Lawsuit Reform must be Addressed Now

I live in Oklahoma. Under former Governor Brad Henry (D) a bipartisan effort was successful to reform the State Law pertaining to frivolous. A State Judge has recently ruled that law unconstitutional. Governor Mary Fallin (R) vehemently disagreed with the State Court’s ruling. She is taking steps to rectify Oklahoma Court reversal by calling State legislators to address the State Court’s ruling by addressing each ruling individually thus reinstating Civil Suit reform.

JRH 9/8/13

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Lawsuit Reform must be Addressed Now

By Governor Mary Fallin

Sent: 9/5/2013 1:23 PM

Beginning this week, I have asked legislators to return to the state Capitol to address an issue of great importance to the state, our medical community and our prospects for economic growth and job creation. That issue is lawsuit reform.

My goal during this special session is to work with lawmakers, as quickly and efficiently as possible, to restore the protections against frivolous lawsuits that have served small businesses and doctors well for the past four years.

To understand the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action, it is important to remember the recent history of this issue.

Before 2009, Oklahoma faced a legal climate hostile to businesses and ripe with frivolous lawsuits. These lawsuits were particularly damaging to doctors and medical professionals, who were frequent targets of medical malpractice claims.

The results were predictable. Businesses were afraid to invest in a state where they were likely to spend vast sums to protect themselves in court. Oklahoma lost good doctors to neighboring states with stronger legal protections. Lawsuits also helped to drive up the cost of medical treatment, hurting Oklahoma families.

To fix this problem, Democratic Gov. Brad Henry worked with Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature to pass comprehensive lawsuit reform. The law they passed made it easier for judges to dismiss lawsuits without merit and made a variety of reforms meant to deliver a fairer system. It allowed those with legitimate grievances to seek compensation through the courts, without encouraging frivolous claims or unfairly punishing businesses and doctors.

The reforms worked. In the two years after enacting the new laws, the number of malpractice payments declined by 39 percent, reaching an all-time low.

As a result, small business owners and doctors saw greater stability and fairness in our legal system, giving them more confidence to invest and stay in Oklahoma. These reforms were part of a winning formula that has given us one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation.

Unfortunately, these laws are now under attack. Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the reform package unconstitutional, citing the "single subject" rule. Essentially, the court said each provision of the law needs to be passed in a separate bill rather than one large all-encompassing measure.

I disagree with that ruling, but at this time, the best thing to do is follow the court's lead. To do that, our Legislature must reinstate Oklahoma's lawsuit reform measures by passing a series of smaller, "single subject" bills that address the court's concerns.

Some have suggested that we simply wait until next year to address this issue. If we do that, the likelihood is that lawsuit reform will not be reinstated until August of 2014, perhaps even November. While we wait, Oklahoma will move backward. Inaction means opening our doctors and businesses to lawsuits that could drive jobs out of state or drive up the cost of medical care.

I will not watch Oklahoma regress or stand by while we lose jobs. Lawsuit reform is too important for our economy, our small businesses and our medical community to wait until next year.

The time to act is now.
_______________________

(This opinion editorial was authored by Governor Mary Fallin and appeared in the September 4, 2013 edition of the Tulsa World.)

Paid for by Fallin for Governor 2014

Oklahoma Prepared for SQ755 Unconstitutional Judicial Ruling

John R. Houk

© August 22, 2013

A Federal Court Judge suspended Oklahoma’s SQ755 which was approved overwhelmingly to prevent Sharia Law from being recognized as any kind of law of the land in the State. U.S. District Court Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange officially ruled SQ755 unconstitutional (This source link is a tongue-in-cheek article about separation of Mosque and State) on August 15, 2013.

Why?

