ABORTION IS THE SCOURGE OF AMERICA!

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

PRIMUM NON NOCERE

by Steve Fair

     Physicians historically take an oath of ethics, known as the Hippocratic Oath.  It requires new doctors to swear to uphold specific ethical standards.  Those include the principles of medical confidentiality and non-maleficence, which means ‘do no harm.’  The original oath, which was rooted in ancient Greece, stated explicitly the prohibition of abortion and euthanasia.  Many modern oaths have eliminated the ‘do no harm’ clause to excuse physicians who perform abortions.  The healer becomes the  

     The Oklahoma legislation passed two pro-life bills along partisan lines and sent them to the governor for his signature.  HB #2441, authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, (R-Bartlesville) and Rep. Todd Russ, (R-Cordell) would prevent abortions being done on an unborn baby who has a detectable heartbeat.   A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as 5 ½ weeks after conception.  Violators who performed an abortion after a heartbeat was detected could be charged with homicide.

      HB#1102, authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, (R-Bartlesville) and Rep. Jim Olsen, (R-Roland) would classify the performance of an abortion as ‘unprofessional conduct’ by a physician and could result in the loss of their medical license for at least a year.

      Governor Stitt has until Friday to sign or veto the two bills.  If he does nothing, the two bills will automatically become law.  The governor has stated in the past he would sign any pro-life legislation that comes across his desk. Two observations:

     First, abortion is the scourge of America.  Since 1973 when the unconstitutional Roe vs. Wade became law, over 62 million babies have been aborted.  That is over ten times more than those killed in the Holocaust.  More babies are killed in the womb in America (1 ½ million) each year than the number of lives lost in all the wars in our nation’s history.  John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, said "Some nations have given parents the power of life and death over their children. But here in America, we have denied the power of life and death to parents." With President Trump’s recent appointments of literalists to the U.S. Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade may be overturned in the future, but until that happens 3,000 babies are murdered every day in America!

     Second, life begins at conception.  Until the mid-twentieth century, that was a widely accepted truth, but   The American College of Pediatricians concur with the body of scientific evidence and believe life begins when the sperm and egg bind to each other in a process of fusion and a single hybrid cell called a zygote is created.  Dr. Alfred Bongioanni, professor of pediatrics and obstetrics at the University of Pennsylvania said: “I submit that human life is present from conception to adulthood and that any interruption at any point throughout this time constitutes a termination of human life.” For Christians, abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose.  It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in the image of God.  

     King David wrote in Psalm 139 that God the Creator knit him together in his mother’s womb.  In Exodus 21, the penalty for causing the death of a baby in the womb was the same as that of someone who committed murder. 

  Medicine is a wonderful field and doctors have the responsibility to protect life.  Physicians should not play God.  God is responsible for all life and they should not choose to end an innocent life.  These two bills will force abortion providers to think about the consequences of killing a baby in the womb.  Do no harm medicus!

Price Fixing is not Free Market!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

INSULIN & PROFITEERING!

By Steve Fair

     More than 200,000 Oklahoma adults suffer from type 1 diabetes, including my wife.  Diagnosed at age ten, she has lived with the disease for 59 years.  Type 1 diabetics requires daily usage of insulin.  Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in Oklahoma.  Oklahoma has the fourth highest age-adjusted diabetes death rate in the nation.  Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure and early death. 

     Sen. Frank Simpson, (R-Ardmore) and Rep. Randy Worthen, (R-Lawton) authored House Bill#1019, which passed the Senate last week 32-15.  It passed the House 94-2.  Simpson’s granddaughter lost her life to complications related to Type 1 diabetes and he is passionate about helping diabetics.  The bill now heads to the governor’s desk where it is expected to be signed.  Three observations:

     First, a recent U.S. Senate report found the current convoluted drug pricing system drives price increases.  The report from the offices of Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R-Iowa) and Sen. Ron Wyden, (D- Ore) found Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, the two largest insulin producers in America, closely monitored each others pricing and matched or topped any increase within hours or days of each other.  In other words- price fixing. 

