Weekly Opinion Editorial

BIGGER THAN ONE PERSON!

_{by Steve Fair}

     On Wednesday, President Donald Trump became the first United States president to be impeached twice.  He was charged with ‘incitement of insurrection,’ in conjunction with the overrun of the U.S. Capitol on January 6^th.  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D-CA) had given Vice President Mike Pence an ultimatum to invoke Section 4 of the 25^th amendment within 24 hours or the U.S. House would precede with impeachment.   Pence said he wouldn’t invoke the 25^th.  After little debate, the vote to impeach was 232-197 with 10 Republicans joining all the House Democrats, with 4 Republicans not voting on the resolution.   All 5 Oklahoma House members voted against impeachment.  Four observations:

     First, impeachment is a ‘political,’ and not legal action.  While seldom used in the past, Democrats have used it twice in one year.  Alan Dershowitz, one of Trump’s lawyers at his first impeachment, but who endorsed Biden for election in 2020, said, “Trump has not committed a constitutionally impeachable offense.”  Dershowitz said the Democrats had ‘weaponized’ the impeachment process, which is not its purpose.  During her speech presenting the charges, Speaker Pelosi quoted Abraham Lincoln and the Bible.  “He(President Trump) must go.  He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love,”she said.  Rep. Tom Cole, (R-OK) spoke on the floor Wednesday.  “I can think of no action that is likely to further divide the American people than the action we're contemplating today.” Cole said.    Now the articles move to the Senate, where Sen. Chuck  Schumer, (D-NY) said he will push to convict Trump, even after he is gone from office.  Why?  Because a conviction would prevent Trump from seeking federal office.

     Second, why do the Democrats (and some Republicans) want Trump out of politics?  They claim its because of his loud mouthed, shoot from the hip, in your face behavior but that is just part of it.  The establishment fears the movement Trump has created- one that puts America First.  They hate his policies as much as they do his personality.  What they fail to understand, it that whether Trump is the leader of the movement or not, Washington has likely changed forever.

     Third, no effectual, successful movement is greater than one man.  Donald Trump is clearly a cult of personality.  There may not be a populist to ever recreate what he has done.  His ability to fire up people who haven’t been engaged in politics/government is unprecedented.  But the truth is many involved in the MAGA movement have zeal but not according to knowledge.  If they stay hooked up and their involvement results in changes in government- at all levels- over the next decade in America, then the movement has been successful.  The proficiency of an effective movement is it doesn’t die when the excitement dies down.

     The accomplishments of the Trump four-year term were impressive:  Appointment of three members of the SCOTUS, over 200 federal judges confirmed, multiple successes in foreign policy, strong economy, and reduction of government regulations on businesses.  But the national debt under Trump increased at its highest rate ever.  The federal government footprint grew by 20%.  That isn’t conservative.  Republicans need to be objective and realistic and not practice blind loyalty to a cult of personality.   A movement is bigger than one person- or it should be.

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

What a Week!

by Steve Fair

  What a week! On Wednesday, a joint session of Congress convened to certify the 538 Electoral votes in the 2020 presidential race.  Outside thousands of President Trump supporters gathered for a rally.  After being warmed up by Eric and Donald Jr, President Trump spoke to the passionate crowd just as the proceedings in the House chamber started.  “We will never give up; we will never concede. We will stop the steal. We’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, and we’re going to the Capitol…We’re going to try and give our Republicans, the weak ones…the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country.”  After the Electoral votes for Arizona were challenged, the two chambers went into debate.  At that point, several hundred of the crowd breeched the security blockades and begin to push their way into the Capitol.  Some took to breaking windows out of the Capitol and crawling into the building.  An Air Force combat veteran was shot and killed by Capitol police crawling through a broken window.  Lawmakers were rushed to secure locations and tear gas was used on those inside the Capitol.  It took until late in the evening to clear the Capitol and get Congress back in session.  The National Guard was called out and set up a perimeter around the Capitol.  At 3:30am, Vice President Mike Pence announced that Joe Biden was the winner of the 2020 president election. Four observations:

     First, there is no justification or excuse for desecrating the U.S. Capitol.  Video of people hanging from the gallery balcony or sitting in the Speaker’s chair were disturbing and showed incredible disrespect for the building.  It made America look like a third world country.  Breeching security should result in consequences and it appears many have already been charged.

