| As I write this, the House Republican Caucus is meeting behind closed doors. They are planning their message and their options for fixing a problem they created. Over the weekend the voters of Oklahoma were waiting for legislators to respond to the major ruling of the supreme court. The decision was swift, absolute, and unanimous. The legislature clearly and boldly violated the constitution.
We have a problem of pride which has swept over the political process. It is nothing new. There has been a 'radio silence' since the call of "sine' die", last May. Even the statewide office holders have said little or nothing. What the majority of the legislators did was a violation of their oath of office. They didn't just inadvertently do something unconstitutional. They attempted robbery from the people to the tune of about a quarter of a billion dollars every year. Divided by the 'yea' votes, that means each yes vote on the tobacco bill was a theft of $2.5 million per legislator, every year! Why won't they apologize? Why won't they repent? |  |
Most of them associate apologies with causing a weakness to manifest. The very opposite is true. they are weak because they refuse to acknowledge their error and offense. The quickest way to shake it off is to humbly admit the wrong. Own it!
The next step is to admit the need for a recovery plan and an accountability system. The Platform Caucus can be that accountability system. The several members of the Platform Caucus have proved themselves loyal to the Republican values, but they did not follow their own legislative leaders into the error which has now overtaken the chamber.
There is a great anger back home in the 101 districts. There are residents organizing support for a primary challenge to many of the incumbents. That kind of dissent within the party will make it very difficult to take on a rejuvenated Democratic Party, in November.
Repentance is a far less costly solution.
The next step is to admit the need for a recovery plan and an accountability system. The Platform Caucus can be that accountability system. The several members of the Platform Caucus have proved themselves loyal to the Republican values, but they did not follow their own legislative leaders into the error which has now overtaken the chamber.
There is a great anger back home in the 101 districts. There are residents organizing support for a primary challenge to many of the incumbents. That kind of dissent within the party will make it very difficult to take on a rejuvenated Democratic Party, in November.
Repentance is a far less costly solution.
