Oklahomans and Texans should guard their conservative values!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

LOVE TO HATE

by Steve Fair

 

     There has always been a love/hate relationship between Oklahoma and Texas and it goes beyond the annual OU/Texas Red River rivalry.  When it became a state in 1845, Texas had to give up some of its land to Oklahoma territory.  That’s why the Sooner state has a panhandle.  A half century later (1896), Greer County, Texas was taken from Texas and given to Oklahoma, after it was determined the Red River’s true stream was not the north fork flow. 

     A dispute between the two states in 1931 was over a toll bridge at the Red River between Colbert, OK and Denison, TX resulted in a war.  The quarrel resulted in Oklahoma Governor ‘Alfalfa Bill” Murray declaring martial law and sending the Oklahoma National Guard to prevent Texans from entering the state.  Murray showed up at the bridge site armed with a revolver.   Texas Governor Ross Sterling sent Texas Rangers to the bridge to defend Texas highway workers.  Eventually the dispute was settled, but it is still known as the ‘Red River Bridge War.’

    In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Texas efforts to build a pipeline to import water from Oklahoma.  The clashes between the two states are ongoing. Oklahoma historian Bob Blackburn describes the two state’s relationship as a swaggering boastful big brother (Texas) clashing with an accomplished but self-conscious little brother (Oklahoma).  Three observations:

     First, both states are growing in population.  Texas has grown +16% in population the past decade- Oklahoma +6%.  Many of those relocating to Texas/Oklahoma are fleeing liberal states because of politics.   They seek more conservative, traditional values in their government.  But a conservative Republican in California is often a moderate in Oklahoma and Texas.   That could change the political landscape in both states.

     Second, some are fleeing Texas.  Texas experienced a surge in popularity during COVID, which drove up housing prices by 30%.   Many Californians moved to the Lone Star state because housing was less than in California. They didn’t factor in Texas’ high property tax, but many are moving back to Cally.  Nearly 500,000 people have left Texas in the past two years.  During that period, the state experienced a net gain of 200,000 in spite of those exiting.   Many of those leaving cite the ‘too conservative’ politics in Texas as the reason they are departing.   

     Third, migration could change the two states’ politics/voting from red to purple.  Statewide elected officials in both states are all Republicans.  The GOP controls both state legislatures.  Oklahoma’s federal delegation (5 House/2 Senate) is all Republican.  Texas’s federal delegation is mixed.  It has 38 seats in the House and 13 are Democrat.  The Democrats have gained 5 seats in the last decade.  The Ds represent urban areas of the state.  Much like Oklahoma, the larger population area residents are not as conservative as their rural counterparts.  Expect that trend to happen in the Sooner state. 

     Oklahoma and Texas have a great deal of shared history.  They share a reliance on the agriculture and energy sectors in common.   The two state’s political values and governing are similar.  Citizens in both states love to hate the other in sport’s rivalries.  The truth is the two states have much in common, including a real threat to their political identity from newcomers. 

     Georgia was once a reliable Republican stronghold, but today has four statewide Democrat elected officials.  Oklahomans and Texans should guard their conservative values or they will see the same thing happen in their state. 

    

AMERICANS HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING?

by Steve Fair

 

     Thanksgiving is a holiday tradition that dates back to the 1600s in America.  In 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoaqs celebrated a good harvest with a day of thanksgiving and prayer.  From that time until 1863, states observed a thanksgiving holiday at their own discretion. 

     In 1863, President Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving for all states.  On Halloween Day in 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt signed a presidential proclamation changing Thanksgiving to the next to last Thursday in November.  FDR made the date change to boost the economy and give retailers seven more days to sell Christmas gifts.  The proclamation/date change was controversial.  Opponents called the holiday ‘Franksgiving,’ for the next two years.  On December 26, 1941, Roosevelt signed a Joint Resolution of Congress changing Thanksgiving in the U.S. to the fourth Thursday in November.  Three observations:

     First, Americans have a great deal to be thankful for in 2023.  The U.S. is far from perfect, but citizens in the U.S. have more freedom and liberty than anyplace on earth.  Americans are, for the most part, able to pursue a dream that others across the planet can only wish for.  That blessing didn’t come cheap.  Past American heroes gave their life to protect that way of life. 

      No other country in the world has the illegal immigration issue America has.  People, of all races, creeds, and religions, from across the globe seek to migrate to the U.S. because it is better than where they are.  Americans should recognize God has shed His grace on them by allowing them to live in the land of the free and home of the brave.

