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.