Because organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have pretended (You can read about CAIR skullduggery at the watchdog website Anti-CAIR) to be a moderate Muslim organization and vehemently have protested that Islam’s First Amendment Rights of Religious Liberty was being singled out by a government legislature. Indeed an understanding as presented by a CAIR-like organization would be correct since the First Amendment specifies that Congress shall make no law establishing or curbing the actions of a religion.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. (Bold Emphasis Mine – 1^st Amendment)

Unfortunately for CAIR-like organizations the Oklahoma Congress thought ahead of the Judge’s ruling and joined a growing number States using the template of American Laws for American Courts (ALAC). ALAC goes around the religious standard that Radical Muslim groups in the USA have been decrying by focusing on one principle; i.e. the State Congresses or legislatures have centered their law that foreign laws may not be used as a precedent in American Courts. Guess what Sharia Law is? Sharia and the U.S. Constitution are not compatible in execution hence the foreign nature of Sharia as used in Muslim nations CANNOT be used as a legal precedent in State Courts. And keep in mind some State Courts have ruled according to the stipulations of Islamic Sharia when it comes to civil matters and marriage. That will not happen in Oklahoma where I reside.

 

Oklahoma has passed their version of an ALAC that a huge majority in both Houses of the State legislature approved of and then promptly signed by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin.

The bill signed into law by Governor Fallin passed the House of Representatives by an 85-7 margin and in the Senate by a 40-3 margin. (American Law for American Courts Enacted in Oklahoma Moves Ahead in Florida; By Jerry Gordon; WatchDogWire.com; 4/20/13 – Read the Whole Article)

From an article by Rebekah Maxwell (link above) Sharia is messed up when compared to American Law:

In her book, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, former Muslim Nonie Darwish outlines the incongruities of Sharia law and American law, including:

1.     Death penalties for anyone leaving Islam

2.    Death penalties for adultery

3.    Death penalties for homosexuality

4.    Special taxes imposed on non-Muslims

5.    Institutionalized inequality; Muslims are respected over non-Muslims, as are men over women, the wealthy over the working class.

6.    Allowance for slavery

7.    Allowance for polygamy

8.    No minimum age for marriage

9.    Harsh penalties, like flogging, dismemberment, and beheading, for speaking against Islam and specifically Mohammed.

And just for the ladies,

1.     Your testimony is only worth half that of a man’s

2.    It’s not rape without four male witnesses. Otherwise it’s adultery. See #2 above.

3.    High burdens of proof for divorce (while husbands merely have to speak a phrase)

4.    Forced marriages

5.    No protection against domestic violence

6.    Losing custody of your children if you remarry

7.    Strict clothing/modesty laws…you can be imprisoned for forgoing a veil or showing your ankles

According to the email from American Public Policy Alliance Governor Fallin signed the bill into law on April 22, 2013. So take that Muslim Brotherhood loving and Radical Muslim CAIR and U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange. OK-LA-H-O-M-A is not bowing to foreign laws including Sharia if they contradict the State and Federal Constitution.

JRH 8/22/13

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Oklahoma: American Laws for American Courts protects constitutional rights against foreign laws

By Stephen Gele

Sent: August 19, 2013 2:28 PM

Sent From: American Public Policy Alliance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Stephen M. Gelé, American Public Policy Alliance

admin@publicpolicyalliance.org

(800)968-4211

Oklahoma: American Laws for American Courts protects constitutional rights against foreign laws

On Thursday, 15 August, US District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange struck down an Oklahoma state constitutional amendment (known as SQ755) that forbade Oklahoma's courts from considering Islamic law (Shariah) in judicial decisions.

SQ755 had overwhelmingly passed a vote of the people in Oklahoma in November 2010.

This decision was not a surprise and echoed an earlier ruling by the Tenth US Circuit Court of Appeals back in 2010. As detailed in this article, SQ755 contained several flaws which rendered it counterproductive:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/09/american_laws_for_american_courts.html

Fortunately, there is an effective and constitutional alternative to measures such as SQ755 and Oklahoma joined a host of other states this spring in passing it into law. That law is called American Laws for American Courts (ALAC).

