AMERICANS STICKING IT TO THEMSELVES!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

STICK IT TO THE MAN!

by Steve Fair

     How did America get in the shape it is in? $34 trillion in debt ($103,065 per person), government interference and regulations that intrude on citizen’s lives.  Elected leaders who regularly violate the founding document they are sworn to uphold.  

     Americans are increasingly disgusted with their elected officials.  Over 25% of voters polled in May by Pew Research had a negative view of both political Parties.   The source of these problems has to be the work of the establishment, but just who is ‘the establishment?’

     In 1841, Ralph Waldo Emerson gave a speech to the Masonic Temple in Boston entitled, ‘The Conservative.’  Emerson described those in control of government, ‘the establishment,’ and concluded the speech with; ”amidst a planet peopled with conservatives, one Reformer may yet to be born.”  We need a true reformer!      

       In the 1960-70s, the establishment was ‘the man.’  Vietnam draft dodgers and anti-war activists used ‘sticking it to the man’ as their battle cry.

     Fighting for Barry Goldwater in 1964, Phyllis Schlafly wrote, A Choice, not an Echo,” a series of anecdotes illustrating how the GOP had a group of kingmakers who had chosen moderate presidential candidates for seven election cycles and state primaries, while held, were largely ignored.  It was the beginning of the end for the Eastern elite who controlled the Republican Party.  Schlafly called the elitist ‘the establishment.’  Goldwater won the nomination and broke the establishment’s hold over the Party.  The GOP has never been the same.

     Many of those involved in politics have been sticking it to the man for years.   They were toiling in the trenches alone while their fellow citizens were paying no attention.  They were talking about out-of-control spending, an expanding government footprint, and too much money in elective politics.  They kept on keeping on, even when they lost most elections.  They celebrated small incremental gains.  They unselfishly invested their time, talent and treasure for a cause.  But now those grey hairs are branded political establishment and their ineffectiveness is the reason America is in the shape it is in.   What a crock!  America is in the shape it is in because of three things:

     First, Americans are apathetic and indifferent.  The number of candidates for elective office who don’t vote is staggering.  President Trump had not voted in a primary election for 21 years before he ran for president.  Governor Stitt had never voted in a primary before he ran.  People roll out of bed and decide they want to ‘get involved’ in politics, but shouldn’t involvement start by showing up at the ballot box before your name is on the ballot?  Not voting used to be a kiss of death to a candidate, but Americans don’t care anymore, because they vote with less frequency.  Reliable, faithful voters are ignored by candidates, because those voters pay attention and they vet the candidates themselves.  In today’s America, apathy is justified and celebrated and dedication and commitment is for fools.

     Second, Americans major on the minors.  When citizens do politically ‘wake up,’ they are often monolithic.  They tend to focus on one issue that is important to them.  Few are concerned about major issues like the national debt and the size of government.  Republicans campaign as fiscal conservatives and after getting elected spend more money than Democrats and no one blinks an eye. 

     Third, Americans are polarized.  There is no unity.   Devil Anse Hatfield and Ole Ran’l McCoy agreed more than Republicans and Democrats.  Within the Parties themselves, ideology purity is required.  Tolerance for a differing view is considered weakness.  Voting records and policy positions are distorted and caricatured.  Faith and religion are exploited for political gain.  Secret handshakes and code words help identity the like-minded in order to separate the wheat from the chaff.  Respect for the independent thinker is non-existent.  It is unsustainable-a house divided against itself cannot stand.

     The problem in America is not the establishment.  In a self-governing system of government, Americans get the government they deserve.  They stuck it to the man, but unfortunately the man is us!

Oklahoma legislature fails to pass state income tax cut!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

OKIES SAFE TILL FEBRUARY!

by Steve Fair

     The Oklahoma legislature adjourned sine die the Thursday before Memorial Day.  The state legislature is required to complete their business by the last Friday in May and the lawmakers just made it.  After a very public budget process instigated by Governor Kevin Stitt, the budget was finally agreed upon at the last minute.  Stitt attempted to get public sentiment stirred up for a cut to the state income tax by holding public negotiating sessions.  Senate President Pro Tempe Greg Treat, (R-Edmond) opposed the cuts and ultimately Stitt agreed to back off for the cut and sign the budget.  Treat termed out of the Senate.  Speaker of the House Charles McCall, (R-Atoka) is also term limited, so the legislature will have new leadership next year.  Here are three pieces of legislation they passed this session.

