Why is Oklahoma last in education and health care. All this when the Democrats were in control and we all thought they were the champions of common education? I started by doing the basics, wandering around the Capitol and asking-why? What are the core reasons for this? I got some really interesting answers and some basic political responses which I will share here, but the common thread goes back to Reconstruction. I'll zip through some of the answers and then get to meat and see if anybody agrees.
"No money." "Republicans cut taxes, no money." "Oklahoma has lowest school days in the world!" "Keating started calling teachers slugs and we didn't fight back." "We didn't fight back because we wanted to be re-elected." "If any of them could read four hundred words they would vote Democrat." "They are all for education, but they vote to cut taxes." "Oklahoman's don't care about education."
The last was the common theme and usually the second answer to the first question. Former State Senator Don Williams from Western Oklahoma put me on to the "Core Reason" Reconstruction. So here goes for what it is worth.
Yankees started beating up on the South (South Oklahoma) through the Reconstruction years and on into 1899. The Choctaws and the Chickasaws fought with the South and the Yankees never forgot it. They put the boot down and kept it there for twenty years. Settlers wanted into Oklahoma. In early 1889 Rutherford B. Hayes yielded to demands of the settlers and opened up two million acres in central Indian Territory known as the Unassigned Lands on April 22, 1889. Fifty thousand home seekers gathered at the Kansas and Texas borders for the signal. By early evening nearly every homestead and town lot in the settlement zone had been taken.
By 1906, only the land of the Five Civilized Tribes remained out of settlers hands.
In order for Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory to be admitted as a single state, Congress decided that Indian Territory, as a political entity with land held in common by the tribe, had to be eliminated and individual Native Americans transformed into United States citizens before Oklahoma Territory could become a state. The Federal Dawes Commission, formed in 1889, forcibly divided tribal lands into allotments given to individual Native American families. In 1896, continuing the process, the Curtis Act of 1898 helped finish it by placing residents under federal law and abolishing tribal courts. In 1906 Congress passed the Oklahoma Enabling Act which authorized a convention to meet in Guthrie, Oklahoma to write a state constitution.
During this period, 1863 to 1906, the tribes, primarily agrarian and the settlers, many outlaws and outcasts, fought it out if not physically, surely in a cultural sense. To the federal government, with its boot on the back of the tribes, and to the settlers, and their current heirs, education, common and certainly higher, simply were not issues. Families saw no reason to educate because it didn't take an education to drive mules back then. Families still control the reasons for getting an education. Settlers were more interested in grabbing land and money than sending a kid to the East or West Coast to be educated. If they did, most of the kids never came back.
IN 1920s there were a lot of economic and social disturbances effecting Oklahoma. Although North/South and East/West railroads had been built under Reconstruction,and later manufacturing and financial industries increased during the first war, Oklahoma farmers, if not sharecroppers, were unable to pay debts and went bankrupt. Workers all across Oklahoma suffered as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Daily Oklahoman fought labor unions.
Finally, in the early 1920's the Ku Klux Klan, dedicated to white supremacy that had terrorized blacks and Republicans in the South reappeared in Oklahoma. The Klan received substantial public support and politicians associated with it briefly controlled both major parties as well as the state Legislature. Consequently, blacks and Native Americans suffered another kick in the teeth, if not far worse.
All across Oklahoma there are pockets of education proponents but they are pockets. Surrounding these pockets are vast lands of drug infested poor. No family values or family pushing. Bad jobs and little hope.
If you look at the density maps of Oklahoma relating to the poor, the uneducated and the sick they are all the same. The same high numbers of poorly uneducated that pull the state average down are the same places that pull the healthy/unhealthy numbers down.
Now a lot of white folks, sons and daughters and grandsons and granddaughters of the settlers, would like to blame the tribes. Well, how far up can you go when your lands, your education and health care facilities and the decisions about them are in the hands on those who are not in your corner and don't have enough sense to realize that it is they and their fore bearers from the Reconstruction that maintain the boot on the back, the failure to fund education and health care and to take the solutions to the problems. Keep in mind the old conservative Oklahoma mantra "I got mine the hard way, they can get it that way too." "They" never had a chance and "Them" got theirs theirs the hard way of inheritance, opportunity not given to others and downright discrimination against their brothers and sisters.
