OK Commerce Department: "Everything isn't so rosy"
Poverty Levels Increasing, Home Foreclosures Up, Low National Growth Rates, and Food Stamp Usage at an all Time High
Oklahoma City – Days after Governor Henry comes out with TV commercials bragging about what good shape Oklahoma is in, new reports show that the state's number of low income households continues to climb. This comes shortly after reports that home foreclosures in the state are up 45% in the past year, as well as Oklahoma falling way below the national average for growth. Likewise, the number of Oklahomans receiving food stamps has gone up 41% since Brad Henry became Governor.
According to new reports released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau, Oklahoma's poverty rate is up and median income is down , with Oklahoma having the 41st worse poverty ranking amongst the 50 states. According to the Daily Oklahoman the reports "mapped a gloomier economic situation than a year ago."
Ernest Istook, nominee for governor, isn't surprised: "Brad Henry is a weak leader who has a long record of pushing policies that punish those who help create prosperity. That's why in the Senate he was rated Oklahoma's most anti-business legislator, and as Governor he watered down the legislature's tax cuts."
"It feels like every week we read about a new major business leaving the state. General Motors. Delta Faucet. Dayton Tires. Kerr-McGee. The list goes on and on. Thank goodness for today's oil and gas boom that's keeping our economy going. But, for how long? Brad Henry's grown the size of government by 30% in just the last 2 years. Yet, the U.S. Census Bureau says we're not 30% better off – we're worse."
"I believe Oklahoma needs strong leadership. We need to cut taxes, reign in wasteful government spending, and a hands-on Governor who's going to go out and attract the businesses Oklahoma needs."
From http://www.istook.com/
[|)]
Don't blame foreclosures on the state government. Blame it on bad mortgages. People were so willing to get adjustable rate mortgages so they could buy a house that they never counted on interest rates going up. It's happening across the country at alarming rates, not just here. I guess stupidity is a national problem. And people are making a fortune on selling foreclosed homes or bank-owned homes.
It's gambling, all gambling, I say. People trying to gamble their way to prosperity losing the family homestead.
/sarcasm off
It's not just gambling, it's also the lottery, the damn tobacco compacts, and vision 2025.
/sarc off.
So candidate Istook blames the guy he is running against for all problems in Oklahoma?
I am shocked!
That's a very new twist in politics.[:O]
/shock mode off
quote:
Originally posted by guido911
It's not just gambling, it's also the lottery, the damn tobacco compacts, and vision 2025.
/sarc off.
Right here in River City!
(http://static.firedoglake.com/2006/09/blogmedianincome.jpg)
Oklahoma has fared better than many states. Drop in median income over the last six years...source, Detroit Free Press (//%22http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006608300319%22)
Is this all that Istook's got? Weak.
Here's a 2005 list of Henry's accomplishments:
# Successfully fought to let voters decide whether to establish an education lottery to benefit the state's classrooms, which was subsequently approved overwhelmingly in November 2004.
# Improving and Augmenting early childhood education
# Passing medical malpractice tort reform
# Enacting restrictions on public smoking
# Implementing zero-based budgeting
# Saving the state's only level-one trauma center from closing.
# Bolstering public education, he crafted a five-year strategy to raise the salaries of Oklahoma teachers to at least match the regional average.
# Successfully fought for a statewide vote in which Oklahomans approved a tribal gaming regulation act that will pump millions of dollars into state classrooms while helping revive the beleaguered horserace industry.
# Secured a state vote to fund several vital healthcare initiatives through a modest increase in the tobacco tax. Approved by voters in November of 2004, the measure included targeted tax cuts, particularly an elimination of the capital gains tax on all Oklahoma property held for five years or more.
# Other accomplishments: additional tort reform, Medicaid screening for breast and cervical cancer, voluntary relocation assistance for the troubled Tar Creek region, expansion of preschool programs and a landmark anti-methamphetamine law that has become a model for the rest of the nation.
I'm no big fan of Brad Henry. But if Istook's the best candidate the Oklahoma GOP could come up with, it's in trouble.
I don't necessarily think the guy hung the moon, but if you look at the things that have transpired under his watch: tort reform, and this year's estate tax elimination and income tax reduction, its going to be hard for any Republican to take him on.
Ok but think about it .... what would the current economic situation be if we weren't in a current oil boom? Henry has done next to nothing to help the economy, he just got lucky with oil.
And how do you explain the increase in poverty? Aren't democrats supposed to care so much about the poor? Apparently Mr. Henry isn't doing much to help curb poverty.
quote:
Oklahoma has fared better than many states. Drop in median income over the last six years...source, Detroit Free Press
-5.3 ... well lets look ... looks like that is about average ... is average good enough for you? If we are only average, what good does that do us?