     First, impermissible occupation is now a crime in Oklahoma.  HB 4156, authored by Treat and McCall passed the House 77-20 and the Senate 39-8.  It is similar to Texas Senate Bill #4 which permits local police to arrest people they suspect may not have legal immigration status.  Treat and McCall say Attorney General Gentner Drummond wanted the legislation to help crack down on illegal marijuana grows and human trafficking.  Many of the state’s law enforcement community oppose HB#4156 because revenue to add manpower to enforce the law wasn’t included.  It is an unfunded mandate.  It is set to become effective July 1^st.  The federal government has threatened to sue the state if they don’t agree to not enforce the law.  AG Drummond says he welcomes the lawsuits. 

     Second, Stitt did get concessions from Treat.  To get the governor to sign the budget, the legislature agreed to (1) give District court judges a +7% salary increase- from $145,567 to $155,756 annually, (2) appropriate $20 million to the Quick Action Closing Fund, a slush fund used by the governor to convince companies to move to Oklahoma, (3) keep funding the State-Tribal Litigation Fund, (4) Implement a task force to potentially a business court system in Oklahoma. 

     What are business courts?  Good question.  Senate Bill #473, authored by Sen. Lonnie Paxton, (R-Tuttle) creates an 11-member task force to study implementing business courts in OKC and Tulsa.  Over half the states have business courts that specialize in resolving business disputes.  Stitt contends corporations tend to not locate to states without business courts and they are needed to compete for new businesses. 

     Third, Oklahoma will not be using ranked voting.  HB 3156, authored by Sen. Brent Howard, (R-Altus) prohibits the use of ranked choice voting in elections at any level in Oklahoma.   Nine other states have similar laws.  Ranked choice voting is a system in which voters rank candidates in preference from their first choice to last.  Advocates say it eliminates runoffs and saves money.  Critics point out the person who gets the most votes could actually lose and the process itself is too complicated.

     Oklahoma taxpayers received tax relief when the legislature and Stitt agreed to eliminate the sales tax on groceries (HB#1955).  The cut only applies to the state’s 4.5% state sales tax, so consumers will still pay the local sales tax, which is as high as 7% in some municipalities.  The cut goes into effect in November. 

     The 2024 legislature failed to (1) identify government waste, (2) implement zero based budgeting, and (3) return the excess revenue collected to taxpayers.    

     All in all, the legislature earned a B.  Until they get serious about rightsizing government and remembering the taxpayer, that is a generous grade. 

     Will Rogers once said about the Oklahoma legislature: “When those boys are in session, neither man, beast or property is safe.”  Okies are safe until February 2025.

When the rule of law is ignored courts become marsupial!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW!

by Steve Fair

 

     For the first time in American history, a former president is a convicted felon.  A Manhattan jury found President Donald J. Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up an affair with Stormy Daniels.  Judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11th, just days before the GOP nominating convention in Milwaukee.  Trump faces the possibility of prison time, but more likely will get probation. 

     “This is long from over,” the former president said moments after the jury’s decision was announced.  In a YouGov survey 50% of Americans agreed with the jury’s decision, 30% didn’t agree and 19% had no opinion.  YouGov is a UK based polling group that has faced allegations of poll manipulation in the past, so their work should be taken with a grain of salt.

     Trump’s conviction does not prevent him from running for president.  The only U.S. Constitutional requirements are the candidate (1) be over 35 years old, (2) a natural born citizen, and (3) been a resident of the U.S. for 14 years.  It would not be the first time a felon has run for president.  Eugene Debs, the Socialist Party candidate in 1920, was in prison on sedition charges when he won 3.4% of the popular vote.  Like Debs, Trump could be running the White House from the Big House.  Three observations:

     First, it’s not certain Trump received a fair trial.  That doesn’t mean he didn’t, but the criminal justice system in America is not flawless.  Innocent people are convicted and guilty ones walk every day in the courts of the United States.  Trump claims the trial was rigged, but he claims every battle he loses is rigged.  He also claims President Biden has weaponized the justice department and he is being unfairly targeted. 

     Most legal experts believe the prosecution’s theory Cohen’s payment to Daniels was a de facto donation to the Trump campaign is a stretch.  They contend Trump was targeted for political reasons and the reason was to prevent him from winning the election.  Expect the appellate courts to determine if the trial was a fair one.    