     Second, frustration with their government fueled most of the protestors.  That’s understandable, but it doesn’t justify breaking the law.  Taking the law into your own hands is anarchy.  Many Americans share the frustration with an out of control, non-responsive government, but choose to not break the law. 

     Third, the Trump supporters are a persistent, dedicated group.  Some call them crazed- others committed, but clearly they are not going away.  Elected official’s actions in the coming days are going to be under more scrutiny than in the last 50 years.  That is a good thing and people paying attention to their government- at all levels- will improve it.

     Fourth, Trump is not going away.  Like it or not, he has maintained control over the national GOP.  His handpicked Chair and Vice Chair at the RNC were reelected in Florida, two days after the riot at the Capitol.  Donald Trump Jr. screamed, “This is Donald Trump’s Republican Party,” at the Capitol rally and it appears he was absolutely right.  The RNC will be nothing more than Trump’s PR and fundraising arm for the next four years.  That is unfortunate because the primary job of the national Party(Party leadership at all levels) leadership is to ‘conduct fair primaries’ and to help get the GOP nominee elected, not tilt the process to favor one candidate.  When they do that, they lose all creditability with other Republicans.  By keeping the Trump team intact at the RNC, it sends a message the fix is in for 2024.

           May God have mercy on America.  Only He can heal this broken nation.

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

MATTERS WORTHY OF CONGRESS!

by Steve Fair

     Wednesday’s opening of the Electoral College votes before a joint session of Congress will be a lesson in U.S. government, so tune into C-Span or set your VDR.  On Saturday eleven Republican senators indicated they would vote to not seat the Electors from four contested seats until an Electoral Commission with full investigatory and fact-finding authority conduct a 10-day audit of the election returns in the disputed states. Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune, (R-SD) said any objection to seating Electors from the disputed state, ‘would go down like a shot dog.’  Four observations:

     First, it would not be the first time an Electoral Commission has been appointed.  In the 1876 presidential election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tiden, there were serious allegations of election fraud in three states.  One of the states- South Carolina- reported an impossible voter turnout of 101%- more people voted than were registered.  Congress appointed a 15-member commission consisting of 5 senators, 5 congressman, and 5 members of the Supreme Court.  The commission voted 8-7 to award the contested electoral votes to Hayes, giving him a one Electoral vote victory over Tiden.  Democrats agreed to Hayes being president if Republicans would pull troops out of the South and Hayes was sworn into office on March 5, 1887.  The republic survived that very contentious election and it will survive this one.

      Second, Congress has an obligation to verify contested states followed their own election laws.  Congress is not given constitutional authority on how individual states conduct their elections, but it is the duty of Congress to insure states follow their laws.  There are many questions that at least 4 and up to 7 states ignored their own election laws.  Without integrity at the ballot box, the republic is doomed. 

      Third, by conducting an audit, perhaps future fraud can be avoided.  At this point, it doesn’t appear there are enough votes to get a commission appointed.  The lip service many Republicans give to root out fraud and corruption is just that- lip service.  The ‘swamp’ is afraid an audit might uncover something they don’t want uncovered.  Cheating at the ballot box has been going on for 150 years, but the cavalier, indifferent, dismissive way Congress has avoided investigating it may have come home to roost.  Until 2020, the average American wasn’t paying much attention, but a recent poll showed 40% of Americans believe the 2020 election was stolen and it is not just those wearing tin foil hats.  Congress may be forced to actually do something this time if those Americans keep paying attention.

     Four, some elected officials are clearly using this as a political opportunity to appeal to the GOP base.  Senators Cruz and Hawley are ambitious grandstanders and are likely 2024 Republican presidential candidates.  By their own admission they have little chance of getting the Commission appointed.  Contesting the seating of the Electors- even if it is long shot- boosts their stock with the hard-core rank and file GOP activists and kickstarts their 2024 campaign.  Sometimes the grandstander gets into the game.