Fact is, Cubs, Oklahoma did better than all of its neighboring states. Far better than the much-ballyhooed Texas, even.
And what would a Republican do about poverty, anyway? Remember, they're supposed to be hands-off guys ... "let the market dictate things."
If you're trying to find a strawman against Henry, Cubs, this one ain't it.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Ok but think about it .... what would the current economic situation be if we weren't in a current oil boom? Henry has done next to nothing to help the economy, he just got lucky with oil.
And how do you explain the increase in poverty? Aren't democrats supposed to care so much about the poor? Apparently Mr. Henry isn't doing much to help curb poverty.
quote:
Oklahoma has fared better than many states. Drop in median income over the last six years...source, Detroit Free Press
-5.3 ... well lets look ... looks like that is about average ... is average good enough for you? If we are only average, what good does that do us?
One could argue that "average" is really good considering that we normally do "worse than average" in almost everything. A bonus for Gov. Henry! And count me on the list of people that aren't big fans of his...
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Ok but think about it .... [snip]
And how do you explain the increase in poverty? Aren't democrats supposed to care so much about the poor? Apparently Mr. Henry isn't doing much to help curb poverty.
I
am thinking about it, Cubs. Look at the map...
five of fifty states are better off since 2000. Begs the question...who's in charge 'round here, anyway?
Seems like one of the more recent tenents of the Republican platform is that education will help lift families out of poverty; it wasn't too long ago when President Bush was asking, "Is our children learning?" If you sincerely believe that this is true, then you have to admit that Governor Henry has done a lot to further this ideal: improvements to early childhood education, expanded preschools (every TPS has preschool this year), and raises teacher salaries in order to attract and keep better teachers. These things don't pay out immediately. Last I heard preschoolers aren't yet heads of household...but they will be someday.
Henry has been quietly
delivering on a number of things that Oklahoma Republicans want. That doesn't make him a "weak leader", just the opposite:
Survey USA (//%22http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=8080bbb4-03d8-4934-834c-4032c129638b%22) has him this week with a 59% approval among
Republicans!!!
total........ALL.....REPUBLICANS
APPROVE.......69%....59%
DISSAPP.......25%....36%
I'm just saying that Istook is gonna have to go apocalyptic on him real quick if he wants to win. Saying he is a weak leader isn't going to cut it. You could try the 'ole morality thing, i.e., he betrayed his deaconship with the gambling vote, etc...but any resonance you find with that kind of voter may be canceled out by the fact that Istook is Morman. Its going to be tough.
quote:
Istook is a fool. He blames Henry for Kerr mcgee leaving? Kerr Mcgee was BOUGHT! What does he propose? Buying the company to keep them in state? And GM? they created their own problems and correctly closed a bloated SUV plant.
Well you can make excuses for everyting. What about Citgo, Sunoco, Closing of the Bridgestone Firestone plant in OKC by the end of this year, Six Flags, Valtimet (Stainless Steel Plant)(60 jobs), Eaton (plant in Vinita; 185 jobs), etc., etc.?? .... I know I am forgetting several. I'm sure you have excuses for all of these! I'm sure it isn't Brad Henry's fault is it?? NO, we should blame Bush -- who is the President of the WHOLE country -- not Brad Henry who is responsible for ONE state.
Just face the facts ... Brad Henry's solution to the economic problem is casinos. Now whether or not you like casinos, (you know were I stand) you have to realize that most of the jobs casinos create are no better than retail jobs. These low-paying jobs explain the growing poverty rate. Yet Brad Henry thinks this is good. With the increasing number of low-payed citizens, the amount of food stamps going out is also surging -- and who pays for that? Yep the state! Plus the state has to pay to help those who get a gambling addiction.
Sorry my posts always go to casinos, but they are so stupid, I can't help myself.
Have a good night!!
Oh and in Brad Henry's commercial it says that by raising teacher pay that it helps us get teachers from other states. Do you really believe this?? It might help us keep a couple (like 2) but no one is going to move here because of the teacher raises.
Brad Henry has my vote because he values education and its impact on Oklahoma. Our education system is one of the worst in the nation so anything we can do to improve, even if it means no new tax cuts and maybe even a slight raise in taxes, is well worth it in the long run. He fought to give teacher's a considerable pay raise and better fund higher education, but was compromised by the Republicans (typical) but if the state congress goes back to Democratic control he may actually be able to do it right. His $500 million higher education bond helped keep tuition at Oklahoma universities out of control and has resulted in new buildings and professors. I think Oklahoma is in good, albeit not great, hands with Henry. Much better than Istook...