Authored by Representative Sally Kern and Senator Gary Stanislawski of Oklahoma, ALAC passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives 85-7 and the Oklahoma Senate 40-3. The bill was signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin on 22 April, 2013.

Versions of ALAC have now been signed into law in Tennessee, Louisiana, Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma. A version of ALAC passed the Alabama legislature overwhelmingly as a constitutional amendment and goes to a vote of the people on the ballot in the next statewide election. A version of ALAC also passed both houses of the Missouri legislature but was vetoed by the governor; an override session is scheduled for September. Most recently, a version of ALAC passed the North Carolina Senate and House by a wide, bi-partisan margin and is awaiting the governor's signature there.

ALAC remedies the flaws in Oklahoma's SQ 755, and in many ways takes a diametrically opposite approach to SQ 755:

• ALAC is facially neutral.  In an honest debate, it cannot be accused of discriminating against any religion or protected class.

• ALAC is based on a completely different legal premise from SQ 755's. Rather than seeking a ban on foreign or international law, ALAC seeks to preserve the constitutional rights and state public policy protections of American citizens and legal residents, in cases involving foreign laws in the particular dispute being adjudicated.  If a case arises in which a foreign law or foreign legal doctrine is involved in a dispute in a state court, ALAC prevents the use of that foreign law or foreign legal doctrine if any of the parties' fundamental constitutional rights or state public policy would be violated in the process.  This is very different from a blanket ban on foreign laws.

• ALAC is not vague.  It provides specific guidance for judges on complex legal issues involving comity, choice of law, choice of forum, conflict of laws and forum non conveniens, protecting fundamental constitutional rights.

Because of the careful planning and thought behind ALAC's wording, in contrast to SQ 755, from a practical standpoint, it is effective in preventing the enforcement of any foreign law -- including in many cases, shariah law -- that would violate U.S. and state constitutional liberties or state public policy.

And the need for an effective law preserving constitutional rights against the enforcement of unconstitutional foreign law is both real and urgent: an independent study conducted by the Center for Security Policy found fifty cases in 23 states where shariah law had been introduced into state court cases, including many appellate and trial court cases where the judges ruled for shariah law over U.S. law.  Most victims of foreign laws in these cases had come to America for freedom and individual liberty – including American Muslims seeking to escape shariah laws.

________________________

Oklahoma Prepared for SQ755 Unconstitutional Judicial Ruling

John R. Houk

© August 22, 2013

_______________________

Oklahoma: American Laws for American Courts protects constitutional rights against foreign laws

The American Public Policy Alliance (APPA), a non-partisan advocacy organization dedicated to government transparency, government accountability and the constitutionality of U.S. and state laws and policies, is working with legislators nationwide on policies and initiatives. Along with allied organizations, APPA is working to defend free speech, preserve and promote human rights, maintain the strength of our U.S. and state constitutions, and aid and promote public safety.

One of the greatest threats to American values and liberties today comes from foreign laws and foreign legal doctrines which have been influencing our legal system at the municipal, state and federal levels. This phenomenon is known as “transnationalism” and includes the increasingly frequent appearance of Islamic Shariah law. APPA focuses largely on combating this process across a broad variety of issues.

For more information visit http://www.publicpolicyalliance.org

2012 Legislative Session: A Big Step Forward for Oklahoma

I’ve been an Okie citizen since 1997 and my wife is born and bred hear in Oklahoma. And so I am posting Governor Mary Fallin’s email of progress so far in the great State of Oklahoma.

JRH 6/6/12

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2012 Legislative Session: A Big Step Forward for Oklahoma

By Mary Fallin

Sent: 6/5/2012 9:39 AM

The 2012 session was marked by a flurry of legislative successes that will deliver more efficient government services and an environment more conducive to job creation.

While it is disappointing that an income tax reduction was not among those successes, the failure to reach a tax cut compromise should not detract from the many victories won this year.