     In their press release, the eleven Senators said: "These are matters worthy of the Congress, and entrusted to us to defend. We do not take this action lightly. We are acting not to thwart the democratic process, but rather to protect it. And every one of us should act together to ensure that the election was lawfully conducted under the Constitution and to do everything we can to restore faith in our Democracy."

     The American people need to keep the pressure on their federal representatives to take on (1) Ballot box integrity and (2) Introduction of a Constitutional amendment standardizing the election procedure in electing the president and vice president in all states.  Those are ‘matters worthy of Congress.’

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

by Steve Fair

     2020 comes to a close on Thursday.  It has been a year to remember.  In the not so distance future, there will be books written and movies made about 2020.  Americans have become more acquainted with Zoom and on-line video meetings than they wanted to.  They have eaten at home more.  They have learned to recognize people by their eyes, since masks are the fashion statement of the year.  Let’s recap 2020 by month.

     In January Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping aside from their royal duties.  The next day COVID-19 arrived in the United States when a Washington state man who had traveled from Wuhan, China tested positive.  Kobe Bryant and his daughter were killed in a plane crash on the 26^th.  Britain officially left the European Union on the 31^st.

     In February, the impeachment of President Donald Trump dominated the news.  Impeached by the U.S. House in January on a partisan vote, Trump was acquitted by the Senate February 5^th on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.  Parasite dominated the Oscars, the first time a non-English speaking movie won Best Picture.

     In March, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.  Experts claimed that up to 70% of the world’s population could ultimately be infected by the virus.  The stock market reacted negatively and had its largest single day point drop in history on the 9^th.  Americans stocked up on toilet paper (not normally an expandable consumption product), and other staples creating shortages on retail shelves.

     In April, armed militia members took to the Michigan State Capitol to protest stay-at- home orders by the governor.  Tensions got high as local elected officials across U.S. imposed mask mandates and prohibited certain businesses to remain open.

     In May, George Floyd died and the media focus moved to racial injustice and inequality.  Protests were held across America, many turning into riots and looting.

    In June, President Trump declared himself the ‘president of law and order’ in front of a church across the street from the White House.  Former Vice President Joe Biden was chosen as the Democratic nominee for president.

     In July, Major League Baseball started their shortened season, but fans weren’t allowed into the stadiums.  The games were played in front of cardboard cut-outs.  California Gov. Newsom shut down churches in the state by banning in person worship, prompting lawsuits from several.

     In August, hurricane Laura struck the Louisiana coastline, killing six and a large swath of destruction.  The hurricane season in 2020 was one of the most active with twelve(12) named storms. President Trump accepted the GOP nomination for president.  Joe Biden announced his vice president choice- Senator Kamala Harris, (D-CA).

     In September, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the high court. 

     In October, President Trump was diagnosed and briefly hospitalized with COVID.  Judge Amy Barrett was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 partisan vote.

     In November, America voted and former Vice President Joe Biden was projected the winner by the media.  President Trump disagreed and vowed to expose voting irregularities across the country.  The state of Texas (along with 17 other states) sued four states, challenging their seating of their Electors.  The Supreme Court refused to hear the case.  Alex Trebek died after a long battle with cancer. 

     In December, two companies- Pfizer and Moderna- were approved to administer a vaccine to combat COVID.  The arrival of the two vaccines were developed in less than a year after President Trump had initiated Operation Warp Speed.  The media gave him zero credit.  A mutated strain of COVID shut down the United Kingdom fueling fears a second wave could be more challenging than the first.

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

MITT THE TWIT!

by Steve Fair

     On Sunday, U.S. Mitt Romney, (R-Utah) said on CNN’s State of the Union the Republican Party has changed.  He said most of the 2024 GOP presidential contenders are pivoting toward emulating President Donald Trump.  “The party that I knew is one that was very concerned about Russia and [Vladimir] Putin and Kim Jong Un and North Korea, and we pushed back aggressively against them,”Romney said. “We were a party concerned about balancing the budget.”   

