NO TEST WILL FIX AMERICA'S PROBLEM!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

TEST PANDERING

by Steve Fair

 

     Oklahoma is a politically conservative state.  Voters in the Sooner state have voted for the Republican candidate for president since 1968- 15 straight elections!  Republicans have super majorities in both Oklahoma state legislative chambers.  The entire federal delegation is Republican.  All statewide elected officials are Republican.  Republicans dominate elected county offices.  To describe Oklahoma a 'Red state,' is an understatement.  But that could be changing. 

     Oklahoma is experiencing significant inbound domestic migration, attracting over 25,000 new residents each year.  Many are coming from California and other 'blue' states, bringing their politics with them.  A conservative in a 'blue' state is very often a liberal in Oklahoma.  These new Okies scare conservatives in the Sooner state.   One elected official has announced a way to screen these new immigrants.  Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has announced a plan to test teachers coming to Oklahoma from a liberal state.  Using an assessment developed by the conservative media company, PragerU, out-of-state teacher will have to pass a fifty-question test that appears to be along the line of a basic civic quiz.  The move has sparked controversy, with opponents of Walters labeling the test a "MAGA loyalty test."

     “As long as I am superintendent, Oklahoma classrooms will be safeguarded from the radical leftist ideology fostered in places like California and New York. Any teacher coming from these states will be required to pass our new PragerU assessment before receiving certification, because we refuse to let Gavin Newsom's (governor of California) woke, Marxist agenda turn Oklahoma into the same dumpster fire California has become,” Walters says.  Three observations:

     First, what is PragerU?  Started by Dennis Prager, a Jewish talk show host, and screenwriter Allen Estrin (Touched by an Angel, The Practice) in 2009 to promote conservative and capitalist viewpoints using videos, PragerU doesn't confer degrees.  It is privately funded, with the initial seed money coming from conservative Texas oil tycoon Dan Wilks.       

    Prager, 77, has been called the Jewish Billy Graham, speaks four languages, and has hosted a nationally syndicated conservative talk show for over 25 years.  Prager is a secularist in theology, but has supporters at both ends of the conservative political spectrum. 

     Second, no test will weed out the woke.  All teachers should know basic civics, and not just teachers from blue states.  Every Oklahoman (teacher or otherwise) should know the number of members in the U.S. House of Representatives (435).  They should know the first three words of the U.S. Constitution. (We the People).  But administering a test to separate the sheep from the goats won't work.  Nothing prevents a 'liberal' teacher from marking the 'conservative' answer?  Nothing! 

     For years, conservative college students played 'toady' game.  They passed tests by 'telling the prof what the teacher wanted to hear.'  They hid their true values in order to pass a course.  They pandered/sucked up for a grade.  The 'woke' will do the same on the PragerU test.

     Third, local control of education is a mark of conservativism.  Republicans have advocated for the federal Department of Education to be disbanded for decades.  Every GOP- national and state- platform touts the importance of education decisions being the responsibility of parents and local school boards.  Local school boards are elected by the patrons of the local school district and have the power and authority to hire and fire administrators and teachers.  Because they are on the front lines, local school leadership is in a better position to protect Oklahoma students from the radical left agenda. Parents, administrators, and school board members should pay close attention to what is being taught in the classroom.  If a 'woke' teacher is promoting a world view inconsistent with local values, they should be held accountable.  If local leadership is unwilling to deal with it, vote them out.   

     The woke are educating our children because the American family is disintegrating. When coupled with unengaged citizens in local education, the radical left has a perfect storm.  No test can fix that.      

D.C. is not what Washington envisioned!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

RETROCESSION

by Steve Fair

 

     Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.). was established in 1789 as a federal district under exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress.  D.C. sets on the Potomac River, across from Virginia.  It shares a land border with Maryland.  In 1846, Congress reduced the size of D.C. by returning land originally ceded by Virginia, including the city of Alexandria.  That action is known as retrocession. 

    D.C. is divided into quadrants that are centered on the Capitol Building.  As of 2020, the population of D.C. is 690,000.  Citizens elect a mayor and 13 council members, who have governed the city since 1973.  D.C. citizens have no voting representative in Congress, but since 1961 have cast three (3) electoral votes in the presidential race. 

     The purpose of the District of Columbia is to serve as the seat of the U.S. federal government. It was established as a neutral territory, separate from any state, to house the nation's capital and its governing bodies. This ensures the federal government's independence from state politics and allows Congress to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over the District. There have been several unsuccessful efforts to make D.C. the 51st state.  The latest was in 2021, when a statehood bill passed the House, but died in the Senate. 