Just because you throw money at education does not mean you are helping it. And you should know, my sister and several other family members are teachers. Some good quotes about teachers by Anne Coulter in Godless:The Church of Liberalism.:
"We are simultaneously supposed to gasp in awe at teachers' raw dedication and be forced to listen to their incessant caterwauling about how they don't make enough money. Well which is it? Are they dedicated to teaching or are they in it for the money?"
"Educating children is no longer the primary purpose of the public schools. Today their purpose is to employ 2 million people."
"Putting children in government schools at younger and younger ages does not help the children; it merely expands teachers' unions' membership rolls. As any normal human being could tell you-and studies now confirm!-it's better for a child under five years old to be at home with his mother than in child care, not matter how 'stimulating' the environment."
"Comparing hourly wages based on the teachers' self-reports, Vedder says, 'Teachers earned more per hour than architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, statisticians, biological and life scientists, atmospheric and space scientists, registered nurses, physical therapists, university-level foreign-language teachers, librarians, technical writers, musicians, artists, and editors and reporters.' Only lawyers, engineers, and doctors earned more."
"Comparing hourly earnings still does not quite compare apples to apples or even apples and oranges-more like apples to grapes-because of the massive benefits packages public school teahcers receive. Teachers have far more generous pensions than other professional workers, allowing them to retire earlier."
"Between 1982 and 2001, spending on New York City public schools increased by more than 300 percent, clocking in at $11,474 per pupil annually....And yet the New York State courts oficially found in 2003 that graduates of New York City's public schools are not competent to sit on a jury. The courts found that schools were not providing children with such skills as 'basic literacy, calculating and verbal skills necessary to enable children to eventually function productively as civil participants capable of voting and serving in a jury.'"
"Most public schools are-at best-nothing but expensive babysitting arrangements, helpfully keeping hoodlums off the streets during daylight hours."
Throwing money at schools does not solve the problems. However, liberals love the public school system because they know that public schools teach liberal ideals. Public schools are the churches of "The Church of Liberalism"
Conclusion --- Brad Henry's solution of throwing money at schools will not help the schools in the long run.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Oh and in Brad Henry's commercial it says that by raising teacher pay that it helps us get teachers from other states. Do you really believe this?? It might help us keep a couple (like 2) but no one is going to move here because of the teacher raises.
Yes, I do believe it. When our salaries were substantially lower than surrounding states, teachers left for those states in large numbers. Based on this evidence, I think its a fair bet that they will be more likely to stay.
/And stay away from Ann Coulter, she doesn't know how to make things better, she has simply figured out how to make a buck by saying ridiculously inflammatory, hateful, things. And she isn't even original; she's a plagiarist.
Speaking of teacher raises. My wife is a special ed teacher and received a "raise" this year, like many of the "raises" she has had before. Unfortunately, they are paying less of her insurance so she is paying more of her monthly insurance payment so she may end up making less this year than last year.
She has been teaching for 6 years now and they always pull something like that. They give the teachers a raise, but to compensate for the raise, they modify another area of compensation. Sorry for the derail.
quote:
Originally posted by iplaw
Speaking of teacher raises. My wife is a special ed teacher and received a "raise" this year, like many of the "raises" she has had before. Unfortunately, they are paying less of her insurance so she is paying more of her monthly insurance payment so she may end up making less this year than last year.
She has been teaching for 6 years now and they always pull something like that. They give the teachers a raise, but to compensate for the raise, they modify another area of compensation. Sorry for the derail.
How's that a derail? If Hiatt and the Republicans had managed to trim the raises the way that they wanted, she'd be making far less than she is today.
Runaway insurance costs are a national trend. If Oklahoma is providing offsets and other states aren't, then we are still ahead of the game. Sorry for the rerail.[;)]
/And props to your wife. Teacher's are true heroes and Great Americans!
I guess my point was that dollar for dollar she really isn't making much more than she did when she started 6 years ago. They ensure that any "raise" is counteracted by a concomittant cut in benefits somewhere else to balance their loss.
Bottom line for her is if she need to make more money she could move to Texas and be far better compensated.
quote:
Originally posted by iplaw
I guess my point was that dollar for dollar she really isn't making much more than she did when she started 6 years ago.
I hear ya. From the above chart, you can probably infer that
most Americans are in a similar situation...not that there should be any comfort in that.