Chief among those is a budget -- as well as accompanying reforms -- that will continue to limit the growth of government while targeting waste and duplication. The budget passed this year is a fiscally conservative blueprint for state government that largely holds the line on spending. It does, however, provide targeted increases for specific needs and areas in which we know the state must improve: education, child welfare programs, road and bridge repair, access to healthcare, and public safety.

The budget is supported by a number of reforms that save taxpayer dollars and allow state agencies to do more with less. Legislation instructing agencies to reduce energy costs, for example, is expected to produce savings of $300 to $500 million over eight years.

Besides government reform, progress continues to be made towards building a better environment for business growth.

Last year we successfully addressed issues directly related to the bottom line of businesses operating in Oklahoma, such as workers' compensation costs and frivolous lawsuits. This year we went further, helping to address areas that affect both the economic bottom line of our businesses and the quality of life of our citizens.

We know that Oklahoma's poor health indicators, for instance, are resulting in thousands of deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars of lost economic output each year. To address that, we established programs this year aimed at reducing infant deaths, encouraging healthy life choices, and offering treatment to those suffering from substance abuse and addiction issues.

Businesses and families want to locate in crime-free environments, so we have increased resources and state troopers at the Department of Public Safety.

They want a safe and efficient transportation infrastructure, and to that end we developed and funded a plan to repair all 706 of Oklahoma's structurally deficient highway bridges.

Additionally, improving education outcomes continue to be a priority, as we know the majority of jobs created in the next decade will go to those with college degrees or career certificates. To ensure our citizens are poised to take advantage of these opportunities, we are pursuing the goal of dramatically increasing the number of degrees and certificates awarded in Oklahoma.

Finally, we have put the state on a path to address and correct what has long been a black eye for Oklahoma -- the substandard conditions for children in state custody.

All of these are large steps forward for Oklahoma and its citizens, and each will help to make the state a better place to live, work and raise a family. I am proud to declare another legislative session a success, and I look forward to continuing our forward progress next year. To read more of the 2012 Policy Highlights, click here now.

Thank you and God Bless,

Governor Mary Fallin

________________________

P.O. Box 590 | Oklahoma City, OK 73101
Visit www.maryfallin.org

Paid for by Fallin for Governor 2014

Mary Fallin: I ask for your vote tomorrow

I am an Oklahoma resident. As such I need to promote the Republican running for the Office of Governor in this. Below is the ‘day before election day email’ from Mary Fallin representing traditional Conservative Republican ideals of less government, lower taxes and job creation.

JRH 11/1/10

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Mary Fallin: I ask for your vote tomorrow

Sent: 11/1/2010 11:15 AM

Dear Friend,

For a year and a half, I’ve traveled across Oklahoma meeting with farmers and ranchers, seniors, veterans, families, small business owners and countless others to listen to what issues concern them.

And what Oklahomans told me is that they’re concerned about the economy and whether they’ll continue to have a job.  They’re concerned about whether they’ll be able to pay the bills and whether their children will get a great education.

And Oklahomans are concerned about the job-killing policies of President Obama and the direction our country is headed.

That’s why I’m running for governor of Oklahoma. I believe our state has tremendous potential and a great future ahead of it. But that potential will only be reached if we select the right leader as governor.

I have a plan to create jobs and bring more opportunities to Oklahoma, to lower taxes and to reduce spending and “right-size” government. And I’m the only candidate for governor who will stand up to Washington when they attempt to interfere with our ability to govern our state as we see fit.

Let’s send a message to Washington on Tuesday, that we don’t agree with the direction they’re taking our country, by electing a conservative, principled leader as governor of Oklahoma.  I’m ready to work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents to move Oklahoma forward.

It’s been an honor to visit with so many Oklahomans during the course of this campaign and I greatly appreciate the support.  I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday and I promise no one will work harder for Oklahoma.  No one.