     Second, the influence of the conviction on the 2024 election is yet to be seen.  It could help Trump, or it could hurt his candidacy.  In a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 10% of Republicans claimed they are less likely to vote for him after the conviction.  56% of GOP voters said it had no effect on how they would vote and 35% said they were more likely to support him.  The 2024 race is expected to be very close and a few thousand votes in five states could determine who wins.  Trump has used the convictions to raise a ton of money, so it could also get him votes.  

     Third, no one is above the law.  If Trump broke the law, he should be held accountable.  It is unfair and ironic the Clintons, Bidens, and others have skirted the law for years.  Prosecutors have turned a blind eye to their shenanigans for years, but that is no excuse to break the law.  If Trump broke the law, he should pay the price. 

     Written above the main entrance of the U.S. Supreme Court Building are the words: “The republican endures and this is the symbol of its faith.  EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW.” 

     Americans should expect all citizens, regardless of their Party affiliation or political views, will be treated equally in the judicial system.  When misbehavior is excused, and the rule of law ignored, there are no rules and the courts become marsupial and the republic succumbs. 

Most Americans are not informed patriots, but ignorant passives.

Weekly Opinion Editorial

 

INFORMED PATRIOTS

by Steve Fair

 

     “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it,” Mark Twain said.

     The original 16^th century European meaning of the term patriot applied to anyone who was a fellow countryman, regardless of socio-economic status.  The term patriot has evolved today into meaning the feeling of love, devotion, and a sense of attachment to a country or state. 

     George Orwell distinguished patriotism from nationalism saying patriotism is by nature defensive, both militarily and culturally.  Nationalism is concerned primarily with a desire for power and prestige.  Anarchists (no government) oppose patriotism.  Because they don’t recognize government authority or geographic boundaries, anarchists declare patriotism arrogant and egotist.  Three observations:

     First, there are patriots of every political stripe.  Americans of all races, ethnicities, and political affiliation can be patriots.  They can love America.  There are times to agree to disagree, not fight to the death with those who differ.   When the bullets are flying in combat, there is no time to check a fellow soldier’s voter ID card for Party affiliation.  All are patriots in the foxhole or in Arlington National cemetery.  Republicans and Democrats don’t have a monopoly on patriotism.  Recognizing Americans- both liberal and conservative- can be patriots is a good first step to healing the divide in this country.

     Second, the term patriot is misused today.  It’s used as a ‘code word’ in certain groups.  The neo-patriots are the pure, others the unclean.  The term patriot is tossed around like a beach ball at a rock concert to identify those who jump higher and run faster than establishment types.  Patriot has become a term to divide, not unite, spilt, not fuse.   Often used by those who claim the name of Christ, it brings us to the third point:   

     Third, Christians should be patriots of heaven.  This world is not their home- they are just a passing through.  Believers should be focused on the eternal, not the temporal.  They should be good citizens and patriotic.  They should exercise civic responsibility.  But they should recognize the temporal nature of politics.  Their allegiance and focus should be on loving God with all their heart, soul and mind and their neighbor as themselves.  When Christians use worldly tactics just to win a temporal election, they put into question their spiritual citizenship.  

     In his farewell address to the nation in 1989, President Ronald Reagan said America needed an ‘informed patriotism.’  “We need to do a good job teaching our children what American is and what she represents,” the Gipper said.  In the 34 years since he said that, Americans are not informed patriots, but ignorant passives.

     Memorial Day was Monday.  It was established in 1868 to honor soldiers who died during the Civil War and is always celebrated on the last Monday of May.    Most Americans look at it as a day to get together with family, have cookouts and start the Summer.  If they were ‘informed, they would recognize the liberty they enjoy cost the lives of real patriots.  American freedom doesn’t exist because a political pharisee shouted louder and was more been more bombastic than a political rival.  Liberty is alive because of the sacrifice of unselfish heroes, who loved country more than life.  May we never lose sight of that!    

Americans have an opportunity to remember the past!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

THE MUGWUMPS!

by Steve Fair

     President Stephen Grover Cleveland served as the 22^nd and 24^th president of the United States (POTUS).  He is the only president in American history to serve non-consecutive presidential terms.  A former mayor of Buffalo and governor of New York, Cleveland was the first Democrat to win the presidency after the Civil War.  A preacher’s kid, Cleveland was described as being honest, self-reliant and being firmly committed to his principles.  He won his first term in 1884 against Republican nominee, James Blaine, the former House Speaker.  Blaine had been involved in several shady deals in his political career and Cleveland promised to ‘drain the swamp.’  Aided by the Mugwumps, Republican activists who rejected Blaine’s history of corruption, Cleveland won all four swing states, including New York by less than 1,200 votes and won the presidency by a razor thin electoral college margin. 

