The following is a previously published column.
My view of the new year has adjusted this time and one reason is because I now have two grandchildren, a granddaughter, 20 months, and a grandson, 3 months.
My hope for them is a real relationship to God through Jesus Christ and a life filled with purpose, peace and joy.
I am concerned about the world they have been born into.
Here are some thoughts for 2020.
I am ashamed to say that I grew up as a Democrat. I changed my registration in shortly after college when I realized that Democrats approved of the murder of unborn babies.
I have friends who are Democrats and they are decent folks. But they should be ashamed of the national leaders of the Democrat Party and their disgusting impeachment debacle. You don’t get rid of a president just because you hate him on a personal level and despise his policies (which are working, by the way).
I am worried about Oklahoma in 2020.
First, we are rushing to liberalize every liquor law on the books. My guess is that alcohol consumption is rising dramatically. People who have a drinking problem can no longer go into a QuikTrip, a grocery store or a pharmacy without being surrounded by wine and strong beer.
This is too much.
Secondly, Oklahoma has more than 140 tribal casino operations. Gambling (not gaming) dominates tribal life. When Gov. Kevin Stitt dared to challenge the gambling compact, the tribes launched a caustic public relations campaign to criticize his right to review the compact. Now they will work to make sure he serves only one term.
Thirdly, Oklahoma passed medical marijuana because the people of this state thought it would be restricted to those people who felt they couldn’t get pain relief elsewhere. It has become recreational marijuana as hundreds of dispensaries are popping up everyone. If a patient complains of pain, most doctors will write a prescription for a marijuana license. And now there are petitions to essentially legalize pot smoking.
Fourthly, Tulsa has a mayor and City Council that bends over backward to accommodate the Homosexual Agenda. They named a street “Pride Street” and councilors dressed up and marched in the “Pride Parade.”
Folks, this is not right and it is a big indicator of a moral slide.
Fifthly, there is a movement to empty the state prisons because it “gives Oklahoma a bad image” to have so many people (especially women) locked up. I am all for rehabilitation and second chances but some people want to cut the prison population in half. They don’t want anyone in prison for drug offenses or “non-violent” property crimes. God help us if these people get their way.
And while these things are developing, Christianity is under assault. Public school teachers can’t talk to students about Jesus Christ. Major denominations are abandoning Biblical principles.
There is hope.
Tulsa has a great number of wonderful, moral people who care about this city, state and nation. There are churches here who teach the Bible and train children to do what is right.
Tulsa has some fine Christian schools that confirm want children are taught by the parents instead of attacking their family values.
Tulsa has some great Christian businesses and businessmen who love God and that is reflected not only in their business but in their personal lives. The new Liberty Center is a wellspring of great information for people who want to learn in a Christian environment.
Here are some things I would like to see in 2020.
- An end to nonpartisan municipal elections
- New justices on the Oklahoma Supreme Court
- New Republican leadership in the Oklahoma House and Senate
- An increase in Bible training and literacy
- An end to liberal bias in the local news media
- More government efficiency on the municipal and state level
- Lower taxes
- Lower utility bills
- A revision the City of Tulsa’s relationship with the regional chamber
- Better road repair management
- Fewer school superintendents in the state
- More school choice
- More genuine transparency in government, especially in how money is spent
- More people with good jobs and fewer people on welfare
And finally, I would like to see Oklahoma win a national championship in football and Tulsa win the American Athletic Conference title.
I would like to see Oklahoma State go 12-1 or 11-2 in 2020.
Most of all, I would like to dedicate myself to making this a better world for my children and grandchildren to inherit.
Funnies…
– My boss told me yesterday, “You shouldn’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want.”
But when I turned up today in Ghostbusters clothes, he said I was fired.
– I accidentally swallowed a handful of Scrabble tiles.
My next trip to the bathroom could spell “disaster.”
– My resolution was to read more so I put the subtitles on my tv.
– Q: What do you call always wanting a date for New Year’s Eve?
A: Social Security
– I’m on the Paleo diet, except I’m the caveman who discovered Snickers.
– Two regulars are sitting at a bar when one of them casually points to a couple of drunks across from them. “That’s us in ten years,” he says.
His friend takes a sip from his beer, sets it down on the bar, turns to his friend, and slurs, “That’s a mirror.”
– “Dear Lord, my prayer for 2020 is a fat bank account and a thin body. Please don’t mix it up like you did this year.”
– New Year’s is just a holiday created by calendar companies who don’t want you reusing last year’s calendar.
– I was going to quit drinking for the new year, but then I remembered no one likes a quitter.
– An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
– I love when they drop the ball in Times Square. It’s a nice reminder of what I did all year.
– My grandparents had resolutions like donating more time and money to charities.
I’ve decided to make my own coffee once a week.
– Who has time to party on New Year’s Eve?
It takes me all evening to set my clocks ahead a year.