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. © 2018 841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK 74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com