     Romney, a persistent critic of President Trump, was the lone Republican in the Senate to vote to convict the president on impeachment charges in January.  “I think, ultimately, the Republican Party will return to the roots that have been formed over — well, the century,” he said. “So, we’ll get back at some point and, hopefully, people will recognize we need to take a different course than the one we are on right now.” Four comments:

     First, Romney is right about the budget.  There was a time when smaller budgets, fiscal responsibility and smaller government were a cornerstone to what Republicans believed.  Gradually Republicans- at all levels- embraced a tax and spend philosophy.  The election of President Trump didn’t start government’s out-of-control spending, but during his four-year term, the national debt increased by 36% to $26 trillion.  While he fulfilled many of his 2016 election promises, Trump was not successful in reducing government’s footprint.  If America doesn’t get government spending and the national debt under control, our country is doomed.

    Second, Romney is wrong about foreign policy.  Trump’s ‘America first,’ foreign policy was successful.  It kept the US out of foreign wars and the nation building that Trump’s globalist predecessors (including Joe Biden) embraced.  Before Trump took office, North Korea was on the verge of invading South Korea.  China was taking advantage of the US in trade.  The Middle East was a hotbed with US troops in three different countries.  While unorthodox, Trump’s style of foreign diplomacy was effective, because he insisted the US not be treated as a doormat or an ATM machine by foreign governments. 

     Third, Romney is right about the GOP needing to return to their roots.  Elected Republicans at all levels have drifted from the Party’s founding principles of personal responsibility and limited government.  But Mitt Romney never embraced those principles or roots.  For Romney to question the direction of the Republican Party is laughable.  He has consistently been on the opposite side of most traditional Republican platform positions.

     Fourth, Romney is right about candidates emulating Trump.  His style of campaigning and governing inspires and energizes voters.  No political leader in the history of the country has been able to fire people up like Trump.  His politically incorrect-no clutch- full speed ahead style is fruitful.  He says what most Americans are thinking.  That is why candidates are copying his tactics.  Good or bad, Trump changed the political arena forever. 

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

A FRUIT MEDLEY

by Steve Fair

     On Friday, the United States Supreme Court voted unanimously to not hear the Texas vs. Georgia/Pennsylvania/Michigan/Wisconsin lawsuit.  Seventeen states, including Oklahoma, joined Texas in the lawsuit.  All nine SCOTUS justices voted to not hear the suit, that aimed to prevent the Electors in those four states from casting their vote on December 14^th. 

     If the suit would have been successful, it would have dropped Joe Biden’s Electoral count to 244, below the 270 needed for election.  The race would then have been thrown into the U.S. House of Representatives where each state’s delegation would vote en bloc, with each state having a single vote.  The District of Columbia would not have a vote.  Republicans are the majority in 30 of the 50 House delegates, so it would be very likely President Trump would be re-elected.  Two observations:

     First, the counting of the Electoral vote is set for Wednesday January 6^th at 1pm before a joint session of Congress.  Vice President Mike Pence will preside over the proceedings.  Normally, the process is a formality, but not in 2021.  With so much controversy over claims of cheating, the opening of the Electoral voters will be a lesson in government every American should pay attention to.  Expect C-Span to set a record for viewership.  Here is how it will work:           

     The President of the Senate(the Vice President) will open and present the certificates of the electoral votes of the states and the District of Columbia in alphabetical order.   Four Members of Congress(2 from each chamber) called tellers, will read the Electoral votes from each state and report them.   At that point, Vice President Pence will call for objections, if any.  An objection must be presented in writing and signed by at least one Senator and one Representative.  If there is an objection, the joint session would adjourn and each chamber would then meet and after debate(no more than 2 hours) vote on whether to allow the challenged state’s Electoral votes to be counted or not.  The two chambers then reconvene and report their vote to the President of the Senate.  It is certain the Electoral votes from the four states sued by Texas will be challenged.   This normally routine proceeding will be far from routine.

     Second, how each state and DC conduct their election of Electors does impact other states.  The SCOTUS said the Texas lawsuit did not show Texas citizens had suffered harm by how the four states  handled their election, but that is not true.  When one state cheats in the presidential race, it impacts every state.  Texas was impacted.  Every state was impacted.  Clearly the U.S. Constitution grants authority to each individual state on how Electors are elected, but when some states are still counting ballots two weeks after the election, it is past time to standardize the process for electing the president and vice president. 

