++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
++ NEWT GINGRICH & PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS
++ WILL REPUBLICANS SUPPORT DEPLETION OF SS TRUST FUND?
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
Our 12 noon luncheon for Wednesday, November 30th will be held at
Italiano’s restaurant, 4801 North Lincoln in OKC. We are going to call
this week’s meeting, “Home School Wednesday” as we will have about 10
home school students who have planned and will conduct our meeting. I
think most all of these students are affiliated with the Generation
Joshua Project. I am sure they will explain what that means and
provide an excellent program. Several years ago we had about 8 to 15
home school students attend nearly every Wednesday for a period of
about 4 years. Their parents believed the weekly OCPAC meetings would
provide the best civics education available as well additional
information on a broad range of issues. We don’t see those students
much anymore since they got busy with college and other objectives in
life. We have turned our meetings over to home schoolers in the past
and they have always done an excellent job of planning and conducting
a meeting. I often hear conservatives say, “where are the young
people?” You won’t have to go any further than our Wednesday meeting
to see the hope for our future.
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
* TUESDAY EVENING - OKC AREA - State Representative Charles Key
(R-OKC) will host a campaign kick-off event for his effort to run for
Oklahoma County Court Clerk. The fundraiser will be from 5:30 to 7:00
p.m. at H&H Gun Range, 400 South Vermont Ave, Suite #100. Speaking on
behalf of Charles will be Oklahoma House Speaker Designee, T.W.
Shannon (R-Lawton). So grab your checkbook and come help Charles get
started in this race. Not everyone can contribute the maximum of
$5,000, but those smaller contributions of $20, $50 and a $100 really
add up. I am sure Charles will be appreciative of any and all the help
folks can contribute.
* FRIDAY EVENING - OKC AREA - The many chapters of the John Birch
Society will host their annual Christmas dinner and fund raising
auction this Friday evening (6:30 p.m.) at the Character Inn, 520 West
Main in downtown OKC. The cost for the dinner is $10. Please bring one
nice auction item per person or family and come join the fun. I will
buy the dinner for 1 person, deemed by those in attendance, to have
dressed more in the Christmas spirit than I. Good luck, I won’t be
easy to beat!!!
* SATURDAY, DEC 3RD - STATE WIDE - The Fox News Cable Channel
will host a presidential forum during the Mike Huckabee show which
airs at 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. Oklahoma’s Attorney General,
Scott Pruitt will be one of the 3 Attorney Generals to moderate the
forum. Hopefully Scott will ask pertinent questions about federalism
and states rights. Questions about the proper balance between the
states and the federal government as well as limiting the
jurisdictions of the federal judiciary. I am under no illusion that
this important program will be able to compete with the entertainment
of the bedlam game in Stillwater, but that is what those DVR’s are
for. So record the program and watch it later.
* SATURDAY, DEC 10TH - TULSA AREA - For many years the city of
Tulsa had a traditional Christmas parade. However, with the advent of
secularists gaining control of the parade, they changed it to some
kind of a nebulous “holiday parade”. U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe had
participated in the parade for many years by riding on horseback.
Because of the change, Senator Inhofe announced last year that he
would not participate in the parade, nor will he this year.
As a result, several Christians and conservatives got together and
planned to have a Christmas parade to once again honor Jesus as the
reason for the season. Therefore, the Tulsa CHRISTMAS parade will
occur Saturday evening, December 10th, starting at 6:00 p.m. The
location will be the Tulsa Hills Shopping Center, 71st street South
and U.S. highway 75. If you would like to help sponsor or volunteer in
the effort, please call (918) 583-2345. If you can’t help, you may
just want to attend and see the parade.
++ NEWT GINGRICH & PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS
Some of the reasons I so appreciate the John Birch Society (I have
been a member since 1988) is their understanding of the importance of
accurate history as well as what parts of history are important to
understand. In addition, there is probably no organization better at
discerning the enemies of Americanism, enemies that I would suggest
are made up of individuals and/or organizations dedicated to
destroying our national sovereignty and merging us into a global
socialist state.
About 2 years ago the Society discerned that the “establishment
insiders” considered Newt Gingrich as one of their prime candidates to
win the Republican nomination for president. As such, the Birch
Society produced a 33 minute DVD called “The Real Newt Gingrich” to
expose his long history of being wrong on issues and flip flopping
when necessary. I will have those DVDs available at our meeting for
people to take and view if they would like.
As recently as September, I believed Newt would not rise to the top,
but the many debates have allowed Mr. slickster to display his
intelligence and shine with is quick wit and grasp of issues and
experience. It appears that large numbers have taken the bait and with
the hook firmly set in their mouth he is reeling them in as they have
propelled him to near the top of the race. It so reminds me of the
2008 election cycle when we got down to the choice of the insider
establishment’s John McCain or Mitt Romney to chose from for the
Republican ticket or the insider establishment’s Barrack Obama or
Hillary Clinton to chose from on the Democrat side.
This time it is looking like our choices are boiling down to choosing
between the insider establishment’s choice of Mitt Romney or Newt
Gingrich on the Republican side to go up against the insider
establishment’s Barrack Obama, who is burning out and is not likely to
win re-election. The other establishment candidates (they never get
behind just one candidate or just one party), Jon Huntsman and Rick
Perry either never got any traction or fizzled out over night.
Some weeks back I suggested the only 3 I would consider would be
Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul or Herman Cain (Rick Santorum and the
others never got out of the starting gate. For a variety of reasons I
am about finished with Herman Cain, though I really liked his 999
plan, especially since it was to be a bridge to The Fair Tax.
I know many will disagree with me on the presidential candidates and
that is fine. In my entire 28 years or so of activism, a primary
candidate I have supported has never won the nomination (I was just
beginning to get involved in 84 when Reagan ran for re-election). Am I
out of step with the easily manipulated majority? Absolutely! I may
not be correct in my evaluations, but please remember, the majority is
almost always wrong! If they weren’t wrong, then we wouldn’t be in the
mess that we find ourselves in today.
++ WILL REPUBLICANS SUPPORT DEPLETION OF SS TRUST FUND?
Some important information to understand. Anytime we are in a
recession, all good little Keysian Economists always desire to infuse
money into the economy to pump it up and get us out of difficult
economic times. Those newly infused dollars in the hands of people
usually cause them to buy more goods and services, thus putting more
demand into the economy and as such people go to work to meet that new
demand and thus the economy pulls out of a recession.
There are a variety of ways to infuse money into the economy.
Republicans like to do so through tax cuts. They like to say that
people can spend their money better than government. While I agree
with that notion, the following point needs to be understood by
conservatives. A tax cut, WITHOUT a corresponding spending cut of the
same amount or more, is simply a means to infuse money into our
economy. Those circumstances are not likely to create real wealth, but
rather additional revenues through inflation, which by definition is
an expansion of the money supply.
Now a little history over the past 3 years. When President Obama
gained power, along with strong Democrat majorities in the Congress,
we were in a recession. One of the main efforts to infuse cash into
the system resulted in the Congress of 2008, along with the support of
the President, passing a law to create a tax rebate (kick back) of
$400 dollars per working person for taxable years 2009 and 2010. Most
people drawing a paycheck saw their paychecks adjusted to allow for
that rebate to be figured in over a year’s time. Thus, everyone’s
paycheck rose about $8 per week per working person or about $32 per
month per working person.
After the 2010 elections, the President and a lame duck congress,
still controlled by Democrats, changed their strategy. They
discontinued giving the tax credit which was tied to a person’s income
tax obligation. That tax credit, (tax credits are actually government
expenditures) along with massive new federal spending in other areas
caused our annual deficit and also our national debt to rise
dramatically.
