January 14, 2020 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Tuesday, January 14, 2020 New Year’s and Opinion Page “ElkCituNews Will 2020 hold a session resolutions Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 By Jonathan Small quired to obtain recertifica- union’s political stances, welfare. (It must be noted better future for When it comes to reso- lutions, one should pur- tion regularly. The strikes but still feel compelled to most financial gains from of 2018 demonstrated they join because membership Medicaid expansion will Oklahoma’s children sue those that are simple and achievable. That’s true have the power of elected officials and the ability to includes liability insurance coverage. Teachers who accrue to wealthy big-box hospitals in Oklahoma City whether you're talking shut down our schools. That maintain classroom disci- By Joe Dorman about personal resolutions kind of power needs regu- pline should not have to fear and Tulsa anyway, not rural ‘As we step into a new year, and debatably a new decade or (as I am today) resolu- lar accountability. Today’s frivolous lawsuits. The state communities.) depending upon who you ask if decades start with a 0 year tions for public policy goals teachers and other education should give them more fi- To achieve this goal, law- ora 1, we at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy for Oklahoma. employees should not be nancial peace of mind. makers can dedicate Okla- In that spirit, I offer the bound by a certification vote Finally, the Legislature homa’s annual _ tobacco are looking for a brighter future for Oklahoma’s children. following. taken by their grandparent’s should advance genuine settlement payments and en- This not only the tag line for our new desktop calendars, Lawmakers should raise generation. When a union health care reforms, not dowment earnings (totaling but also for our feeling that this will be the year when we the cap on Oklahoma’s provides value, recertifica- budget-busting Medicaid more than $100 million an- truly begin to turn things in a new direction for our state. Equal Opportunity Scholar- tion is no threat, and when expansion. It’s time to re- nually) to rural hospitals and ship Program. Research has a union doesn’t there’s no strict hospitals’ ability to This optimism comes from several factors which we will doctors. Oklahoma has the shown, repeatedly, that this reason to limits its members’ “surprise” bill patients for be facing as a state, and also a few challenges that we each program saves state funds options. out-of-network charges even money to meet rural health will need to hold ourselves accountable to be better. and increases overall spend- Unions should also be when treatment is obtained care needs. Starting with the challenges, we are facing a hostile elec- ing on education. It also in- required to proactively re- at an in-network facility. Finally, state spending tion year when the rancor at the state and federal level gen- creases academic opportu- ceive a worker’s permission Also, Oklahomans should should stay in line with cur- nity for needy children and before union dues can be not have their credit scores rent tax collections. erally stoops to a low point in civility. While we may or puts Oklahoma on the path obtained from teachers and reduced in situations where If policymakers want to may not like who currently holds an office or might see im- to.a better future by ensuring education employees. Also, they were not given advance produce a better Oklahoma proved opportunities in their challengers, it is important to more students become pre- state and local government notice they would face high for the next generation, these keep the conversation at a respectful level. In other words, pared for work or college. shouldn’t be involved in col- charges for a provider they simple steps are a good start. when debating about politics, do not behave in a way that The Legislature should lecting dues for unions. didn’t know was out of net- Jonathan Small serves as also advance much-needed To benefit teachers, law- work. you would punish your children for acting similarly. union reforms (excluding makers should _ provide Rural health care is facing president of the Oklahoma A definite challenge with a financial advantage for our those serving hazard-duty state-funded liability insur- serious challenges, but law- Council of Public Affairs state will be the tension between the United States and the public-safety employees). ance coverage. Many teach- (www.oepathink.org<http:/! makers can address those Middle East. Oil prices jumped and stocks fell on news First, unions should be re- ers don’t agree with their needs without expanding www.ocpathink.org/>). that a powerful Iranian military leader had been killed in a strike authorized by the United States last week, ratcheting up geopolitical tensions in a region that supplies around 25 percent of the world’s oil and threatening to disrupt Message to Trump supporters: lam sorry global supply. That result led oil prices to surge to more than $70 per barrel, which creates a greater demand for lo- cal oil. Oklahoma’s portion of the state budget dependent upon this commodity was written last year to be based on by Wim Laven ment. The lies about weap- ment. I added, that it was for Donald Trump because I $54.23 per barrel. While other areas might see a decline, I am a committed to ons of mass destruction were not about hatred it was about thought he would protect my this increase, if long term, will provide additional revenue peace, and this requires me used as a fraudulent excuse affirming my love for peace values, but I don’t want him to acknowledge the dignity to start a war for most of my and justice. I have called out for lawmakers to help fill in gaps with areas of need. dragging the U'S. into a war and worth of all humans. I adult life. Stories are some- Trump's lies and failures A positive we see is the opportunity presented by the fiercely defend human rights times spun and other times since the beginning, but I with Iran...” Talk with your US Census. If Oklahoma improves our population count, and work to promote equal- they are outright propagan- have never given him credit. other conservative friends, there is a chance to restore a Congressional seat by taking ity. But I have a confession da. I teach students to gen- The truth is that Trump did let them know that Repub- to make, when it comes to erally have a