Rice

State Sen. Andrew Rice wants to make it safer for bicyclists in the state.

Last week, Rice, an Oklahoma City Democrat, announced he plans to introduce legislation next session that will help to protect bicyclists. The idea for the proposed bill was prompted by the recent deaths of Oklahoma bicyclists in accidents, Rice said.

Rice, pictured right, also pointed out that bicycle accidents are on the rise in Oklahoma.

According to Rice:

Our job as legislators is to ensure the public’s safety, and we need to do what we can to keep everyone on Oklahoma’s roads safe, and that includes bicyclists. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature, the Department of Public Safety and others concerned with this issue to see how we can best prevent further accidents and unnecessary deaths.

Rice, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said the bill could be modeled after a recently passed Colorado law, which includes “common sense” rules for bicyclists and drivers.

On his Facebook page, Rice wrote: “As senate staff helps me craft this bill, I look forward to getting public feedback so we can make sure this legislation is fair and effective.” Rice also wrote he would make a draft of the bill public this fall.

Ultimately, the proposed bill would encourage bicycling in Oklahoma. The legislation deserves broad, bipartisan input and support.

Here are some Okie Funk political endorsements:

President: Barack Obama. There is no question the country’s government needs great change to face its pressing problems. It’s absurd anyone would think John McCain would deviate substantially from the policy positions of President George Bush. For this reason alone, Barack Obama is the clear choice. Obama also has the potential to be one of the greatest American presidents ever by uniting the country during a difficult time. An Obama presidency would represent a historical change of seismic proportions.

U.S. Senator: Andrew Rice. It’s clear U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has been in Washington too long. What has he done all these years? Well, he has repeatedly embarrassed many people in the state with his outrageous and divisive comments about global warming and cultural wedge issues. This is a year of change. State Sen. Andrew Rice represents change. He is bright and articulate and will serve as a great Oklahoma ambassador in Washington.

Corporation Commissioner: Jim Roth, Charles Gray. Jim Roth proved his mettle as a Oklahoma County Commissioner. Gov. Brad Henry then appointed Roth to the Corporation Commission, and he has served with composure and distinction. He deserves your vote. In the other Corporation Commission race, Charles Gray deserves your vote. Gray would bring a real people’s view to the commission.

U.S Representative: Dan Boren. It’s essential Oklahomans return Dan Boren to Washington. As it stands now, he is the only Democrat in the state’s Congressional delegation. He adds balance to the delegation and helps the state’s image in the process. Boren is a centrist-to-conservative Democrat who has represented the state with distinction. He deserves your vote. I would urge voters in other Congressional districts to also vote Democratic this year.

District 84 State Representative: Ron Marlett. As I wrote earlier, “Ron Marlett is the clear choice for state representative in House District 84, a seat now held by Sally Kern, the right-wing ideologue who made national news when she publicly claimed homosexuality is a greater threat to the nation than terrorism.” Marlett’s election would tell the world that Oklahoma will not tolerate the hateful, extremist views of political leaders.

(“The Case Against Jim Inhofe,” published on Okie Funk and Blue Oklahoma, is a series of posts that comments on Inhofe’s political and business escapades. It shows how Inhofe has consistently hurt the state’s image. It focuses as well on Inhofe’s atrocious record on economic, health, energy, environmental, military and government spending issues. Here are the installments: Part I: “Rice Gains Ground on Inhofe," Part II: “Character Issue Follows Inhofe,” Part III: “When Inhofe Talks, People Cringe,” Part IV: “Iraq Distortions Cast Shadow Over Inhofe Campaign,” Part V: “Can Voters Trust GOP, Inhofe With Social Security, Health Care,” Part VI: “Jim Inhofe and the Wall Street Era.”

Our country remains mired in two military occupations. The government is running a record deficit to pay for tax cuts for rich people. A financial crisis threatens the retirement income of millions of Americans as taxpayers fund a massive bailout for rich investment bankers. A massive number of people are losing their homes.

The nation’s health care system is broken, causing immense personal suffering and financial hardship. The United States, once heralded for its civil liberties, is now known throughout the world as a nation that sanctions torture, the suspension of habeas corpus and the indiscriminate wiretapping of its citizens.

Under the current Washington political culture and system, which is fueled by the money of special interests, it is impossible to bring about change, to fix our problems and move forward. Consequently, the only way ordinary people can make a difference is to replace the old guard that created our pressing problems and hold “change” politicians accountable for their actions.

State Sen. Andrew Rice, 36, a Democrat who is running against Jim Inhofe for the United States Senate, is definitely a politician who represents change and the future. His basic philosophical attitude puts the interests of ordinary people above Wall Street investment bankers and big oil companies. This is what the nation and Oklahoma vitally needs right now. We need something different. We need to change things up.

Some in the Oklahoma corporate media—those right-wing shills for their rich bosses—say they support Inhofe because of his long experience in Washington. But that is exactly why Inhofe should be sent into retirement.

It’s no secret the 73-year-old Inhofe, a Republican, has sold out to special interests and is detested throughout the world for his extreme and sometimes outrageous views on cultural wedge issues and global warming. He is divisive. He still supports the failed neoconservative experiment. Afraid to discuss the issues or debate his opponent, Inhofe is the epitome of everything that is wrong with Washington. His particular experience is why he needs to be voted out of office and not given another six-year term.

If Oklahomans elect Rice to the Senate, it will send a powerful message to the world. It will say, “Oklahoma is open for business,” and “Oklahoma cares about the future.” His election would also add balance to our Congressional delegation, which is overwhelmingly Republican.

Vote for change this election. Vote for Andrew Rice.