     Second, America’s blessings come from the hand of a sovereign God.  Americans don’t naturally run faster or jump higher than citizens in other countries, yet the U.S. is the envy of the world.  Americans should never pound their chest or pat themselves on the back and take credit for those blessings.  They should humbly recognize God has blessed their country in spite of Americans wickedness and depravity.

     The decline in the number of people who hold a biblical worldview in America is down by a third since COVID.  In a Gallup poll survey last year, 81% of American adults said they believed in God(down 15 percentage points in 10 years), but less than half of that number actually attended a church service in the past year.  Taking the blessings of God for granted may very well result in the loss of God’s favor on America.

     Third, gratitude should not be celebrated just one day a year.  Americans should be appreciative and thankful every day.  Having a continual attitude of gratefulness and recognizing acts of kindness others bestow on them could change America from the polarizing, angry, divisive place it has become. 

     Thanksgiving Day in America has become a day for gathering of family for feasting, and watching sports.  Some don’t even recognize it as a day of thanksgiving and call it ‘turkey day.’  Even with those who celebrate thanksgiving, little time is taken to recognize God’s blessings.  Charlie Brown (Peanuts) asked a profound question about Thanksgiving: “What if, today, we were grateful for everything?”   Good question!  Why not indeed?

 

NO HOUSE IS MORE DIVIDED THAN THE GOP!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

CIRCULAR FIRING SQUAD

by Steve Fair

 

     Last Tuesday was election day in America.  The Democrat incumbent governor in Kentucky was reelected.  A pro-abortion ballot initiative passed in Ohio.  Democrats gained full control of the Virginia General Assembly.  The GOP governor in Mississippi was re-elected and a Republican was elected to the NYC city council from the Bronx.  Based on the success of the Ds, mainstream media and political pundits immediately begin to predict 2024 was going to be a disaster for the GOP.  Three observations:

     First, forecasting future elections is next to impossible.  Trying to tie one race to another is foolhardy.   Prognosticating 2024 elections now is like divining when an earthquake, solar flare, or asteroid will occur- no one knows until it happens. It is still too early to predict which political Party or candidate will win next year’s elections. 

     After every election, talking heads and self-described experts take a small sample size, extrapolate, estimate, conclude and predict future election outcomes for the sole purpose to ‘influence’ those future elections.  They try to wag the dog.   That is done on both ends of the political spectrum. Take all of them with a grain of salt.  The truth is no one knows the future, but God Almighty.

     Second, elections are won by those who vote.  That sounds too simple, but the fact is turnout is the key in every election.  Early analysis of Tuesday’s elections indicates Republican turnout in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia was less than Democrat turnout.  Why did GOP voters decide to stay home?  Was it apathy or deliberate sabotage as an act of protest?    Was it a distrust of the electoral system?  Was it the candidates themselves?  Most certainly, it was candidates!  Ultimately, candidates win or lose races.  A political Party provide the infrastructure and ballot access, but getting voters to the polls is the responsibility of each individual candidate.    

     Mark Levin says the GOP candidate for governor in Kentucky wasn’t conservative enough.  He could be right, because down ticket Republican statewide candidates swept their races.  What Levin doesn’t tell you about the governor’s race is the Democrat governor was an incumbent.  Incumbents win 96.4% of the time in all races.    

     Third, without unity, Republicans will lose in 2024.  Some Republicans blame the poor showings in Tuesday’s elections on the leadership of the Republican National Committee (RNC).  Some blame illegal immigration. Some blame Party ‘messaging.’ Some blame the RINOs (Republicans in Name Only).  RINOs blame the extremists. Extremists blame the establishment.  Some blame earthquakes, solar flares, and asteroids.  Republicans, at all levels, are engaged in a circular firing squad; a self-destructive internal conflict with mutual recriminations.

     There is no unity in the GOP.  Reagan’s 11^th commandment (Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republicans) is ignored.  Cliques, packs, tribes and bands dominate the Republican Party and interaction with those outside the clique/pack/tribe/band is condemned.   Jesus said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”  No house is more divided than the GOP.

      Tuesday’s elections were not a disaster for Republicans.  It’s disappointing Ohio GOP voters stayed home and didn’t vote down the pro-abortion bill.  But the other races were lost by candidates, not by the Republican Party. 

     As the economy continues to struggle, prices continue to increase and wages lag behind inflation, 2024 looks to be a year of opportunity for Republican candidates.  Most Americans vote with their pocketbook.

