of the world’s population could ultimately be infected by the virus.  The stock market reacted negatively and had its largest single day point drop in history on the 9^th.  Americans stocked up on toilet paper (not normally an expandable consumption product), and other staples creating shortages on retail shelves.

     In April, armed militia members took to the Michigan State Capitol to protest stay-at- home orders by the governor.  Tensions got high as local elected officials across U.S. imposed mask mandates and prohibited certain businesses to remain open.

     In May, George Floyd died and the media focus moved to racial injustice and inequality.  Protests were held across America, many turning into riots and looting.

    In June, President Trump declared himself the ‘president of law and order’ in front of a church across the street from the White House.  Former Vice President Joe Biden was chosen as the Democratic nominee for president.

     In July, Major League Baseball started their shortened season, but fans weren’t allowed into the stadiums.  The games were played in front of cardboard cut-outs.  California Gov. Newsom shut down churches in the state by banning in person worship, prompting lawsuits from several.

     In August, hurricane Laura struck the Louisiana coastline, killing six and a large swath of destruction.  The hurricane season in 2020 was one of the most active with twelve(12) named storms. President Trump accepted the GOP nomination for president.  Joe Biden announced his vice president choice- Senator Kamala Harris, (D-CA).

     In September, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the high court. 

     In October, President Trump was diagnosed and briefly hospitalized with COVID.  Judge Amy Barrett was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 partisan vote.

     In November, America voted and former Vice President Joe Biden was projected the winner by the media.  President Trump disagreed and vowed to expose voting irregularities across the country.  The state of Texas (along with 17 other states) sued four states, challenging their seating of their Electors.  The Supreme Court refused to hear the case.  Alex Trebek died after a long battle with cancer. 

     In December, two companies- Pfizer and Moderna- were approved to administer a vaccine to combat COVID.  The arrival of the two vaccines were developed in less than a year after President Trump had initiated Operation Warp Speed.  The media gave him zero credit.  A mutated strain of COVID shut down the United Kingdom fueling fears a second wave could be more challenging than the first.

     On Thursday at midnight some Americans will sing Auld Lang Syne, a poem written by Robert Burns set to a folk song melody.  Auld Lang Syne means ‘days gone by’ and is normally reserved for looking back on a year with fond memories.  For most Americans, 2020 can’t be gone soon enough. R.E.M’s ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It’ might be a better selection.  Happy New Year!

Romney hasn't supported Republican principles!

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

MITT THE TWIT!

by Steve Fair

     On Sunday, U.S. Mitt Romney, (R-Utah) said on CNN’s State of the Union the Republican Party has changed.  He said most of the 2024 GOP presidential contenders are pivoting toward emulating President Donald Trump.  “The party that I knew is one that was very concerned about Russia and [Vladimir] Putin and Kim Jong Un and North Korea, and we pushed back aggressively against them,” Romney said. “We were a party concerned about balancing the budget.”   

     Romney, a persistent critic of President Trump, was the lone Republican in the Senate to vote to convict the president on impeachment charges in January.  “I think, ultimately, the Republican Party will return to the roots that have been formed over — well, the century,” he said. “So, we’ll get back at some point and, hopefully, people will recognize we need to take a different course than the one we are on right now.” Four comments:

     First, Romney is right about the budget.  There was a time when smaller budgets, fiscal responsibility and smaller government were a cornerstone to what Republicans believed.  Gradually Republicans- at all levels- embraced a tax and spend philosophy.  The election of President Trump didn’t start government’s out-of-control spending, but during his four-year term, the national debt increased by 36% to $26 trillion.  While he fulfilled many of his 2016 election promises, Trump was not successful in reducing government’s footprint.  If America doesn’t get government spending and the national debt under control, our country is doomed.

    Second, Romney is wrong about foreign policy.  Trump’s ‘America first,’ foreign policy was successful.  It kept the US out of foreign wars and the nation building that Trump’s globalist predecessors (including Joe Biden) embraced.  Before Trump took office, North Korea was on the verge of invading South Korea.  China was taking advantage of the US in trade.  The Middle East was a hotbed with US troops in three different countries.  While unorthodox, Trump’s style of foreign diplomacy was effective, because he insisted the US not be treated as a doormat or an ATM machine by foreign governments. 

     Third, Romney is right about the GOP needing to return to their roots.  Elected Republicans at all levels have drifted from the Party’s founding principles of personal responsibility and limited government.  But Mitt Romney never embraced those principles or roots.  For Romney to question the direction of the Republican Party is laughable.  He has consistently been on the opposite side of most traditional Republican platform positions.

     Fourth, Romney is right about candidates emulating Trump.  His style of campaigning and governing inspires and energizes voters.  No political leader in the history of the country has been able to fire people up like Trump.  His politically incorrect-no clutch- full speed ahead style is fruitful.  He says what most Americans are thinking.  That is why candidates are copying his tactics.  Good or bad, Trump changed the political arena forever. 

     Mitt Romney has little or no creditability with rank-and-file Republicans.  He has been an unreliable vote for Republican policies and frequently votes with the Democrats.  It takes a lot of chutzpah to lecture the Party on principle and character when you haven’t exhibited either.