VIEW: 18-28: After OK Primary Thoughts

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson)
Number 18-28
AFTER OK PRIMARY THOUGHTS Week of 2018/07/09
Now that the Oklahoma primary elections are over and, except for a
few
races, we enter into the 'run-off ' era ending in August we hopefully will
be
relieved of the barrage of , often nasty, radio, TV, and trash mail request
for out
vote or usually false claims against one of the contestants. My memory of
elections
dating back to the election of 1932 when Governor of New York managed to
oust
an incumbent President, named Hoover, has seen not one so filled with false
claims
and nastiness, including photo shopped pictures to falsely depict a
candidate.
Most of those were put forth by the so-called 'dark money committees'
supporting another candidate. Usually these candidates are political
unknowns
recruited by special interest groups such as the OEA and NEA (teachers
unions) or
individuals with a personal grudge against another office holder. It is a
relief to me to
be free of those plus the multitude of 'robo-calls' for the same purpose and
mostly
on my cell phone, but also serving to interrupt my positive efforts.
Turning from objections, there should be some suggestions. It seems
to me
that the "Ethics Commission" should establish rules, and then enforce them
with
real penalties, requiring that ALL political advertisements clearly disclose
the entity
putting them out together with a person's name, address, and electronic
means of
contact. Some of the most onerous post cards carried no visible disclosure,
as is
supposedly required by law or regulations. If such regulations are already
established, then the commission is not meeting the responsibility and staff
should
be replaced with ones that will. Indeed, there should be severe penalties
for any
false statement advertising. Personally, it is my policy to not vote for
candidates
whose campaign resorts to such tactics. Also, it should be required that the
"campaign consultant", if one is retained, should be identified, possibly
stated with
the finance reports.
On a more pleasant note, especially for the citizens, was the
announcement a
couple of days after the election that the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in a
case,
5 to 4, that no government employee may be required to join a union as a
condition
of employment, nor should the government withhold union dues for any such.
And
the decision included public schools in the requirement. It is my
understanding that
the decision also rejected the withholding of dues, and forwarding to
unions, of dues
amounts for non-members. That this was being done extensively against non-
members was surprising to me and is, in my opinion, reprehensible. This
seems to
me to be a great boon for employees. Many believe the unions then use this
"windfall" source of funds to finance campaigns and obtain favors with
Democrats
but proof has not been available to me.
Secondly, a news announcement arrived that Mr. Justice Kennedy of
the
Supreme Court announced his retirement effective the end of July. Thus it
will
enable PRESDT-45 to nominate another replacement. The nomination does not
guarantee that the Senate will act promptly to investigate and vote on
approving
the candidate. Democrat leadership has already stated intention to stall the
vote
until at least after the November election, hoping to gain some seats in the
Senate
to prevent whoever is nominated. Dirty politics!!
Also a State Question was passed labeled "Medical Marihuana" which
actually will allow "recreational" use of the plant. Reports are surfacing
that there
were a least 40,000 more votes cast on this than on the rest of the ballot,
and that
many young voters would not even take the 'yellow' ballot containing the
office
candidates.
One of my children living in Colorado has told me that the problem
of "hit
and run" incidents has increased substantially there since the plants use
for
'recreational use was permitted. Also that a large percentage of those
involved in
these are here illegally. And many Democrat leaders supported this change as
well as a few misguided with an "R" behind their name. All this puts the
rest of us
in increased danger. There are derivatives of the plant that have no habit
forming
properties and have some very beneficial properties for certain conditions.
Fortunately, this was passed as a "statute" and so can be amended by the
Legislature. It might be noted that all this is in violation of Federal law
and could
put some State funding in jeopardy, should the DOJ decide to enforce it!!
In my opinion, this was a badly and hurriedly written proposal, perhaps
deliberately, and catered to those mostly in younger generations. Time will
tell
just how bad it will be.
END
Composed June 29, 2018
Robert W. McDowell, Jr. 841
Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK
74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com

