Tuesday’s winners weren’t surprising in the least. Oklahoma is a red state that typically votes Republican. What really surprised us were the state question results.
Every ideologically fueled initiative — making English the official language, opting out of the federal health care law, banning Sharia Law — passed with huge majorities.
State questions passed that we did not endorse:
SQ 751
Oklahoma’s constitution now declares all official state actions are to be conducted in English. State Question 751 was put on the ballot hot on the heels of harsh anti-immigration legislation proposed by state house rep Randy Terrill, R-Moore, the primary author of the question. While actions were already conducted in English, this measure has the potential to make official procedures much more difficult for the state’s non-English speaking population. The state’s 39 federally recognized tribal languages are untouched, which is good, but it’s obvious that was simply put in to garner political support.
Proponents of the state question said it would “help” people of other cultures assimilate to Oklahoma’s. If this were really the case, we would have expected inexpensive programs put in place non-English speaking peoples the dominant state language, but alas there were none.
SQ 755
By voting in favor of State Question 755, Oklahomans successfully added an amendment to the state constitution prohibiting courts from considering Islamic Sharia Law in their cases. Never mind that it never has been and never would be considered in our state — let’s put it in our constitution just to make sure.
Any student who has spent time with Muslims on campus knows there is no intent among Oklahoma’s Muslims to impose Sharia Law. The question was nothing more than a statement expressing that Oklahoma’s citizens are suspicious of the Muslim population. The blame for this extends to the media and lawmakers who played on this fear for political gain. We can only hope the state’s Islamophobia goes no further.
SQ 756
With our state already struggling with a major budget shortfall, you would think people would be concerned with conserving as many taxpayer dollars as possible. Instead, voters decided they didn’t mind if money is possibly spent on lawsuits against the federal health care law by passing State Question 756. This question allows citizens and businesses to opt out of the federal health care law while conceding that federal law is supreme.
It will either bring costly litigation or amount to nothing more than fist-shaking at the Obama administration. It should also be pointed out that expert analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has revealed it will save the state money and expand coverage.
SQ 748
The state now has two more members on the legislative and congressional redistricting commission. Why this measure passed when this commission hasn’t been used in the past is beyond us.
State questions that did not pass that we opposed:
SQ 744
This measure — which would have raised common education spending to the regional average via a constitutional amendment — was dead on arrival at the ballot, which isn’t surprising. There were several legitimate problems with the way the measure would have been implemented, and could have caused unaffordable cuts to state agencies.
However, the Yes on 744 campaign should be given credit for bringing the issue to the forefront of Oklahoma politics. Proponents also exposed the high pay of state legislators and the huge waste of tax expenditures given to failed corporate interests.
While lawmakers vehemently opposed the measure, they always had to make it clear that they care about public education. It’s time that they begin looking at legitimate solutions to the issues facing our state’s education system.
SQ 754
The counter question to SQ 744, it would have prevented lawmakers from using preset formulas for budget expenditures, and would have been a permanent addition to the state constitution, which would have led to confusion in the future. We think all options should be on the table for prioritizing the budget and we’re glad this measure didn’t pass.
State questions that passed that we endorsed
SQ 746
Voters will now be required to present a state-issued ID at polling places in future elections. For anyone who went to the polls on Tuesday, many of you probably noticed that you had to do nothing more than find your name on a list and sign it. Any chances of voter fraud will be reduced greatly because of its passage.
SQ 747
Career politicians had a way of using their incumbent influence to stay in power, and some may not have had the best interests of the state at heart. With term limits applying to all statewide offices now, new ideas and leadership will cycle through these positions more often than in the past.
SQ 750
Oklahoma has some tough laws for getting initiatives and referendums on the ballot, with the number of signatures fluctuating based on percentages of the last gubernatorial and presidential elections. State Question 750 bases this number only on the last gubernatorial election, which would have decreased the number of signatures needed and made the numbers more consistent. Hopefully we’ll see more citizen concerns with the passage of this question.
Governor
We hope that our new Republican governor, former U.S. Rep Mary Fallin uses the GOP dominance wisely. While Fallin’s policy ideas are similar to Democratic opponent Jari Askins’, we hope she will distinguish between the necessary and ideological initiatives our Republican-dominated government provides her.
She has promised to bring necessary reform to reduce the number of non-violent drug offenders crowding prisons and rooting out unnecessary tax credits that would otherwise mean revenue for our already starved state budget. If we expect any of this to be done, citizens will need to hold her to it.
Oklahoma's Congressional Races
We would have liked a serious contender in the race against U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, but Oklahomans seem to be satisfied with his leadership. While Coburn seems intent on simply stopping legislation in Washington, his efforts to combat wasteful spending are a necessary force among leaders.
It’s not surprising that it was a Republican sweep for the U.S. House, with the exception of incumbent winner, Democrat Dan Boren of Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional district. Boren is definitely not aligned closely with the national Democratic party and conservative voters obviously felt he deserved another term.
We thought Democrat Billy Coyle was the better candidate against the inexperienced Republican winner, James Lankford. Coyle is a rare voice of reason in our right-wing state, and Lankford can only tout his experience directing the Falls Creek Baptist summer camp.
National Stage
On the national scene, we weren’t surprised to see the Republican victory over the House, and its pickup of a few seats in the Senate. This outcome was predicted months ago and is only natural given the state of the nation.
However, people should realize that GOP control of the House isn’t going to solve our nation’s problems. Instead of presenting any truly innovative ideas, Republicans have seemed intent on moving further to the right and vowing to repeal any progress made by the once-Democratically controlled Congress.
President Barack Obama inherited a crumbling economy and two unpopular wars. To believe he could turn everything around in two years is unrealistic, and the Republicans used this to their political advantage, instead of trying to help. We wouldn’t be surprised to see another shift toward the Democrats a few elections down the line once people realize it was the policies of deregulation and a hawkish national defense attitude that got the nation into the mess it’s still reeling in.