     The two Senators introduced legislation aimed at capping seniors out of pocket costs for drugs covered by Medicare.  It would also limit price increases on a drug to the rate of inflation.  It did not get a floor vote, because many Republicans oppose it because they feel the bill is too regulatory and goes against a free market. “There is clearly something broken when a product like insulin that has been on the market longer than most people have been alive skyrockets in price,” Grassley said.

     Second, the report blamed pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as part of the reason for the high prices for insulin.  These middlemen negotiate with drug companies on behalf of insurance plans, large employers and other payers for discounts.  PMB’s decide is a certain drug will be covered by a plan.  Drug makers offering large rebates have a better chance of being covered by a health plan.  PBMs charge fees and paid a percentage of re rebate based on the drug’s ‘list’ price.  Insulin producers are thereby incentivized to increase the price so PBMs can get larger rebates.  “This industry is anything but a free market when PBMs spur drug makers to hike list prices in order to greater rebates and fees,” Grassley said.         

     Third, there is a reason insulin is so expensive?  Here are the main three: (1) Only three companies control 90% of the insulin market worldwide.  In the past 15 years, the price of insulin has tripled and the three producers raise prices together.  We need more insulin producers in the U.S. to bring the price down.  (2) There is no generic insulin.  Insulin is a biologic rather than chemical.  It can’t be produced generic in the same way as other drug.  Creating a generic insulin costs nearly as much as making a new drug.  Because of that cost, the few insulin generics available cost just 10-15% less than the branded product. (3) The ‘evergreening’ of the patents on insulin are loopholes in the patent system.  They allow insulin producers to keep patents longer than the normal 20-year period.  For example, Sanofi, the maker of Lantus has created the potential for a competition free monopoly for 37 years.

     If signed by the governor, HB#1019 will cap the price in Oklahoma for a 30-day supply of insulin to $30 for each covered prescription.  Several other states have passed similar legislation. HB#1019 will not only save many diabetics money, but it could save their life.

THERE IS ALREADY ENOUGH PLAYING GOING ON AT SCHOOL!

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

HEARTWARMING, BUT UNNECESSARY!

by Steve Fair

     Oklahoma HB# 1569 is known as the Oklahoma Play to Learn Act.  If it becomes law, it will encourage public educators to create play-based learning opportunities, in the realm of dancing, art, music and drama to teach kids in elementary school.  Authored by Rep. Jacob Rosecrant, (D-Norman) and Sen. Adam Pugh, (R-Edmond), the bill passed the House Education committee 14-0.  On March 23^rd it passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 76-16.  All 16 nay floor votes were Republicans.  HB#1569 was passed by the Senate Education committee last week 10-2 and now is headed for a floor vote.  If it is passed there, it then moves to the governor’s desk.  Three observations:

     First, play based learning is not a new concept.  It was used in the 1700s.  Back then, educational or instructive toys were simple, but they were used to stimulate learning.  They often simplified or miniaturized objects used by adults.  Most early childhood instructors across the state already use play to learn techniques in their classrooms.   There are no current restrictions on teachers in Oklahoma using dance, music, art or drama to teach young children in school.

     Second, why is this bill necessary?  Is there a looming problem with a local school board in Oklahoma imposing a ‘no play’ at school rule?  It wouldn’t appear so.  So why is a specific bill addressing play to learn necessary?   Some believe HB#1569 and ‘play to learn’ is a conspiracy rooted in UN Agenda 21, the Gates Foundation, UNICEF and the left.  It’s true all of those mentioned advocate ‘play to learn,’ but there is no evidence of those organization’s involvement in the language of HB #1569.

     Third, education is changing.  With the advent of COVID-19, online/distance learning has replaced traditional classroom education.  That is likely going to be permanent.  Education leaders need to be proactive, get ahead of the curve, and embrace change.  In 2019, Bill Gates said textbooks are obsolete and software should replace them.  He also advocated a less structured environment for learning.   Both of those would empower students, pique curiosity and improve interest in learning.  Gates has some liberal far-out ideas, but these aren’t two of them. 

