By Constitution Staff

In the 2009 Spring edition of the Oklahoma Constitution, Richard Engle stated that he was a Ron Paul supporter, but did not want Ron Paul as president. I don not understand. I wish Mr. Engle would please explain.

He wants Ron Paul to stay in Congress and his influence to grow. Engle also wants Ron Paul's constitutional ideas to grow in the Republican Party. Ron Paul supporters have made up a third of the delegates to the state Republican Convention twice, but have not persuaded the other delegates to adopt their liberty-loving constitutional ideas. I don't think the leadership in the Republican Party will ever let that happen.

I have received letters from both the members of the Congress and the Senate stating how the Democrats spend more and are increasing the national debt. Didn't the Republicans control both the White House and Congress for twelve years? During those years the Republicans were unable to balance the budget nor reduce the costs of the federal government. I see no hope for the nation as long as Democrats or Republicans are in control.

We need a third party committed to liberty-loving constitutional ideas. It's almost as if a third party has to have permission from the Democrats and Republicans to even be on the ballot.

J.T. Whatley

Duncan, OK

END SMALL ELECTIONS

It seems that we have just finished a marathon election season resulting in a new administration which seems determined to destroy and terminate the Republic left us by the founders of our Nation. Last year in the biannual Tulsa City elections a charter amendment was passed which changed the city elections from March of even numbered years to November of odd numbered years. This was touted as a two-fold need: because of the close time to prepare the annual budget and because most people are used to voting in November. As a result, the terms of the present office holders, Mayor, Auditor, and Counselors, have been shortened by four months. Also, the filing period which was scheduled for July 13, 14, and 15, is just over.

Early announced Mayoral candidates in order of announcement dates are: Democrats Phil Lakin and Sen. Tom Adelson and Republicans David O'Connor, Clayton Clark, Kevin Boggs, Dewey Bartlett, Jr., and Chris Medlock. The current Mayor, Cathy Taylor, suddenly withdrew from the race recently, after having an announcement press conference some weeks prior. Mr. O'Connor was the first announced candidate, making his official in November of 2006, while former City Counselor Chris Medlock announced his on July 13.

In my opinion, this change to a November date is a real improvement. There are too many "off date" elections, such as Bond Issues, School Boards, and City officials, held at various locations throughout the year. These become like special elections with substantial additional costs to the citizens (taxpayers). Further, because of their odd timing, the turn-out is usually quite low with the result that a small number of voters can affect the results, and with higher costs for the rest of us. The special interest groups advocating the passing of the votes are most adamant in their opposition to changing the system.

One of those groups in particular is the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), which has long been able to install their chosen candidates in the school boards to further their goals. Another seems to be the Trial Lawyers Association, but evidence of their activities is much more subtle and difficult to observe. In larger towns and cities, the public employees union has a vested interest in keeping things the way they are so that there is a low turn-out and they can get out the vote of their supporters.

The whole system, by its design, results in substantially increased costs for these various and many elections. To indicate how well this works for them, there was a city council election in the City of Jenks recently. One of the Council candidates was a long time friend who informed me that her opponent was a ten or twelve year incumbent who had never had an opponent. In walking the district she found that over 90 percent of the people had never been called on by a candidate and in one neighborhood not one even knew that there was an election.

In the last session of the Legislature House Bill 1327, authored by Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-OKC), would have required ALL elections, except any to replace an office holder leaving office in mid-term, to be held in November of whatever year they were to occur. This would put a stop to all these small elections. Unfortunately, it did not receive a hearing and is now classed as "General Order," which supposedly means it can be brought up in the next session, in 2010.

Robert W. McDowell, Jr.

Tulsa OK