GO VOTE!!!

Two years ago, I was voting against someone. I was voting against a candidate who promised a fundamental change of our country. I voted against someone who promised universal health care, student loan reform, cap and trade legislation, immigration reform which included amnesty. I voted against someone who was considered the most liberal Senator. I voted against someone who promsised to "spread the wealth around". I voted against someone who saw the US Constitution as a document of negative liberties, and didn't "go far enough" and should have enumerated what "government should give the people".

THIS YEAR, I am voting for representatives that believe in the United States Constitution, as a LIMIT to the powers and expansion of the Federal Government. I am voting for representatives who stood unapologetically against the biggest industry take overs in our nations history, automotive, banking, student loans, and health care. I am voting for representatives who believe in states rights, and that the powers they have come from the people. I am voting for representatives who didn't villify those who voiced their concerns at town hall meetings, instead acting as our voices in Congress. And I just voted, and it felt GREAT!

If you need more motivation, here are some great quotes from some of this country's greats.

We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debt, as that we must be taxed in our meat and in our drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and our amusements, for our calling and our creeds...we will] have no time to think, no means of calling our miss-managers to account but be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow-sufferers... And this is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for[ another]... till the bulk of society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery... And the fore-horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression.

~ Thomas Jefferson

But I go on this great republican principle, that the people will have virtue and intelligence to select men of virtue and wisdom. Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks -- no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them.

~James Madison

It is vital that we follow this counsel from the Lord: "Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil" (D&C 98:10). Note the qualities that the Lord demands in those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise, and honest.

~Ezra T. Benson

Oklahoma State Questions

I love the fall for many reasons (weather, sports, school, clothing) but one of them is election time. It reminds citizens to pay attention to what is happening locally and nationally. There is more awareness of current issues and political leaders. I have had a few people ask me to post about our local state questions and local candidates. Here is my first attempt at the state questions.

State Question 744: The measure requires the state legislature to set a minimum average the state must spend on each student.

Yes on 744: makes OK more competitive with other state's per student spending, could help prevent teacher layoffs, could improve technology and textbooks, could help set higher teacher standards,

No on 744: No funding mechanism (estimated $850 million cost), pulled from other agencies, nothing in 744 mandating money spent on students/classroom.

My Take: If you couldn't tell already, I am currently against SQ 744. I fully endorse spending more money, time and effort on the education of our kids. It is embarrassing how poorly Oklahoma ranks overall (spending and scores). We have to do better. HOWEVER, this is not the way. What happened to the lottery funding a better education? How are we doing worse off, when passing the lottery was the answer to all of our educational woes! And who is helping fund the Yes on 744? Teacher's unions! Because they know that 85% of the lottery money intended for education goes to salaries from the top (administrators) trickling down to the bottom (teachers). Teachers need to be paid better, but just like I was opposed to the lottery, I don't trust our state government to actually spend the new "windfall" on the kids, their classrooms, books, and technology.

SQ 746: Photo ID required to vote.

My Take: Yes on 746. Carrying a photo ID is not difficult, most voting aged adults do so on a constant daily basis. This would hopefully prevent voter fraud, illegals voting, and keep the system more honest.

SQ 747: TERM LIMITS! Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, Treasurer, Commissioner of Labor, Auditor and Inspector, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner: 8 years each. Corporation Commissioner: 12 year limit.

My Take: YES!!!!! Absolutely YES!!!! I have been begging for this at a national level, so lets start small then move onward and upward. I am a huge advocate for having term limits on State and Federal Congressmen and Senators. If this is one small step in that direction, count me in!

SQ 748: Requiring Legislature to make an apportionment after each 10 year federal census. If not, a Apportionment Commission must do so.

My Take: Yes. It makes sense to re-figure apportionment every 10 years, communities change, develop new areas, dwindle in others. As of right now, I will vote Yes for required updated apportionment.

SQ 750: Changing required voter signatures on Initiatives and Referendums. It lowers the required percentage voter signature requirements.

My Take: Yes. I don't want initiatives and referendums to be easily created to blow with every changing wind in society, however I am afraid that these next few years we will need as little red tape and hoops to jump through to undo or prevent what the President and the federal government have been and are pushing through.

SQ 751: State's "official actions" will be written in English and no law suit could force a state agency to use a language other than English.

My Take: YES! This is a small step towards an "official state language". I am in favor of having a national language, just like majority of other countries throughout the world. Why should the state have to translate their "official actions", such as laws, into a variety of other languages? If you are drawn to the United States for our freedoms and opportunities, you should be willing to speak the language, and not force companies, schools and the government to accommodate you.