    Last week, citing the crime rate, President Trump announced he was activating 800 National Guard members to take over D.C.'s police department.  Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, who denies crime is out of control in her city, described the troop deployment as an "authoritarian push."  Three observations:

     First, Trump has the authority to be authoritarian.  Until 1973, Congress and the president had 'total control' over the district.  The Home Rule Act of 1973 gave D.C. residents more control over their local government, but with limitations.  Congress and the president still oversee D'C's budget and can intervene/override the district's local government.  A bill to repeal the Home Rule Act was introduced in February, but failed to gain enough support to become law.  D.C.'s local government is primarily federal funded by American taxpayer dollars, not local taxes.   

     Second, crime is a problem in D.C.  In 2024, Washington, D.C. had a homicide rate of 27.3 per 100,000 residents.  That is the fourth highest homicide rate in the country- six times higher than NYC.  If D.C. were a state, it would have the highest homicide rate of any state in the U.S.  D.C.'s homicide rate has doubled in the last 13 years.  Local police have proven they are not up to the task of dealing with their crime rate.  Trump was right to send in the National Guard. 

     Third, D.C. should be reduced in size.  The idea of returning land from Washington, D.C. to Maryland and Virginia, known as retrocession, has been discussed for years. The Constitution allows Congress to alter the federal district's boundaries.  As mentioned above, a portion of the original District was retroceded to Virginia in 1846. 

     Both bordering states have shown little interest in annexing the District, probably because assuming responsibility for a high crime/high unemployment city is not in their best interest.  But it is past time for D.C. citizens to assume responsibility for their own city. Instead of making D.C. a state, the residential areas of the district should be folded into the adjoining states.  One potential obstacle is that retrocession might require a constitutional amendment. 

     When Congress passed the Residence Act in 1790 calling for the permanent seat of government to be located on the Potomac, President Washington took personal control of the layout and construction.  D.C. was originally a ten-mile square block of land that would house the president's mansion, the Capitol and other federal buildings.  It was never intended to be home to 690,000 with the highest crime rate in America.

A REDISTRICTING WAR LOOMS IN AMERICA!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

BREAKING QUORUM

by Steve Fair

 

     Texas House Democrats fled the Lone Star state in an attempt to prevent GOP state lawmakers from redrawing federal congressional districts in the state.  The Republican led re-districting proposal could add up to five GOP seats in the U.S. House.   The redistricting is being closely watched nationally. 

   Texas legislative rules require two thirds of members (100 of 150) be present for a quorum and a vote to be taken.   There are 88 Republicans and 62 Democrats in the Texas state House.  Rs only need 12 Ds to be present to conduct business. 

     Most of the Texas Democrat House lawmakers flew to Illinois to hide in an effort to block the passage of the redistricting map.  The tactic called 'breaking quorum' could violate their oath of office and result in removement from office.  Three observations:

     First, elections have consequences.  Democrats are complaining because Republicans in the Texas legislature are in charge of redistricting, but for years the Ds were the majority Party and in control.  When they were the majority, they drew districts favorable to the Ds.  Republicans now have a majority and can redraw the districts.  Democrats can't really prevent it unless the entire delegation stays out of the state until at least November.  That is not likely.  The Texas legislature needs to approve the new districts before the filing of the 2026 midterm elections (November 2025). 

     Second, Texas Ds have pulled this stunt before.  Breaking quorum is a tired and true tactic of Texas Democratic lawmakers.  Back in 2003, more than 50 Democrat legislators holed up in an Ardmore, OK Holiday Inn for a month to protest a redistricting plan.  One D lawmaker finally broke rank and went home.  He was compelled to show up in the chamber, a quorum was established and the bill was placed.  The Ds did it again in 2021 to protest voting procedure changes in Texas, but once again someone got homesick and the deadlock was broken. 

     "If you're the minority party, and you can't block any legislation, one nuclear option you always have is to walk out, thereby preventing the legislature from engaging in any activity and particularly passing legislation," Mark P. Jones, a political science professor at Rice University explains.  But Jones says the action just delays the inevitable.  It seldom derails it. 