VIEW: 18-27: MoreEvidenceWeAreOvertaxed

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson)
Number 18-27
MORE EVIDENCE WE ARE OVERTAXED Week of 2018/07/02
Again we are told, if the story can be found, that the 2018 'special
session
No.2' massive tax increases levied on us by the Legislature were totally
unnecessary
surfaced in the June 7 issue of the daily news(?)paper in Tulsa. What in my
opinion
should have been a 'front page' story was small and hidden on page A3 that
carried
the headline: "State's gross collections jump 14 percent, set record for
May". Credit
for the story was given to Barbara Hoberock of the World Staff
In the third paragraph State Treasurer Ken Miller was quoted: "As
has been the
case each month for more than a year, Oklahoma's economy is showing signs of
ongoing expansion. In just the past 14 months, since 12-month collections
last
bottomed out, gross receipts have grown by more than $1.3 billion, an
increase of
more than 12 percent". Earlier it stated that the May collections were
nearly $971
million. That is almost one Billion dollars for just one month.
These increased collections were referred to earlier in the year
while the
Legislature was still in its regular AND special sessions and the necessity
for the
largest in history tax increase was being determined. Regardless, the 'big
spenders'
in control went ahead and bowed to the teacher union protests/strike and
passed
the onerous bill. Sadly, those in control carry an "R" behind their name in
their
voter registration. Shame on the voters in the districts they represent who
put them
there. It is possible that for them there really was not another option,
granted.
To their credit a group began by former Senator Dr. Tom Coburn had
gone
to work to put together a proposal for a ballot issue in November that
would, if
passed, repeal the laws passed for the 'largest tax increase in State
history'. The
petitions to put it on the November election ballot were in being circulated
for
signatures with over 42,000 being necessary for success. Then a group
believed to
be sponsored by the 'teachers unions' filed a protest suit to declare the
petitions
'unconstitutional'. After delaying actions to get it to the State Supreme
Court until a
favorable decision for them would render not enough time to counter a Court
decision against, in a reported 7 to 0 decision, did on a 'technicality' so
find.
The groups involved in the response have not yet issued a decision
on what, if
any, response they will attempt. It should be remembered that the, reported
to me,
State Constitution has a provision that any tax increase must pass the
Legislature by
a 67% majority or go to a vote of the people. The details of how these
increases
were able to avoid that provision are not clear in my mind.
It seems to me that there will be one or more of those judges on the
November
ballot for 'retention or rejection' and we would be proper in voting to
reject all there
so that the newly elected Governor would be able to nominate replacements.
The
Court has too long, in my opinion, consisted of members with mental bias
toward the
"left" (C/S) side of the political philosophy. Sadly that seems to be also
true down to
the lower courts. A change in the law to allow party affiliation being shown
for judges
at all levels would serve to make things more even and fair. At least that
is my firm
and unshakable opinion!!
In any event the continued increase in tax receipts by the State
makes the recent
tax increases even more unnecessary and immoral. They should be repealed
before
they adversely effects the fiscal well being of the citizens and economy.
Oklahoma has
long had the reputation for being a high tax state and that needs to be
changed for the
better for our own prosperity. Unfortunately, when the 'truth in advertising'
laws were
enacted political laws were excluded from coverage. The totally nasty and
usually
untrue trash recently endured in the primaries is a good example of the need
for
change there. I'm not optimistic that the Legislature members will pass such
changes.
END
Composed June 25, 2018
Robert W. McDowell, Jr.
841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken
Arrow OK 74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com

VIEW: 18-26: Happt 242nd Birthday USA

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson)
Number 18-26
HAPPY 242nd BIRTHDAY USA Week of 2018/06/25
As we come to the end of the first half of the year it is, and has
been, our
practice to suspend normal activities to observe, and hopefully with great
respect,
that time in history where one group of people peacefully declared
themselves
severed from the control of another nation. Sadly, the king of the 'parent'
nation
took exception and upon receiving the Declaration of Independence promptly
ordered his army and navy to terminate this 'rebellion'. To make things more
certain foreign national troops were hired to assist winning this "War for
Independence".
My recommendation is that all of us who are loyal to the REPUBLIC
form
of Government that resulted from the GOD assisted victory should take the
time to
read and/or listen to a reading of that Declaration to learn the violations
of civil
society that the 'colonists' had been subjected to in the preceding years or
decades. Several years ago the management of Hillsdale College asked the
readers
of their publication "Imprimis" to read the document aloud to groups.
Feeling
moved to do so it became my privilege, by invitation, to read it to at least
five
different groups. The number has decreased each year until no invitations
have
surfaced in the last three years.
My copy of the Declaration is included in a small 'pocket size'
edition of the
whole Constitution including the amendments. Upon reading the Constitution
my
mind was opened to a number of things covered that had not been covered in
school years. It is amazingly easy to read, not filled with a bunch of
'legalese' but
just plain English for all to understand. Also quite concise, as are the
early
Amendments up to XIII which were all one paragraph with XII being a rather
long
one. I recommend it's study by everyone truly patriotic and interested in
knowing
the primary laws of our Nation.
The Constitution was signed by the Congress members on September 17,
1787 and ratified by the required nine States a year later on September 13.
The
remaining four States would not ratify until assured that the "Bill of
Rights" would
be submitted. Originally there were twelve, but the first ten were ratified
by May
29, 1790. In sum, it guarantees that the Government will honor for all
citizens the
laws established and that the "GOD given rights would be protected.
Something
that sadly later some, and one is too many, elected and employed officials
have
blatantly failed to do, for their own benefit.
Sadly we have been led too far astray from the original basic laws
laid down
for the protection of natural rights of ALL citizens. It should be
remembered that
these guarantees do not extend to those non-citizens, whether legally here
or not.
The protections for them are a courtesy extended as would anyone to a
welcome
guest, and they are expected to also courteously obey our laws, just as
their home
nation would expect our visitors to do while there. There is no 'right' to
education,
welfare, or other benefit due any non-citizen, especially those who have
'invaded'
our borders illegally or overstayed the visa.
It particularly offends me to hear so many officials and media
individuals use
the term 'Democracy' with our Nation. Our form of Government was not
intended
to be a 'democracy'. In fact the various papers written at the time to
explain it
seem pretty clear that a 'democracy' was the very last type that was
desired. By
explanation it is often said that "a lynch mob is an perfect example of
democracy"
as the victim has no rights at all, unlike our REPUBLIC.
It is up to all of us to educate ourselves as well as the younger
generations
coming along about the truth and then exercise our rights to vote, etc. in
an
informed way. If enough do not do so we are doomed to extinction as such.
Thankfully the election of 2016 gave us a leader, and assistant (VP) who
seem
to revere, understand, and intend to execute duties properly. It remains up
to all
of us to exercise our right to vote in this years 'mid-term elections in a
thoughtful
and enlightened way to assure that the new trend towards a more sensible and
illustrious operation continues. The wasteful and often illegal profligate
over
spending that has been the normal manner in the last several decades must
come
to an end!
END
Composed June 4, 2018
Robert W. McDowell, Jr.
841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK
74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com