I simply see the investment in education as a bright spot in our future. When China and India are turning out engineers at a rate of 10-to-1 over the US, you still have to ask yourself if this is enough. Whether it is or isn't, you have to appreciate the fact that there's still some fight in us.
I tend to wonder if their current success is more of a cultural thing. It seems as if education and self improvement is valued overseas more than in the US. The vast majority of students in the US are spoiled, rotten, Ipod cultured students who think things should be handed to them on silver platters.
Success and excellence are only sought by a minority of students in the US, whereas overseas it is the majority of students who are dedicated to education and success.
I think it's a symptom of parental failure en masse. Schools can only do so much for a student. They can only teach those that are there to learn.
quote:
Speaking of teacher raises. My wife is a special ed teacher and received a "raise" this year, like many of the "raises" she has had before. Unfortunately, they are paying less of her insurance so she is paying more of her monthly insurance payment so she may end up making less this year than last year.
Sounds to me like Henry is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
Oh and another story just today of Henry's lack of economic success. http://kotv.com/news/?110598
I'm tired of us loosing jobs under Henry .... I guess the Henry supporters like loosing jobs.
quote:
Originally posted by iplaw
I tend to wonder if their current success is more of a cultural thing. It seems as if education and self improvement is valued overseas more than in the US. The vast majority of students in the US are spoiled, rotten, Ipod cultured students who think things should be handed to them on silver platters.
Success and excellence are only sought by a minority of students in the US, whereas overseas it is the majority of students who are dedicated to education and success.
I think it's a symptom of parental failure en masse. Schools can only do so much for a student. They can only teach those that are there to learn.
Don't get me started; I suffer from premature crotchetiness. Its hard to blame the kids, sometimes. Seems like a third of them are plagued by helicopter parents (//%22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_parent%22) and weighed down by "participation medals". I know kids like this. These show ponies grow up believing that they are gifted at everything cannot handle criticism of any kind. The reality of a 9 to 5 hits 'em hard.
Another third should be so lucky...no parents around and nothing but "Pimp my Hamster" for guidance in life. They probably won't ever have to worry about a 9 to 5.
The other third will probably turn out okay, but in the meantime, they need to STAY THE H*LL OFF MY LAWN!
Seems like other cultures, out of necessity or tradition, treat their kids more like tiny adults. I'm sure there's a downside, but I'm not seeing it.
Two good casino/lottery stories just today.
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/359001.html
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/358960.html
I wish my job of showing that Henry is an idiot was not so easy.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Two good casino/lottery stories just today.
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/359001.html
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/358960.html
I wish my job of showing that Henry is an idiot was not so easy.
So all the idiot voters who passed the lottery and casino gaming... what about them?
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Two good casino/lottery stories just today.
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/359001.html
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/358960.html
I wish my job of showing that Henry is an idiot was not so easy.
Many non-gaming businesses are victims of crime, and there are many phone scams out there unrelated to gaming. It is only when gaming is involved that the type of business is blamed, rather than the criminal.
Cubs, if you're the best tool that Ernie Istook has for this forum, he's in trouble.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
I wish my job of showing that Henry is an idiot was not so easy.
If you are venting, fine. But if you are trying to win hearts and minds here's a bit of advice, you may want to tone down the rhetoric. Calling Henry and idiot may not help you with the voters who actually approved the gambling bills, or the 59% of Oklahoma Republicans who have a favorable opinion of the Governor.
Certainly there is a minority group of concerned christians who will agree with your assessment of Henry on the gambling issue alone, and if you want to pull the "full Rove" you should continue to be as divisive as possible in order to get the "base" stirred up on election day.
But I'll ask again, do you think that this same group will struggle with the fact that Istook is Mormon? My gut tells me that they will struggle with this "issue".
You said tool.
quote:
Brad Henry's solution to the economic problem is casinos.
Actually, we had casinos in Oklahoma long before Henry was governor. He was instrumental in bringing the
lottery to the state and adding certain games to casinos, thus allowing monies from them to go to the state instead of solely to the respective Indian tribe.
My prospective on Oklahoma's lottery is that it is a way for the poor to give back to society, since all they do is take, take, take (welfare, food stamps, etc.).
Crime .... another important issue.
http://oklahomacity.areaconnect.com/crime/compare.htm?c1=Oklahoma+City&s1=OK&c2=tulsa&s2=OK
Another Henry failure.
quote:
My prospective on Oklahoma's lottery is that it is a way for the poor to give back to society, since all they do is take, take, take (welfare, food stamps, etc.).