     Cleveland’s first term included his getting married to a 21-year-old.  He was 47.  He also created the Interstate Commerce Commission.  He removed import tariffs.  One of the most volatile issues during his term was if U.S. currency should be backed by both gold and silver.   Views on the silver issue were geographic- Northeasters in both Parties- favored holding firm on the gold standard, while Western and Southern representatives called for the free coinage of silver.  Cleveland favored holding to the gold standard.

     In 1888, the GOP nominated Senator Benjamin Harrison from Indiana.  He campaigned heavily on the tariff issue, which had negatively affected the industrial states in the North.  Cleveland won the popular vote, but Harrison easily won the Electoral College vote.  In his four years, Harrison imposed tariffs and approved the free coinage of silver, both controversial issues. 

    In 1892, Cleveland won the Democratic nomination on the first ballot and Harrison was nominated by the Republicans.  Unlike their former matchup, the election of ’92 has been described as the cleanest, quietest, and most creditable campaign since the end of the Civil War.  Harrison’s wife was dying and he didn’t campaign at all.  She died two weeks before the November election and Cleveland stopped campaigning to show his respect.  No doubt that wouldn’t happen today.

     Aided by a strong third-Party candidate who hurt Harrison among GOP voters, Cleveland easily defeated Harrison and returned to the White House for his second term.  Three observations:

     First, 2024 is very similar to 1892.  Two presidents are running against one another.  Both have clear track records.  Both have occupied the Oval Office.  Both have measurable results in economics, foreign policy, immigration policy and governing style.  This gives voters a unique opportunity for a side-by-side comparison of results.  The political spinning normally associated with campaigns is hard to do when a candidate has a clear track record.

     Second, Mugwumps could be the difference in 2024.  In 1884, the Mugwumps put principle over Party.  They crossed Party lines because they couldn’t bear to support their nominee.   Those in their own Party called them sanctimonious and ‘holier than thou’ because they wouldn’t compromise.  The Mugwumps wanted the swamp drained more than they wanted a Party victory.  140 years ago, the Mugwumps were Republicans.  Could they be Democrats this year?

     Third, history doesn’t repeat itself.  That is a common misconception.  History is linear, not cyclical.  Mark Twain said, “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”  That means details, circumstances, settings and names may be similar, but history isn’t recycled.  Philosopher George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”  Americans have an opportunity to remember the past when casting their vote in November.

SQ#832 WOULD HURT THE VERY PEOPLE IT CLAIMS IT WOULD HELP!

Weekly Opinion Editorial

DON’T SIGN #832!

by Steve Fair

     Oklahoma is one of twenty-four states with an initiative petition process.  The process allows citizens to circulate a petition among voters for the purpose of getting an issue on the ballot.  To get a State Question on the ballot as a statute, eight (8) percent of the voters who voted in the last governor’s race must sign the petition.  To make it a Constitutional amendment, fifteen (15) percent of voters must sign.  Two examples of how the initiative petition has worked in Oklahoma:

      SQ#640 was the result of a 1991-92 grassroots initiative petition movement of less than a dozen people in the Sooner state.  Those dedicated, hardworking Okies were sick and tired of getting a tax increase every year from the legislature, so they rolled up their sleeves and did something about it.  They collected the necessary signatures to get the issue on the ballot, educated the electorate about excessive taxation and government spending.  The result was a Constitutional amendment being approved by a 56-44 margin requiring the legislature to approve tax increases by a 3/4^th majority vote of the legislature or a direct vote of the people.  Up until two years ago, the Oklahoma legislature had not passed a tax hike in Oklahoma.  SQ#640 has saved Oklahoma taxpayers billions of dollars and is an example of a positive use of the initiative petition process.  Many of those who spearheaded SQ#640 have passed to their eternal reward and those left are now labeled RINOs by the modern grassroots, but that dirty dozen knew true grassroots politics, how to move the needle and make a positive change.

     But not all initiative petitions are good.  An example of a bad petition is SQ 780/781.  Oklahomans passed SQ#780/781 in 2016 under the pretense (lies) of criminal justice reform.   The consequences of 780/781 has resulted in de-criminalizing and reclassifying former felonies and a marked increase in crime across the state.  The point is Oklahoma’s initiative petition process can be used for good and bad, but through it all, the process has worked equally for all citizens.