However, to keep the citizens paychecks from going down, for the
taxable year of 2011, they decided to pass a law to reduce the amount
of payroll taxes we pay. Though everyone paid $8 more in income taxes,
the nearly 33% reduction in payroll taxes actually caused most
individual’s paychecks to increase even more for 2011 than had
occurred in 09 and 2010.
Here is the problem. What we call payroll taxes weren’t really
intended to be a tax, but rather an insurance premium for the social
security and medicare trust funds. Words have meanings and in our
sloppiness we have been calling these FICA insurance premiums, taxes.
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contribution Act. In other
words, it was originally to be a stand alone old age retirement
insurance fund and as such what we pay into that trust fund should
better be understood to be insurance premiums rather than a tax.
In all but about 10 years since the existence of the FICA (social
security) program (of 1933) the premiums have been greater than the
pay-outs, thus creating a surplus for most of the existence of the
program. Congress has borrowed those surpluses by creating both short
term and long term interest bearing bonds. Congress has never failed
(so far) to pay those bonds back, so anytime you hear someone say
congress has stolen the funds, you are listening to an ignorant
person, because Congress has never stolen a penny of those funds. What
Congress has failed to do is keep the Trust Fund actuarially sound.
In the taxable year of 2010, the surpluses dried up and the FICA Trust
Fund began to operate in the red again. As such, Congress had to
borrow money from other sources to pay back some of the bonds so
social security benefits wouldn’t have to be reduced. Of course
borrowing from other sources to pay back some of the bonds, caused our
national debt to rise.
With the system beginning to operate in the red in 2010, it was simply
crazy for Obama and the Democrats to allow people a 33% reduction in
what they paid into the Trust fund. It was insane, that is unless the
Democrats were wanting to set up the incoming Republicans for future
problems in the eyes of an economically ignorant American public who
has little understanding of budgeting and keeping stand alone trust
funds actuarially sound. In addition, I suspect Obama would like to
destroy the free standing trust fund and cause people to rely upon the
general fund to pay for their future benefits.
Here is the dilemma for the Republicans. The 33% reduction in what we
pay in FICA premiums is set to expire on December 31st. Will
Republicans provide some responsible LEADERSHIP and refuse to continue
those reductions (Obama actually proposed the 33% cut be increased to
50% for what working people pay and a 50% reduction in what employers
pay up to a certain amount) or will they continue the reductions and
thus cause the fund to be depleted? By not restoring these insurance
premiums into the system, the Republicans will be just as guilty as
the Democrats in hastening the day premiums will have to be raised
above their current levels or else benefits will have to be reduced.
If Republicans refuse to do what is right, the 2033 date for a
collision will be moved up to the very near future. I wonder if
Americans will act like Europeans when their benefits are reduced by
30 to 35 percent?
On the other hand, if Republicans do the responsible thing and
discontinue the cuts, the average family will see their monthly
paycheck decrease by about $80 per month. That is why it is a dilemma
for the Republicans. Would taking that $80 per month out of paychecks
to put back into the trust fund weaken the economy? Probably! That is
why it is so difficult to cut spending when we are printing or
borrowing about 1.6 Trillion per year more than the federal government
takes in in revenues. Those borrowed or printed dollars are propping
up our economy which is already struggling. That is why cutting
spending without recapturing our manufacturing base and expanding our
energy sector to provide more jobs for Americans is very difficult and
risky.
I don’t think Republicans understand this much better than do
Democrats. Further reductions in taxes on individuals will do little
to improve our economy. Reducing taxes on businesses is vital and one
of several necessary steps to re-capturing our manufacturing base in
America.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday.
Charlie Meadows
Charliemeadows7@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
ANNOUNCMENTS INTO THE FUTURE ++ TEA PARTIES HERE AND ELSEWHERE
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
++ ANNOUNCMENTS INTO THE FUTURE
++ TEA PARTIES HERE AND ELSEWHERE
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
By my calculation, this will be the 21 time in a row that we will be
meeting on the Wednesday before a Thanksgiving day. We usually have a
good crowd as many are off work or perhaps they have family or friends
coming in and they bring them to our meeting. Our 12 noon luncheon for
Wednesday, November 23rd will be held at Italiano’s restaurant, 4801
North Lincoln in OKC. Paul Blair, my pastor at Fairview Baptist in
Edmond will have a few comments and make an important announcement.
Our main speaker will be Dr. G. Thomas Sharp of Noble Oklahoma. In my
65 years I have had the privilege to meet a lot of very intelligent
individuals that have done an excellent job of developing their
intellect and communication skills. I interviewed Dr. Sharp on my
radio program in 2001 and he was just fascinating. He sure upset Ben
Odem and his liberal (excuse me, “progressive” friends) who had a
program which followed mine. Dr. Sharp can speak on many subjects, but
I have asked him to at least discuss some of the very interesting
things that occurred with the eruption of Mt. St. Helens and what
happened to Spirit Lake and other parts of the Mountain. Dr. Sharp has
a large collection of dinosaur skeletons which will soon be displayed
in a permanent home on I-35 just South of the Dallas Ft. Worth area.
Don’t miss this meeting.
++ ANNOUNCMENTS INTO THE FUTURE
* TUESDAY, NOV 29TH - OKC AREA - State Representative Charles Key
(R-OKC) will host a campaign kick-off event for his effort to run for
Oklahoma County Court Clerk. The fundraiser will be from 5:30 to 7:00
p.m. at H&H Gun Range, 400 South Vermont Ave, Suite # 110. Speaking on
behalf of Charles in his effort will be Oklahoma House Speaker
Designee, T.W. Shannon (R-Lawton). The public is welcome, so grab your
checkbook and come help Charles get started in this race, even if you
can only contribute a small amount of funds for his effort.
* FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2ND - OKC AREA - The state wide chapters of
the John Birch Society will host their annual Christmas dinner and
auction at the Character Inn, 520 West Main Street in downtown OKC.
Not sure, but I believe the dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. and costs $10
for the meal. Please bring one nice auction item per person or family
and come join the fun. As always, if there is one person in attendance
with a flashier Christmas tie and etc. on than I will be
wearing, I will pay for their dinner. Good luck!
* Monday, December 5th - OKC AREA - The Oklahoma State Republican
Party has invited all the Republican candidates for office to come to
Oklahoma so people can get to know them better. They also use the
occasion for a fund raiser for the party. Mitt Romney has already been
here and the next to come will be Herman Cain. The time will be 6:30
p.m. with the location being the Oklahoma City Marriott, 3233
Northwest Expressway in OKC. The Republican Party is not endorsing
anyone, it is simply a fundraiser and an opportunity for folks to meet
the candidates. The cost to attend is $20.12 per person. We are asked
to register online to Emily@okgop.com or call (405) 528-3501 by
December 3rd.
++ TEA PARTIES, HERE AND ELSEWHERE
I am beginning to hear a lot of people wonder what ever happened to
the Tea Parties which began to fire up about 2 and a half years ago.
First let me say, the Tea Party groups in rural Oklahoma are still
around and busy. However, in our two largest cities, they no longer
exist, as least not as large rallies with clever signs. Many of the
people really determined to make a difference have gotten involved in
organizations such at the 912 groups, OCPAC, OK-SAFE, the John Birch
Society and others.
As far as Oklahoma is concerned, I believe they had only a minimal
effect on the 2010 elections. When it came to our congressional
delegation, their influence was only felt in the second district,
where the under funded Republican received about 45% of the vote
against the well known incumbent David Boren with all the money in the
world and a district with a strong Democrat majority. Boren, realizing
a better funded candidate would come after him in 2012 and it being a
presidential election cycle with higher Republican turnout, has
decided to retire rather than experience the likely hood of an
embarrassing defeat.