     Why should HB#1569 be killed in the Senate?  It appears innocuous.  Two reasons; (a) it is not needed.  Nothing HB#1569 validates is under threat.  No school board or administration has banned using play to learn in their districts.  At best it’s a feel-good bill.  If there is not a nefarious motive, then the defeat of HB#1569 will mean nothing.  (b) it doesn’t move the needle in education.  Oklahoma still ranks in the bottom 10 in test scores nationally (#43).  Last year, over 50% of the Oklahoma state government budget was spent on education.  Three years ago, historic raises were given to teachers and administrators with no significant improvement in test scores. It appears lots of playing is going on in school now.    

   Oklahoma’s whole structure of secondary education needs to be radically reformed, with the goal to get more money to the classroom, where it really makes a difference.  When that change happens, ‘play to learn’ will flourish without the passing of a law. Contact your state senator and encourage them to vote No on HB#1569.  It’s heartwarming, but unnecessary.

IGNORANCE OF THE BALLOT IS NO EXCUSE!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

Caveat emptor Voters!

by Steve Fair

     Oklahoma Senate Bill #947, if signed into law, would require initiative petitions to include if the proposal would have a fiscal impact on the state.  It would also require the potential funding source.  SB #947 is authored by Sen. Paul Rosino, (R-OKC) and Rep. Tammy West, (R-OKC).  It was passed by the A&B House committee last week along partisan lines.  “Several of the state questions that have passed in recent years have come at great cost to state taxpayers,” West said. “Voters, of course, would still be allowed to petition for whatever measures they choose, but this would require they state the potential impact to taxpayers and specify the source of such funding. If taxpayers are going to be asked to raise taxes to pay for something added to state law, they should be made aware.”

SB#947 now will faces a floor vote in the House, where it is expected to pass, before it goes to the governor to be signed into law.  Three observations:

     First, this is a much-needed change.  Several recent State Questions have been passed by voters that financially impacted state taxpayers.  For example, SQ# 781, which passed in 2016, directed the state to deposit money into a fund used by county governments to provide substance abuse and mental health services, but it didn’t specify how much or where that money would come from.  Those who signed the petition or those who voted were told just the ‘concept.’ The ‘details’ on how to pay for the concept was left to the legislature.  Full disclosure in the initiative petition process to the citizens who pay the bills is long past due.

     Second, requiring fiscal impact on initiative petitions should not be a partisan issue?  SB#947 has been opposed by legislative Democrats on every vote- in committee and the floor.  Not one Democrat in the state house has supported the bill throughout the process.  Shouldn’t all citizens, no matter their Party affiliation, know beforehand what a proposal is projected to cost?  The partisanship and polarization seen in Washington has seemingly made its way to 23^rd and Lincoln. 

     Third, if this becomes law, ballots will be longer.  One of the provisions in #947 is that it increases the number of words on the ballot from 200 to 300.  That will require voters to ‘study’ the ballot and the issue before casting a vote.  Far too many Oklahoma voters pay little attention to the State Questions or the Judicial Retention sections on the ballot.    Many state questions pass and result in consequences, fiscal and otherwise, that voters did not anticipate or intend.  Ignorance of what’s on the ballot is a poor excuse. 

     Caveat emptor is Latin for ‘let the buyer beware.’  In business, it means the buyer purchases at his own risk with no warranty in the contract.  It implies a warning to buyers the goods they are buying are ‘as is’ or subject to defects.  Voters should always be on guide and approach any state question with the same apprehensive and suspicion they do when making a major personal expenditure.   They should exercise the same due diligence in voting as they do in a business transaction.   In business, how much a good or service costs is fundamental to the transaction.  SB#947 simply requires that same information be provided on state questions.  Encourage your state representative to support SB#947.

 

 

THE FILIBUSTER HAS SERVED AMERICA WELL!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

PIRATE RULE SHOULD STAY!

by Steve Fair

     The Senate tradition of unlimited debate allows for the use of the ‘filibuster.’  Derived from a Dutch word for ‘freebooter’ to describe pirates, the filibuster was a part of the very first Senate session (1789).  Pennsylvania Senator William Maclay said the Virginians in the Senate were trying to ‘talk away the time’ so a bill would not get passed.  Down through the years, the filibuster rule has been effectively used by both Parties to block legislation.  It allows a single Senator or group of Senators to hold the floor for as long as they are able to gain control of the floor.    The actual record for the longest individual speech(filibuster) goes to the late South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond, who spoke for over 24 hours against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. 