Reconstruction wasn't all that long ago. Just about twice my age.
In Oklahoma, we need an Education and Health Care Mission just like the Peace Corps, to go into our own areas of poor, unhealthy and uneducated. This Mission would identify real problems, create solutions and advocate for results. We need leaders with vision and political strength. We need action. If we don't move we will be laster than the last, sicker than the sickest and dumber than your worst dreams.
We need our own Reconstruction.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Water, water every where.
Sardis Lake was created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the dam in 1974 under a contract with the state of Oklahoma for the purpose of selling water to municpalities and industrial customers in Oklahoma. Oklahoma agreed to make 50 annual payments and pay the costs of operating the dam and the lake. However, the state was unable to sell the water it needed to recover its costs so the state discontinued payments to the federal government in 1997 (after 3 payments).The federal government sued the state for breach of contract and recovery of funds. The case wound its way through the courts and eventually Oklahoma lost the case when the Supreme court declined to hear the case.
State Treasurer Scott Meacham was quoted saying "We will have to sit down and negotiate an agreement." Ho Hum.
Well, the 15 million cost of the dam has now grown to a 71 million dollar bill and now the federal government wants its money and has threatened to with hold other federal funding until this is settled. Ho Hum.
The law of river waters is real clear. Use it, or lose it to down stream users. Oklahomans, particularly those in the Southeast think that the water is theirs for drinking and fishing. The Choctaws think that the water belongs to them. Texas wants the water. Central Oklahoma wants the water. The Legislature wants out!
How can Scott Meacham negotiate a deal, some say for around 40 million, without the legislature, which has no money? Watch out Rainy Day Fund. Who are the malfeasors here? In 1984 the state could have paid 15 million dollars and it would be over. Do you know what the current response is? "Well forty million is a bargain, it would cost 170 million to build that dam today." This is Oklahoma economic thinking at its best.
This issue seems dwarfed by the fact that Texas is going to end up with all the excess Oklahoma water before Oklahoma makes the move to hold on to it. There is however a move by a group, a loose group though, of Central Oklahoma Water Users who want to build a pipeline to Central Oklahoma from the Southeast part of the state. Better yet they want to use the proceeds from the sale of water to finance water infrastructure. Meanwhile the "Comprehensive Water Plan" for the state will be ready in 2011.
Simple questions. Where is the leadership here? Where is the money coming from?
State Treasurer Scott Meacham was quoted saying "We will have to sit down and negotiate an agreement." Ho Hum.
Well, the 15 million cost of the dam has now grown to a 71 million dollar bill and now the federal government wants its money and has threatened to with hold other federal funding until this is settled. Ho Hum.
The law of river waters is real clear. Use it, or lose it to down stream users. Oklahomans, particularly those in the Southeast think that the water is theirs for drinking and fishing. The Choctaws think that the water belongs to them. Texas wants the water. Central Oklahoma wants the water. The Legislature wants out!
How can Scott Meacham negotiate a deal, some say for around 40 million, without the legislature, which has no money? Watch out Rainy Day Fund. Who are the malfeasors here? In 1984 the state could have paid 15 million dollars and it would be over. Do you know what the current response is? "Well forty million is a bargain, it would cost 170 million to build that dam today." This is Oklahoma economic thinking at its best.
This issue seems dwarfed by the fact that Texas is going to end up with all the excess Oklahoma water before Oklahoma makes the move to hold on to it. There is however a move by a group, a loose group though, of Central Oklahoma Water Users who want to build a pipeline to Central Oklahoma from the Southeast part of the state. Better yet they want to use the proceeds from the sale of water to finance water infrastructure. Meanwhile the "Comprehensive Water Plan" for the state will be ready in 2011.
Simple questions. Where is the leadership here? Where is the money coming from?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
If you are not trying to make things better you are a part of the problem
There are thirty five steps from the Pallazo on the South side of the Oklahoma Capitol to the entrance - which is closed. Forever, I guess there has been a sign on the Southeast corner of the Pallazo which says "Doors closed use SE entrance." Many, many folks have walked from the South parking lot and then up the thirty five steps to get the first message and then down again and in their search have found the "real" sign. This morning, I twittered about this situation and wouldn't you know it! The informative sign was in an informative position out in front of the South steps at noon. I felt so darn good!