Since the rest of Oklahoma’s delegation had opposed President Obama’s
agenda and they were of the opposing party, it was hard to get people
upset with what was happening in Washington to the point they were
willing to toss them out of office.
The only other place the tea parties had much effect was in the
Republican primary for governor. In all my years of activism, the
conservative grass roots had only been able to garner about 40% of the
vote against the Republican establishment candidate for statewide
races. I am talking about past races where we had candidates such as
Mike Fair, Jerry Pierce and Jerry Brown running for governor or Tim
Green for attorney general.
The one exception was when Dr. Tom Coburn destroyed Kirk Humphries for
U.S. Senate. That was mainly because Dr. Coburn has his own unique
qualities, which appealed to some of the establishment voters, and
then there was Bob Anthony out there acting like “Jack the
Ripper” (that was Kirk Humphries’s description of Bob) banging away at
Kirk’s liberalism which allowed Dr. Tom to triangulate above the war
between Kirk and Bob.
However, in the Republican governor’s race, Randy Brogdon became the
darling of the tea parties, so Brogdon and the other two Republican
candidates were able to garner over 45% of the vote against one of the
highest profile establishment candidates in history. I believe you can
credit the tea parties with that additional 5% of the vote in that
race.
Otherwise, the tea parties probably had enough additional effect to
help the Republican’s pick up several new seats in the legislature,
particularly in the Southeast quarter of the state.
I believe the awareness ginned up by the tea parties along with better
voter education will continue to have a positive effect for some time
to come. That will be especially true in rural Oklahoma if they remain
active. Their key to success is that they have become more like an
organization with an agenda and strategy to achieve their agenda
rather than an event or gathering like the large crowds of the big
city tea parties.
One other thing about the tea parties in the big cities. They live or
die based on the help from talk radio. With the passing of Mark
Shannon, OKC no longer has a voice able to stir up the emotions of the
populace to get a decent turn out. The Egg Man is a boring 3rd rate
comedian, incapable of serious talk radio and certainly too shallow to
provide any kind of leadership for tea parties. The only reason I know
he is still on air is because I have to listen to his program teasers
throughout the day while listening to KTOK’s syndicated line-up. When
the clock strikes 4:00 and until 7:00 p.m. I begin to listen to Neal
Bortze on 1520 AM, Paul Blair on 800 AM, Shawn Hannity on 740 AM out
of Tulsa, or and investment program on 960 AM out of Enid. Try any of
these programs as they are all superior to the Egg Man!
I have said all this to talk about our guest last week Scott Hennen
and his involvement with the tea parties in North and South Dakota as
well as Minnesota. Before the tea party movement, North Dakota had
been represented in Washington by Democrats for nearly 3 decades, even
though the state voted for Republicans for President.
President Obama’s agenda stirred the wrath of the citizens in ND so
much that they turned out 1500 people to a tea party in Fargo, a town
of only 100,000. Proportionally that would be a larger turnout than
any tea party in either of our 2 larger cities.
The 2 Democrat Senators began to have town hall meetings in barns or
fire stations in very small communities so they could say they were
meeting with the folks, but avoiding the larger cities and thus hoping
to avoid embarrassing moments. Scott would go to these small
communities and broadcast from a local coffee shop, urging people to
come and pick up sheets with the top 20 questions to ask their
Senators. These fire stations and barns would be packed and the people
were so well informed that the Senators couldn’t pull the wool over
their eyes.
Therefore, the Senator up for re-election announced he would not run
again and he was replaced by a Republican, though he doesn’t appear to
be very conservative according to his score of a 50 on the Freedom
Index in the New American magazine. Their 9 term U.S. Representative,
Earl Pomeroy, would not attend town hall meetings and was defeated by
10 percentage points. The Republican who defeated him scored an 80,
the same as our Republicans in Oklahoma. Their loan remaining Democrat
Senator has announced that he will not seek re-election next year and
according to Scott, he is sure to be replaced by the sitting
Republican Governor.
Let me suggest that in states that still have fairly conservative
values, a liberal Democrat’s days will be numbered if there is an
active tea party movement. Also, to take that a step farther, liberal
Democrats or in some cases liberal Republicans will insure that the
tea parties will stay active. Therefore locations, conditions and talk
radio will determine the activities and vigor of tea parties.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday.
Charlie Meadows
Charliemeadows7@gmail.com
++ ANNOUNCMENTS INTO THE FUTURE
++ TEA PARTIES HERE AND ELSEWHERE
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
By my calculation, this will be the 21 time in a row that we will be
meeting on the Wednesday before a Thanksgiving day. We usually have a
good crowd as many are off work or perhaps they have family or friends
coming in and they bring them to our meeting. Our 12 noon luncheon for
Wednesday, November 23rd will be held at Italiano’s restaurant, 4801
North Lincoln in OKC. Paul Blair, my pastor at Fairview Baptist in
Edmond will have a few comments and make an important announcement.
Our main speaker will be Dr. G. Thomas Sharp of Noble Oklahoma. In my
65 years I have had the privilege to meet a lot of very intelligent
individuals that have done an excellent job of developing their
intellect and communication skills. I interviewed Dr. Sharp on my
radio program in 2001 and he was just fascinating. He sure upset Ben
Odem and his liberal (excuse me, “progressive” friends) who had a
program which followed mine. Dr. Sharp can speak on many subjects, but
I have asked him to at least discuss some of the very interesting
things that occurred with the eruption of Mt. St. Helens and what
happened to Spirit Lake and other parts of the Mountain. Dr. Sharp has
a large collection of dinosaur skeletons which will soon be displayed
in a permanent home on I-35 just South of the Dallas Ft. Worth area.
Don’t miss this meeting.
++ ANNOUNCMENTS INTO THE FUTURE
* TUESDAY, NOV 29TH - OKC AREA - State Representative Charles Key
(R-OKC) will host a campaign kick-off event for his effort to run for
Oklahoma County Court Clerk. The fundraiser will be from 5:30 to 7:00
p.m. at H&H Gun Range, 400 South Vermont Ave, Suite # 110. Speaking on
behalf of Charles in his effort will be Oklahoma House Speaker
Designee, T.W. Shannon (R-Lawton). The public is welcome, so grab your
checkbook and come help Charles get started in this race, even if you
can only contribute a small amount of funds for his effort.
* FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2ND - OKC AREA - The state wide chapters of
the John Birch Society will host their annual Christmas dinner and
auction at the Character Inn, 520 West Main Street in downtown OKC.
Not sure, but I believe the dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. and costs $10
for the meal. Please bring one nice auction item per person or family
and come join the fun. As always, if there is one person in attendance
with a flashier Christmas tie and etc. on than I will be
wearing, I will pay for their dinner. Good luck!
* Monday, December 5th - OKC AREA - The Oklahoma State Republican
Party has invited all the Republican candidates for office to come to
Oklahoma so people can get to know them better. They also use the
occasion for a fund raiser for the party. Mitt Romney has already been
here and the next to come will be Herman Cain. The time will be 6:30
p.m. with the location being the Oklahoma City Marriott, 3233
Northwest Expressway in OKC. The Republican Party is not endorsing
anyone, it is simply a fundraiser and an opportunity for folks to meet
the candidates. The cost to attend is $20.12 per person. We are asked
to register online to Emily@okgop.com or call (405) 528-3501 by
December 3rd.
++ TEA PARTIES, HERE AND ELSEWHERE
I am beginning to hear a lot of people wonder what ever happened to
the Tea Parties which began to fire up about 2 and a half years ago.
First let me say, the Tea Party groups in rural Oklahoma are still
around and busy. However, in our two largest cities, they no longer
exist, as least not as large rallies with clever signs. Many of the
people really determined to make a difference have gotten involved in
organizations such at the 912 groups, OCPAC, OK-SAFE, the John Birch
Society and others.