     Prior to 1917, the Senate did not have any rules to end debate and force a vote on a measure.  That year, the Senate adopted Rule #22, which invoked closure of debate with a two thirds (67) majority vote.  In 1975, the Senate reduced the number to three fifths (60).

    At his news conference, last week, President Biden said he agreed with former President Obama, that the filibuster is a throwback from the ‘Jim Crow,’ era and is being abused in a ‘gigantic way.’  He said he might support reducing the closure number to a simple majority (51).  This is a reversal of Biden’s position when he served in the body.   

     Vice President Joe Biden served in the U.S. Senate for six terms (36 years) and once defended the filibuster saying: “I’ve been in the Senate for a long time, and there are plenty of times I would have loved to change this rule(filibuster) to pass a bill or to confirm a nominee I felt strongly about. But I didn’t, and it was understood that the option of doing so just wasn’t on the table. You fought political battles; you fought hard; but you fought them within the strictures and requirements of the Senate rules. Despite the short-term pain, that understanding has served both parties well, and provided long-term gain.” Two observations:      

     First, the filibuster has protected the political minority from the tyranny of the majority.  The cornerstone of a democratic republic is majority rule, however the founders were mindful of the minority.  President Thomas Jefferson said, “Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect and to violate would be oppression.”  Allowing the minority to have a say is fundamental to our system of government. 

     Second, the attack on the 60-vote filibuster in the Senate is real.  A similar filibuster rule was initially part of the U.S. House, but it was removed in 1888.  Currently, Senate Democrats don’t have enough votes (50) required to reduce the number for closure of debate because many in their own ranks oppose reduction to a simple majority, but it could happen.  It did in the House.  The 60-vote filibuster is not a part of the U.S. Constitution.  It could be changed.  In 2013, Senate Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, used the ‘nuclear option’ to eliminate the three fifths vote rule for executive branch nominations.  They were having difficulty getting President Obama’s nominations approved.  President Trump and Senate Republicans used the change in 2017 to their advantage to end debate on the nomination of Justice Neil Gorsuch.   

     President Biden once said; “The abolition of the filibuster is a naked power grab.  To take the ‘nuclear option’ would be catastrophic.  It would destroy America’s sense of fair play.  It would tilt the playing field on the side of those who control and own the field.” Senator Biden was right. The pirate rule should remain.  It has served America well.

COMMON SENSE IS PHILOSOPHY WITH BIG WORDS!!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

2^ND AMENDMENT UNDER ATTACK

by Steve Fair

     The U.S. House has passed two bills that tighten gun sales regulations.  House Resolution #8, authored by Rep. Mike Thompson, (D-CA), expands background checks on individuals seeking to purchase or transfer firearms.  It passed the House 227-203, with eight Republicans (five of which co-sponsored) joining one Democrat in voting yes.   

     The second bill is House Resolution # 1446, authored by Majority Leader Rep. James Clyburn, (D-SC).  It passed the House 219-210 with two Democrats opposing and two Republicans voting yes.  It would extend the initial background check review period from three to ten days.  “This is an important step Congress must take to address the epidemic of gun violence in this country,” Clyburn said. 

     All five Oklahoma House members voted no on both measures.  Both bills now go to the U.S. Senate, where they face an uncertain fate.    Three observations:

     First, the Second Amendment is under attack.  President Biden has called on Congress to ban so-called ‘assault weapons,’ ‘high-capacity magazines’ and mandate background checks on all gun sales.  Typically, few mass shooters have criminal backgrounds.  Biden[S1]  wants to eliminate immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put what he calls ‘weapons of war’ on the street.  Most constitutional scholars don’t believe these laws will pass Constitutional scrutiny, but the mindset to disarm the public is clearly a part of the Democratic agenda. 

     Second, increased gun regulations do not work.   Three of the largest cities in America- Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City- all have strict gun laws.  Violent crime has not been reduced and in some cases has increased in those cities.  That is because criminals and malefactors don’t follow the law.  They don’t read and follow the ‘Gun Free Zone’ signs.  Since a criminal doesn’t follow the law, they seize the golden opportunity to carry out violent acts in states with stricter gun laws. They know people don’t have guns in these areas.  The criminal wants the government to enact gun control. The criminal seeks opportunity where gun control runs rampant. The only people who obey gun control laws are the honest citizens.  More gun laws infringe on citizen’s right to keep and bear arms.