 

God bless,

Mary Fallin 

_____________________________

Paid for by Fallin for Governor 2010

Parsons’ Concern About Fallin for OK Governor

John R. Houk
© June 23, 2010

I have to apologize to James Parsons who sent this comment related to my glowing appreciation of Sarah Palin endorsing Mary Fallin for Oklahoma Governor which means I pay attention to those she endorses:

Can you name one thing Fallin has done for Oklahoma? Was it the $800 Billion Bailout? Was the Puerto Rico bill she co-authored? Was the over $22 billion in earmark spending? Was it the approval of giving taxpayer money to corporation like American Airlines and the Gateraide plant to "create" jobs (which has seen job losses and plant closes since receiving that money? Please tell me which accomplishment you are most proud of...

Here is the reason for the apology: Parsons sent this comment Jun 21, 2010 at 10:30 PM. Today is June 23. Since I admire Sarah Palin I did not check up on Mary Fallin and Parson’s specific complaints that Limited Government Conservatives should pay attention to.

I could not find the time to do the simple research that would afford a proper response to James Parsons.

What I found out is that Mary Fallin quite possibly is not as Conservative as she claims she is today. Fallin’s primary GOP opponent Randy Brogdon (Brogdon’s website as of this writing has an annoying pop-up video that lasts about 15-20 seconds) definitely has a better long term record as a Conservative than Fallin does.

Here are some excerpts (mostly) about Fallin’s Conservative credentials that ranges from favorable, an anti-Conservative profile and toward pro-Brogdon:

WASHINGTON- Congresswoman Mary Fallin (OK-05) today accepted the “Ratings Award for 2009” from the American Conservative Union. The award is presented annually to Congressional members scoring 80 percent or higher on a variety of votes pertaining to taxes, government spending, cultural issues, defense and foreign policy. Fallin received a 96 percent rating for 2009, an affirmation of her consistent and conservative record in Congress.

“This award is a reflection of Representative Mary Fallin’s consistent support of conservative principles on a wide range of issues of concern to grass roots conservatives in 2009. At a challenging time when the fundamental principles on which the American system of government are being challenged, Representative Mary Fallin stands with those who are trying to preserve those principles," said David A. Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union.

“Conservative values have been the foundation of my service to Oklahoma for over 20 years,” Fallin said. “Now more than ever, these principles will see us out of the big-government, big-spending policies that have been the hallmark of this administration. I am proud to call myself a true conservative and will remain steadfast in my dedication to small government, strong national defense and traditional family values.” (Fallin.House.Gov posted 05/06/10)

The above data is a bit self-promoting but true nonetheless.

Congresswoman Mary Fallin is the early favorite for the GOP nomination. While serving as lieutenant governor, Fallin was considered a likely candidate for the governorship in both 2002 and 2006. She opted out of the 2002 contest, deferring to Congressman Steve Largent, and successfully ran for reelection. And in 2006, she decided to run for the seat of Fifth District Congressman Ernest Istook, who vacated the seat to run for governor.


The only serious obstacle to Fallin gaining the Republican nomination is State Sen. Randy Brogdon of Owasso. Brogdon has been at the forefront of the conservative movement and attempted to advance many conservative bills through the Legislature and has developed a loyal following among grassroots conservatives. Brogdon sports a 93 percent cumulative conservative rating on the Oklahoma Conservative Index. He first became known to many when he led the effort for the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) initiative petition in 2005, which would have placed limits on state government spending.


In previous campaigns Fallin has spoken in conservative generalities and avoided taking stands on most contentious issues. While that strategy has proven successful in the past, it is no longer valid the current political climate. Speculation is that Brogdon’s challenge from the conservative wing of the GOP has forced Fallin to campaign to the right. And, Fallin earned a 96 percent conservative score in the most recent rating from the American Conservative Union, the highest among the members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma. But, prior to being elected Lt. Governor in 1994, Fallin served two terms in the Oklahoma House of Representative where she accumulated a less than conservative record. Her cumulative average score for that four years was a mere 59 percent. Fallin's vote for the bailout in the fall of 2008, before the shift in political waters, is expected to be a point of contention in the race.