As far as Oklahoma is concerned, I believe they had only a minimal
effect on the 2010 elections. When it came to our congressional
delegation, their influence was only felt in the second district,
where the under funded Republican received about 45% of the vote
against the well known incumbent David Boren with all the money in the
world and a district with a strong Democrat majority. Boren, realizing
a better funded candidate would come after him in 2012 and it being a
presidential election cycle with higher Republican turnout, has
decided to retire rather than experience the likely hood of an
embarrassing defeat.
Since the rest of Oklahoma’s delegation had opposed President Obama’s
agenda and they were of the opposing party, it was hard to get people
upset with what was happening in Washington to the point they were
willing to toss them out of office.
The only other place the tea parties had much effect was in the
Republican primary for governor. In all my years of activism, the
conservative grass roots had only been able to garner about 40% of the
vote against the Republican establishment candidate for statewide
races. I am talking about past races where we had candidates such as
Mike Fair, Jerry Pierce and Jerry Brown running for governor or Tim
Green for attorney general.
The one exception was when Dr. Tom Coburn destroyed Kirk Humphries for
U.S. Senate. That was mainly because Dr. Coburn has his own unique
qualities, which appealed to some of the establishment voters, and
then there was Bob Anthony out there acting like “Jack the
Ripper” (that was Kirk Humphries’s description of Bob) banging away at
Kirk’s liberalism which allowed Dr. Tom to triangulate above the war
between Kirk and Bob.
However, in the Republican governor’s race, Randy Brogdon became the
darling of the tea parties, so Brogdon and the other two Republican
candidates were able to garner over 45% of the vote against one of the
highest profile establishment candidates in history. I believe you can
credit the tea parties with that additional 5% of the vote in that
race.
Otherwise, the tea parties probably had enough additional effect to
help the Republican’s pick up several new seats in the legislature,
particularly in the Southeast quarter of the state.
I believe the awareness ginned up by the tea parties along with better
voter education will continue to have a positive effect for some time
to come. That will be especially true in rural Oklahoma if they remain
active. Their key to success is that they have become more like an
organization with an agenda and strategy to achieve their agenda
rather than an event or gathering like the large crowds of the big
city tea parties.
One other thing about the tea parties in the big cities. They live or
die based on the help from talk radio. With the passing of Mark
Shannon, OKC no longer has a voice able to stir up the emotions of the
populace to get a decent turn out. The Egg Man is a boring 3rd rate
comedian, incapable of serious talk radio and certainly too shallow to
provide any kind of leadership for tea parties. The only reason I know
he is still on air is because I have to listen to his program teasers
throughout the day while listening to KTOK’s syndicated line-up. When
the clock strikes 4:00 and until 7:00 p.m. I begin to listen to Neal
Bortze on 1520 AM, Paul Blair on 800 AM, Shawn Hannity on 740 AM out
of Tulsa, or and investment program on 960 AM out of Enid. Try any of
these programs as they are all superior to the Egg Man!
I have said all this to talk about our guest last week Scott Hennen
and his involvement with the tea parties in North and South Dakota as
well as Minnesota. Before the tea party movement, North Dakota had
been represented in Washington by Democrats for nearly 3 decades, even
though the state voted for Republicans for President.
President Obama’s agenda stirred the wrath of the citizens in ND so
much that they turned out 1500 people to a tea party in Fargo, a town
of only 100,000. Proportionally that would be a larger turnout than
any tea party in either of our 2 larger cities.
The 2 Democrat Senators began to have town hall meetings in barns or
fire stations in very small communities so they could say they were
meeting with the folks, but avoiding the larger cities and thus hoping
to avoid embarrassing moments. Scott would go to these small
communities and broadcast from a local coffee shop, urging people to
come and pick up sheets with the top 20 questions to ask their
Senators. These fire stations and barns would be packed and the people
were so well informed that the Senators couldn’t pull the wool over
their eyes.
Therefore, the Senator up for re-election announced he would not run
again and he was replaced by a Republican, though he doesn’t appear to
be very conservative according to his score of a 50 on the Freedom
Index in the New American magazine. Their 9 term U.S. Representative,
Earl Pomeroy, would not attend town hall meetings and was defeated by
10 percentage points. The Republican who defeated him scored an 80,
the same as our Republicans in Oklahoma. Their loan remaining Democrat
Senator has announced that he will not seek re-election next year and
according to Scott, he is sure to be replaced by the sitting
Republican Governor.
Let me suggest that in states that still have fairly conservative
values, a liberal Democrat’s days will be numbered if there is an
active tea party movement. Also, to take that a step farther, liberal
Democrats or in some cases liberal Republicans will insure that the
tea parties will stay active. Therefore locations, conditions and talk
radio will determine the activities and vigor of tea parties.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday.
Charlie Meadows
Charliemeadows7@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
CITY OF TULSA & SPECIAL ELECTION IN McCURTAIN CO. ++ BORROW MORE MONEY OR PAY AS WE GO?
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
++ CITY OF TULSA & SPECIAL ELECTION IN McCURTAIN CO.
++ BORROW MORE MONEY OR PAY AS WE GO?
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
Our 12 noon luncheon for Wednesday, November 9th will honor all active
duty, reserves and military veterans. Our speakers this week will be
veterans of World War II, the last war we fought that was properly
declared according to our U.S. Constitution. At the height of the war
we had around 16 million men in uniform as well as many women who
served as WACS or WAVES. With the youngest of those veterans being
around 84 to 85, we are losing those who served at a rapid rate so it
is important that we honor them while we can. I have asked our
speakers to start with where they were when they heard about Perl
Harbor, what did they think, and then go on from there.
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
* WEDNESDAY - TULSA AREA - The Tulsa Republican Men’s Club will
have their monthly meeting on Wednesday the 9th, 12 noon, at Siegi’s
Sausage Factory, and Restaurant, 81st street and Sheridan Road. They
will also host WW II Veterans. Ladies are welcome to attend these
meetings.
* THURSDAY - MOORE AREA - The Sooner Republican Assembly will
meet at Earl’s Rib in Moore, 6:45 p.m. on Thursday the 10th. Special
guest will be Paul Maus candidate for H.D. 20. This is a newly created
district as a result of re-districting. H.D. 20 is currently held by
Paul Roan of Tishomingo, but he will be term limited out after next
year’s session and the district shifts up toward the Moore area, where
Republicans are expected to pick up this seat. The keynote speaker
will be Jack Moore, a retired attorney. Jack will be speaking on The
Truth About Islam.
* THURSDAY - DUNCAN AREA - On Thursday, November 10th, the
Stephens County Republican Party will stage a mock debate featuring
local Republicans portraying eight GOP presidential candidates. The
surrogates have researched the candidates positions and will try to
give an accurate presentation for their candidate. The candidates will
be asked probing questions by a three person panel who will be
portraying members of the national media. This should be informative
as well as entertaining. The debate will be held at the Red river
Technology Center in Duncan (in the Seminar Room) beginning at 7:00
p.m. There is no admission, if you need further information contact
Steve Fair at (580) 252-6284 or okgop@aol.com
* SATURDAY - OKC AREA - Radio talk show host and minister Glen
Howard along with The Judeo-Christian Fellowship of OKC, will host a
timely update on recent events in Israel and the Middle East. A
buffet breakfast will be available at the Biltmore Hotel (North of
I-40 on Meridian) beginning at 8:30 a.m. followed by a presentation on
the Biblical basis for the support of Israel by Glen Howard of Senior
World Radio (heard at 10:00 a.m. Sundays on 1000 AM). At 10:00 a.m.
this Saturday Avi Lipkin will be speaking to those in attendence via
Skype for an update on the current events in the Middle East. There is
no cost other than the breakfast buffet, but it would be very helpful
to have an idea of how many plan to come. Therefore, please contact
Glen with that information at (405) 760-4536 or ghoward@jcfokc.org.