Well that is a humorous statement. First they shouldn't be receiving welfare, thus giving them an incentive to earn more money. Second, if they are poor they should be saving money and what money they do spend should be on things they need like groceries, not lottery tickets. With these two ideas they are helping the economy because the gov't doesn't have to give them all kinds of handouts and they help retail sales, which of course creates more jobs, and not just retail jobs, but high paying corporate jobs.
Back to crime though, how come during the mayorial race you all hated Bill LaFortune because of the skyrocketing crime rate, but you in no way blame Brad Henry. Clearly the crime problem is not just a Tulsa issue, but a statewide issue. Maybe it wasn't so much LaFortune's fault as it is Brad Henry.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Back to crime though, how come during the mayorial race you all hated Bill LaFortune because of the skyrocketing crime rate, but you in no way blame Brad Henry. Clearly the crime problem is not just a Tulsa issue, but a statewide issue. Maybe it wasn't so much LaFortune's fault as it is Brad Henry.
What does the friggin' governor have to do with crime??? It's a local police matter, and if you feel the state should pass tougher laws or provide more funding to local sheriffs and police, talk to the State Legislature about it.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
quote:
Speaking of teacher raises. My wife is a special ed teacher and received a "raise" this year, like many of the "raises" she has had before. Unfortunately, they are paying less of her insurance so she is paying more of her monthly insurance payment so she may end up making less this year than last year.
Sounds to me like Henry is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
Oh and another story just today of Henry's lack of economic success. http://kotv.com/news/?110598
I'm tired of us loosing jobs under Henry .... I guess the Henry supporters like loosing jobs.
Wouldn't that mean that Bush supporters like high gasoline prices? Or is that
different?
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Throwing money at schools does not solve the problems. However, liberals love the public school system because they know that public schools teach liberal ideals. Public schools are the churches of "The Church of Liberalism"
Cubs and Coulter, sittin in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n... oh, who am I kiddin', Coulter don't kiss on the first date... [:O]
"Church of Liberalism"-- man, oh man... ANY God-fearing American who does not care about the state of the public schools in this country is a TRAITOR.... AND SHOULD BE DEPORTED...
The problem with public schools is not that they have become the "church of liberalism." It's that so many school systems (particularly in the south) have had their school boards dominated by CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS who wouldn't know the idea of "critical thinking" if it slapped them in the face... our kids have so much
conservative politically correct crap forced on them, they wouldn't know anything about running any sort of private businesses other than the ones that have a "sign of the fish" stamped on them...
Unfortunately, it's this religious political agenda that over decades makes history books into treatises on boredom... science textbooks into a toothless rubber stamp of protestant Sunday School... nowadays, quoting historical dates is much more important in OUR public schools than teaching any perspectives or opinions on history or science...
And I wish all public schools in Oklahoma would teach the Bob Jones University textbook on Medieval History I got to study at Victory Christian School... because if this book were taught in the public schools, then our students, teachers, and free-thinking parents would finally catch onto the real face of the fundamentalist conservative christian agenda for our schools and our country...
Makes me almost feel like campaigning for Istook in a...
"call your bluff"...
"be careful what you wish for" sorta way...
Some smart-aleck ought to ask Istook whether he's going to take a second or third wife if he's elected. [:P]
http://www.kfor.com/global/story.asp?s=5437044
Unemployment Up!!
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
http://www.kfor.com/global/story.asp?s=5437044
Unemployment Up!!
Nice misleading post, Cubs! You're right, unemployment is up slightly in Oklahoma. But it's up for the whole country. (//%22http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=12%22) The TRUTH is that Oklahoma's unemployment rate has risen at a slower rate than the national average.
Since you're a Bush apologist, that must mean you LIKE high unemployment numbers. Or is Henry to blame for the national numbers, too?
Oklahoma's August 2006 unemployment rate of 4 percent is lower than the August rates for Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas. The Louisiana rate is the lowest in the region at 3.8 percent.
Job Cuts
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/363059.html
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Job Cuts
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/363059.html
Cubs, I'm not a Gov. Henry apologist, but the 285 jobs to be cut are a result of changes at the FEDERAL LEVEL, not Henry's policies.
Also, read to the end of the article- Boeing to add 300 jobs- net gain of 15, not a loss.
Nice try.
Crime is out of control!!
Just one day of headlines:
Two Dead, A Third Critical, Following A Cherokee County Shooting
http://kotv.com/news/?111574
Two Killed In Early Morning Oklahoma City Shooting
http://kotv.com/news/?111593
Three Arrested After Running Truck Into Mailboxes
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/363746.html
Three Stabbed At State Fair In Oklahoma City
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/363635.html
quote:
Also, read to the end of the article- Boeing to add 300 jobs- net gain of 15, not a loss.