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OkieWXman 1 year, 6 months ago
Bush and a Republican controlled Congress added roughly $2.5 trillion to the national debt over 6 years (2001 -2006).
Once Democrats got control of congress in 2006, there has been roughly $5 trillion to the national debt over just 4 years!
Just look at the facts people! Oh, while you're at it, check out the continually rapid decline in the value of the US dollar. Sure, it's always been declining some, but not at the rates we've seeing right now. Yay for inflation!
There is no excuse for this -- no matter what problems you inherit.
tmjames 1 year, 6 months ago
"However, people should realize that GOP control of the House isn’t going to solve our nation’s problems. Instead of presenting any truly innovative ideas, Republicans have seemed intent on moving further to the right and vowing to repeal any progress made by the once-Democratically controlled Congress."
No....but it will give a more checks and balance in our govt. Capt Hill won't have a blank check any more to run free. They have been given a clear message to listen to the people of this country.
"President Barack Obama inherited a crumbling economy and two unpopular wars."
If you'll look back a little in your history a few years..Our country started "crumbling" in 2006 and after. I believe that is when the Dems took over the House and the Senate.. President cant take all the blame...Remember checks and balances. Our government needs to work together...Just like Clinton worked with his Rebulican Congress and Senate...Those were some great years...Just like Reagan worked with his Dem. Congress and Senate.... Checks and Balances...Our for-fathers weren't so stupid, were they.
phil 1 year, 6 months ago
OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE FAILED POLICIES OF THE LAST TWO YEARS.PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BLAME ALL OF THIS ON BUSH AS THE DEMOCRATS TOOK CONTROL OF CONGRESS IN 2006.THE 4-5 TRILLION OF DEBT PILED UP WITH NO BENEFIT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.IN THE ELECTION YESTERDAY THE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE VOTERS IN AMERICA MADE A STATEMENT THAT IT WAS TIME TO STOP THE TAXING AND BLEEDING RED INK.WE NEED ALOT MORE MAKERS AND WAY FEWER TAKERS.WE'LL SEE IF THE DEMOCRATS ARE SERIOUS ABOUT SOLVING PROBLEMS OR CONTINUING TO TRY TO RAM THE LIBERAL AGENDA DOWN THE VOTERS THROATS. I TRULY HOPE THEY WILL SEE THE VALUE OF SLASHING THE SIZE AND COST OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL BENEFIT OF THE AMERICAN WORKING TAXPAYERS.
runner123 1 year, 6 months ago
The Daily is so biased. It's disgusting.
mythman 1 year, 6 months ago
"What really surprised us were the state question results. Every ideologically fueled initiative... passed with huge majorities."
I don't see how that was really surprising. Oklahoma is one of the most conservative states in the nation, during a time of conservative fervor, and these questions speak to the conservative extreme.
eightbitgirl 1 year, 6 months ago
It always makes me giggle when people complain about bias on an article in the "opinion" section.
Moksha 1 year, 6 months ago
Wow, I'm not sure the Oklahoman or at least the lead editor are in tune with our state.
The wars were not what was unpopular. The work after the wars was and still is. The initial wars were very popular in our country. Unfortunately, the work after the wars is required to make sure what you "took out" doesn't just come back again in two years.
Witness afgan.... we did not do the follow-up work and where are we now? Back in the same war we won years ago with the same people that are back because we didn't do the follow-up work required like we did in Iraq. Ok, thats enough of that.
While it's true that many of the issues we face economically as a country came in the years of Bush, two years of incredible spending in all the wrong places that adds to the woes certainly doesn't qualify as "give him a chance, it's only been two years" talk.
You have to actually make headroads into the economy, not give it lip service and point fingers that it's not mine, I didn't do it.
By the way, didn't Obama officially call an end to the economic crisis and take credit for fixing it just 9 months ago? Pretty sure I remember seeing that.
Actually, what they have done is spend tons of money on things that don't benefit the economy but simply push liberal agendas.
Healthcare is unpopular if you want to talk about anything unpopular like the war clean-up, you need to talk about healthcare in that same breath.
I remember why I dropped the paper in the first place now. I did start getting the Wed and Sunday from a nice kid who came around selling door to door. I thought the kid was the one I was helping, This article reminds me of who is behind the paper and the fact that they don't represent our state's population views.
dargus 1 year, 6 months ago
"Sure, it's always been declining some, but not at the rates we've seeing right now. Yay for inflation!"
Inflation, based on the CPI, is at one of its lowest rates in history. Yay for facts!
OkieWXman 1 year, 6 months ago
I guess I should have been more specific...
"No human being alive, especially Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, is smart enough to perfectly manage the rate of price inflation by printing money. By expanding the balance sheet by $600 billion, NIA believes the real price inflation rate will rise above 10% in early 2011. Once Americans realize just how rapidly their dollars are being debased and losing their purchasing power, it could cause a rush out of the U.S. dollar and trigger hyperinflation as early as year 2012."
Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/feds-quantitative-easing-to-starve-middle-class-americans-says-nia-106648463.html
dargus 1 year, 6 months ago
OkieWXman, "The National Inflation Association is an organization that is dedicated to preparing Americans for hyperinflation and helping Americans not only survive, but prosper in the upcoming hyperinflationary crisis."
If QE of less than 5% of GDP can cause 10% inflation, we'd already be seeing it after the 1.75 trillion already injected. QE2 is only adding $75 billion a month.
Tina 1 year, 6 months ago
30 years after being transplanted here without a choice Oklahoma still has not changed. It continues to hold the Bible in one hand while shooting itself in the foot with a gun held in the other hand....