++ TULSA CITY ELECTIONS & SPECIAL ELECTION IN McCURTAIN CO.
Today, November 8th voters in the Tulsa City Limits will go to the
polls to vote on several of the city council seats as well as several
changes to the city charter. I highly recommend logging on to the
Tulsa Beacon Newspaper’s web-sit for their take on these elections, if
you don’t take that paper. By the way, I believe the Tulsa Beacon (a
weekly) and the Oklahoma Constitution (a quarterly) are the two best
newspapers in the state. I urge all conservatives to subscribe as it
is just $35 per year for the Beacon for those in Tulsa County ($40 for
all others) and the Oklahoma Constitution is just $12 per year.
With the passing of Rusty Farley (R-Haworth) this past Summer, we are
just now getting around to a special primary election on November 8th
to fill his vacated seat. The Democrats have 2 in their primary and
the Republicans have 4 candidates. There will be NO primary runoff for
the Republicans. Therefore, the Republican candidate with the largest
number of votes will be the candidate to face the Democrat candidate
along with 2 independent candidates. If you live in the district
(Idabel, Broken Bow, etc) please do your research and vote as I expect
that less than 800 will vote in the Republican primary. I have only
had contact with Joe Silk, but hesitate to give an unqualified
endorsement for Joe since I just don’t know anything about the other
Republicans. Joe is a serious Christian who spent many years on the
mission field and home schooled his children. He currently manages
vacation cabins (it is a huge business in the area since so many
Texans love to come to this beautiful area) and also operates a bed
and breakfast. Again though, please do your own research. We will
invite the winner to OCPAC for our interview process in the near
future.
++ BORROW MORE MONEY OR PAY AS WE GO?
There was an interesting article in the Oklahoman on October 25th
titled “Bond proposals face resistance.” The gist of the article was
that Oklahoma is facing capital improvement needs approaching nearly 1
billion dollars, yet many lawmakers, especially in the House are
resistant towards passing additional bonded indebtedness.
The article lists serious needs such as crumbling masonry at the State
Capitol, buildings with mold problems, a need for a new medical
examiners office and etc.
However, the article goes on to quote State Representative Jason
Murphy as follows: “ ‘There’s a reason that you’ve seen the number of
approved bond issuances drop off in the last few years,’ said Rep.
Jason Murphy (R-Guthrie), who considers himself among those with a
strong distaste for taking on additional taxpayer-backed debt.
‘Especially with all the freshmen elected in 2010 - voting for
indebtedness isn’t politically acceptable in a lot of areas in
Oklahoma now.’”
I would suggest Representative Murphey knows what he is talking about.
In 2004 the District 31 seat he now occupies was open and Murphey lost
a close primary race to Dale Depew. That was the year that Republicans
gained control of the House and as such leadership gave Depew the task
of finding ways to fix many of these on-going repair needs.
If my memory serves me correctly, Depew suggested a 150 million dollar
bond issue. Murphey seized upon the issue, making Depew out to be a
big spender with a poor sense of priorities (the state budget was
running sizeable surpluses of new tax dollars) and exposed Depew to
the voters. We voters tossed Depew out and Murphey has served for the
past 5 years now, working to cut the size of government, lower taxes
and improve the valid services, which is what nearly all Republicans
tell the voters they are going to do when they seek our votes.
The article stated that during the 2011 session, the Senate approved
more than 100 million in bonded indebtedness for purposes such as a
new Veterans Affairs office, a new medical examiners office and money
to finish the American Indian Museum (the state has already spent 65
million on the museum, much of it through bonded indebtedness). The
article lamented that none of those bond proposals were even
considered in the House.
State Representative Earl Sears, Chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee said that a transportation bond proposal only passed by 1
vote in the House, even though it had been pre-approved by the Senate
and the Governors office.
Of all the issues considered by the members of OCPAC to be used for
this year’s Conservative Index published in the Oklahoma Constitution
Newspaper, that bond issue received the largest number of votes. It
was such a bad deal.
The State Constitution does not allow the legislature to borrow money
for the general fund to make up the annual budget. Therefore, Governor
Fallin and the big spending Republicans in leadership devised a clever
scheme to get around that wise prohibition. As such, the legislature
dipped into the state transportation department’s road and bridge
funds and took 100 million dollars out for the general fund to balance
the budget. The transportation bond mentioned above, which passed by 1
vote, was for $70 million and was used to replace all but $30 million
they raided from the department of transportation. Sadly, once the
bond underwriter fees and interest is paid, it may cost the taxpayers
nearly double the 70 million dollars to get 70 million dollars to use
for roads and bridges.
Representative Sears indicated he has compiled a survey listing all
types of issues, with plans to send to every House member to see what
projects they would support using bond issues to fund? One item on the
survey will be endowed chairs at government run universities. Folks,
borrowing money to fund endowed chairs is insanity, even if it draws
matching money from the private sector.
The article along with an editorial in the Oklahoman a few days later
indicated the state debt level is low and the state could easily float
another 300 million dollars in bonds without risking our credit
rating.
My question is, why would we want to do such a foolish thing? Why not
pay as we go and save the hundreds of millions in bond underwriter
fees and interest? It is all a matter of priorities. State revenues
have been increasing for the past year and we even put over 200
million dollars into the rainy day fund after the session ended this
year.
How about using some of these new surplus revenues along with further
reductions in wasteful government spending and improved efficiencies
to pay for these needed capital improvements? Of course state
employees and teachers will be screaming to get their hands on these
new revenues, but they need to be patient as neglected capital
improvement items need to receive some attention.
The state commission that sets the salary for the members of the
legislature just voted not to give a raise the state lawmakers for at
least 2 more years. It has been 14 years since lawmakers have had a
raise, so part time teachers who make an average $6000 dollars a year
more than lawmakers and full time state employees who average about
$3000 dollars a year less than our part time lawmakers, surely can
wait another year or two for a raise. In all reality, while some
lawmakers put in a minimal amount of time, other lawmakers put in more
time than teachers or state employees.
Bottom line, I read an article several years ago about a community
back east that was deeply in debt and anytime a need arose they had to
borrow more money to meet the need. One city councilman persuaded his
fellow members to stop that wasteful cycle and use taxpayer dollars
wisely. They went to the public and asked for a sales tax increase,
with all new revenues from the tax increase to be used to get out of
debt. The public agreed and after about 5 years they were out of debt,
the sales tax went away, the council began to set aside revenues from
the existing tax base for future needs which were paid for with cash.
After some time, that should also allow for the existing tax base to
be lowered and yet, vital services should be taken care of.
That is a definition of good government and something the state of
Oklahoma should strive for. We do not need to borrow one additional
penny if we will simply limit government to its proper functions, do a
good job of prioritizing and stop wasting taxpayer dollars on wasteful
bond fees and interest.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday
Charlie Meadows
Charliemeadows7@gmail.com
To join OCPAC fill out the following and send your check to:
OCPAC
P.O. Box 2021
Edmond, OK 73083
Yes Charlie, I want to join OCPAC at one of the following levels:
___Basic membership at $50 per year.
Safari Club Membership:
___Elephant Provider at ___$180 annual or ___$15 monthly
___Elephant Provider & RINO Hunter, ___$360 annual or ___$30 monthly
For monthly payments please send a voided check so we may draft your
Checking account on a monthly basis. If you decide to discontinue
monthly support, simply contact me and we will stop the withdrawal.
THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW !
Print Name____________________________________________
Address___________________City___________State____Zip_____
Occupation____________________Employer_________________
Date___________________Amount $_______________
I have freely given from my own resources & have not been compensated
for this contribution. (Corporate contributions not allowed by law!)