That is still 285 jobs lost! I don't care what Boeing is going to do. Your economy isn't going to grow much if you are going to lose jobs every time you gain some. The governor did absolutely nothing to try to keep those jobs.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Crime is out of control!!
Just one day of headlines:
Two Dead, A Third Critical, Following A Cherokee County Shooting
http://kotv.com/news/?111574
Two Killed In Early Morning Oklahoma City Shooting
http://kotv.com/news/?111593
Three Arrested After Running Truck Into Mailboxes
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/363746.html
Three Stabbed At State Fair In Oklahoma City
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/363635.html
For the second time in this thread, what does the governor have to do with crime? NOTHING. It's a local police issue. If the state has any role at all, it would be through state appropriations, which is the legislature's job.
I think we're seeing a case of Cubs' not letting facts get in the way of a good rant.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
quote:
Also, read to the end of the article- Boeing to add 300 jobs- net gain of 15, not a loss.
That is still 285 jobs lost! I don't care what Boeing is going to do. Your economy isn't going to grow much if you are going to lose jobs every time you gain some. The governor did absolutely nothing to try to keep those jobs.
You know for a fact he did nothing? How are you privy to this? Did you sit in on the meetings? Are you sure his Commerce secretary didn't make an attempt? Should we have funneled taxpayer money to a private corporation worth billions of dollars to save those 285 jobs? And regardless of what you say, we ended up with a net GAIN of 15 jobs.
See, the way that works, Cubs, is at the end of the game, if your teams has scored more than the other team, you win. I know you haven't had much practice at this "winning" thing, rooting for the Cubs and all, but trust me, that's how it works...
quote:
See, the way that works, Cubs, is at the end of the game, if your teams has scored more than the other team, you win. I know you haven't had much practice at this "winning" thing, rooting for the Cubs and all, but trust me, that's how it works...
This isn't a football game. At a football game, all you have to do is have a least one more point than the other team and you win. In an economy if you only gain one job, your economy is not growing. The population of the state is going to increase regardless of the number of jobs. So if you only gain 15 jobs, you are really losing jobs because the population has increased.
Trust me, if a Republican was governor, you would agree with me.
Sorry, I don't like posting 3 times in a row, but I just gotta ask.... How does a city (Tulsa) vote for George Bush, Tom Coburn (100% rating on the conservative report card- #1 in the nation), Jim Inhofe (84% rating on the conservative report card- #3 in the nation) and John Sullivan and then vote for Brad Henry and Kathy Taylor?? It just doesn't make sense. Somewhere the people are being mislead, and I think its pretty clear, and the people are well aware the first group are strong conservatives.
quote:
For the second time in this thread, what does the governor have to do with crime? NOTHING. It's a local police issue. If the state has any role at all, it would be through state appropriations, which is the legislature's job.
Henry seems to think he can do something about crime.
http://www.henryforgovernor.com/acomp4.htm
Safer streets, safer families
To protect families and make Oklahoma a safer place to live, Gov. Henry has pushed an innovative public safety agenda that has earned national accolades and produced positive results.
In 2004, the governor approved a law that would soon become a national model in the war in methamphetamine. By restricting over-the-counter sales of a key meth ingredient, pseudoephdrine, Gov. Henry helped shut down clandestine meth labs across the state. Because of its high success rate, dozens of other states and the federal government copied Oklahoma's law, which was also won praise from the US drug czar.
Gov. Henry is taking an innovative approach toward Internet predators as well. Recognizing that the worldwide web has become a popular tool of sex offenders and pedophiles, the governor established SafeNet, a special unit in the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that combats online predators. Safenet is designed to ensnare sexual predators who are trolling the Internet for Oklahoma children.
The governor is also working to protect the state's youngest citizens from abuse and neglect. Gov. Henry signed new anti-child abuse legislation in 2006 and helped fund additional abuse investigators to go after offenders. I give the governor props on the meth thing, but that is all. He claims he is making streets safer, but he is not. So, if you say the governor can do nothing about crime, then Henry is lying.
It's easy to figure out why locals voted for Kathy Taylor, Cubs.
It's because her GOP predecessor stunk up the joint. Voters tend to jump party lines if an office-holder is incompetent enough, which is good and proper. It shouldn't be enough to earn someone's vote just because he/she is a certain political affiliation.
Frankly, Cubs, I don't know how bad LaFortune had to be before you wouldn't vote for him. Then again, some folks would vote for a Republican even if there were pictures of him screwing goats.