Absolute truth has been traded in for Moral Relativism!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

THEOCRAT?

by Steve Fair

      A theocrat is a person who rules or governs as a representative of God or a deity.  Contemporary examples of a theocracy are Iran, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.  Some believe recently elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, (R-LA) is a theocrat.  While asked about his worldview on Fox News Speaker Johnson responded, “Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it.  That’s my worldview.”  According to Marci Hamilton, a liberal political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Johnson’s admission he will base important decisions on the Bible proves he will ignore the U.S. Constitution and replace it with a battle of the faithful against the infidels.  Hamilton, who describes herself as a Christian believer, says religion is a ‘leap of faith,’ not susceptible to reasoned discourse.  In other words- there is no absolute truth- relativism.  Three observations:

     First, is a Biblical worldview in a leader incompatible with the Constitution?  The mere fact that question is being asked seems bizarre.  The founders of the United States were overwhelmingly Christian believers.  In a study by the University of Houston on the founders, they found 34% of all the quotes attributed to the founders were from the Bible.  Those men believed the Bible and it guided their life.  Matthews concern about elected officials using their power to establish a state religion mirrors that of the Danbury Baptists.  They sent Thomas Jefferson a letter expressing concern the founders were trying to establish a ‘state’ religion.  Jefferson’ response was each man was free to worship- or not worship- as he sees fit.  The first amendment protects that right. 

     Someone with a biblical worldview believes his primary reason for existence is to love and serve God.  For 200 years, there was little debate that America was founded by Christians based on Christian principles.  But with the growth of secularism in modern culture, absolute truth has been traded in for moral relativism: the teaching that knowledge, truth and morality exist in relation to culture and are not absolute. 

     Second, everyone has a worldview.  A worldview is formed and influenced during childhood and redefined during the young adult years, making it the decision-making outlook through adulthood.  Worldviews are influenced by childhood upbringing, family, religion, friends, geography and education. Johnson is being attacked because he said his worldview was based on the Bible, but every person has a worldview.  A secular humanist believes the material world is all that exists.  A Buddhist believes he can be liberated from suffering by self-purification.  A worldview is a combination of all a person believes to be true.  Their worldview becomes the driving force behind every motion, decision, and action.  Every elected official, regardless of Party affiliation, has a worldview- and a right to it.  A person’s worldview will affect their response in every area of their life.  All 535 members of Congress have a worldview that guides their actions.

     Third, there is no evidence Johnson will govern as a theocrat.  The Speaker is an attorney and a constitutional expert.  He recognizes the Constitution is the founding document that guides America.  While the Christian Bible- and the principles therein- was used as a guide, the founders were clear that Christianity not get preferential treatment.  They insured all theological thought to be given the same treatment in the marketplace of ideas.  Calling Johnson a theocrat is a red herring.   

     In a recent poll by veteran pollster George Barna, those holding a biblical worldview in the U.S.  has fallen to a mere 4%- a drop of a third from three years ago.  Barna said the new lows among American adults could effectively spell the ‘extinction’ of biblical beliefs in our nation.  “When you put the data in perspective, the biblical worldview is shuffling toward the edge of the cliff,” Barna says.  Barna says young people in particular are the most aggressive at rejecting biblical principles in our culture.  In a world of relativism, it’s refreshing to have a leader like Johnson who believes there is still absolute truth. 

The challenge Johnson faces is the same as what McCarthy faced- holding the GOP caucus together!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

TUG OF WAR!

by Steve Fair

     On Wednesday October 25^th Rep. Mike Johnson, (R-LA) was elected the 56^th Speaker of the U.S. House on the fourth ballot of voting.   He received 220 votes- 217 are required for election.  Johnson was the 4^th Republican nominee after the successful motion to vacate the speakership of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, (R-CA). Johnson is the second least experienced Speaker in U.S. history.  He has served in the House just 6 years and 10 months.  Three observations:

     First, who is Speaker of the House Mike Johnson?  He is a Louisiana lawyer.  He served two years in the Louisiana legislature before being elected to Congress.  He is the first Speaker from the Bayou state.  Johnson worked in private practice and founded Freedom Guard; a nonprofit legal ministry designed to represent Christian clients in lawsuits. 

    Johnson, 51, has served as vice chairman of the Republican caucus.  He has been a member of the Judiciary and Armed Services committees.  He is a past chair of the Republican Study Committee, a conservative group of House members.  Rep. Kevin Hern, (R-OK) is the current chair. 