The second thing is about service, scams and good service. Yesterday I went to the Wal Mart pharmacy to get a simple prescription that had been phoned in that morning. I was told that it would be twenty minutes so I left and went to the hotel and worked out on the weights. I returned about six or so and was told it would be twenty minutes, so I wandered to grocery and bought a rotisserie chicken for dinner. I purchased my drugs and left.
Today I needed more drugs, penicillin for a tooth abscess. This was phoned in from my dentist's office this morning. About six this afternoon I went to pick up the drugs and was told it would be about twenty minutes so I went out and bought a fish to eat and came back. I was told it would be about twenty minutes. A really nice lady behind me said "They told me the same thing." She had some new pillows so I asked her, "What did you do with your twenty minutes?" She said "I bought these pillows."
"Well now," I thought and instructed the young lady behind the counter to summon the manager. It is hard to believe but within five minutes a stocky, sweet looking lady appeared and introduced herself as Susan the manager.
I informed Susan that I thought that WM was scamming people on the twenty minute wait to induce them into twenty minutes of impulse shopping. An hour wait and most folks would leave.
All of a sudden there was great scurrying behind the counter and I was informed that my order was ready. Susan and I visited a bit, I took my order and she stationed herself near the counter. I stood by the Tylenol to observe. Five people in a row got their prescriptions just like that!
I commend Susan as a true service person. As she said "I have to do good because my retirement from WM and my Social are all I've got." I expect that she will be checking the Pharmacy from time to time now. I will be too. Susan wants to do good even if some marketing hopeful over at Springdale wants to scam folks into an extra twenty minutes of shopping. I am for Susan and darn, I felt good.
Dirt Pile: Senate Democrats are having a ball committing to spending bills like never before. You barely have to explain the bill and your dollar needs before they say "I support it." As close as the count is with the Ds and a couple of Rs who may relly see the need, some good stuff may be funded. Otherwise the R leadership has to turn down everything because of the shortfall.
The second thing is about service, scams and good service. Yesterday I went to the Wal Mart pharmacy to get a simple prescription that had been phoned in that morning. I was told that it would be twenty minutes so I left and went to the hotel and worked out on the weights. I returned about six or so and was told it would be twenty minutes, so I wandered to grocery and bought a rotisserie chicken for dinner. I purchased my drugs and left.
Today I needed more drugs, penicillin for a tooth abscess. This was phoned in from my dentist's office this morning. About six this afternoon I went to pick up the drugs and was told it would be about twenty minutes so I went out and bought a fish to eat and came back. I was told it would be about twenty minutes. A really nice lady behind me said "They told me the same thing." She had some new pillows so I asked her, "What did you do with your twenty minutes?" She said "I bought these pillows."
"Well now," I thought and instructed the young lady behind the counter to summon the manager. It is hard to believe but within five minutes a stocky, sweet looking lady appeared and introduced herself as Susan the manager.
I informed Susan that I thought that WM was scamming people on the twenty minute wait to induce them into twenty minutes of impulse shopping. An hour wait and most folks would leave.
All of a sudden there was great scurrying behind the counter and I was informed that my order was ready. Susan and I visited a bit, I took my order and she stationed herself near the counter. I stood by the Tylenol to observe. Five people in a row got their prescriptions just like that!
I commend Susan as a true service person. As she said "I have to do good because my retirement from WM and my Social are all I've got." I expect that she will be checking the Pharmacy from time to time now. I will be too. Susan wants to do good even if some marketing hopeful over at Springdale wants to scam folks into an extra twenty minutes of shopping. I am for Susan and darn, I felt good.
