Democrats did it.

This election cycle is more than just about the presidential election. Yes, it is the biggest election this cycle, and here in Oklahoma there is a lot of unrest with the possibility of reelecting the current president.  This election is more than Democrat vs. Republican.  It is more than Romney vs. Obama.  In November we will be faced many choices.  I encourage you to go to the poles and not vote straight party.  I ask that you investigate your candidates.  You pick the one who best fits your beliefs (they can be from a different party).  The presidential election should not affect how you vote for mayor, state representative, or state senator.  However, if you so choose to vote against the president and just mark straight party republican just as 2010; let me inform you of what you are doing.  

Oklahoma is not a swing state for the presidential race as a matter of fact Oklahoma is going red. If you are mad at the president for whatever reason and are planning to mark straight party republican, let me let you in on a little secret.  Democrats did it.  Here in Oklahoma our greatest successes where from Democrats.  I know this is hard to believe because society has deemed the "donkey" evil.   This is not true in the least bit, and I will prove it to you.  Now, if you are already mad at what I am writing I am sorry my intent is not to offend. I ask you read on, but only if you can do so with an open mind.  If you are from another state where the state GOP has accomplished these same feats that is wonderful; I am only writing in regards to Oklahoma politics.

If you are a fire fighter especially a volunteer, and your station has received grants so you may have the proper tools to protect your community from disaster.  It was because democratic leadership which pushed legislation to make sure your community could be protected.  The Democrats fought to protect and give you the tools needed to make sure you could be a child’s hero when their house was on fire.

I grew up in rural eastern Oklahoma.  I did not attend the same school my entire life; I started school when I was four years old.  I went to an elementary school which only has classes through the eighth grade.  It was under Democratic leadership which has allowed these small rural schools to prosper.  Through democratic defenses, the threat of forced consolidation is limited.  Democrats have and continue to fight to protect teachers, students and schools, as well as, give them the tools needed to educate students at the states expense.  Not to mention, it is democrat initiatives that fight to take care of our teachers after they retire.

If you believe Oklahoma’s Water should be kept here in Oklahoma for our future generations to prosper.  Then know it was a Democrat from SE Oklahoma who stood against Republican leadership to ensure a future for Oklahoma.  It was the Democrats that made sure Oklahoma has our most valuable resource here for our use and for future generations. Furthermore, it was a democrat who had the vision to build dams and lakes so Oklahoma could have the opportunity be an economic powerhouse here in the United States.

These are just a few of the examples of what democrats have done here in the great state of Oklahoma.  There have been members of the Republican Party who have fought for these same issues.  Just know that it was the democrats who did it.  If you want to vote straight party in November go ahead. Vote how you wish it is a free country.  Just know that here in Oklahoma when you vote straight party republican especially in East Oklahoma these are issues you could be voting against.  The most important thing is to vote down the ballot and do your research.

All in all we are all Oklahomans and we are all Americans, as long as, we remember that we can remain great.  God Bless Oklahoma and God Bless America!

When the Rope Comes Tight

The Governor is doing everything she can to make sure the income tax is reduced and no longer a tax here in Oklahoma.  The current majority is doing everything they can to make Oklahoma more like Texas.  There are many economical flaws in this plan, but there is a strategy behind all of this which is not being discussed.  The income tax accounts for approximately 1.7 billion dollars of Oklahoma's budget.   This is nearly a third of Oklahoma's entire budget.  The argument is this will be replaced by new business coming in and creating more jobs, increasing the average income, and selling more product.  Here is what will really happen.  In the Governor's plan to reduce and eliminate the income tax in ten years we will see many things change.  Schools will begin to lose money so every school board election will also be a school bond election (property tax).  Firefighters will see supplies and benefits cut, and unsafe bridges and roads will not get the care they need.

            So what will really happen.  In the ten years, it will take to reduce the income tax into nonexistence services will be cut.  Services provided the state of Oklahoma will be put on churches, the private sector, and property owners.  Within this ten year mark we will see, the current majority which not only holds a super majority in the legislature but all executive offices, become the minority.  When the people of Oklahoma lose their services provided by the State of Oklahoma the politics will swing the other way.  This may seem exciting to some and nerve racking to others, but don't worry it will not last long.  We will see a legislature elected to restore the services they lost over the past ten years. However, this cannot be done without restoring the tax levels lost in 2012. So this poses quite a conundrum. 