     Johnson is a Southern Baptist.  He and his wife have been married for 24 years and have four children.  He has said, ‘my faith informs everything I do.”  He and his wife co-host a podcast ‘Truth be Told,’ in which they discuss public affairs from a Christian perspective.  In an interview with Sean Hannity after his Speaker election, Johnson said he believes in the core values of American conservatism; individual freedom, limited government, the rule of law, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets and human dignity. 

     Second, what will Speaker Johnson do?  The duties of the Speaker of the House are outlined in the U.S. Constitution.  They preside over the House, maintain order and govern the administration of House business.  The challenge Johnson faces is the same as what McCarthy faced- holding the GOP caucus together to get anything accomplished.  The nation is in the midst of a budget crisis with the Continuing Resolution (CR) expiring in less than three weeks.  Johnson has said he would start by negotiating with President Biden and Senate Democrats about funding bills.  He has floated the idea federal funding be cut by -8%. 

     Johnson also favors changing House rules to make it more difficult to remove the Speaker.  He supports helping Ukraine and Israel.  He wants Congress to be consulted before use of military force in the middle east.  If the Republican House caucus unifies and stays together, they could get concessions from Biden and Senate Democrats and actually govern. 

     Third, what will the Crazy Eight do?  The eight so-called Republicans who voted with the Democrat minority to remove McCarthy can sabotage Johnson.  With a razor thin majority, the tail (the Crazy Eight) can once again wag the dog.  There is no evidence the Crazy Eight learned a lesson in the last three weeks.  Don’t expect them to now be team players.  Expect them to disrupt, derail and to not cooperate  with the other 200 plus GOP members. 

     Johnson appears to be a principled conservative.  The task before him is getting  the 221 Republican caucus members to stay together.  It’s herding cats time.  Collaboration is the action of working with someone to produce or create something.  Republicans struggle to do that.  It’s past time to pull on the same end of the rope at the same time.  Playing tug of war with ourselves ain’t working.

Iran snookered the Biden administration!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

PLANT AN APPLE TREE!

by Steve Fair

     The situation between Israel and Hamas has prompted the Defense Department to send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense(THAAD) to the Middle East.  Two U.S. aircraft carriers and 2,000 Marines have also been deployed to the region.  Iran backed terrorist group, Hezbollah has threated to join the fight against Israel, but Israel has vowed to ‘cut off the head of the snake,’ should that happen.  Countries across the world are picking sides and WWIII could be right around the corner.

     The present conflict started on October 7^th (a Jewish holiday- Simhat Torah) when Hamas fired over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel in the span of 20 minutes.  That attack killed 1,400 people and injured 3,300 more.  Both Jews and Palestinians were killed.  Hamas, who occupies the Gaza Strip, is upset over the expansion of Israeli settlements in Gaza and general Israeli policy, especially their recent attempts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia.  Three observations:

     First, the U.S. has historically been a strong supporter of Israel.  The state of Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid.  U.S. taxpayers send $2.67 billion each year to help Israel with their military defense. The United States is Israel’s largest trading partner.  The U.S. has used it’s UN veto power 42 times against resolutions condemning Israel.  That’s more than half the vetoes the US has exercised.    In 1948, when Israel became a nation, the U.S. was the first country to recognize the new state.  Since the attack, President Biden has repeatedly stated his support for Israel, but his actions just a month ago likely help fund Hamas.

     In September, Biden arranged a prisoner release deal with Iran, which saw five Americans exchanged for five Iranian citizens held in the U.S.  Part of the deal was the transfer of $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions.  Prisoner for prisoner wasn’t enough to seal the deal.  Iran snookered the Biden administration and, in the process, helped get money to Hamas.  

     Second, are we living in the last days?   Biblically, the last days are the period from Christ’s ascension to His return, so we are definitely living in the ‘last days.’   But are we seeing the book of Revelation playing out before our eyes?  It’s certainly possible.  All the players are on the stage.  But Christ said no man knows the hour when He would return.  His command was for believers to ‘occupy’ until He returns.  Martin Luther was asked what he would do today if he knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow.  Luther responded, “I would plant an apple tree today.”  It’s human nature to gander into the future, but being obsessed with signs and wonders accomplishes little.

     Third, God gave Gaza to Abraham.  Some 4,000 years ago, Abraham traveled from the Chaldean city of Ur (present day Iraq) to Canaan.  God then told Abraham, the land was his and his offsprings.  Therein, lies the problem.  Both the Jews and the Palestinians are the offspring of Abraham.  The descendants of   half-brothers- Isaac and Ishmael- have been fighting for centuries over this same piece of ground. 