SQ 752: Adding two "At large" Judicial Nominating Commission members, nominated by Senate President Pro Tempore and Speaker of the house and the Governor.

My Take: Yes. Much of what I've read, suggests the point of this law is to "dilute the influence lawyers have on the selection list" of possible Supreme Court nominees. Why not?

SQ 754: Appropriations will not be determined by "predetermined constitutional formulas, how much other states spend, or how much any entity spends". Also, the measure could not be effectively amended or repealed.

My Take: No. This was written largely in opposition in SQ 744. If 744 passed, our Education funding would be partially determined by other states funding, which if passed 754 prevents. Formulas are occasionally necessary. Although I would agree that our state's budget shouldn't be determined by other state's budgets, I find anything that is set in stone dangerous. Without the ability to amend or repeal, this could be a powerful referendum with the consequences completely unknown.

SQ 755: Makes courts rely on state and federal laws, and forbids courts from considering or using international law when deciding cases.

My Take: No. While researching this issue, it was difficult to find a "No on 755" supporter. I was blasted with "Stop Sharia Law!" websites, however there was much more to the wording than just prohibiting a religious legal system. It forbids courts from considering international law, which includes international states, organizations, companies, etc. This could (and most likely will) deter foreign companies from doing business in Oklahoma, could make international marriage certificates invalid, etc. For a great legal analysis on why to vote No on SQ 755 go HERE

SQ 756: Prohibits forcing a person, employer, to participate in a "health care system", prohibits forcing a health care provider provide treatment in a health care system, allows persons/employees to pay for treatment directly, and provider to accept payment directly, allows purchase and sales in private health care systems.

My Take: Hell yes! (Currently repenting for my profanity, my apologies!) This shuts down almost every aspect of the ridiculous Health Care bill that the federal government enacted. It protects our employers from participating in and being punished by the federal governments take over, as well as individual citizens. It follows the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution that states "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people." Oklahoma needs to say NO!

SQ 757: Increases the "Rainy Day Fund" created by the surplus revenue from the current 10% to 15%.

My Take: Yes. If we have the ability to have a 5% larger "Rainy Day" fund, we should do it. Families should also follow the same actions, and increase what they put into their own rainy day funds.

Hopefully that helps you Okies who read this blog. The rest of you, are probably as overwhelmed as I was when I saw our long list, so good luck! I am working on our state candidates as well, but wanted to take a little more time researching that. Here is the Oklahoma State Election Board's website if you want more info.

Mormons and Gays

I had started a long, carefully worded response to many cries of bigotry and hate towards our Church following President Boyd K. Packer's most recent General Conference talk. Following his message, there was thousands of hate mail, hundreds of critical headlines, petitions and protests. Even within Mormon bloggers, there was dissent. Which I found the most disturbing, was the level of disrespect and disassociation people had towards one of their leaders. I believe that this is because there is a misunderstanding in our Church's stance on homosexual behavior and separately how we should treat our fellow man including those in the gay community. Before I could finish my thoughts, the Church released their version, which of course is a much more elloquent and appropriate. Instead of posting my mediocre attempt, I will second what is said in this press release, and call it good!

HERE is the Church's Press Release.

My Rally's bigger than your Rally

The 2010 Word of the Year is RALLY!

Everyone from Glenn Beck to Reverend Al Sharpton to major labor unions are participating in the hot new trend of organizing rallies. Tea Parties have covered the country, at the local level, and national rallies on Tax Day, and the day of signing the health care legislation. Typically the political rallies are organized in opposition to something. Tea Parties are in response to the out of control spending that started in the Bush era, "Taxed Enough Already". Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally was more like a revival than a rally, discussing heavily the divine providence of our country. Al Sharpton rallied in Martin Luther King Jr's memory. The One Nation rally this past weekend was heavily funded by progressive groups, labor organizations, and other liberal groups such as Planned Parenthood.

There was A LOT of debate over the attendance number of Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally ranging from 87,000 (CBS News) to 500,000 (Beck). In trying to find out more about yesterday's "One Nation" rally, it was very difficult in obtaining a crowd picture. There were several who had pictures from the Lincoln steps out into the crowd, where the crowd was a blurry background. Surprisingly, on MANY websites, I saw an impressive image displaying a large crowd, with the large title "One Nation Rally in Washington" (or the like). Once clicking on the article, in small captions underneath the picture it read "August 28, Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally", yet the entire articles covering the "One Nation" rally. In many articles, they quoted the crowd as being "tens of thousands".

