April 3, 2009
The Oklahoma legislature has been busy lately. Busy debating bills that have been marked as "controversial" at the capitol. But across the state, Oklahoma citizens don't show much attention toward the two debated bills. The first bill would declare English as the official language of the state. The second bill would require voters to show a form of photo ID when voting. Really? That's the most important thing the Oklahoma legislature can come up with? Forget the economic crisis, the hike of tuition & fees across the state's higher education institutes, the health care system, energy efficiency, elected officials not paying taxes, etc. Apparently these petty bills are more important.
1st off- why WOULDN'T we want someone to show their ID when they vote? Am I crazy or is Oklahoma a little behind in the times? Ever heard of voter fraud or identity theft? 2nd- Why are we debating the official state language? The argument stated in the paper today was that having English as an official language was "unconstitutional and mean." Ok, well then is having an official state beverage of milk mean and discriminating to producers of juice or coffee? Is it mean and discriminating to the other poor animals out there that the bison is our official state animal? What about all the other songs ever sung, how do you think those artists and writers feel about our official state song? And, if we were in France, Mexico, Canada, Japan, or any other country, would they feel like it was "mean" to have their native and most spoken language as their official language? Doubtful. Get over yourselves people.
But, really. Come on OK leaders! Let's try and accomplish something actually significant! How about not wasting your pay as an elected person of the people and make something happen today? Let's examine the budget and cut out stupid earmarks. Let's hear bills like those in committees right now to give better benefits to veterans or insurance help for mental health care patients. Let's work to cut crimes rates and maintain our crippling jails. Let's be straightforward and try to keep fee costs down for college students, rather than lying about making higher education cheaper by not raising tuition but hiking those fees.
Do something that doesn't make Oklahoma look old fashioned and ridiculous to the rest of the country & world. Do something that actually benefits Oklahoma citizens, after all, we pay your salary.
Elise Johnston/Opinion columnist for The Daily
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tractorman 2 years, 10 months ago
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