Many conservatives wonder which is the true Mary Fallin – the conservative of today or the more moderate legislator of a decade ago. Perhaps the answer is neither. During her time in the Oklahoma Legislature, when confronted by the staff of the Oklahoma Constitution for an explanation of her non-conservative votes, Fallin’s response was always, “the people in my district are for that.” It may be that Fallin will take the conservative position as long as that is the position of the people she represents. (Excerpted from The Oklahoma Constitution May 10th, 2010 08:00:20 PM)

The above data makes an effort at neutrality but obviously slants toward Brogdon.

Progressive Action Score: 14
A score of 14 means that Rep. Fallin has acted to support 14% of a slate of progressive policies in the 110th Congress.

…

Right Wing Index Score: 43
A score of 43 means that Representative Fallin has acted to support 43% of a slate of conservative, wrongheaded policies in the 110th Congress.

Regressive, destructive, and downright unAmerican actions Representative Fallin has taken that contribute to a Right Wing Index Score of 43:


• On June 20 2008, Representative Mary Fallin broke faith with the Congressional Oath of Office, in which every member of Congress solemnly swears to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Rep. Fallin swore to do this, and yet voted for H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act. The FISA Amendments Act not only makes the misnamed Protect America Act permanent, but even expands upon it in its gutting of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. H.R. 6304 sets up a system:

…

• Rep. Mary Fallin voted YES to pass the ironically named Protect America Act. The Protect America Act is a law now passed by both houses of Congress which replaces judicial warrants with executive prerogative and substitutes blank checks for reasons. The Protect America Act gives the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence the power to spy on your emails, your web surfing, your telephone calls and other electronic communications. All this is carried out without a warrant, which is required by the 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

…

• When the Head Start program of early childhood education came up for reauthorization in May of 2007, Rep. Howard McKeon tried to offer an amendment that would provide special permission for religious organizations to engage in employment discrimination when using government-provided funds to hire Head Start Workers. That sounds complicated, but what it boils down to is that the McKeon amendment would have let churches take government money to hire workers for the government-funded Head Start program, and yet refuse to hire particular workers because they were from the "wrong" religion.

The McKeon amendment would have let government resources be used to discriminate against people who were not religiously correct. It fortunately was rejected in a roll-call vote. But Rep. Mary Fallin didn't help in that regard. By voting YES for the McKeon amendment, Rep. Fallin showed an active disregard for the constitutional basis of American government. (Excerpts from ProgressivePatriots.com)

You have to know that “Progressive” is a euphemism for Leftist. That being said I am a Conservative that strongly supports the Patriot Act as a security measure during time of war. Regardless of the Obama Administration attempts to sell the thought there is no Global War on Terrorism, there is a war. Leftists (and some politically correct Conservatives) moronically try to sell that America is not at war with Islam. I assert that anyone that can read English translations of Islamic literature (non-terrorist or terrorist) can comprehend Islam is at war with America. To deny that the battle is against Islam is politically correct drivel designed to placate Muslim-Americans and Islamic nations that are lining up with American National Interests and National Security. Actually let me backtrack a bit. I can see America sanitizing the term war with Islam because of the necessity of serving the National Interests. Even if a Muslim nation is only half-heartedly supportive of America’s International Right to protect her citizens and Interests it is politically necessary to build a consensus with otherwise hostile nations.

Then there is Fallin’s support of government money being given to religious organizations that are operating a Head Start style program for early childhood education. The Left’s problem with that is a Left Wing Court validating a concept that is NOT even mentioned anywhere in the U.S. Constitution: Separation of Church and State.

The Left has chosen to interpret the portion of the First Amendment that says,

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, …

Tell me Leftists, Libertarians and a few Conservatives: Where does this clause say that Federal, State and local governments cannot allow “religion” to be represented or supported? NO WHERE!