            If the democratic majority (in ten years) passes tax increases either on income or property and then it is some how approved of by the people of Oklahoma do you know what will happen to those who passed it? After all of this, after trying to fix the revenue issue of someone will lose their job.  When the rope comes tight  some good young elected leader will lose his or her election because their opponent will run on no new taxes. (sound familiar)  The reason they can run on this slogan is because they will not have to raise taxes because it will have already been done for them.

            In reality eliminating the state income tax is nothing more than a political ploy to keep the current majority in power for a long time.  Sure they may lose it periodically but they will quickly regain their control once the plan goes into full effect.  We need good elected leaders of both  parties. We need people who will work for the people.  Leaders who will work to provide opportunity for all individuals.  The next time you sit at the coffee shop or local diner and people begin talking about getting rid of the income tax please remember this blog post.  God Bless Oklahoma.

Democratic-Republic

I have written blogs about American Patriotism. I have discussed the ideology of compromise.  As a matter of fact I have not discussed any policy issues specifically. Well, that is about to change. I was recently reading a newspaper article from a small town in Eastern Oklahoma. It was written by a current State Senator.  I do not want to be viewed as against anyone elected official so I will not give the name of this senator.

            After I read the newspaper article I became extremely upset.  The senator was discussing the idea of reducing the number of elected officials at the state capitol building in Oklahoma.  This is ridiculous!  I am from a small community in Oklahoma whose population is not near large enough to compete with larger communities. Currently there are towns and counties in Oklahoma which have more than one elected official representing them.  We split the voice of small rural areas. The only benefit which comes from reducing the number of elected officials is whoever is currently in control, and currently it is the republican party. 

            One of the arguments used for the reducing of state legislators is it will save the state millions of dollars.  I will agree to that.  It will save us money, but we will shrink our voice. 

            When the states population begins to move into urban areas rural Oklahoma will lose. representation as it is.  So who will be the people that will lose representation by reducing.  Rural Oklahoma.  My voice my vote is priceless.  Rural Oklahoma's voice is worth more than money saved from reducing the number of elected officials.  I tell you now Oklahoma is better than just taking away our voice for petty party politics.  This is a great country and a great state.  We have the opportunity to elect officials to help guide this state and country.  So why would we want to take away our voice so we can increase the money in elections. 

            Oklahoma politics have always been very intimate.  People get to meet there elected officials and know them by their first name.  It is not about the number of TV ads or signs on the highway.  I promise you that if we reduce the number of elected officials, campaigns will be about who has the most money not who is the best person for the job. 

      God Bless Oklahoma!  God Bless America!

We the People

Bipartisanship is a rarely used term it seems like in today's politics.  Now, it is talked about all the time.  I am still ecstatic that the United States Capitol building is divided.  The best thing for good policy making in this country is for both sides of the argument to come together and meet in the middle. There is more and more of this happening in Washington D.C. today. The Honorable United States Senate is majority democrat.  The Honorable House of Representatives is s majority republican.  By not having one in complete control allows those who are making our laws in this country to have a unique opportunity.  The opportunity to create bipartisan public policy! An excellent example of this is the recent reopening of horse slaughter plants.  This seemed to be an issue that neither side could agree.  However, not only did the republican House of Representatives and the democratic Senate come together to pass this bill, the President of the United States (democrat) signed the bill.  This is bipartisanship at its finest.

            There is a need for both parties.  Not every democrat is correct and not every republican is correct both can be right and both can be wrong.  It takes a strong politician to stand up for his district no matter the party lines.  I was raised to believe that the House of Representatives is the true voice of the people, and being the voice of the people the people elected to represent their congressional districts should listen to their constituents. It is not always about their personal opinion.  A lot of times it is about how well they listen.

            Retail stores have two main rules.  The first is the customer is always right. The second is if the customer is wrong refer to rule number one.  This same rule applies to elected officials. The constituents are always right.  When the constituents are wrong refer to rule number one.  So, with that being said we are approaching the 2012 election year.  Elections are no more than a job interview.  We the people have the opportunity to "interview and hire us a representative" for the length of another election cycle.  