     Third, state redistricting impacts all Americans.  The 435 members of the U.S. House are allocated according to population.  Each state legislature draws the congressional districts within the state.  With Republicans holding the majority in 28 of the 50 state legislatures, you would think congressional districts would favor the GOP.  But they don't control several of the larger population states (NY, CA, IL).  That's why the margin in the House is so slim.  Republicans currently hold a narrow seven-member majority vs. Democrats in the House.  If GOP state legislatures draw districts more favorable to GOP candidates, in theory more Rs will be elected to the House. 

     What isn't being talked about is Democrat controlled state legislatures are working to gerrymander districts to aid the liberal cause.  The outrage by Ds in the Texas legislature on what Rs are doing in redistricting is hypocritical and sanctimonious.

     Texas Governor Greg Abbott says if the Democratic lawmakers return, "they will be arrested and taken to the Capitol."  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claims to have started procedures to remove thirteen of the Democratic legislative deserters from office.  Paxton claims they violated their oath of office and vacated the office by not showing up for a quorum call.

    One thing is sure- Democrats will not be successful in stopping the Texas redistricting.  The fleeing the state strategy hasn't worked in the past and will fail this time.  Breaking quorum is a lot like breaking wind- noisy and it stinks. 

WALTERS' TVGATE DOESN'T PASS SMELL TEST!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SETUP OR SHENANIGANS?

by Steve Fair

Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is being investigated after two Oklahoma state school board members claimed to see images of naked women on his office’s TV screen during a closed-door executive session.   

The two board members — Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage — are recent appointees to the board. Deatherage, appointed in February, is the director of 911 and emergency management for Kingfisher County and serves as Associate Director of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief. Carson, appointed in April, is a retired special education teacher from Edmond. Both replaced board members who were more supportive of Superintendent Walters than they have been. Three observations:

First, the images were likely there. The two people who say they saw them appear to be credible and trustworthy. Walters says he did not see them but immediately turned the set off when they pointed out nudity was on the screen. Some of Walters’ supporters are accusing Carson and Deatherage of lying about what they saw, but whatever they saw was disturbing to them.

The real question is: if porn was on the TV screen, how did it get there? Also, are Oklahoma taxpayers paying for erotic channels? Was the state school board TV hacked? And if so, who did it and how? Those are the questions Oklahoma taxpayers deserve to know the answers to.

Walters’ supporters point out Carson and Deatherage are critical of Walters. It is true the duo has challenged Walters during state school board meetings but so have other board members. It’s premature to claim Carson and Deatherage were in on a setup, but if one exists, they should pay the price.

Walters’ political enemies claim he may be using this bizarre incident to deflect attention from the recent educational outcome rankings. The Sooner State is dead last in the country. Not likely the superintendent would use this type of ‘Wag the Dog’ distraction tactic if that were true.

Second, an in-depth investigation should be conducted. How porn got on a taxpayer-owned TV during a state school board meeting needs explanation. If Walters is watching smut on the taxpayers’ dime, he should face the music, which would include resigning from office. Conversely, if Walters is innocent and is being set up, whoever is framing him should be exposed and punished.

Immediately after the incident, Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, urged Walters to “unlock and turn over all relevant devises.” The question is, turn over to whom? Last Sunday Senate Pro Temp Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, released a joint statement saying Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services will investigate the incident.

OMES is the bloated oversight state agency created by Republicans in 2011. The governor appoints an OMES director with the approval of the Oklahoma State Senate.

After singing off the same sheet of music for two years, Gov. Stitt and Supt. Walters have been ‘on the outs’ in recent months. No one at OMES is elected by the people; they are appointed. Can OMES oversee a fair, unbiased, impartial investigation since they report to the governor? Not likely. 

Third, Walters is his own worst enemy. His policies are controversial, but it is his self-promoting, polarizing personality is the real issue. Walters is constantly in the news. He is drawn to a TV camera like a moth to a flame. He openly expresses his opinion and is steadfast, unmovable, and stubborn — rare characteristics for an elected official. But Walters is not always right and everyone else wrong. The flipside is he is not always wrong and the education establishment right. No matter your views on his policies, Walters was elected by the people of Oklahoma. He should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

Walters would be stupid to play a sexploitation film on a conference room TV during a state school board meeting. That would take some gall. His critics believe he is that dense and insolent. His allies say this is an elaborate attempt to falsely incriminate.

Apparently, OMES handed the investigation off to Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommy Johnson. An elected partisan shouldn’t be doing the investigation. An independent counsel should be appointed by the Legislature. Walters should willingly cooperate with an independent investigation. No one should want to know the truth more than Ryan Walters. Any peep of predetermined outcome should be squelched. If Walters is pulling shenanigans, he should resign. If he is being set up, those responsible should be prosecuted.