     Raise the Wage Oklahoma (RTWO) is out collecting signatures to get proposed State Question #832 on the November ballot right now.  RTWO has until July 14^th to get 92,263 valid voter signatures.  SQ#832, if approved by voters, would raise the minimum wage in the Sooner state to $9 hourly in 2025 and gradually increase to $15 hourly in 2029.  Oklahoma’s current minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal.  Expect to soon encounter paid solicitors seeking your autograph.  Three observations about SQ#832:

     First, businesses don’t pay wages- their customers do.  Businesses pass their cost (including labor) onto their customers in the form of a price increase.  Raising the minimum wage is a foolish idea that will feed inflation.  Businesses are not sponges.  They don’t ‘absorb’ costs.  It is naïve to believe raising the minimum wage will not result in increases in the price of goods/services to the consumer.

     Second, the vast majority of those receiving minimum wage are young people.  They are often working their first job.  If a business is told they have to pay a higher wage, they will reduce the number of employees so they stay within their necessary labor factor percentage.  According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), President Biden’s plan to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 would result in 1.4 million Americans losing their jobs.  That is why Democratic leadership has backed off the proposal.

     Third, government should not be telling business what to pay their employees.  Let a free market determine what wage a person is worth.  If a business is not being fair to their employees, they will have high employee turnover, and will lose their best and brightest.  A good businessperson recognizes their employee’s worth, pays them accordingly and usually prospers.  Penny pinching, cheapskate, money grubbers rarely succeed in business. 

     Don’t sign the SQ#832 petition! If it does get on the ballot, don’t vote for an increased minimum wage.  It will hurt the very people it claims it would help.

REAGAN'S 11TH COMMANDMENT IS HERESY IN TODAY'S GOP!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

 A CIRCULAR FIRING SQUAD!

by Steve Fair

     A circular firing squad is defined as when a group experiences considerable disarray because members engage in intense internal disputes and mutual recrimination.  The disputes can be issue or personality driven, real or perceived, large or small, but the goal is to humiliate, discredit, shame and embarrass the opponent.  Accomplishment and performance take a back seat to group think.  Individual thought is discouraged.   Adherence to purity tests is a requirement for membership.  Disagreeing in a civil manner is considered a weak and compromising attribute.  Tolerance for differing ideas is not tolerated.  Bickering reigns in a circular firing squad group.  Until one side gains the upper hand and forces the ‘impure’ to give up and leave the group, chaos reigns.  Nothing gets accomplished until that happens. Three observations about a circular firing squad:

     First, the measure of success of ideas is at the polls. It is not in the triumph of a political convention or rally.  It’s when the general public embraces an ideology or buys into the ideas of a group that success can be celebrated.  

     Both major political Parties are experiencing unprecedented internal conflict.  Ideology separations divide them, making unification next to impossible.  The fruit of these round discharge gangs is gridlock, bottlenecks, and logjams.  The American people are the real losers when groups form circular firing squads and kill their own.

     Second, Ronald Reagan is a false teacher in today’s GOP.  While running for governor of California in 1966, Ronald Reagan said: “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.”  Reagan coined the phrase the 11^th commandment. Reagan used the 11^th commandment philosophy to unite Republicans.  Today that is heresy. 

     Reagan also said a person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and ally, not a 20% traitor.  Reagan used that philosophy to attract conservative Democrats to vote for him in 1980 and 1984.  In today’s GOP, both statements are blasphemy and ignored just like the Decalogue (10 commandments) is ignored in personal interactions.  Political pharisees abound and are thankful they are not as other men are- especially those in their own Party who disagree with them. 

     Third, anger alone rarely produces positive change.  Anger can ignite a cause or fuel a movement.  It can awaken an apathic electorate and provide energy, but at some point, anger must transform to clarity and action.  If anger doesn’t mutate, it will fail.  Anger is prevalent in society. 

     In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said conflict was to be settled quickly with an opponent, but those who love conflict don’t want to settle disagreements.  To the contentious, working out conflict is considered compromise and accommodation.  Discord and squabbles propel their existence and without it, they are unfulfilled.  The fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control are not present in their life. 

     Politics is a temporal activity that incites strong emotions in people.  Often that passion spawns circular firing squads.  Recognizing no political philosophy, idea or single politician can save America is the first step to saving America.  Only God can move on men’s hearts and draw them to Him.  Pray He does before the circular firing squads destroy the United States.