Basically other states have come to their senses about pot, both medical and recreational and the associated prison reform. Once again, Oklahoma is tightening the noose on its citizens. When Oklahoma uses human incarceration as a major economic model, it is helpful to keep the private prisons and the legal system clogged with nonviolent drug […]
Letters to the Editor
Posted inNews
Terrific teachers
—Makes students his or her top priority;—Has the ability to stimulate students; —Consistently looks for and brings to the classroom current and stimulating material; —Works with students outside the classroom on projects that give students a practical application for the subject; —Keeps up with his or her field of expertise; —Has the ability to see […]
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Mucking up marketplace fairness
The MFA would make Internet retailers unpaid tax collectors for almost 10,000 governmental entities. It sets an arbitrary threshold for small sellers doing $1 million or less in sales — not profits. Think about all of the mom-and-pop shops who sell online. These are the Internet entrepreneurs who have worked hard to provide a fair […]
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Taking tests to task
Just like workplace drug testing, if it really affects work performance, do you really need a drug test? Won’t you see its effect? Those who do cocaine, meth, etc. and time it right, you’ll never catch those people — do it Friday and Saturday, and it’s out of your system by Monday. And a $20 […]
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A dangerous farm bill
As an example, numerous states have passed laws protecting mother dogs trapped inside puppy mills, yet this would be repealed by King’s amendment. Thankfully, the Senate doesn’t have this dangerous language in its version of the farm bill. Oklahoma Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, who is likely to be in the bill’s conference committee, must work […]
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For the unauthorized
The argument is that people who have not respected our immigration laws should not be rewarded with normalization, that it is not fair to potential immigrants who are waiting in line and that this kind of measure would undermine the rule of law. It is a simple, attractive argument. It is also dead wrong. There […]
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No bull’s-eye
I wrote to Amber Sharples, OAC executive director, and asked what study or report backs up that statistic. She didn’t reply, so I suspect it is one of those things “everyone knows” for which there is no proof. —Carl Hall, Edmond Editor’s note: The statistic comes from a 2008 Oklahoma economic impact study conducted by […]
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Brake dancing with facts
State employees, including the corrections officers and state troopers who protect us, haven’t received a pay raise since 2006, but our country-club Republicans allocated $7 million to needlessly remodel Capitol legislative offices, including a conference room “complete with a catering area and offices.” We incarcerate over 26,000 people (27 percent for drug offenses), costing hundreds […]
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Reclaiming liberty
This is not a Republican vs. Democrat issue, but one of independence vs. dependence. Both political parties claim to have the high ground on advancing liberty, the left for social issues or the right for economic issues, but in truth, both parties use the language of liberty to advance their own power and our dependence.George […]