Dirt Pile: Senate Democrats are having a ball committing to spending bills like never before. You barely have to explain the bill and your dollar needs before they say "I support it." As close as the count is with the Ds and a couple of Rs who may relly see the need, some good stuff may be funded. Otherwise the R leadership has to turn down everything because of the shortfall.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Burning issues water rights and the environment
I really thought that this session of the Legislature would include a "Water War" but I was dead wrong. Not only have the bills related to the sale of water to Texas been killed but nothing has been done regarding environmental issues and pollution. There are ten agencies that have some responsibilities for or related to water. The Department of Environmental Quality. The Water Resources Board. The Department of Agriculture. The Corporation Commission. The Conservation Commission. The Department of Mines. The Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Department of Public Safety, Department of Labor and the Department of Emergency Management. All but the last three are required to develop and promulgate a Water Qulaity Standards Implementation Plan (WQSIP) for each juridictional area.
I have asked around and tried to find if there is any central gathering of these plans, any central review of these plans, any central coordination of these plans, any central review of enforcement, if any, of these plans or any ongoing report about these plans.
Most people who know and understand water, environmental issues connected to water and the agencies responsible for water quality, a handfull, will tell you that if the agencies listed carried out the responsibilities as set forth in Title 27A O.S. Sec. 1-3-101, that water quality in Oklahoma could be the best in the land. That same handfull will tell you that none of the agencies carry out those repsonsibilites to the extent that the laws expect or to the extent that they are required by the laws.
I have asked around and tried to find if there is any central gathering of these plans, any central review of these plans, any central coordination of these plans, any central review of enforcement, if any, of these plans or any ongoing report about these plans.
Most people who know and understand water, environmental issues connected to water and the agencies responsible for water quality, a handfull, will tell you that if the agencies listed carried out the responsibilities as set forth in Title 27A O.S. Sec. 1-3-101, that water quality in Oklahoma could be the best in the land. That same handfull will tell you that none of the agencies carry out those repsonsibilites to the extent that the laws expect or to the extent that they are required by the laws.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Burning Issues and Embers
Most major legislative issues will not be addressed until they become "Burning Issues" or a crisis. That is why we have so many "Embers." Here is a list of bills i would at best call "Embers." Some are just stuff. "The Religious Viewpoint, Anti-discrimination Act." "Barber Pole Prohibition." "Allowing concealed handguns on college campuses." "Clean Campaign Act." (Enacting an oxymoron)."Stealing Dimensional Stone Products." "Banks and Cemeteries Act." "Ten Commandments Act."
Compare any of these with Health Care. Indigent Care is a burning issue, cost of care is a burning issue and indigent care costs are a big part of the cost of health care since that cost is shifted by the provider to paying patients and your insurance goes up. Most times it is difficult to explain to the overage guy how this happens because he is generally unschooled in the health insurance business.
By the time of the presidential election in 1992 we all thought that health care was a burning issue but the Clinton's smothering actions, turned off supporters and the insurance industry was able to win the day. Clinton never tried again. Of course there was a Republican controlled Congress and the "Free Market" prevailed.
Eight years of George Bush allowed this issue to smolder as big insurance and the doctors made financial hay.
Maybe now, the issue is burning enough to overcome greed, stupidity and free market ideology and supplant that with a common sense approach to funding health care.
The point I want to make is this. It is far easier to introduce and pass "Embers" than it is to address "Burning Issues." Oklahoma has failed to address these issues for over ten years and that is why we are last in just about everything.
Compare any of these with Health Care. Indigent Care is a burning issue, cost of care is a burning issue and indigent care costs are a big part of the cost of health care since that cost is shifted by the provider to paying patients and your insurance goes up. Most times it is difficult to explain to the overage guy how this happens because he is generally unschooled in the health insurance business.
By the time of the presidential election in 1992 we all thought that health care was a burning issue but the Clinton's smothering actions, turned off supporters and the insurance industry was able to win the day. Clinton never tried again. Of course there was a Republican controlled Congress and the "Free Market" prevailed.
Eight years of George Bush allowed this issue to smolder as big insurance and the doctors made financial hay.
Maybe now, the issue is burning enough to overcome greed, stupidity and free market ideology and supplant that with a common sense approach to funding health care.
The point I want to make is this. It is far easier to introduce and pass "Embers" than it is to address "Burning Issues." Oklahoma has failed to address these issues for over ten years and that is why we are last in just about everything.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sooner Football and IceCream
The town of Meeker served up the absolute best homemade icecream in the Capitol Rotunda that I have ever savored. I don't know why Meeker did this but I may have to start driving to Meeker for icecream.
