By Constitution Staff

Am I the only one who looks at unsolicited mail from government agencies as a misuse of taxpayer dollars? Case in point: the letter we all received from the IRS informing us that we might be receiving a tax rebate. Like there was anyone who didn't already know that? I wonder how much that cost us.

Oklahoma's state agencies are certainly not immune to the same type of behavior. Recently I received a (heavy) brochure entitled "Own Your Future" from the Oklahoma Department of Health and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. In it they offer an "Own Your Future" planning kit about "planning for long-term living" which is offered as a part of a new program called -- you guessed it -- Own Your Future" for people over age 45. I assume everyone over 45 and perhaps younger got one of these. What was the cost? How do these agencies derive the authority to educate the public on how to plan for retirement as if people could not get that information on their own from any number of organizations. I guess I'm naive or misinformed. I thought the purpose of government agencies was basically oversight and control in an attempt to protect us from unscrupulous businesses, not drumming up business for businesses, organizations, other agencies, and themselves.

Then again, is this really more about just increasing the exposure of these agency heads whose smiling photos and names are prominently displayed on the brochures? Certainly wouldn't hurt in an upcoming election cycle. Ever notice how much more mail we get from government officials shortly before an election?

Does anyone else wonder about the ethics involved in the prominent use of an agency head or government official's picture and name on official publications, roadways and construction projects? Do you ever wonder what the extra cost to the taxpayer was to display their name on a sign? Or have you ever wondered what it costs taxpayers to reprint stationery, brochures and other things in order to display the identity of the ever-changing official?

For instance, just how important is it that a county clerk's name appear pre-printed on every form? Why can't they just have a stamp made for signing documents and leave it at that? Then when the clerk changes, it would be a small expense to buy a new stamp(s).

Do you ever get tired of seeing the names of obscure politicians on roads and bridges and buildings that have been erected by the taxpayer? How is it that people we haven't even heard of (or at least know nothing of their great deeds) manage to get their names plastered everywhere? And what is the cost to the taxpayer of that? First, it just generally disgusts me. Second, don't our legislators and government officials have something better to do than worry about who to name a building after? And how exactly do these people manage to get their names into consideration? Whose palms get greased?

Am I alone out here or does anyone else have thoughts like these?

Linda Hollman

Oklahoma City, OK

They Don't Get it Right

It never ceases to puzzle me how the legislative bodies, both in Oklahoma and Congress, seem to select less than outstanding Constitution-following leaders. It seems that with the progress made in this decade in the Oklahoma Legislature, the Republican majority caucuses could have made selections of leaders more in tune with the political alignment of the population. Of course, as said before, the voting public is ultimately at fault for electing those to represent them that are less than dedicated supporters of the Constitutions of both U.S. and the state. This despite the fact that all swear on taking office to obey and support same.

For example, in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the present speaker is Chris Benge (R-Tulsa), who will be leaving the House in November2010 due to terms limits. It was recently announced that his Caucus designated replacement, if the Republicans remain in the majority, will be Kris Steele (R-Shawnee). From the reports, it seems that Rep. Steele did his homework and legwork and lined up his support before the Caucus met.

In any event, according to the Oklahoma Constitution newspaper, Rep. Benge had a conservative voting record last session of only 40 with a cumulative average (11 years) record of 66. In the same issue it is reported that Rep. Steele boasted a record of 40 with a cumulative of 61. One wonders what has happened to these two that their record has so dropped. It should be remembered that if Rep. Steele should not gain re-election in 2010, the Caucus will be forced to have another vote. Is it any wonder that the best bills do not pass, or maybe it should be said that the wonder is that ANY good bills make it out of the Legislature. Compare those with Jason Murphy (R-Guthrie), 100/100, Sally Kern (R-OKC), 90/92, Charles Key (R-OKC), 90/81, and John Wright (R-Broken Arrow), 80/92. One would like to see these individual in leadership.

On the Senate side the President Pro-Tempore is Sen. Glenn Coffee, (R-OKC) who is also in his last term and will be out after the 2010 election. It has been reported that there are four Republican senators announced for election to be Pro-Tem designate to take over in November of 2010, assuming there remains a Republican majority in the Senate. Memory fails me and the news story is lost in stacks due to a minor flood earlier in the month, but one of the announced candidates in Harry Coates (R-Seminole), who has voted with the Democrats, particularly on HB-1804, which levies fines on businesses that employ illegal aliens, his voting record is 39 with a cumulative of 44. Another is reported to be Brian Crain (R-Tulsa), 40/63. Compare these with Randy Brodgon (R-Owasso) at 90/93, Anthony Sykes (R-Moore) at 90/90, Bill Brown, (R-Broken Arrow) at 80/80, and Jim Reynolds (R-OKC) at 73/71. We poor overtaxed citizens will never obtain relief until voters elect more like these, enough to select members like them to leadership positions.

A large part of the problem is the dirty campaign tactics of the "left" and the character assassination policies of the local and regional media in some areas. True Constitution-supporting, honest, and decent individuals hesitate to run for office, thus limiting the choices we have. It appalls me to observe the level to which some will stoop in order to obtain their goals.

Robert W. McDowell, Jr.

Tulsa OK