The clause merely says that CONGRESS cannot make a religion the State Religion. Factoring in Original Intent from the days the first nine States made the Constitution effective in 1789 (Bill of Rights ergo First Amendment 1791), the word “religion” intended the meaning of the Christian religion. Clearly the First Amendment about religion was intended to prevent the Federal Government through the power of Congress to establish a State Christian Church (Denomination). The intent had nothing to do with the Federal Government (and definitely not on the State level) with the prevention of taxpayer supported programs or funds to be invested in religious operations that were for the common good for American citizens. The next clause brings home the extra-Constitutional concept of Separation of Church and State is ludicrous:

or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (for clarity’s sake, “free exercise thereof” references religion)

Herein Mary Fallin’s support of funds being granted to a religious organization for the common good was awesome even if the Leftists defeated it.

Let’s look at more excerpts:

… Mary’s another fiscal conservative with policy experience, political backbone, and real world knowledge that will serve the entire state well as she proves her mettle as Oklahoma’s next CEO.”

Added Palin, “Mary truly understands public service, and she served her state with distinction in Congress and as the first Republican and first female lieutenant governor in Oklahoma history.”

…

Reaction from Randy Brogdon, who is also running for Governor in Oklahoma and who was the first state Senator in 20 years to receive a score of 100 on the Oklahoma Conservative Vote Index, was swift. Wrote Brogdon in an e-mail that was distributed by his campaign, “It's perplexing why Gov. Palin, a self-described conservative, would endorse someone who supported the Wall Street Bailout and was key to adding hundreds of billions to the national debt. The simple truth is that an endorsement from Ronald Reagan himself wouldn't change the fact that Mary Fallin supports Big Government bailouts and pork barrel spending.”

Brogdon, a Tenth Amendment champion, also stated: “Mary Fallin can line up endorsements until the cows come home, but at the end of the day it's the Oklahoma voters’ endorsement on July 27th that decides the election. And while Gov. Palin might not know who the true conservative is in the Governor's race, the people of Oklahoma do, and I plan to spread my conservative message to as many voters as possible in the upcoming weeks.”


Brogdon’s frustration is understandable. Love her or hate her, a nod from John McCain’s former running mate would have brought his campaign a certain je ne sais quoi. According to a recent Sooner Poll telephone survey, Fallin handily leads in the gubernatorial race, although Brodgon is a straw poll favorite, and he was enthusiastically endorsed by the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee.

Is it hard to discern how Palin makes her selections? You betcha. While she is fond of mama grizzlies, she also endorsed Rand Paul, who is running for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky and is popular with Tea Party populists.

Brogdon, however, offers one clue, “It is obvious that Palin's endorsement (of Mary Fallin) is more about her bid for president in 2012 than supporting Oklahoma's values of limited government and controlled spending.”

Fallin’s overall Freedom Index rating for the 110th Congress was 62 percent, and for the 111th Congress (original link: http://www.thenewamerican.com/files/TNA_Freedom_Index_111-2-1.pdf)it is 90 percent; Gun Owners of America gave her a grade of “A”; NumbersUSA’s Immigration Report Card gave Fallin a grade of “A”; the American Conservative Union gave her a score of “96”; and National Right to Life gave her 100 percent.

But the Oklahoma Constitution, a conservative newspaper, reports that among the Oklahoma congressional delegation, “Mary Fallin had the second-highest (Congressional Quarterly) score in support of [President Barack] Obama, backing Obama’s legislation 50 percent of the time.”

Fallin is, at best, a mixed bag. Principled on some issues near and dear to right-of-center voters, less so on others, but clearly committed, as befits the career politician and establishment Republican that she is, to seeing government as the tool of intervention, not as the problem. Fallin also has personal baggage from her days as Lieutenant Governor, when she was involved in a high-profile divorce and weathered accusations of a too-friendly relationship with a state trooper who was a member of her security detail.

Brogdon, conversely, who has 30-plus years as an entrepreneur and has been married for 37 years to his high-school sweetheart, brings private-sector sensibilities to his ideas about the proper role of government. He’s all about individual responsibility, personal liberty, and economic freedom. He proposed a measure to opt out of ObamaCare, has opposed the Real ID Act, and “stands with Arizona” — his way of saying he supports S.B. 1070.

