Four months after his inauguration, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt seems to have done the peoples’ work in an exemplary manner, at least from my point of view. Much like PRESDT-45, he seems to have not let those of a different political and social outlook – with their constant false accusation and criticism – distract him from a promised agenda of
reducing excess and unnecessary spending and directing the thrust of state government activities toward more benefit of the citizens paying the bills.
This includes giving the OEA/NEA union activists a teacher pay increase without a designated tax increase. Hopefully that will mute their loud and unfair/untruthful accusations against him and his programs, but don’t count on that. Remember that those organizations are just mislabeled unions with leaders who have political leanings toward the C/F/S and an agenda of “more” – no matter how much has already been given – and without one bit of improvement in the product.
In fact, the outcomes of the education establishment of today simply cannot compare to that experienced by those of the Class of ’43 before and at least until after the war years.
In fact, solid information has come to me of some grade school teachers impressing students with the “wonders” of Islam.
That is in violation of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that no specific religion can be taught as a requirement. It is presumed that a comparative religion course would be permitted, with true facts and without a recommendation of any particular religion.
Most recently was a front-page story in the June 7 daily news(?)paper that carried the headline: “Stitt hopes to end paid lobbying.” This was followed by a sub-headline: “State entities paid outside lobbyists $1.5 million in FY (fiscal year) 2019, governor’s office finds.”
Credit was to Barbara Hoberock of the Tulsa World staff. It is a sad reflection on the morality of those in the employment of government, at any level, that they feel they have the keys to the tax treasury to hire professional lobbyists to push an agenda for their own gratification and enrichment. Also, it is grossly unfair to we paying the bills since if we want something passed or defeated in the Legislature, it is at our expense of time and money to let those representing our district know of our feelings and desires.
It has been no secret to me that such has been the practice, from legislators in my acquaintance, and in some cases the lobby expenditures have been able to swing the result. These employees should be made to understand that they work for the citizens and answer to those elected to represent them. Even more so, those in the federal Swamp who have had their own way for too long.
Governor Stitt is due a major compliment for taking the step to put a stop to the practice. Actually it has been my understanding that it was unlawful for state departments to hire lobby firms to twist the arms of legislators. Perhaps under the single party control in Oklahoma City from statehood in 1907 until about 12 years ago, it became a practice to just ignore the prohibitions.
Also, it seems wonderful that state revenues continue to increase, although there seems to have been somewhat of a reduction in the reporting of them lately. Maybe we could lobby the legislators to consider repealing some of the tax increases passed in recent sessions. They should be reminded that when taxes are lowered, the revenue goes up. It has done so every time there was a reduction since President John Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, in the early 1960s, much to the surprise of his party members. Those today still don’t believe it, or don’t want to since the power to tax is the power over those ruled lives’
And those of the C/F/S following, simply crave being able to rule the “deplorables.” In my memory is a statement by then-Governor Frank Keating that he was told by then-Texas Governor George W. Bush that “we will always outdo you since you tax everything in sight.”
Thus it seems that there is a bright future for us, provided we hold their feet to the fire and get those who have good sense out to the polls on Election Day. Also when voting, watch for instances of fraud.