At the same time fifteen of OU footballs best, Bradford, McCoy, Gresham, Brown, Murray, Alexaner and other starters for tommorow showed up with Coach Stoops. Bradford stands out because of his humility. McCoy, about as big as a building stands out when he stoops to low five two five year olds.
But it was the ice cream that undid them. McCoy must have smelt it first and with an engine like that, constant refuleing is necessary, because he left he House floor and went out to the Rotunda where the Meeker crowd was. He came back with his bowl and after that Stoops lost control. Only Bradford steadfastly signed anything placed in front of him. The rest went for ice cream.
What a great group of guys. They left the Capitol to go to OU Medical Center to see Correy Wilson, a sophomore wide receiver, who was critcally injured Saturday near Sulphur.
J.C. Watts was in the Capitol also. I suspect he was gauging his standing to run for Governor. J.C. has come a long, long way and been a success. His running aginst Mary Fallin will be a good race.
At the same time fifteen of OU footballs best, Bradford, McCoy, Gresham, Brown, Murray, Alexaner and other starters for tommorow showed up with Coach Stoops. Bradford stands out because of his humility. McCoy, about as big as a building stands out when he stoops to low five two five year olds.
But it was the ice cream that undid them. McCoy must have smelt it first and with an engine like that, constant refuleing is necessary, because he left he House floor and went out to the Rotunda where the Meeker crowd was. He came back with his bowl and after that Stoops lost control. Only Bradford steadfastly signed anything placed in front of him. The rest went for ice cream.
What a great group of guys. They left the Capitol to go to OU Medical Center to see Correy Wilson, a sophomore wide receiver, who was critcally injured Saturday near Sulphur.
J.C. Watts was in the Capitol also. I suspect he was gauging his standing to run for Governor. J.C. has come a long, long way and been a success. His running aginst Mary Fallin will be a good race.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Irony Of It All and "Great Stuff"
Oklahoma Democrat legislators are flummoxed by the fact that the Republicans in Congress voted against the stimulus and now Oklahoma Republican legislators reap the benefit of stimulus funds. Even though the federal dollars don't really replace the tax cuts the Rs can argue that they made it through 2009 without major cuts in programs and even increased funding for roads, highways and bridges, education and healthcare. It will be interesting to see how the Democrats play this.
We are watching the TRMC/OSUCOM issue closely. A person prominent in the negotiations approached a prominent Tulsa legislator and informed him that the five mllion dolars to be furnished by the state was less than half of what was needed for operating capital. No big surprise since TRMC has been losing ten to twelve million dollars a year for several years. "Should we make this public before the deal closes or after?" Well now! In additon the law firm of McAfee-Taft has withdrawn from the negotiations because of conflicts and the contrainess of the other firms and Ardent, ever pressing, is insisting on getting one and a half million for IME (Indirect Medical Education) funding which it loses with its contribution of TRMC to the Trust. If the Health Care Authority changes the rules to accomdate Ardent that would probaly mean that Saint Francis and Integres and maybe Saint Anthony would qualify for IME. IME funds are federal dolars but the state has to put money for the match. This would raise the cost to the state substantially. This thing is growing and expanding like the foam Great Stuff.
With the announcement of the funding for TRMCV/OSUCOM, it was just one day before David Boren was in the Capitol building. Due to the "Parity Rule" if one school gets a million dollars, the other gets a million. What a rule! We will watch and see what Boren asks for.
Quote of the week. "There are two kinds of legisaltors. Those who know they are working for David Boren and those who don't know they are working for David Boren." Anonymous legislator.
Dirt Pile. Owasso and Broken Arrow are in a dead heat for "Wackiest legislator" with Moore closing fast. For laughs and moans follow Senators Brogdon and Sykes and Representatice Ritze. These guys are a hoot!