VIEW: 18-25: Primary Election Coming

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson)
Number 18-25
PRIMARY ELECTION COMING Week of
2018/06/18
This being an even numbered year, and not a 'leap year', we are
faced with the
'mid-term' election season. Some states are already having, or have had,
primaries
while we here in Oklahoma will have our primary on June 26. This date being
the
fourth Tuesday tended to throw me a curve since elections have historically
been on
the first Tuesday, or first Tuesday after the first Monday.
Campaigns have been if full swing from Congress on down to the
County level.
Here in Tulsa we are having an 'open seat' for the District One Congress
seat
because Cong. Bridenstine had self-term limited to three terms, and kept his
word.
In the meantime PRESDT-45 nominated him to head up the NASA and after months
of Senate minority delay tactics past year end and re-nominated he was
finally seated,
so the seat is already open with a number of candidates seeking election.
At the State level, it seems that all seats are up for election,
except for half of the
48 Senate and two of the three Corporation Commission seats. Things have
been
rather lively for some time. Some rather nasty radio campaign commercials
have
cropped up, noticeable in the primary race for the Republican nomination for
Attorney General. Frankly, when such a thing happens it serves as a
'turn-off' for me,
and a number of those in my circle of friends, towards the perpetrators of
such. It
indicates to me that those behind such tactics are more of the C/S mentality
and will
not receive my vote.
Admittedly in some cases it is the retained 'campaign advisor' who
comes up
with these nasty, and all too often false, attacks. But it is the candidate
and closest
'amateur' advisors who succumb to the sales pitch of the 'professional' that
resorts
to such tactics. Unfortunately such methods have caused all too many very
honest
and qualified individuals to decide to sit on the sidelines and thus reduce
the choices
we voters might have.
Another such tactic is the "whisper campaign" where a, usually
false,
accusation is sent from person to person in such a way that the victim might
be
unaware of its existence until too close to the election day to mount a
refutation. In
my own personal experience of being a candidate none of the above was ever
known to me to be used. In fact in my 1996 race for State Senate a friendly
relationship was maintained with my incumbent opponent, much to the
consternation
of members of his party from the "swamp" in Oklahoma City who observed it.
That
is the way it should be!!
In the end, we should exert every effort to become fully informed on
every
candidate and every issue before casting our ballot. If we do not have
adequate
information to make a decision, then the vote on that race or issue should
be
withheld, in my opinion, because a guess will make the decision a 50%
probability
of being the wrong one, to the detriment of the government and population.
The demonstrated outright hatred expressed against PRESDT-45 in the
last
Presidential race, and continuing today, sadly in some cases from within his
own
party, in my opinion comes from those who may have never been able to accept
things going not their preferred way. It is too bad that such individuals
have failed
to complete the 'growing up' process and still are acting like the 'spoiled
brats'
they seem to be. If the party officials were more mature and with more
dedication
to the original written principals of the respective party they would move
to correct
those who violate the rules of polite society and even, if necessary, move
to remove
them from the ballot or publicly disavow their candidacy.
There was an old movie titled "The Farmer's Daughter in which party
officials
proceeded to do just that against their own candidate when it was found he
had the
wrong affiliation outside the party. As usual in those days there were a
number of
major stars involved.
END
Composed May 29, 2018
Robert W. McDowell, Jr.
841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow
OK 74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com