SQ#836 would move Oklahoma to the left!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SQ#836 IS FLIM-FLAM!

by Steve Fair

 

     On June 24^th, the Oklahoma Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by the Oklahoma Republican Party challenging the constitutionality of SQ# 836.  Justices did not immediately issue a ruling.  SQ#836 aims to change Oklahoma’s primary election system from closed primaries to an open system.  The OKGOP maintains SQ#836 violates the First Amendment rights of association by forcing the Party to accept votes from those not registered with the Party.  They contend political parties have the right to determine who participates in their nomination process.

     Proponents of SQ#836 were represented by former U.S. Attorney Robert McCampbell.  He pointed out the US Supreme Court has ruled that a top-two primary system does not violate political party associational rights.  Three observations:

     First, changing the primary election will move Oklahoma to the left.  The motivation behind SQ#836 is because Democrats are losing at the ballot box.  D’s tried, with limited success, to get their candidates to run as Republicans.  That made it difficult for primary voters to identify the sheep from the goats.  The Democrat’s next strategy is to eliminate branding.  They want to make Party affiliation insignificant.  They want to blur and obscure a candidate’s values/positions so they can get more progressives elected.    SQ#836 is the springboard to a more liberal state government.  No true conservative is supporting it. 

     Second, changing the primary election will promote hijinks.  SQ#836 would increase the practice of candidates deceitfully positioning themselves as a conservative to win an election.  SQ#836 is a Trojan house.  Proponents are selling the fairness/harmless/beneficial of it, but fail to disclose the hidden danger and malicious intent it actually promotes.  SQ#836 would encourage candidates to practice deceit and chicanery.  It is already next to impossible to discern the genuine from the bogus in the current system.  Flipping to a primary where those not registered in a Party can determine the Party’s nominee is asinine.

     Third, changing the primary election will empower special interests. Proponents of SQ#836 trumpet how it will bring fairness, equity, and honesty to the primary system.  But what is fair about a system where those who don’t want to be a part of an organization want to tell that organization how to operate?  SQ#836 would draw special interest money like flies to sugar.  Mass marketing of empty suit light weights would put the power in the hands of big donors.  Trade associations and industries are already buying legislative seats in Oklahoma.  SQ#836 would take it to the next level.

     SQ#836 isn’t about fairness.  It’s about control.  It’s about winning elections.  Every registered voter in Oklahoma can already participate in primary elections.  They just have to register with the Party that aligns with their values.  That is just common sense.  Outsiders shouldn’t pick a Party’s nominee.  SQ#836 is a scam promoted by flim-flam artists.   Unfortunately, some of those bilkers have an ‘R’ by their name.  If the Oklahoma Supreme Court rules against the OKGOP, then SQ#836 advocates will start gathering signatures to get it on the ballot.  They have to gather 173,000 statewide in a short window.  Oklahomans should decline, reject, repudiate and spurn requests to put their John Hancock on the petition, not matter how persuasive the solicitor.  SQ#836 is not OK.   

 

SKELETONS RARELY STAY IN THE CLOSET!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SKELETONS

by Steve Fair

     In Numbers 32:23, Moses warns the tribes of Reuben and Gad their unfaithfulness will be exposed.  The scripture presents the principle that misbehavior and wrongdoing, deliberate or not, will eventually be discovered and have consequences.  Secrets are rarely kept forever, and actions always have repercussions. 

     This week at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts, a “kiss cam” was displayed on a big screen.  A blond woman and a silver-haired man ducked and ran off when they saw their images on the big screen.  Turns out the pair were married, but not to each other.  The man resigned his CEO position at an Artificial Intelligence (AI) data company he co-founded as a result of the incident.  Video of the “kiss cam” has gone viral.  Three observations:

     First, secrets rarely remain secrets.  It’s human nature to share with others, even the most private things.  Keeping secrets is psychologically draining and sometimes people just have to tell someone their innermost thoughts.  People tell others secrets to strengthen their bond with others.  They may be seeking support or help by bearing their soul.  Mistakes and leaks often reveal secrets through careless conversation and indiscreet actions.  In the modern world, data breaches expose emails, texts, social media posts the user thought were confidential.  Cameras are everywhere.  You can’t even run a stop light without getting caught!  “You can run, but you can’t hide,” has never been truer.