Oh, and Cubs, Steve Largent beat Brad Henry by nearly 19,000 votes in Tulsa County in 2002. It's not like voters flocked to vote for Henry, as you insinuate.
Here's the breakdown:
Largent 84,187
Henry 65,383
Richardson 25,158
Next time, do your homework.
As for Henry's likely win in this coming November, it's because he's been competent as an officeholder. It's amazing what basic competence will do for someone in the polls.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Sorry, I don't like posting 3 times in a row, but I just gotta ask.... How does a city (Tulsa) vote for George Bush, Tom Coburn (100% rating on the conservative report card- #1 in the nation), Jim Inhofe (84% rating on the conservative report card- #3 in the nation) and John Sullivan ...
I think that we believe that the federal government is crooked and we want the best crooks possible representing us.
Just kidding, cubs.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Crime is out of control!!
Just one day of headlines:
Two Dead, A Third Critical, Following A Cherokee County Shooting
http://kotv.com/news/?111574
Two Killed In Early Morning Oklahoma City Shooting
http://kotv.com/news/?111593
Three Arrested After Running Truck Into Mailboxes
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/363746.html
Three Stabbed At State Fair In Oklahoma City
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0906/363635.html
LOL! Is this a new neo-con debate tactic? If your hand gets called on your misinformation just change the subject? [}:)]
Psssst...Cubs...crime is up NATIONWIDE. So what's your point?
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
quote:
Also, read to the end of the article- Boeing to add 300 jobs- net gain of 15, not a loss.
That is still 285 jobs lost! I don't care what Boeing is going to do. Your economy isn't going to grow much if you are going to lose jobs every time you gain some. The governor did absolutely nothing to try to keep those jobs.
You must not have gone to the public schools that y'all right wingers detest so. A net gain is a net gain, no matter how you try to spin it.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Sorry, I don't like posting 3 times in a row, but I just gotta ask.... How does a city (Tulsa) vote for George Bush, Tom Coburn (100% rating on the conservative report card- #1 in the nation), Jim Inhofe (84% rating on the conservative report card- #3 in the nation) and John Sullivan and then vote for Brad Henry and Kathy Taylor?? It just doesn't make sense. Somewhere the people are being mislead, and I think its pretty clear, and the people are well aware the first group are strong conservatives.
Maybe the people finally woke up and smelled the toast burning.
Facts are pesky things, Cubs.
quote:
You must not have gone to the public schools that y'all right wingers detest so. A net gain is a net gain, no matter how you try to spin it.
Yes, ok it is a net gain when looking at those two things ok, but if those jobs wouldn't have been lost, then there would be 585 jobs between those two, not 300.
The article just shows the liberal news bias because they try to put a positive spin on it because a democrat is governor. If a republican were governor, that last sentence would not be there.
quote:
Oh, and Cubs, Steve Largent beat Brad Henry by nearly 19,000 votes in Tulsa County in 2002. It's not like voters flocked to vote for Henry, as you insinuate.
I am talking about the city, not the county. Ok, maybe Tulsa did vote for Largent, not that you have proved that, but I was really thinking more about the upcoming election anyways.
Oh and here is the link to the Conservative Report Card ... I like looking at this, it makes me proud to be an Oklahoman, a feeling I don't get when reading posts on TulsaNow.
http://conservativereportcard.com/
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Trust me, if a Republican was governor, you would agree with me.
I'm a Republican, thanks. Agreeing with you is something I plan to avoid if at all possible.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Oh and here is the link to the Conservative Report Card ... I like looking at this, it makes me proud to be an Oklahoman, a feeling I don't get when reading posts on TulsaNow.
We all have our crosses to bear, Cubs.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
quote:
You must not have gone to the public schools that y'all right wingers detest so. A net gain is a net gain, no matter how you try to spin it.
Yes, ok it is a net gain when looking at those two things ok, but if those jobs wouldn't have been lost, then there would be 585 jobs between those two, not 300.
The article just shows the liberal news bias because they try to put a positive spin on it because a democrat is governor. If a republican were governor, that last sentence would not be there.
Oh, yeah, it's that dang liberal media again. [}:)]
You know, you neo-cons need to come up with some new shtick. You've pretty much worn that one out to the point that it's a joke.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Trust me, if a Republican was governor, you would agree with me.
Trust me, if a Republican was governor, you would be touting the net gain of fifteen jobs.
quote:
Originally posted by Cubs
Oh and here is the link to the Conservative Report Card ... I like looking at this, it makes me proud to be an Oklahoman, a feeling I don't get when reading posts on TulsaNow.
http://conservativereportcard.com/
ROFL!! Weren't you just whining about the "liberal media"? [}:)]
Cubs, you're assuming too much about the strength of Henry in Tulsa County.