Signature_____________________________________
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
++ CITY OF TULSA & SPECIAL ELECTION IN McCURTAIN CO.
++ BORROW MORE MONEY OR PAY AS WE GO?
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
Our 12 noon luncheon for Wednesday, November 9th will honor all active
duty, reserves and military veterans. Our speakers this week will be
veterans of World War II, the last war we fought that was properly
declared according to our U.S. Constitution. At the height of the war
we had around 16 million men in uniform as well as many women who
served as WACS or WAVES. With the youngest of those veterans being
around 84 to 85, we are losing those who served at a rapid rate so it
is important that we honor them while we can. I have asked our
speakers to start with where they were when they heard about Perl
Harbor, what did they think, and then go on from there.
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
* WEDNESDAY - TULSA AREA - The Tulsa Republican Men’s Club will
have their monthly meeting on Wednesday the 9th, 12 noon, at Siegi’s
Sausage Factory, and Restaurant, 81st street and Sheridan Road. They
will also host WW II Veterans. Ladies are welcome to attend these
meetings.
* THURSDAY - MOORE AREA - The Sooner Republican Assembly will
meet at Earl’s Rib in Moore, 6:45 p.m. on Thursday the 10th. Special
guest will be Paul Maus candidate for H.D. 20. This is a newly created
district as a result of re-districting. H.D. 20 is currently held by
Paul Roan of Tishomingo, but he will be term limited out after next
year’s session and the district shifts up toward the Moore area, where
Republicans are expected to pick up this seat. The keynote speaker
will be Jack Moore, a retired attorney. Jack will be speaking on The
Truth About Islam.
* THURSDAY - DUNCAN AREA - On Thursday, November 10th, the
Stephens County Republican Party will stage a mock debate featuring
local Republicans portraying eight GOP presidential candidates. The
surrogates have researched the candidates positions and will try to
give an accurate presentation for their candidate. The candidates will
be asked probing questions by a three person panel who will be
portraying members of the national media. This should be informative
as well as entertaining. The debate will be held at the Red river
Technology Center in Duncan (in the Seminar Room) beginning at 7:00
p.m. There is no admission, if you need further information contact
Steve Fair at (580) 252-6284 or okgop@aol.com
* SATURDAY - OKC AREA - Radio talk show host and minister Glen
Howard along with The Judeo-Christian Fellowship of OKC, will host a
timely update on recent events in Israel and the Middle East. A
buffet breakfast will be available at the Biltmore Hotel (North of
I-40 on Meridian) beginning at 8:30 a.m. followed by a presentation on
the Biblical basis for the support of Israel by Glen Howard of Senior
World Radio (heard at 10:00 a.m. Sundays on 1000 AM). At 10:00 a.m.
this Saturday Avi Lipkin will be speaking to those in attendence via
Skype for an update on the current events in the Middle East. There is
no cost other than the breakfast buffet, but it would be very helpful
to have an idea of how many plan to come. Therefore, please contact
Glen with that information at (405) 760-4536 or ghoward@jcfokc.org.
++ TULSA CITY ELECTIONS & SPECIAL ELECTION IN McCURTAIN CO.
Today, November 8th voters in the Tulsa City Limits will go to the
polls to vote on several of the city council seats as well as several
changes to the city charter. I highly recommend logging on to the
Tulsa Beacon Newspaper’s web-sit for their take on these elections, if
you don’t take that paper. By the way, I believe the Tulsa Beacon (a
weekly) and the Oklahoma Constitution (a quarterly) are the two best
newspapers in the state. I urge all conservatives to subscribe as it
is just $35 per year for the Beacon for those in Tulsa County ($40 for
all others) and the Oklahoma Constitution is just $12 per year.
With the passing of Rusty Farley (R-Haworth) this past Summer, we are
just now getting around to a special primary election on November 8th
to fill his vacated seat. The Democrats have 2 in their primary and
the Republicans have 4 candidates. There will be NO primary runoff for
the Republicans. Therefore, the Republican candidate with the largest
number of votes will be the candidate to face the Democrat candidate
along with 2 independent candidates. If you live in the district
(Idabel, Broken Bow, etc) please do your research and vote as I expect
that less than 800 will vote in the Republican primary. I have only
had contact with Joe Silk, but hesitate to give an unqualified
endorsement for Joe since I just don’t know anything about the other
Republicans. Joe is a serious Christian who spent many years on the
mission field and home schooled his children. He currently manages
vacation cabins (it is a huge business in the area since so many
Texans love to come to this beautiful area) and also operates a bed
and breakfast. Again though, please do your own research. We will
invite the winner to OCPAC for our interview process in the near
future.
++ BORROW MORE MONEY OR PAY AS WE GO?
There was an interesting article in the Oklahoman on October 25th
titled “Bond proposals face resistance.” The gist of the article was
that Oklahoma is facing capital improvement needs approaching nearly 1
billion dollars, yet many lawmakers, especially in the House are
resistant towards passing additional bonded indebtedness.
The article lists serious needs such as crumbling masonry at the State
Capitol, buildings with mold problems, a need for a new medical
examiners office and etc.
However, the article goes on to quote State Representative Jason
Murphy as follows: “ ‘There’s a reason that you’ve seen the number of
approved bond issuances drop off in the last few years,’ said Rep.
Jason Murphy (R-Guthrie), who considers himself among those with a
strong distaste for taking on additional taxpayer-backed debt.
‘Especially with all the freshmen elected in 2010 - voting for
indebtedness isn’t politically acceptable in a lot of areas in
Oklahoma now.’”
I would suggest Representative Murphey knows what he is talking about.
In 2004 the District 31 seat he now occupies was open and Murphey lost
a close primary race to Dale Depew. That was the year that Republicans
gained control of the House and as such leadership gave Depew the task
of finding ways to fix many of these on-going repair needs.
If my memory serves me correctly, Depew suggested a 150 million dollar
bond issue. Murphey seized upon the issue, making Depew out to be a
big spender with a poor sense of priorities (the state budget was
running sizeable surpluses of new tax dollars) and exposed Depew to
the voters. We voters tossed Depew out and Murphey has served for the
past 5 years now, working to cut the size of government, lower taxes
and improve the valid services, which is what nearly all Republicans
tell the voters they are going to do when they seek our votes.
The article stated that during the 2011 session, the Senate approved
more than 100 million in bonded indebtedness for purposes such as a
new Veterans Affairs office, a new medical examiners office and money
to finish the American Indian Museum (the state has already spent 65
million on the museum, much of it through bonded indebtedness). The
article lamented that none of those bond proposals were even
considered in the House.
State Representative Earl Sears, Chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee said that a transportation bond proposal only passed by 1
vote in the House, even though it had been pre-approved by the Senate
and the Governors office.
Of all the issues considered by the members of OCPAC to be used for
this year’s Conservative Index published in the Oklahoma Constitution
Newspaper, that bond issue received the largest number of votes. It
was such a bad deal.
The State Constitution does not allow the legislature to borrow money
for the general fund to make up the annual budget. Therefore, Governor
Fallin and the big spending Republicans in leadership devised a clever
scheme to get around that wise prohibition. As such, the legislature
dipped into the state transportation department’s road and bridge
funds and took 100 million dollars out for the general fund to balance
the budget. The transportation bond mentioned above, which passed by 1
vote, was for $70 million and was used to replace all but $30 million
they raided from the department of transportation. Sadly, once the
bond underwriter fees and interest is paid, it may cost the taxpayers
nearly double the 70 million dollars to get 70 million dollars to use
for roads and bridges.
Representative Sears indicated he has compiled a survey listing all
types of issues, with plans to send to every House member to see what
projects they would support using bond issues to fund? One item on the
survey will be endowed chairs at government run universities. Folks,
borrowing money to fund endowed chairs is insanity, even if it draws
matching money from the private sector.