     Third, no law can stop gun violence.  The issue is not a gun- it’s the heart of man.  The Bible says the heart of man is desperately wicked.  It’s not a gun that kills- it’s the man pulling the trigger.  No legislation can deal with the fundamental issue of the heart of man.  Only God can.  That is why mass shootings still happen in countries with strict gun control laws.  Until the root cause is addressed, man’s inhumanity against man will continue.   Only the Gospel can change the heart of man. 

     In response to HR8 and HR1(federal takeover of elections), the Oklahoma House last week passed a couple of resolutions- #1009 and #1010, sponsored by Rep. Jay Steagall, (R-Yukon).  They assert Oklahoma’s state sovereignty and affirm the 10^th amendment (state’s rights). Steagall called the two bills a ‘federal government overreach.’

     President Biden describes his gun control stance, ‘common sense.’  President James Madison defined common sense as ‘philosophy’ with big words- a perfect illustration of Biden’s liberal policy to disarm America.

COVID RELIEF BILL IS FULL OF PORK!

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

COLLECTIVE SUFFERING

by Steve Fair

     On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed a $1.9 trillion dollar relief package.  It sends direct payments of up to $1,400 to citizens and extends a $300 per week unemployment supplement.  “This historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of this country,” Biden said as he signed the bill.  All Republicans in both chambers voted against the bill with just one Democrat (Rep. Jared Golden, (D-Maine) voting no.  That night President Biden spoke to the country and opened his remarks by criticizing President Trump saying his predecessor was “in denial for days, week, then months that led to more deaths, more infections, more stress and more loneliness.”  Biden said all Americans would be eligible for vaccine inoculation by May 1^st and the country could start to get back to some sort of normal by July 4^th.  Three observations:

     First, Biden’s disparaging remarks about Trump were inappropriate and untrue.  Trump wasn’t in denial about COVID.  He shut down travel from China and other countries weeks before other world leaders did to slow down the spread.  He initiated Operation Warp Speed to facilitate development of a vaccine, which was accomplished in record time.  Andy Slavitt, a senior adviser to the White House's COVID team, credited Warp Speed for spurring the development of a vaccine at an unprecedented pace. “We’re grateful for the work that came before us and are doing the best we can to continue it and accelerate it,” Slavitt said on Fox News. “I would absolutely tip my hat. … The Trump administration made sure that we got in record time a vaccine up and out. That’s a great thing and it's something we should all be excited about.” Perhaps Biden should listen to his own advisors and stop politicizing COVID.  He is benefiting from Trump’s work. 

     Second, the COVID relief bill includes spending unrelated to COVID.  $350 billion of the total relief bill spending is divided between the 50 states to fill budget holes.  According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, 15% of the total goes to pet projects for Democrats, which include a $1.5 million bridge connecting New York and Canada, a $100 million underground rail project in Silicon Valley, $480 million for Native American language preservation and maintenance and $50 million in environmental justice grants.

  Congressman Tom Cole, (R-OK), says less than 10% of the total goes to actually COVID relief.  “While Democrats’ fake coronavirus rescue package had a very few egregious provisions removed during its trip over to the U.S. Senate, the final version headed to the president’s desk remains deeply partisan and extremely liberal. In fact, even socialist Senator Bernie Sanders has called it the most progressive legislation he has ever voted for or seen passed in his congressional career …. Those are telling descriptions of what this legislation is actually meant to achieve, and that is not delivery of coronavirus relief,” Cole said.

     Third, the ‘relief’ will be paid for by future generations.  In the past year, Congress has passed six bills and spent $4 trillion dollars dealing with COVID.  The first five passed with bi-partisan support, but Republicans rightly balked at this one because of the pork the Democrats crammed in it. Spending money we don’t have on pet projects is irresponsible and puts a fiscal burden on future taxpayers. 

     In his 24-minute speech, President Biden mentioned the ‘collective suffering’ of Americans over the past year.  Clearly 2020 was a challenge but if the federal government doesn’t become fiscally responsible, that collective suffering will be for generations.