We are watching the TRMC/OSUCOM issue closely. A person prominent in the negotiations approached a prominent Tulsa legislator and informed him that the five mllion dolars to be furnished by the state was less than half of what was needed for operating capital. No big surprise since TRMC has been losing ten to twelve million dollars a year for several years. "Should we make this public before the deal closes or after?" Well now! In additon the law firm of McAfee-Taft has withdrawn from the negotiations because of conflicts and the contrainess of the other firms and Ardent, ever pressing, is insisting on getting one and a half million for IME (Indirect Medical Education) funding which it loses with its contribution of TRMC to the Trust. If the Health Care Authority changes the rules to accomdate Ardent that would probaly mean that Saint Francis and Integres and maybe Saint Anthony would qualify for IME. IME funds are federal dolars but the state has to put money for the match. This would raise the cost to the state substantially. This thing is growing and expanding like the foam Great Stuff.
With the announcement of the funding for TRMCV/OSUCOM, it was just one day before David Boren was in the Capitol building. Due to the "Parity Rule" if one school gets a million dollars, the other gets a million. What a rule! We will watch and see what Boren asks for.
Quote of the week. "There are two kinds of legisaltors. Those who know they are working for David Boren and those who don't know they are working for David Boren." Anonymous legislator.
Dirt Pile. Owasso and Broken Arrow are in a dead heat for "Wackiest legislator" with Moore closing fast. For laughs and moans follow Senators Brogdon and Sykes and Representatice Ritze. These guys are a hoot!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Old Hammurabi and enacting legislation
In " Men of Law", MacMillan and Co., William Segal writes "Hammurabi stereotyped a corpus of archaic law; but above all, he launched a great delusion which continued to exercise a spell over men of antiquity which still has not spent its force in modern times. It was the delusion that the weak could be protected against the force and cunning of the strong by means of the written word. Thereafter the people cried for the Ten Commandments, for Tablets of the Law, for Twelve Tablets, for laws engraved on wood and bronze and stone." The people are still crying for more laws, crying for programs, crying for pork, crying for regulation, de-regulation and re-regulation. They cry for laws on paper, laws on disks, and laws floating in cyberspace.
After 27 years of passing and killing bills, here is what I believe an advocate for a law or laws must think about and do.
The advocates must have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish.
The goal must be politically possible.
The advocate must communicate the goal to the leadership of both houses of the Legislature as early as possible.
The advocate must be able to frame the issue in terms easily understood by legislators.
You must plan the path of the bill.
You must recruit and educate your House and Senate authors.
You must carefully oversee drafting of the proposed legislation.
You must educate the committee chairs and members about the bill.
You must identify external forces (friends and enemies) that might affect your plan and be ready to respond to their actions
You must have a clear vision of what you want out of the process in the end, while extrnal forces and the Legislature itself work on your bill.
You must have alternative strategies to reach your goal in the event you are sidetracked or fail early in the legislative session.
You must be constantly available to educate members, detect problems, overcome road blocks and create opportunities.
You must have the time, the tools and commitment to "go the distance," an entire legisltive session.
After 27 years of passing and killing bills, here is what I believe an advocate for a law or laws must think about and do.
The advocates must have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish.
The goal must be politically possible.
The advocate must communicate the goal to the leadership of both houses of the Legislature as early as possible.
The advocate must be able to frame the issue in terms easily understood by legislators.
You must plan the path of the bill.
You must recruit and educate your House and Senate authors.
You must carefully oversee drafting of the proposed legislation.
You must educate the committee chairs and members about the bill.
You must identify external forces (friends and enemies) that might affect your plan and be ready to respond to their actions
You must have a clear vision of what you want out of the process in the end, while extrnal forces and the Legislature itself work on your bill.
You must have alternative strategies to reach your goal in the event you are sidetracked or fail early in the legislative session.
You must be constantly available to educate members, detect problems, overcome road blocks and create opportunities.
You must have the time, the tools and commitment to "go the distance," an entire legisltive session.
Fifty Years Ago
Fifty years ago the Oklahoma Legislature under Governor Howard Edmondson's direction was struggling with four major issues. County Commissioner Reform, Central Purchasing law, Merit System law and Repeal of Prohibition.The Old Guard Senate fought off County Commissioner Reform but the other three measures passed. In late April, Oklahoman's voted to repeal prohibition but not until after Joe Cannon, Edmondson's chief cop, barrricaded major roads into wet states to stop bootleggers and raided Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa.