The article along with an editorial in the Oklahoman a few days later
indicated the state debt level is low and the state could easily float
another 300 million dollars in bonds without risking our credit
rating.
My question is, why would we want to do such a foolish thing? Why not
pay as we go and save the hundreds of millions in bond underwriter
fees and interest? It is all a matter of priorities. State revenues
have been increasing for the past year and we even put over 200
million dollars into the rainy day fund after the session ended this
year.
How about using some of these new surplus revenues along with further
reductions in wasteful government spending and improved efficiencies
to pay for these needed capital improvements? Of course state
employees and teachers will be screaming to get their hands on these
new revenues, but they need to be patient as neglected capital
improvement items need to receive some attention.
The state commission that sets the salary for the members of the
legislature just voted not to give a raise the state lawmakers for at
least 2 more years. It has been 14 years since lawmakers have had a
raise, so part time teachers who make an average $6000 dollars a year
more than lawmakers and full time state employees who average about
$3000 dollars a year less than our part time lawmakers, surely can
wait another year or two for a raise. In all reality, while some
lawmakers put in a minimal amount of time, other lawmakers put in more
time than teachers or state employees.
Bottom line, I read an article several years ago about a community
back east that was deeply in debt and anytime a need arose they had to
borrow more money to meet the need. One city councilman persuaded his
fellow members to stop that wasteful cycle and use taxpayer dollars
wisely. They went to the public and asked for a sales tax increase,
with all new revenues from the tax increase to be used to get out of
debt. The public agreed and after about 5 years they were out of debt,
the sales tax went away, the council began to set aside revenues from
the existing tax base for future needs which were paid for with cash.
After some time, that should also allow for the existing tax base to
be lowered and yet, vital services should be taken care of.
That is a definition of good government and something the state of
Oklahoma should strive for. We do not need to borrow one additional
penny if we will simply limit government to its proper functions, do a
good job of prioritizing and stop wasting taxpayer dollars on wasteful
bond fees and interest.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday
Charlie Meadows
Charliemeadows7@gmail.com
To join OCPAC fill out the following and send your check to:
OCPAC
P.O. Box 2021
Edmond, OK 73083
Yes Charlie, I want to join OCPAC at one of the following levels:
___Basic membership at $50 per year.
Safari Club Membership:
___Elephant Provider at ___$180 annual or ___$15 monthly
___Elephant Provider & RINO Hunter, ___$360 annual or ___$30 monthly
For monthly payments please send a voided check so we may draft your
Checking account on a monthly basis. If you decide to discontinue
monthly support, simply contact me and we will stop the withdrawal.
THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW !
Print Name____________________________________________
Address___________________City___________State____Zip_____
Occupation____________________Employer_________________
Date___________________Amount $_______________
I have freely given from my own resources & have not been compensated
for this contribution. (Corporate contributions not allowed by law!)
Signature_____________________________________
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
KYLE LOVELESS ANNOUNCES FOR SENATE ++ ARTICLES ON FREE TRADE AND IMPROVING OUR ECONOMY
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
++ TWO MORE DAYS FOR MEMBERSHIP MATCHES
++ KYLE LOVELESS ANNOUNCES FOR SENATE
++ ARTICLES ON FREE TRADE AND IMPROVING OUR ECONOMY
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
Our 12 noon luncheon for Wednesday, November 2nd will be held at
Italiano’s restaurant, 4801 North Lincoln in OKC. Our speaker this
week from Chicago will be Mr. James Lansberry, Vice President of
Samaritan Ministries. Samaritan Ministries is an organized effort to
help facilitate Christians sharing the health care costs of other
Christians. It is NOT health care insurance, but rather an alternative
to such. While I have about decided to go with this organization in
lieu of Medicare, the majority of its members are younger folks, often
times pastors and their families as well as the families of
homeschoolers and self employed folks.
I called State Insurance Commissioner John Doak to invite him to our
meeting. He has to be in Washington for a conference, but is fairly
familiar with the organization and is in favor of people having this
option for their health care needs. He indicated he would send former
Senator Randy Brogdon to one of the meetings to meet Mr. Landsberry
and see what he has to say. On an asside, Commissioner Doak shared
with me that he would be finished visiting all 77 counties by mid-
November and planned to visit all 77 counties at least once a year in
the future.
Just to give an idea of what a family of 4 or MORE would be looking at
in costs for their health care needs as a member of SM, they would NOT
pay more than $340 per month. In addition, should they have a health
care need of more than $300 and up to $250,000, there would be no co-
pays to meet such a need. It is an interesting concept, with
organizations such as this specifically exempted from what we call the
Obamacare legislation passed nearly 2 years ago. If you are not able
to attend our meeting, Mr. Landsberry will also be speaking at Trinity
Baptist Church in Yukon (South of I-40 about a mile on Garth Brooks
Blvd) this Wednesday evening, starting at 6:30 p.m.. You owe it to
yourself to check this out as you could save a lot of money and the
benefit of having other Christians praying for you during a time of
need, might be more valuable than any money saved.
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
* THURSDAY MORNING - TULSA AREA - One of the hot topics this last
year during the legislative session was about health care exchanges.
Under grassroots pressure, Governor Fallin and Speaker Steele agreed
to send over $50 million dollars in federal seed money that had been
intended for these exchanges, back to the federal government. Rather
than pass our own version of such, legislators agreed to have several
public meeting across the state before next year’s session is started.
It is my understanding that all options are on the table, including a
complete refusal of the idea. Therefore, if you live in the Tulsa
area, please attend this meeting Thursday morning, 9:00 a.m. at the
Tulsa Technology Center, Riverside campus.
* THURSDAY EVENING - OKC AREA - Last Wednesday, Tyler Roberts,
Chairman of Young Conservatives of Oklahoma came to our meeting to
invite folks to a special meeting this Thursday evening, 6:00 p.m. in
the Auditorium on the campus of Langston University‘s, Oklahoma City
Campus. That is just a few blocks South of Italiano’s on Lincoln blvd.
The campus shares the facility with the Oklahoma County Election
Board. Speaking will be Mr. Bob Bowdon, a filmmaker who produced and
directed THE CARTEL. I believe he was also involved in the making of
WAITING ON SUPERMAN. In addition a Mr. Larry Sands will also be
speaking. He is the Director of the California Teachers Empowerment
Network. I believe it is an organization similar to the Oklahoma
Professional Educators Association, which is a conservative
alternative to the liberal OEA-NEA unions. The meeting is free and
open to the public.
++ TWO MORE DAYS FOR MEMBERSHIP MATCHES
We have extended the deadline to join OCPAC to this Wednesday, so an
additional $50 can be contributed for each person who joins by
Wednesday. Please bring cash, check or money order to our meeting this
Wednesday or follow the instructions on how to join by mail following
my sign off. Please make sure any checks are dated by Wednesday,
November 2nd.
Over the past several months I have been meeting, visiting by phone or
exchanging e-mails with several candidates or potential candidates who
are gearing up for next year’s election. Some of these candidates are
strong and very conservative. We need to raise as much money as
possible to help these outstanding candidates have the resources to
win their elections. There may be more that file, but a least one
excellent candidate has announced that he will work to defeat Senator
Brian Crain (R-Tulsa), winner of this year’s RINO (Republican In Name
Only) award given out by OCPAC.
++ KYLE LOVELESS ANNOUNCES FOR SENATE
Speaking of candidates, this past Wednesday Kyle Loveless came to our
meeting to announce that he would be seeking the seat that Senator
Russell will vacate after next year’s session. Kyle received OCPAC’s
endorsement during the 2008 election cycle, but lost to Steve Russell
in the run-off elections. Even thought he won our support in 2008, he
will have to compete against any other Republican candidates who throw
their hats in the ring for next year’s elections. We congratulate Kyle
on his decision to run again.