Will Randy Brogdon’s staunch constitutional message win over the hearts and minds of Sooner State voters? Or will the celebrity imprimatur of Sarah Palin seal the deal for Mary Fallin?

Oklahomans will conclusively provide answers to those questions next month. (New American 21 June 2010 14:00)

This is definitely a Brogdon slanted article.

Oklahoma Leftists had a field day with a Brogdon comment about fried chicken:

State Senator Randy Brogdon is refusing to apologize for a remark that offended the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus during debate of the federal health care mandate.

…

"Are we going to have to purchase fried chicken tomorrow for dinner?" Brogdon asked, referring to the federal mandate.

Brogdon maintains that he used the chicken dinner analogy because he has just eaten that for lunch. He has now come under fire for that comment which he calls a liberal attack.

…

But it's not just liberals who took offense to Brogdon's remarks.

"There's probably nobody in the building who disagrees more with the President Obama on health care, however, my concerns are the debate should always be about stereotype or anything else," State Rep. T.W. Shannon (R) said.

The legislative Black Caucus, of which Representative Shannon is a member, quickly denounced the remarks. NEWS 9 caught up with its chairman.

"The fact that the conversation went toward eating fried chicken, that troubles me," said State Rep. Jabar Shumate (D). "We had a substantive debate on the topic, the issue, and so I'm disappointed that Senator Brogdon didn't just keep it there."

But Brogdon insists his comment worked in the context of the debate. (News9.com Mar 25, 2010 12:47 PM CDT)

This is an ouch for Brogdon however the faux pas probably does not define his common thinking anymore than a respectable Black person might be defined by referring to a disagreeable White person as a honky.

Here is some more Leftist twisting directed at State Senator Brogdon:

A state senator is coming under fire for comments apparently supporting militias, but the senator said his words have been taken out of context.

Gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Randy Brogdon claimed he never said the word "militia" when he was quoted by the Associated Press as saying "the second amendment deals directly with the right of an individual to keep and bear arms to protect themselves from an overreaching federal government."

"I'm talking about protecting ourselves. As governor of this state, I will do everything within our constitutional authority to keep Congress within our constitutional authority," Brogdon said.

Brogdon also admitted to calling the federal government overreaching.

"Congress is so far overreaching into state's business. It is crippling our economy, the bailouts, the stimulus, Obamacare," Brogdon said.

The Associated Press reported that Brogdon said a militia could be used as an auxiliary state force during times of emergency because the Oklahoma National Guard falls under federal control.

"If we had another ice storm or bombing, it would be very calming and reassuring to know that the chief executive officer, the governor of the state, has a state guard that he could pull from that could help out in these perilous times," Brogdon said, as reported by the Associated Press.

Some Tea Party members have pledged support of Brogdon's cause and candidacy. One state Senate Republican said that's fine as long as violent and hateful speech are not part of the endorsement.

"I would encourage people that have rallied to have their voice heard at tea parties to distance themselves from the small segment calling for something else," said State Senator Steve Russell.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the State Republican Party said it will not support any group that talks of forming a militia. (NewsOn6.com Posted: Apr 13, 2010 3:43 PM CDT Updated: Apr 14, 2010 11:15 PM CDT)

So Parsons it looks like Brogdon is a fantastic Conservative and definitely more Conservative than Mary Fallin. Here is the thing though. The Leftist propaganda machine is already preparing to roast Brogdon if he wins the GOP nomination for Governor. Although I would absolutely vote for him at the November 2010 election, I believe Leftists will successfully paint Brogdon as an extremist. I am concerned Slanted Right Oklahoma will only vote for someone labeled a right wing extremist only if the Democratic nominee is successfully labeled a left wing extremist.

So I have to keep my opinion of Fallin for Governor.

JRH 6/23/10