If this is "tens of thousands"

Then what is THIS????
I think it is an exciting time in the country, more political involvement on both sides. (Fabricated or "grass roots" involvement). More involvement means more demand for accurate information on both sides. All I can say, is I hope these pictures are indicative of what will be coming on Election Day in November! The best way to "rally" is in the voting booth, and it is your civic duty and responsibility.

Amen

I love political cartoons. For this exact reason. A picture is worth a thousand words. This one is worth more!

How dare he! (Gasp!)

If there is a time to be incensed by the actions of the radio show commentator, Glenn Beck, this is the weekend! The political propagandist is flaring his extremist muscles, correction flab, in creating, promoting and eventually destroying our country with his "Restoring Honor" rally. If the name isn't inflammatory enough, the date of the event, August 28, 2010 will send you overboard. August 28, 2010? The date of the "I Had a Dream" speech, by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This speech occurred in the same location, same date, 47 years earlier. How dare Glenn Beck taint this date with his ketchup and cheese fries covered fingers! Doesn't he know he's a white conservative and can't possibly appreciate Dr. King, the civil rights movement, or patriotic actions by brave historical leaders?

What is this rally, you may ask? Tea Party? No. Political driven freak show? No. According to the website, "come celebrate America by honoring our heroes, our heritage and our future." Celebrate America? How can you do that without being a right wing extremist nut? Not possible. Fund raising for our troops? This must be a cover for the underground fundraising for Palin 2012. And what kind of title is "Restoring Honor". Honor is an antiquated tradition of our foundin father's who are outdated, old fashioned, and racist. This is apparently another attempt at Beck to brainwash his followers, if anyone even attends, into his pro-America, capitalist, freedom loving mentality. And I for one, must take a stance against it. How dare he.

Quick to Point Fingers

Both sides of the political spectrum are pots calling the kettles black in this current "you're a racist" tug-o-war. On the right, while aggressively condemning NAACP's resolution repudiating racial elements in the Tea Party; one of the Tea Parties prominent leaders Mark Williams sent an embarrassing and racially charged so-called-satire post from the perspective of a "colored man". Mark Williams and his entire organization, Tea Party Express, was expelled from the National Tea Party Federation. On the left, while pointing the finger at the Tea Party, they refuse to include in their resolution, the new Black Panther Party's leaders who are asking for the "killing of cracker babies". [Now enters Shirley Sherrod].

Shirley Sherrod. Shirley Sherrod typifies this artificially created racial battle between the right and left. A right-biased website powered by Andrew Breitbart, BigGovernment, posted an incomplete video of a federally appointed USDA Georgia Director of Rural Development, Shirley Sherrod, speaking at a NAACP dinner in March. In her speech, she recounts a story which takes place 26 years ago, while she was working for a nonprofit rural aid group, where she did not help a white farmer to her complete ability because he was white. End of sound-byte.

The NAACP quickly put out a statement condemning her remarks, without contacting her for verification or explanation says Sherrod. Almost as quickly as the incomplete video hit the air waves, the USDA Deputy Undersecretary Cheryl Cook called Sherrod while she was driving, and informed her "the White House wanted her to resign because her comments were generating a cable news controversy" naming Glenn Beck specifically. She resisted. In the final of the three phone conversations, "they asked me to pull over to the side of the road and submit my resignation on my Blackberry, and that's what I did." She told CNN that "it hurts [her] that [the administration] didn't even try to attempt to see what is happening here, they didn't care."

Who is coming to Shirley Sherrod's defense? The NAACP who has done a quick 180, the specifically named by the administration Glenn Beck, and even the white farmer she was speaking of! "We probably wouldn't have (our farm) today if it hadn't been for her leading us in the right direction," said Eloise Spooner, the wife of farmer Roger Spooner of Iron City, Ga. "I wish she could get her job back because she was good to us, I tell you." Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak defended his call for her resignation, even as more of the story poured out vindicating Shirley Sherrod's reputation, saying "the controversy surrounding her comments would create a situation where her decisions, rightly or wrongly, would be called into question making it difficult for her bring jobs to Georgia." The term “rightly or wrongly” suggests that the truth does not matter -- only perception, the politics of the situation.

The Shirley Sherrod drama illustrates that every organization, NAACP, Black Panthers, Tea Party, even government agencies, are full of humans. Humans who make mistakes, have prejudices to overcome or succomb to, learning lessons we are all faced with. The sad irony in the case of Shirley Sherrod, is the entirety of the video shows that she overcame her prejudices, and she eventually came to work closely with the white farmer and that she was trying to impart a lesson about how important it is to get beyond the issue of race.
“I went on to work with many more white farmers,” she said. “The story helped me realize that race is not the issue.”