            This election cycle should not be about voting against someone.  Instead try to find someone to vote for!! It is about finding the right person for the job instead of just a different person for the job.  Believe it or not their are good people who are serving in Congress.  So when you begin seeing commercials and reading flyers please, please read up on the candidate (incumbent or challenger) make sure that the person you support is not just another guy for the job, but instead the RIGHT person for the job.  We live in a great country.  The reason this country is so great is because we as a society have the opportunity to let our voices become equal every two years.  When we vote no person's vote counts for more than yours. We become all men and women created equally.  I believe in good people serving in good positions.  This is our opportunity, because WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!  God Bless America.

Our home

Every September we have a memorial for an event that was designed to tear this country apart, but instead united this country.  There are two sides to that memorial the side which petrified this country and made us angry.  Then the other is the day after when we all came together and said WE are Americans and no one in the world can take that away no matter the attack.  Now, is it not funny that just a few days later people begin to speak negatively about politics and policy how the other side is trying to destroy this country?  We are all Americans with different ideas and opinions, be respectful and positive about this country.  It takes all different walks of life to make this Nation work.  Not one is completely right and not one is completely wrong.  This is America founded by those looking for liberation from tyranny.  We have a Constitution which to this day is envied by the world.  I Love this country and believe it is still the land of opportunity; the place where dreams can be made and fears can be conquered.  We conquered them before and we will always continue to conquer them until the day comes when those who live in one area look down on those who live in another part of the Country.  When an elected official is on the television says something you do not like or votes away you disagree with remember this: They wanted to change something so they became involved and ran for office.  That is what makes us great that we can all stand up and make our voices heard.  My fellow Americans never forget September 11, 2001, never forget those that died, and never forget we are all Americans because it is all of us that make this country strong.  I do not care about your political affiliation, I do not care what your back ground is, and I do not care where you were born if you are an American; be proud to be so.  I ask you say the pledge of Allegiance and think about the words and what they mean.  I ask you revue the words to the National Anthem and open a history book. I ask you thank a soldier.  I ask that instead of pointing the finger and saying everything that is wrong that instead you grab a hammer and nails and fix it.  This is American and I am an American.  I am willing to pick up my tool belt and go to work, how about you?  This next year instead of cussing each other with the negativity how about instead coming together to say I can help you with that.  The negativity is driving me crazy and I am ready for a change not in the ideologies but the way we work with one another. This is where I call home.  GOD BLESS AMERICA and OKLAHOMA!!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSJoZiB-UGY&ob=av2e

United We Stand

There are times in our history when American’s are literally trying to separate America. Whether it was new ideologies, politics, color of skin, race, sex, or even religion. There were times when this group would push that group and that group would push this group. And then the groups would try to make all of America choose between the two. One group would grab a seam and the other group would grab the other and they would begin to tear. However, when all hope was lost and their seemed to be no light of day something would happen. A cataclysmic event would happen and shake the face of the earth. Sometimes it would be a catastrophe so horrible no could even fathom what happened. Other times it would be a positive reinforcement of what The United States of America truly represents. There were times when this reinforcement came from a single hockey team or a single swimmer. Then other times this event was 9/11, hurricane Katrina and New Orleans, or the Oklahoma City Bombing.
These events would grab America by the heart and every single soul unites under ONE flag, ONE heart, and ONE nation. John F. Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country?” I ask what can we as Americans do for our country without trying to rip it up. The only reason we do so is because we all want our opinions heard and we want to exercise our rights. This wonderful this is what America is about. Why can we not always stand united? Why does it require some type of event to unite the USA? I remember watching the planes and seeing the flags and reading signs that said “UNITED WE STAND” Does it take something as horrible as September 11, 2001 to unite this country?
We are all so very fortunate to be able to express our opinions with out worry of punishment. We will never completely agree with everything our presidents say. We will never always agree with our neighbor. Does that mean we cannot consider them as an equal because they do not believe what we believe? That is not the America I was raised with!!! If it is not possible to consider others as Americans; then the America I was raised with is dead and gone and is only legend told by those who fought for this country. If this is not the America we stand for then July 4th 1776 is meaningless.
I tell you I still believe in America. I still believe that we stand United and United we stand. Because we are the LAND OF THE FREE and the HOME OF THE BRAVE! If this is not the case then I believe in fairy tales. GOD BLESS AMERICA!