++ ARTICLES ON FREE TRADE AND IMPROVING OUR ECONOMY
The cover article in the September 19th edition of the New American
Magazine (publication of the John Birch Society) was titled FREE TRADE
- In Theory and Practice. It was simply outstanding. For years I have
looked for ways to explain how the “so called” free traders in our
nation (most of them are Republicans) have promoted policies which
have harmed our economy which cause our trade deficit to increase.
They love to quote Adam Smith, author of: THE WEALTH OF NATIONS but
they only partially quote him. While Adam Smith was the authority on
free trade, he also made exceptions to such to preserve a nation. This
excellent article explains to exceptions, defines what free trade
really is and what it is not. I ordered a case of the magazines and
will have them available for a suggested donation of one dollar each.
In the Oklahoman this past week was an article by State Representative
Tom Newell (R-Seminole) about the need to eliminate the state income
tax to stimulate our economy. Tom is one of the bright new freshmen in
the legislature who ranked 8th most conservative out of the 70
Republican lawmakers. Tom is a pastor of a church in Seminole and
before being elected was also a professor of economics at the college
in Seminole. As such he seems to also be taking the lead on trying to
get a handle on the run-away costs surrounding our government colleges
and universities. I will try to have copies of his article along with
the magazine mentioned above available for the folks attending our
meeting.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday.
Charlie Meadows
Charliemeadows7@gmail.com
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
++ TWO MORE DAYS FOR MEMBERSHIP MATCHES
++ KYLE LOVELESS ANNOUNCES FOR SENATE
++ ARTICLES ON FREE TRADE AND IMPROVING OUR ECONOMY
++ AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK’S MEETING
Our 12 noon luncheon for Wednesday, November 2nd will be held at
Italiano’s restaurant, 4801 North Lincoln in OKC. Our speaker this
week from Chicago will be Mr. James Lansberry, Vice President of
Samaritan Ministries. Samaritan Ministries is an organized effort to
help facilitate Christians sharing the health care costs of other
Christians. It is NOT health care insurance, but rather an alternative
to such. While I have about decided to go with this organization in
lieu of Medicare, the majority of its members are younger folks, often
times pastors and their families as well as the families of
homeschoolers and self employed folks.
I called State Insurance Commissioner John Doak to invite him to our
meeting. He has to be in Washington for a conference, but is fairly
familiar with the organization and is in favor of people having this
option for their health care needs. He indicated he would send former
Senator Randy Brogdon to one of the meetings to meet Mr. Landsberry
and see what he has to say. On an asside, Commissioner Doak shared
with me that he would be finished visiting all 77 counties by mid-
November and planned to visit all 77 counties at least once a year in
the future.
Just to give an idea of what a family of 4 or MORE would be looking at
in costs for their health care needs as a member of SM, they would NOT
pay more than $340 per month. In addition, should they have a health
care need of more than $300 and up to $250,000, there would be no co-
pays to meet such a need. It is an interesting concept, with
organizations such as this specifically exempted from what we call the
Obamacare legislation passed nearly 2 years ago. If you are not able
to attend our meeting, Mr. Landsberry will also be speaking at Trinity
Baptist Church in Yukon (South of I-40 about a mile on Garth Brooks
Blvd) this Wednesday evening, starting at 6:30 p.m.. You owe it to
yourself to check this out as you could save a lot of money and the
benefit of having other Christians praying for you during a time of
need, might be more valuable than any money saved.
++ ANNOUNCEMENTS
* THURSDAY MORNING - TULSA AREA - One of the hot topics this last
year during the legislative session was about health care exchanges.
Under grassroots pressure, Governor Fallin and Speaker Steele agreed
to send over $50 million dollars in federal seed money that had been
intended for these exchanges, back to the federal government. Rather
than pass our own version of such, legislators agreed to have several
public meeting across the state before next year’s session is started.
It is my understanding that all options are on the table, including a
complete refusal of the idea. Therefore, if you live in the Tulsa
area, please attend this meeting Thursday morning, 9:00 a.m. at the
Tulsa Technology Center, Riverside campus.
* THURSDAY EVENING - OKC AREA - Last Wednesday, Tyler Roberts,
Chairman of Young Conservatives of Oklahoma came to our meeting to
invite folks to a special meeting this Thursday evening, 6:00 p.m. in
the Auditorium on the campus of Langston University‘s, Oklahoma City
Campus. That is just a few blocks South of Italiano’s on Lincoln blvd.
The campus shares the facility with the Oklahoma County Election
Board. Speaking will be Mr. Bob Bowdon, a filmmaker who produced and
directed THE CARTEL. I believe he was also involved in the making of
WAITING ON SUPERMAN. In addition a Mr. Larry Sands will also be
speaking. He is the Director of the California Teachers Empowerment
Network. I believe it is an organization similar to the Oklahoma
Professional Educators Association, which is a conservative
alternative to the liberal OEA-NEA unions. The meeting is free and
open to the public.
++ TWO MORE DAYS FOR MEMBERSHIP MATCHES
We have extended the deadline to join OCPAC to this Wednesday, so an
additional $50 can be contributed for each person who joins by
Wednesday. Please bring cash, check or money order to our meeting this
Wednesday or follow the instructions on how to join by mail following
my sign off. Please make sure any checks are dated by Wednesday,
November 2nd.
Over the past several months I have been meeting, visiting by phone or
exchanging e-mails with several candidates or potential candidates who
are gearing up for next year’s election. Some of these candidates are
strong and very conservative. We need to raise as much money as
possible to help these outstanding candidates have the resources to
win their elections. There may be more that file, but a least one
excellent candidate has announced that he will work to defeat Senator
Brian Crain (R-Tulsa), winner of this year’s RINO (Republican In Name
Only) award given out by OCPAC.
++ KYLE LOVELESS ANNOUNCES FOR SENATE
Speaking of candidates, this past Wednesday Kyle Loveless came to our
meeting to announce that he would be seeking the seat that Senator
Russell will vacate after next year’s session. Kyle received OCPAC’s
endorsement during the 2008 election cycle, but lost to Steve Russell
in the run-off elections. Even thought he won our support in 2008, he
will have to compete against any other Republican candidates who throw
their hats in the ring for next year’s elections. We congratulate Kyle
on his decision to run again.
++ ARTICLES ON FREE TRADE AND IMPROVING OUR ECONOMY
The cover article in the September 19th edition of the New American
Magazine (publication of the John Birch Society) was titled FREE TRADE
- In Theory and Practice. It was simply outstanding. For years I have
looked for ways to explain how the “so called” free traders in our
nation (most of them are Republicans) have promoted policies which
have harmed our economy which cause our trade deficit to increase.
They love to quote Adam Smith, author of: THE WEALTH OF NATIONS but
they only partially quote him. While Adam Smith was the authority on
free trade, he also made exceptions to such to preserve a nation. This
excellent article explains to exceptions, defines what free trade
really is and what it is not. I ordered a case of the magazines and
will have them available for a suggested donation of one dollar each.
In the Oklahoman this past week was an article by State Representative
Tom Newell (R-Seminole) about the need to eliminate the state income
tax to stimulate our economy. Tom is one of the bright new freshmen in
the legislature who ranked 8th most conservative out of the 70
Republican lawmakers. Tom is a pastor of a church in Seminole and
before being elected was also a professor of economics at the college
in Seminole. As such he seems to also be taking the lead on trying to
get a handle on the run-away costs surrounding our government colleges
and universities. I will try to have copies of his article along with
the magazine mentioned above available for the folks attending our
meeting.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday.
Charlie Meadows
Charliemeadows7@gmail.com
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