The side stories are even more interesting. Back in that day the Govrnor appointed the Speaker and to a great extent controlled the House of Representatives. Edmondson tagged Clint Livingston from Carter County as Speaker and the appointed floor leaders for the major issues, Stanley Huser for Central Purchasing, G.M. Fuller for Merit System and Bob Lollar for Repeal of Prohibition. All three chaffed under the Governor's heavy hand, particularly Lollar.
After the bill setting up all the rules regarding booze and sale of booze and the Resolution for a vote of the people passed the Legislature, Lollar took personal priveleges to speak and blstered Edmondson and Cannon for their tactics and resigned as Floor Leader. Speaker Livingston said, after Lollar's unprecedented attack on Edmondson, "Members, this is a sad day for Oklahoma, for the Governor and for Representative Lollar." Edmonson's power and popularity begin to wane and in the following legislative session, J.D. McCarty took advantage of that, changed the rules of the House of Representatives and was elected by the members as Speaker. A huge power grab that weakened the Governor forever.
The side stories are even more interesting. Back in that day the Govrnor appointed the Speaker and to a great extent controlled the House of Representatives. Edmondson tagged Clint Livingston from Carter County as Speaker and the appointed floor leaders for the major issues, Stanley Huser for Central Purchasing, G.M. Fuller for Merit System and Bob Lollar for Repeal of Prohibition. All three chaffed under the Governor's heavy hand, particularly Lollar.
After the bill setting up all the rules regarding booze and sale of booze and the Resolution for a vote of the people passed the Legislature, Lollar took personal priveleges to speak and blstered Edmondson and Cannon for their tactics and resigned as Floor Leader. Speaker Livingston said, after Lollar's unprecedented attack on Edmondson, "Members, this is a sad day for Oklahoma, for the Governor and for Representative Lollar." Edmonson's power and popularity begin to wane and in the following legislative session, J.D. McCarty took advantage of that, changed the rules of the House of Representatives and was elected by the members as Speaker. A huge power grab that weakened the Governor forever.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Do states go the Heaven
Matthew 20: 1-16
Parable of the Laborers. This a story about money, work, anxiety and grace. It holds out hope for Oklahoma if states go to heaven. In those days the family budget was balanced daily. If you had work, you had a denarius and if you had a denarius you and your family could eat. The landowner went out early and hired his workers and sent them inot the vineyard to work. At the sixth and ninth hour he did likewise. When evening came he called the laborers in and gave them there wages beginning with the last to the first. But when the first came, they supposed they would recieve more and they murmured. All were paid the same but the last worked the least! The landowner said "Friend I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?" "So the last will be first and the first last. For many are called but few are chosen." Oklahoma is last in about every category of state services, from health care to education and first in carceration. Oklahoma was last, no didn't even vote for Obama ao in this parable would the landowner help Oklahoma because it has done the least for it's citizens. Or would Obama help Oklahoma because it did nothing for him. The laborer who had work (and a denarius) all day had no anxiety, but the last had anxiety almost to the end. The laborer who worked all day made his and his family's way better because he did the right thing. The others waited around and hoped. Has Oklahoma govenment done the right thing for it's family. Don't think so. Don't think states get to heaven.
Parable of the Laborers. This a story about money, work, anxiety and grace. It holds out hope for Oklahoma if states go to heaven. In those days the family budget was balanced daily. If you had work, you had a denarius and if you had a denarius you and your family could eat. The landowner went out early and hired his workers and sent them inot the vineyard to work. At the sixth and ninth hour he did likewise. When evening came he called the laborers in and gave them there wages beginning with the last to the first. But when the first came, they supposed they would recieve more and they murmured. All were paid the same but the last worked the least! The landowner said "Friend I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?" "So the last will be first and the first last. For many are called but few are chosen." Oklahoma is last in about every category of state services, from health care to education and first in carceration. Oklahoma was last, no didn't even vote for Obama ao in this parable would the landowner help Oklahoma because it has done the least for it's citizens. Or would Obama help Oklahoma because it did nothing for him. The laborer who had work (and a denarius) all day had no anxiety, but the last had anxiety almost to the end. The laborer who worked all day made his and his family's way better because he did the right thing. The others waited around and hoped. Has Oklahoma govenment done the right thing for it's family. Don't think so. Don't think states get to heaven.
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