EDMOND —
Few times in American history have we seen people divided so politically as we have during this election cycle. The partisan gridlock of Congress and the relentless sniping of presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle are more than just fodder for late-night comedy. This lack of civility and respect for opposing viewpoints is now the subject of new books, newspaper, magazine and blog articles and frustration expressed by everyday citizens across the country.
That’s why how you cast your vote on Tuesday matters so very much in this election.
Locally, Edmond-area residents will be asked to consider four choices for the 5th Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. James Lankford, R-Edmond. Lankford faces Democrat Tom Guild and Independents Pat Martin and Robert T. Murphy.
One of the most pressing issues facing our nation is how to deal with record-breaking levels of national debt. That issue flows into the next issue of government spending and finding ways to bring some fiscal sanity into the equation. There are many other issues out there that demand attention, but these two top the list as they impact almost every other problem facing the nation.
Working in today’s Congress requires a personality that is not easily ruffled. It requires someone who can research the issues and cast votes based upon the knowledge of their district and the conviction of character necessary to make difficult choices. We can easily see that the complex issues facing the next Congress will take many men and women of brave character and conviction to find solutions to move America forward.
Congressman Lankford in just two short years has done much to gain our confidence. We believe he offers the right balance of intellect, compassion and common sense to get the job done for not just the 5th District, but for all of America. We encourage the congressman to continue fighting the good fight while striving even more to find ways to listen to those with whom he might personally disagree. While we appreciate the diversity of ideas brought forward by the other candidates in this race, we believe Lankford has all the elements necessary to be an extremely effective congressman and leader.
There are two other Edmond-area races on the ballot Tuesday as well. One of the most important qualities of any candidate is assessing whether they have the knowledge, skill and ability to work with others to get the job done. We do not elect senators and representatives who will then stay in their own little bubble working on their personal pet issue. We elect people based on whether they can work with others to accomplish a common goal, even when they may approach a problem from vastly different personal perspectives.
Both Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, and Rep. Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond, have shown tremendous capability to make major reform accomplishments at the state Capitol in an environment that can be fraught with fractious fighting even among their own party constituents. Both men have weathered criticism, but still hold their heads up high and continue to work hard to find ways to lessen the debt burden for their children and ours.
Sen. Jolley guided the budget process last session and admits there’s plenty more work to do. We want to see him return for another term to further that work in whittling down state agency spending and realigning state budgeting priorities. His leadership on education reform is also critical at this juncture as well as his tireless efforts to see a modern facility built for the State Medical Examiner’s Office. We admire his passion and commitment to this important issue.
Rep. McDaniel became the singular champion of pension reform in Oklahoma during the past two sessions. Reforms he authored will more than halve the unfunded debts to the state pension funds, bringing the state back into better fiscal alignment with its future obligations. He is the first to admit that not everyone was happy with every item approved, but McDaniel believes all sides involved know he wants what is best for the state as a whole and not just what’s best for one select group over another. We applaud McDaniel’s efforts in this arena that ultimately will benefit every current and future taxpayer in Oklahoma.
Ultimately, the most important decision each reader can make today is the one to go out and vote. Early voting options are available at the Oklahoma County Election Board through 1 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Polls will be open statewide from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Opinion
OUR VIEW: Lankford, Jolley, McDaniel get our vote
- Opinion
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Americans deserve the truth on Benghazi
Lately, the media has been consumed by the controversies surrounding the White House. Among these controversies is the horrific terrorist attack on the United States’ diplomatic compound in Benghazi that took place Sept. 11, 2012. As more people come forward with additional information regarding the attack on the consulate, many Americans, including myself, are still asking for the truth.
The Obama Administration and the State Department have been less than forthcoming with key information on Benghazi and recent information points toward a major cover-up. -
Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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HEY HINK: Some people just are not cut out for command
Recent headlines cause me to remember an incident that occurred on an army base some years ago. Warning here: I’m taking some liberties with names and details, but the basic outline of events is accurate.
A certain company commander, let’s call him Captain Duntz, had command of a motor pool on a large army base in the continental U.S. -
We’ve become our own worst enemies
The past couple months have been marked by a seeming unprecedented number of man-made tragedies, as distinct from those caused by violent outbursts of the natural world, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis.
You don’t want to dwell too long on the negative, but we do have to take notice of horrific human events and we owe it to ourselves to respond to them in some way. We don’t always agree on those responses, however, and that usually exacerbates the problem. -
Let’s reimburse higher ed for remediation costs
The good news: Oklahoma schools are teaching phonics. The bad news: It’s in college.
Students at Tulsa Community College, for example, can take a college English course called “Spelling and Phonics,” which “helps students master basic spelling literacy, principles of phonics and decoding skills.”
This sort of higher education brings to mind former Boston University president John Silber’s quip: “Higher than what?” -
AGAINST THE GRAIN: Department of Commerce highlights Main Street successes
The 24th annual Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet was at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum last week. Oklahoma Department of Commerce Secretary Dave Lopez addressed the gathering, and spoke of how the Commerce Department works with Main Street organizations throughout the state that are working to improve their downtown areas. Lopez pointed out that the partnership between his department and those local organizations has brought new life to those communities and that the attendees would see some of that revitalization in a video presentation. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin also addressed the gathering, and said the Main Street program has resulted in more than $1 billion in investments in the state and more than 1 million volunteer hours in its 24 years of operation.
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OUR VIEW: Be Edmond needs your help
BMX star and local legend Mat Hoffman knows what’s it like to fall from great heights and find yourself at one of the worst low points in life. He also knows how to climb back up and tackle life’s problems head on.
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No Americans forgotten in Benghazi
More than eight months ago on Sept. 11, the nation was shaken by the attack on our consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Claiming the lives of four innocent Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, that horrific night still demands further investigation before it can be laid to rest. Due to an uncooperative administration and State Department who attempted to downplay the terrorist attack just eight weeks before the presidential election, we still don’t know the truth.
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Saying goodbye to the earmark
When a new legislator, I worked to learn some of the more hidden and less-than-transparent aspects in the way Oklahoma politicians spent our taxpayer dollars. This wasn’t easy as even some legislators are left in the dark regarding the mechanics of how the legislative budget process is abused to the benefit of the most powerful of politicians.
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HEY HINK: Think like a gaur before deciding on gun debate
Have you ever heard of a gaur? It’s the largest living member of the bovine family. A large gaur bull can weigh more than a ton and a half. His body may be nearly 11 feet long and he may be more than 7 feet tall at the shoulder. This is a huge, enormously powerful animal that could, no doubt, do a terrific amount of work if it would ever allow itself to be hitched to a plow. But it won’t. Man has never been able to offer the gaur a deal that would persuade it to become domesticated.
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Americans deserve the truth on Benghazi