    Recent polls show 75% of Republicans believe cheating occurred in the 2020 election.  The same poll found that 20% of Democrats believe there was defrauding.  That is a significant number of Americans have lost confidence in the integrity of the ballot box.  And there is reason to be concerned.  When you consider twenty-one states have same day registration, and five states will automatically send you a ballot in the mail each election, is there no wonder there is cheating?  Some states have election day registration.  Some have extended early voting- others have no early voting.  Some require identification to get a ballot, others do not.  The variance in how elections are held across the United States is like a fruit medley.  That needs to change.  Contact your Congressman and U.S. Senators and ask them to support election reform that includes standardization of election procedures and timelines for the presidential election.

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

EXPECT CHANGE, NOT UNITY!

by Steve Fair

     What can America expect under a President Joe Biden administration?  Will he roll back many of the Trump administration’s policies?  Will Biden forge policy in line with the U.S. Constitution?  Here are six policy changes Biden will make in his first 100 days:

      First, a Biden administration will push state and local governments to ‘lock down’ to slow the spread of COVID-19.  The Trump administration recognized the U.S. Constitution didn’t grant authority for government to close businesses and churches, mandate the wearing of masks, and regulate the number of people who can gather.   Trump’s   laissez-faire approach to government is a far different one than Biden’s state socialism.  That will be very apparent in their differing approaches to the pandemic.

     Second, a Biden administration will raise taxes.  He has stated emphatically the Trump tax cuts would go away.  Those increases will be on everyone, not just the wealthy.  It may be difficult for him to accomplish it if the U.S. Senate remains in GOP hands (which it appears will be the case), but rest assured he is committed to doing it.  He plans to eliminate deductible traditional contributions to 401Ks and IRA and instead provide a tax credit for each dollar contributed.  That will negatively impact virtually every American.

     Third, a Biden administration will fundamentally change Trump’s environmental policy.  Expect the US to rejoin the 2015 Paris climate agreement.  The regulations on fossil fuels will be ramped up and tax dollars will be spent on renewable energy initiatives.  The price of gasoline and heating fuel will go up because of the regulations.  Jobs in the energy sector will be reduced. 

     Fourth, a Biden administration will push increased regulation of firearms.  He has stated he wants to expand the National Firearms Act which imposes a $200 tax on the registration of each weapon.   His website says he believes that gun violence is a ‘public health epidemic.’  He wants to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.  He considers the National Rifle Association (NRA) an enemy and states on his website he will ‘take them on.’

     Fifth, a Biden administration will change Trump’s immigration policy.  A likely first step will be termination of the ‘Remain in Mexico,’ program.  That forces migrations to present their asylum case in Mexico, not the U.S.  He has said he will stop work on Trump’s wall.  He has said he would present within the first 100 days a plan to make 11 million illegal immigrates a ‘pathway to citizenship.’ 

     Sixth, a Biden administration will change Trump’s foreign policy.  Biden plans to roll back to the Obama administration foreign policy strategy.  That policy included a secret airlift of $400 million in various currencies being flown to Iran for the release of four American.  U.S. taxpayers paid $1.7 billion total to Iran in an agreement negotiated by former Secretary of State John Kerry to resolve a decades old depute over an arms deal.  Trump’s ‘America First,’ policy will be jettisoned for a globalist blueprint.

     A Biden administration will move America to the left- toward socialism.  It will work to redistribute wealth, regulate carbon emissions, register weapons, and open the borders.  It will be a far different approach to governing than the past four years.  Biden’s policies will be divisive, polarizing, and will further divide America.  Biden’s call for unity is disingenuous, duplicitous, and insincere.  Expect the next four years to be America’s most challenging and inharmonious, because of policy, not personality.