     The land in dispute is the Gaza Strip, a narrow piece of land on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea.  It borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north.  It has a total land mass of 141 square miles- an area about the size of Seattle, Washington.  Over 2 million people live there- both Jews and Palestinians.  It is the third most densely populated area in the world.  Since 2007, Hamas, a militant Islamist group, has ruled Gaza.  Because Hamas invaded Israel, expect Israelian ground forces to counterattack.    

     U.S. foreign policy should always include support for Israel.  Two thirds of the American people agree with the US supporting Israel, according to a recent poll.  No nation has stood with Israel more consistently or been a better friend than America.  That is- until September 2023, when President Biden was out negotiated by Iran.  Unsettling times, but while the rapture may be tomorrow, today plant an apple tree.

Those who preach principle don’t always practice it!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

TRUSTWORTHINESS

by Steve Fair

 

     On Wednesday the Republican caucus nominated Rep. Steve Scalise, (R-LA) current Majority Leader in the U.S. House, as their nominee for Speaker of the House.  The vote was 113-99, with second place finisher Rep. Jim Jordan, (R-OH) endorsing Scalise after the vote.  GOP members appeared to be united behind Scalise after the conference and a floor vote was expected on Thursday.  But, the CRAZY EIGHT representatives, who partnered with the Democrats to oust Speaker McCarthy, reneged and refused to support Scalise. This was after they had vowed to do so in caucus.  Scalise then withdrew himself from consideration for Speaker. 

     On Friday, the House caucus met again to select a Speaker nominee.  Rep. Jordan won the first ballot 124-81 over Rep. Austin Scott, (R-GA).  On a second ballot, a vote on who would support Jordan as the Party’s Speaker nominee, the vote was 152-55.  Republicans control the chamber by a slim 221-212 margin.  With the GOP conference spilt/fractured/splintered, they can afford to lose no more than four votes within their ranks to elect a Speaker.  Three observations:

     First, who is Rep. Jim Jordan?  Prior to entering public life, Jordan was the assistant wrestling coach at the Ohio State University for eight years.  He served in the Ohio state legislature (House and Senate) for ten years prior to running for Congress.  He has served nine terms in Congress. All told, Jordan has been an elected official for 29 of his 59 years.  He is a career politician. 

     Jordan is credited with ousting former Speaker of the House John Boehner eight years ago.  A founder of the House Freedom caucus, Jordan was a thorn in the side to Boehner, who describes him as a ‘political terrorist.’  “I just never saw a guy who spent more time tearing things apart- never building anything, never putting anything together,” Boehner says about Jordan.

     Jordan is conservative on policy.  He is pro-life, pro second amendment and an ally of former President Trump.  Trump has endorsed Jordan for the Speaker’s job.  

     Second, Americans don’t need to see how the sausage is made.  The GOP conference should conduct the Speaker vote in private.  The floor vote should be a mere formality.  Every effort to avoid the January 2023 15 ballot vote should be avoided.  That was a circus and the world doesn’t need to see the clown show.

     Third, those who preach principle don’t always practice it.  The CRAZY EIGHT voted with the Democrats to remove Speaker McCarthy based on principle.  But those same ‘principled’ members are pressuring the 55 members who voted to not support Jordan to violate their values.  They have rallied Trump supporters, through social media and the airways and the releasing of private phone numbers of members, to threaten the 55 with the rage of the Party’s base voters if they stand in the way of Jordan’s election.   Threats, ultimatums, oppression are the tactics of terrorists, not people of principle.  There is no respect for the principles/values of the 55 who disagree? 

     Intimidation and browbeating to get Jordan the Speaker’s post may work short term, but it won’t long term.  There has to be true unity in the GOP conference or the House will remain paralyzed. Bullying fellow members could win Jordan the Speaker’s race, but it won’t work in governing.  With a razor thin margin in the House, the next Speaker will still be herding cats. 

     The GOP proudly declares it is a Party of principle.  A great deal of the Republican Party platform is supposedly based on Biblical concepts.  Yet little of the Party’s conduct in the Speaker’s race resembles those precepts (no fruit of the Spirit). 

     Situational ethics, arrogance, threats, bullying and justifying bad behavior have served to make the GOP look like the Party of the devil.  Until the bombastic rhetoric is dialed down and the Party begins to practice what it preaches, voters will question their trustworthiness and that will result in defeat in 2024.