     Second, God sees all.  Yahweh sees all and knows all.  He is omniscient (all knowing).  He is omnipresent (everywhere all the time).  God is aware of everything that has happened, is happening and will happen.  Proverbs 15:3 states: "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." This verse highlights God's constant awareness and observation of both righteous and wicked behavior.  Even if a person successfully fools every person on earth, they just can’t sneak it past God.   Hebrews 4:13 says: "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." 

     Third, we reap what we sow.  Generally, in life, one receives the consequences of their actions- both positive and negative. Whether one believes in God or not, the law of cause and effect is universally recognized, so we should be conscious of the actions we take, as they will determine our harvest. 

     In the political arena, secrets are known as “skeletons in the closet.”  They are hidden things that happened in someone’s past that might affect their political campaign or career.  Exposure of skeletons are used to undermine an opponent’s reputation and influence constituents. 

     The Jeffery Epstein client list has dominated the recent news cycle.  Accusations of a cover up and speculation on who is on the list- if it exists- rage.  Passionate opinions condemn the inconsistency of past statements about the list.  

      Even if skeletons don’t fall out of Epstein’s closet, the participants in his sordid enterprise will be exposed- in this world or the next. The disclosure might not as public as a big screen “kiss cam,” but be not deceived, God is not mocked.  They will pay the price for their perversion.

USA Reformation will be God Initiated!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

POLITICS OR PIETY?

by Steve Fair

     In 1953, future U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) was serving in the U.S. Senate from Texas.  LBJ faced criticism from conservative tax-exempt organizations in his home state of Texas- two of which were Facts Forum and the Committee for Constitutional Government.  They pointed out LBJ’s liberal views to Texas voters in his 1948 campaign for Senate, and Johnson vowed to shut them down.  LBJ believed their accusations of his liberalism would harm his political standing in the conservative Lone Star state.  He sought to neutralize their influence on legislation and political campaigns by stopping donations to those 501(c)3 groups by removing their tax-exempt status.  The ‘Johnson Amendment’ banned any tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from political activism and endorsing of candidates.  Long time critics of the amendment say it is selectively enforced.  According to the Free Speech Center, religious organizations are the target of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) more often than secular groups. 

     Historically, the IRS has rarely enforced the Johnson Amendment against churches. The only known instance of a church losing its tax-exempt status over the amendment involved newspaper ads being run on behalf of a candidate.  But that will likely be changing. 

     Last week, the IRS entered a consent decree stating the ‘Johnson amendment’ does not prevent a "house of worship" from speaking to its congregation, through customary channels of communication on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith.  The action came after two Texas churches sued the IRS, asserting the ‘Johnson Amendment’ violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and exercise of religion.  Three observations:

     First, the Johnson Amendment is unconstitutional, but remains the law of the land.  In regard to the Johnson Amendment, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has ruled in the past tax benefits given to 501(c)3 nonprofits are a “form of subsidy administered through the tax system.”  Two federal Courts of Appeals have ruled the Johnson Amendment constitutional, but until the U.S. Supreme Court formally rules on the Johnson Amendment as how it applies to religious organizations, this is not over.  The IRS compromise reached this week may stop enforcement, but it doesn’t remove the Johnson Amendment from the statutes.

     Second, this deal will change campaign finance.  If donors can contribute to a church or any other 501 (c)3 group, receive an IRS approved tax deduction, and the donation be funneled to a candidate, ‘following the money’ becomes next to impossible.  Will churches and candidates be required to report campaign contributions from 501(c)3s like secular organizations have to?  Will the 501(c)3s need to disclose the giver?  If not, then this new position by the IRS could dramatically increase the number of ‘dark money’ groups involved in the political arena.  "Dark money" in politics refers to political spending by organizations that do not disclose their donors. This lack of transparency allows special interests to influence elections without public accountability. 

     Third, the policy could change the mission of churches.  Preaching repentance and faith may be put aside for proclaiming liberty and freedom-the doxology replaced with God Bless the USA.  Sermons may be on patriotism instead of peacemaking.  Fundraisers will replace fellowships.  Worship will focus on reforming the USA through activism.  Studying the Constitution instead of the Sermon on the Mount. 

     The mission of the Lord’s church is to preach the Gospel.  Jesus gave the Great Commission to His church in Matthew 28:19.   A church who veers or deviates from that commission- no matter their motive- is in danger of losing their candlestick.  Does a church have a right to get political?  Sure, but any church who puts politics over piety have lost their way.   They have sacrificed reverence for relevance.  America’s reformation will be God initiated, done in His timing and by His methods.