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

PASS THE BROWNIES!

by Steve Fair

     In June 2018 Oklahoma voters approved State Question788 by a 57%-43% margin.   The initiative petition state question legalized the licensed cultivation, use and possession of marijuana for medicinal purposes in the Sooner state.  The ‘specifics’ of how to implement the legalization was vague and confusion reigned.  Elected officials and the Oklahoma Department of Health attempted to restrict weed distribution by requiring dispensaries to have a pharmacist on duty. Several lawsuits resulted and state courts ultimately ruled that requirement was not necessary.  It has been two years since voters passed #788 and legalized medical marijuana.  What has been the result?

     First, Oklahoma’s use of marijuana is the highest per capita in the U.S.  Almost 10% of the state’s population (more than 360,000) have obtained medical marijuana cards since #788 was implemented.  New Mexico, by comparison, has only about 5% of the population with cards.  Because it only requires a quick 5-minute consultation with a doctor and $60, virtually anyone can get a card.  A few doctors write the vast majority of the scripts for medical marijuana cards.    

     Second, retail dispensaries are everywhere.  There are over 2,000 active licenses across the state.  That is more than 25 dispensaries per county.  Even the smallest towns in Oklahoma have a marijuana dispensary. With the relative low cost of $2,500 to obtain a license to dispense, the opportunity to legally sell marijuana has attracted many entrepreneurs.  

     Third, state government are collecting taxes on marijuana sales.  Currently pot sales are generating about $100 million annually, but estimates are that up to $300 million annually could be collected.  Since Texas hasn’t legalized marijuana use yet, dispensaries near the border find a substantial amount of their business is from the Lone Star state.

     What is the long-term impact of legalized marijuana on Oklahoma?  First, it could hurt economic recruitment to the state.  Forbes magazine found corporate America is not prepared to embrace legalized recreational drug use by their employees.  Manufacturers, in particular, are concerned about workplace safety. Tesla’s Elon Musk famously smoked a marijuana joint in a television interview, but said he thought long term weed use hurt productivity.  Clearly, legal marijuana use wasn’t a factor when Musk passed on Tulsa as a manufacturing site for his new pick-up truck for Austin, Texas.  Second, increased marijuana use can lead to increased uses of harder drugs.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana use is likely to precede use of other illicit substances.  Oklahoma already has one of the highest opioid addiction rates in America.  Third, increased consumption of pot could create an increase in social issues, which cost taxpayers.  Oklahoma has high rates of domestic abuse and child abuse.  Oklahoma ranks #46 in the United States for poor health behaviors, with high rates of diabetes and heart disease.  Increasing costs of social issues created because citizens make bad decisions cost money.  If 10% of the population starts regularly smoking weed, it’s a cinch social ill will increase and taxpayers will pay the cost.  Ironically, Oklahoma’s libertarian, freewheeling, open-minded reputation (legalized gambling and marijuana) has earned the state the nickname Toke-lahoma.   That wasn’t what the average Oklahoman was voting for when they voted for SQ# 788, but that is what they got.  Pass the brownies.

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

AMERICANS HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

by Steve Fair

     What is known about the first Thanksgiving comes from a letter written by Edward Winslow in 1621,  Winslow was one of the one hundred people who sailed from England on the Mayflower the year before.  The first Thanksgiving wasn’t in November, but was in September and most of those who attended were men.  Many of the women had died after reaching the New World.  The 50 colonists and 100 natives were celebrating a successful harvest.

       Magazine editor Sarah Hale was the driving force in getting the 4^th Thursday of November declared Thanksgiving Day.  She achieved that goal in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation establishing that day as a National Holiday.  The holiday was used to heal a divided nation.

     2020 has been a difficult year.  The COVID-19 pandemic, contentious politics, economic chaos, and hurricanes have made some believe we have little to be thankful for.  Four reasons for Americans to be thankful this Thanksgiving season:

     First, Americans enjoy the most freedom on earth.  Clearly individual liberty is eroding in the United States.  Government interference, regulation, and mandates are on the rise.  The founding document is ignored and misrepresented, but in spite of all that, America is still the country people are trying to get to, not leave.  That freedom and liberty comes from the hand of a sovereign God and we should recognize that.  We should be thankful for living in America. 

