Trump is hated by both Ds and Rs- Why? He is OUT of office!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

U.S NEEDS MORE INTERLOPERS!

_{by Steve Fair}

 

      On Saturday, the U.S. Senate acquitted former President Donald Trump.  The vote was 57-43.  Seven Republicans joined all fifty Democrat senators to convict.  It was the most bi-partisan impeachment vote in our nation’s history.  There were a couple of surprises; North Carolina Senator Richard Burr (North Carolina) and Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voted to convict.  Neither had announced their intent to do so before the vote.  They joined Senators Romney (Utah), Murkowski (Alaska), Collins (Maine), Sasse (Nebraska), and Tomey (Pennsylvania).  Burr and Tomey are retiring from the Senate, so they will not face voters again.   Collins, Sasse and Romney are not up in two years, so only one of the seven will face their constituents in 2022.  Cassidy was reelected in November 2020 with 60% of the vote in conservative Louisiana.  Sasse was also reelected in 2020.  Murkowski is up for reelection in 2022.  Sarah Palin is reportedly considering a primary challenge to Murkowski. 

     Senator Mitch McConnell, in a blistering, searing speech after the acquittal said, “the mob was assaulting the Capitol in his name,” but ultimately, McConnell joined his caucus and voted to acquit because he said the trial to remove was unconstitutional since Trump was already out of office.  Three observations about the second Trump impeachment:

     First, the whole impeachment charade was a farce.    How do you remove someone from office who are already left office?  If someone quits their job, only an unbalanced boss follows them down the street and yells, “You’re Fired!”  The Democrats had no constitutional basis for conducting a trial in the Senate and ‘removing’ a former president, but they forged ahead anyway.  Why do they fear Donald Trump so much?  Are they so offended by his bombastic, verbose behavior they believe they must protect Americans from him?  Are they outraged by his name-calling and insulting of their ranks?  If that’s the case, it would seem that is ‘selective outrage,’ because many Democrat members of Congress are more derogatory, melodramatic and theatrical than the former POTUS.  The real reason the trial was conducted was to permanently damage Trump’s reputation and derail his planned comeback in four years.     

     Second, Trump is not going away.  Immediately after the acquittal, he released a statement stating: "It is a sad commentary on our times that one political party in America is given a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters, and transform justice into a tool of political vengeance, and persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree. I always have, and always will, be a champion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honorably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate.”  Instead of being ashamed or contrite, he appears to wear the impeachments as a badge of honor.  With a passionate, devout, adoring base, Trump would likely clear a 2024 primary if he enters the race.

     Third, it’s not just Democrats that want Trump to go away.  As evidenced by the trial vote, many Republicans- elected officials and activists- believe the GOP would be better served if the Party moved to the next generation of leaders.  Many of those who want him gone want the baton passed to them. 

     Trump’s real appeal to the American voter was he is an interloper, a trespasser in politics/government.  No other U.S. president was more a political outsider than Donald Trump.  His existence and continued popularity flies in the face of career politicos in both Parties.  The country could use more political interlopers.

     Personal note: In December of 2014, I took a week of my life and knocked hundreds of doors in Shreveport, Louisiana for then Congressman Bill Cassidy who was running against Senator Mary Landrieu.  Cassidy credited the 35 member OKGOP deployment team for his close runoff win.  Disappointing that a Republican from a conservative state would vote for an unconstitutional action and more disappointing that I helped get him elected. 

CITIZENSHIP IS EVERY AMERICAN'S DUTY!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

WILL THE SWAMP WIN?

by Steve Fair

     Duty is defined as a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility; a task or action someone is required to perform.  The mandatory duties of American citizens include (1) obeying the law(lots of them), (2) paying taxes(federal, state, local), (3) serving on a jury when summoned, and (4) registering with the Selective Service.  A Pew Research poll in 2018 found 91% of Americans thought voting was important.  90% thought it important to follow what was going in government and 89% thought answering the call to jury duty important.  But the totals were much less for those who believed these duties were ‘very important.’ 

Consider the turnout in local school board, municipal and bond elections.  A relatively small percentage of those eligible to vote in the election actually participate, even though the decisions made by those local officials impact citizen’s lives more than the decisions made by Congress.  The founders of America expected citizens to be engaged in their government.  They expected them to educate themselves on issues, pay attention to what their government was doing, and hold elected officials accountable.  Where did we go wrong and how do we get back on track as a country?

     First, as America grew in population and prosperity, citizens got lazy.  Voter turnout in presidential elections steadily declined in the 20^th century.  In the last three presidential elections, turnout has been up, but still just 66.7 of the voting eligible population cast a ballot in 2020.  As per capita income increased, interest in government policy became focused solely on how it impacted an individual’s wallet.  Americans voted for the candidate whose policies helped them fiscally.  President Bill Clinton ran his 1992 presidential campaign against George HW Bush on the theme- ‘it’s the economy stupid,’ and won.  Apathy and unconcern by citizens about what elected officials resulted in no accountability, which in turn created ‘the swamp,’ at all levels of government.  Politics became an industry with well-paid career opportunities for elected officials and staffers and bureaucrats.   

     Second, special interests got aggressive.  Seizing the opportunity created by indifference of the general public, buying elected officials became the norm in America.  Large businesses, trade associations and cash rich non-profits financed candidates who would do their bidding once elected.  The result was a huge influx of money into politics.  The average U.S. House member spends 2 million dollars on their campaign.  In 2018, U.S. House candidates that spent the most money won the election.   That is par for the course in all elections.  The consequence is elected officials catering to those special interests and not their entire constituency.   

     Are we past the point of no return in America?  Has ‘the swamp’ won?  Hopefully it is not a hopeless situation and we can recover.  The fundamental problem is older Americans haven’t stayed engaged in their government.  Their laid-back, intermittent involvement in exercising citizenship gave rise to a overreaching, intrusive government.  In turn, younger Americans have little idea about our form of government because their elders have been terrible examples.  Most Americans have never read the Constitution and have no idea elected officials are sworn to protect and defend it, while most ignore it.  Citizenship is every American’s duty.  Until more Americans exercise their moral duty, the swamp wins.

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.’