healthy skepti- more to oppose the dishon- lican senators are increas- one froma larger state like California. This also improves the people defending Don- cism, because I want to be est campaign against Iraq ingly calling for no war, and the resources coming to our state from the federal govern- ald Trump I come up short, vigilant against fake news, than Hillary Clinton did and reclaim your party and your ment, so more funding for road, bridges and schools. and I must eat my crow and and I worry that it’s getting his targeted assassination of values. The strongest positive we envision is legislators working apologize. tougher to tell the truth from Soleimani is not so different Ihave watched people call lies. from the countless extra-ju- To every Trump supporter on critical youth areas from our legislative agenda, such you names, and I have been Here is who pays with dicial executions ordered by who was called racist instead as improving economic opportunities for working Okla- shy to come to your defense, their lives when America Barrack Obama. Though it is of getting a chance to ex- homa families, reducing inappropriate suspensions for but I should have because goes to war: you. Working worth pointing out that both plain yourself, you deserved students who instead need counseling, and providing state you deserve the respect that class Americans get caught the context and consequenc- better. To those who know agencies the resources to allow them to correctly list tribal all people should enjoy. I up in the “economic draft” es are radically different, it students by their specific nation rather than simply as a Na- get you. We do not have all that results when education is hypocritical when two dif- Trump is a bully, but who of the same values, but we is expensive, the GI benefits ferent standards are applied. think he deserves a chance, tive American classification (this allows for increased op- have enough in common that seem to help veterans earn The worst part of all of calling you names was hyp- portunities for schools and tribal governments to apply for Tunderstand. The name-call- advanced degrees, and so this was crystalized for me at ocritical. Civil discourse and grants to assist their youth). We also applaud the bipartisan ing is gratuitous; there is no the ranks are generally com- an anti-war protest two days dialogue is sorely needed if reason for people to call you posed of aspirational mem- after the assassination. What effort to increase the restore and increase the age for wear- we're ever going to return to stupid—you have skills, you bers of the very folks who T saw would make it impos- ing a seatbelt in a care to older than age 8, as we are the are hard working, you care have been wooed by Trump. sible for a person who voted honest debate in this country. only state in the nation that low. We also have a First Lady about your families. I have It is absolutely sensible, and for Trump to join in. I know Research on opinions shows who has made it her priority to improve mental health op- written about the disrespect so, when he campaigned many many of you are dis- 86.4 percent of Americans portunities and reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences for that people have shown my on getting us out of endless gusted by the thought of an- feel the military should only mother. She immigrated wars, that was a big hit with other endless war, and I have be used as a last resort, so it our state’s youth. from Holland, and English those on the front lines of heard the complaint “I didn’t is important for conserva- OICA will remain steadfast in our work at the Oklahoma was her fourth language, so risk-you. want to vote for Trump but State Capitol. Please go to oica.org to sign up to receive it makes me furious when Now it’s time to ask if he’s T couldn’t vote for Hillary” tives to let their feet do the our action alerts about legislation so you can contact law- people belittle her for hav- hundreds of times, but there talking too. still your man, I beg you makers directly and be a part of this positive vision for ing an accent or occasion- to do so, out of respect for was no opening for conser- Trump is not thinking ally slipping on word choice. yourself and your children. vative voices to oppose the about a “last resort” he is on 2020 in Oklahoma. Some of you misspell words He’s now relying on the war. There is no excuse for a fast-track to another un- or make grammatical errors, US intelligence services to this failure and I want to ac- winnable war. Great things like we all do, but either way explain why he ordered the knowledge that. Have something your points are clear enough. assassination of the Iranian Conservative friends and can happen when we are Many liberals do act like general and up until now strangers, I believe the coun- united, right now 80 mil- Trump supporters are just he’s dismissed and waved try needs you more than lion Iranian citizens and to share? bumbling rednecks. The aside all the reports from ever. Conservatives used to all Americans need us to truth, however, is two-fold: US intelligence that reveal be dedicated to and driven be united in calling off the one, there is still no reason him to have conspired with by principle. I may not have to be pejorative, and two, our old enemy, Russia, to always agreed with your dogs of war. These innocent Send your letter support for Trump is found get himself elected. You of principles and values, but I people are not our enemies in affluent neighborhoods all have the right to wonder, sure want to wake them up. and they will bare the brunt just the same. This truth has which is it? Trust US intel- Please join us—accept my of the casualties if Trump’s to editor@ecdaily- been reported in many ways, ligence services or not? It invitation—on January 25th reckless campaign is not but the trope lingers just the makes a difference, right? in cities all around the world halted. same. Sure, there is name- The truth is, “I am the there will be a Global Day Wim Laven, Ph.D., syndi- calling that goes both ways, person Republicans have of Protest: No War On Iran! news.com but that is no excuse. I get that it is hard to trust been complaining about.” Please call your representa- I posted it in celebration of tives in Congress and the cated by PeaceVoice, teach- es courses in political sci- the media and the govern- the two articles of impeach- Senate and tell them “I voted ence and conflict resolution.