     Second, Americans should be thankful for their system of government.  Many are unhappy with the recent election results.  Some are elated.  All should applaud the wisdom of our founders in establishing a system of government that allows citizens to change direction every two years.  If elected representatives don’t vote like their constituents want, they can be voted out.  America’s unique system of checks and balances in government work when citizens stay informed, engaged and involved in their government.  The system works only when citizens are diligent and faithful to holding their elected representatives accountable. 

     Third, Americans should be thankful for the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  It guarantees freedom of speech, worship and the press.  It also protects the right to peaceful protest and to petition the government.  Many counties, including democracies, have a founding document granting rights such as these to their citizens.  Few like protesters who disagree with their position, but all should fight for their right to exercise their first amendment rights.  When the liberties of one are infringed upon, it affects all.  The first amendment is under attack and it is critical it is protected.

     Fourth, Americans should be thankful for their economic system.  The ‘American Dream’ can become reality in the U.S.  That is why people are trying to come to America.  There is no place on earth where a person can ‘pull themselves up by their bootstraps,’ like America.  In spite of growing government regulations, America is still the best place on the planet to get ahead economically. 

     President Theodore Roosevelt said about Thanksgiving: “Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”  In the coming year, may the walk match the talk.

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

UNIFORM VOTING PROCEDURES NEEDED!

by Steve Fair

     How the president is elected in America is laid out in the U.S. Constitution.  It states in Article II, Section 1, each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which may be entitled in the Congress.  It also authorizes Congress to determine the day Electors vote, which in 2020 is December 14^th.  Thirty states, including Oklahoma, ‘bind’ their Electors to the election results in the state and can replace an Elector if they attempt to be unfaithful.  After the 538 Electors vote in each of the individual state, each state reports the results to Congress.  Those results must be received by December 23^rd. 

     On January 6, 2021, in front of a joint session of Congress, the Senate President (US Vice President Pence) will open alphabetically each state’s Elector vote submission and four tellers (two from each chamber) will confirm the votes.  The Vice President will then announce the results.  Members of Congress may object to the returns from any individual state as they are announced. Objections to individual state returns must be made in writing by at least one Member each of the Senate and House of Representatives. If an objection meets these requirements, the joint session recesses and the two houses separate and debate the question in their respective chambers for a maximum of two hours. The two chambers then vote separately to accept or reject the objection. They then reassemble in joint session, and announce the results of their respective votes. An objection to a state’s electoral vote must be approved by both houses in order for any contested votes to be excluded.  Objections to the Electoral College votes were recorded in 1969 and 2005.  In both those cases, the House and Senate rejected the objections and the votes in question were counted.

     In the case of an Electoral College deadlock between two candidates (269 to 269) or if no candidate receives the majority of votes, a “contingent election” is held. The election of the President then goes to the House of Representatives. Each state ‘delegation’ casts one vote for one of the top three contenders to determine a winner.  Two presidential elections in American history was decided by the House- in 1800 and 1824.  Four observations about the 2020 presidential election:

     First, Congress declares the winner of the presidential election, not the media.  The constitutional process is clear.  Until the Electors vote December 14^th, there is no president-elect.  For the media, or anyone else, to declare a winner before the 14^th is pre-mature. 

     Second, the 2020 presidential race was very close.  Vice President Biden’s lead in three states is razor thin.  Arizona (11 electoral votes) was decided by 11,000 votes, Pennsylvania (20 electoral votes) by 69,000, and Georgia (16 electoral votes) by 14,000 votes.  If those three states’ electoral votes reverted to President Trump, he would win re-election with 279 electoral votes.  Biden’s margin of victory, if it does stand, is being taunted by the media as a landslide, but it was far from that.   

     Third, if the race is thrown into the House of Representatives, Trump will likely be re-elected.  There are thirty (30) states whose delegation is majority Republican.  Democrats know that and are fighting to avoid that.  That is why the legal fight will be waged in the states.

     Fourth, the courts will decide if election laws in the states were followed.  If the laws were followed, then the results will likely stand.  If the laws were not followed, then recounts will follow and possibly even a revote in a state.  A revote has never happened and courts shy away from overturning elections, but it is a possibility.