According to the state board of elections on Jan. 15, there were 165,812 registered Republicans in Tulsa County. There were 129,467 Democrats in the county, and 38,417 independents.
Tulsa County is one of the strongest Republican areas in the state. There are others that are stronger percentage-wise. But Tulsa County is a strong-leaning GOP, with lots of them, too. It leans more Republican than Oklahoma City.
You can look for yourself:
http://www.elections.state.ok.us/reg_0106.pdf
In the city, it's 101,957 Republicans, 90,867 Democrats and 26,152 independents.
Given the breakdown of voter registration in this area, I fully expect Ernie Istook to win in the county and city. If he doesn't, it's because Istook was a lousy candidate, or that Henry's a strong incumbent (both, I'd say).
And the breakdown shows how poorly Bill LaFortune was regarded by his fellow Republicans. Obviously, quite a few of them jumped to Kathy Taylor's side.
http://kotv.com/news/?111756
Brad Henry, Ernest Istook Schedule Debates
AP - 9/27/2006 10:36 AM - Updated: 9/27/2006 10:41 AM
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Governor Brad Henry and Congressman Ernest Istook are scheduled to debate three times and make one joint public appearance in the final weeks of the election campaign.
Henry and Istook will appear together at the Reed Center in Midwest City on October 11th in an event sponsored by the State Chamber of Commerce.
They'll debate October 17th at Cameron University in Lawton, October 23rd at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and November 2nd at Rose State College Communications Center in Midwest City.
Henry is running for a second term while Istook is giving up a seat in Congress to run for governor.
Election day is November 7th.
Let the games begin!! Istook's message is a strong one, just wait until the people here it! The people don't like paying taxes- they will love Istook's plans to reduce state income tax and eliminate state sales tax on groceries!
http://enews.istook.com/uploads/ERNIE_vs_BRAD.pdf
Which candidate do you think truely stands for Oklahoma when you look at the issues?
{crickets chirping)
Istook had better have a strong message. The latest poll has him losing by a 2-to-1 margin statewide.
Anytime you're trailing by 30 points in the polls, you're in big trouble no matter which way you slice it.
And, Cubs, hasn't the state income tax rate already been reduced twice on Henry's watch? Isn't Istook advocating something that's already been done by his opponent?
quote:
And, Cubs, hasn't the state income tax rate already been reduced twice on Henry's watch? Isn't Istook advocating something that's already been done by his opponent?
Yes the state income tax has been reduced, but that doesn't mean it cannot be reduced more. And, don't even try to thank Henry for the reduction in taxes- that was the Republicans led by none other than Lt. Governor candidate Todd Hiett.
quote:
Originally posted by rwarn17588
{crickets chirping)
Istook had better have a strong message. The latest poll has him losing by a 2-to-1 margin statewide.
Anytime you're trailing by 30 points in the polls, you're in big trouble no matter which way you slice it.
And, Cubs, hasn't the state income tax rate already been reduced twice on Henry's watch? Isn't Istook advocating something that's already been done by his opponent?
I think Istook is WAY too right wing even for Oklahoma. His support is pretty much limited to right wing extremists.
<Cubs wrote:
Yes the state income tax has been reduced, but that doesn't mean it cannot be reduced more. And, don't even try to thank Henry for the reduction in taxes- that was the Republicans led by none other than Lt. Governor candidate Todd Hiett.
<end clip>
Get it right. The Democratic leadership asked for a smaller tax cut but with a larger standard deduction that would have saved Oklahomans even more money than the GOP's plan. Portions of the plan were so good, Hiett stole them and took credit for them -- which p*ssed off a lot of lawmakers.
So, the Democrats showed the way more on those tax cuts you love so much.
quote:
Originally posted by rwarn17588
<Cubs wrote:
Yes the state income tax has been reduced, but that doesn't mean it cannot be reduced more. And, don't even try to thank Henry for the reduction in taxes- that was the Republicans led by none other than Lt. Governor candidate Todd Hiett.
<end clip>
Get it right. The Democratic leadership asked for a smaller tax cut but with a larger standard deduction that would have saved Oklahomans even more money than the GOP's plan. Portions of the plan were so good, Hiett stole them and took credit for them -- which p*ssed off a lot of lawmakers.
So, the Democrats showed the way more on those tax cuts you love so much.
I bet facts are a real slap in the face when you're determined to believe that the right wing is God's gift to the world. [}:)]