Vote Democrat November 7

I came upon the following editorial gem in The Austin Chronicle while sitting in a restaurant near Sixth Street on a recent beautiful Texas Friday night:

“The current GOP wrongheadedness and destructiveness to the very structures of our country—constitutional, social, economic, and diplomatic—demands a redress, for the good of the state and the good of the country” (“The ‘Chronicle’s’ Endorsements,” October 20, 2006).

Published in a section of political endorsements, The Chronicle statement sums up what I believe a majority of people in this country now think about the Republican Party these days. It’s “throw-the-bums-out” time all across the country. But does the country still retain the democratic mechanism and structures to do this given national gerrymandering and the importance of campaign money in any particular race?

With this mind, Okie Funk endorses all Democrat candidates running for office in Oklahoma this year. I have always been sympathetic to third-party candidates, and I remain open to any intelligent ideas from the left or the right, but this mid-term election belongs to the Democrats. The Republicans nationally have squandered their majority rule with, among a litany of mistakes, a botched war and illegal wiretapping of American citizens. On the state level, the GOP here has been more concerned with ideological issues such as mandating intelligent design curriculum or making abortion illegal than pragmatic issues such as education funding or ensuring children have health insurance or growing the economy.

Here are specific endorsements for some selected races:

Governor

This one isn’t even close. Brad Henry is the clear choice for governor this year. His opponent, the ideologue Ernest Istook, would set Oklahoma back light years with his extreme religious views. Oklahoma is already known nationally as a place filled with religious kooks and weird laws based on religion tenets. If Istook were elected, the state’s image would suffer even more. His election would create a huge exodus of progressive people from the state. In addition, Henry’s pragmatic accomplishments as governor, from getting the state through tough financial times to funding education to passing the lottery, make him perhaps one of the best governors this state has ever had.

Lieutenant Governor

The lieutenant governor’s race this year is significant because the Oklahoma Senate could end up equally divided between Republicans and Democrats. The lieutenant governor breaks any tie votes. That’s why it is paramount Jari Askins is elected to the position. Her opponent, Todd Hiett, led the Republican majority in the Oklahoma House last legislative session and stayed in the background and did nothing as religious extremists like state Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) tried to end science instructions in our high schools. Like Istook, Hiett is an ideologue who declines to govern with pragmatism and commonsense. Askins, who has previous government experience, would help the state prosper, and she would work well with Henry in bringing new businesses and people to the state.

Oklahoma State Senate District 46

If Democrats hope to end the conservative juggernaut in the state, then they need to start by electing people like Andrew Rice. Rice is a rising star in Oklahoma politics. He is well-educated, bright, and articulate. His opponent in the race, Joshua Jantz, is yet another religious extremist. The District 46 seat has been held by Bernest Cain, who was term limited. Rice is an excellent candidate with a solid group of motivated voters behind him.

Oklahoma House District 87

Dana Orwig is the clear choice for the House District 87 seat. She will help fund education at appropriate levels and help small businesses. Her opponent, Trebor Worthen, has been a strong supporter of state Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), a conservative ideologue who has harmed the state’s image. Orwig will bring pragmatism back to state government.

Okie Funk also endorses incumbent Democrats Attorney General Drew Edmundson, State Treasurer Scott Meachum, Schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett, and Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland. All these Democrats should be easily elected. For Labor Commission, the clear choice is Democrat Lloyd Fields who faces incumbent Brenda Reneau. Dr. David Hunter deserves your vote for the U.S. House of Representatives District 5 seat.

Democrats needs to get out the vote in the House district currently held by Republican state Rep. Thad Balkman , a Norman religious extremist. Wallace Collins deserves your vote in this race. Democrat Troy Green deserves your vote in the House District 53 race. He is running against state Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), who puts partisan politics above the best interests of the state.

Oklahoma Democrats have put together an excellent slate of candidates who can help this state and country get back on track. On the state and national level, Republican politicians have supported a lying, warmongering president who has committed impeachable offenses. They did so purely for political gain. The GOP has obviously blown their majority-rule opportunity, and voters should tell them so in local elections. The time for redress, as The Chronicle puts it, is here. Be sure to vote November 7.