Sapulpa Daily Herald (Sapulpa, Okla.), Vol. 95, No. 104, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Page: 4 of 16
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Page 4_Wednesday, February 10,2010, Sapulpa Daily Herald
The Sapulpa Daily Herald
Opinion
Treating Gambling Addiction
Oklahoma sets aside a lot of
money to treat compulsive gam-
blers and though 245 sought treat-
ment last year, state officials
know there's more that should be.
They attribute the "low number"
seeking treatment is
because all the rest ol
them out there that are
losing their homes,
cars, families, and
self-respect "don't
know there's
help.”
So, the ones in
charge of all the
money to help all the
gamblers are trying to fig-
ure out a public awareness cam-
paign.
That should be easy enough.
Billboards and media advertise-
ments persistently present what
all can be gained by visiting a
casino - new ears, a million
bucks, happiness and fun as your
brain disintegrates watching the
reels go round.
Just use the same advertising
medium and reverse the message
- look at all you can lose if you
don't quit spending your pay-
check and government checks at
the casino.
While on the subject, someone
ought to put a proposal out there
that before you get help from a
charitable organization to pay
your utility bills, the database of
area casinos should DC lapped to
see what you're spending there.
Consumer's Group Wants
Utility Rate Hike Cut
1 The Oklahoma Industrial
Energy Consumers' group wants
ihe recent AEP-PSO rate hike to
be cut by $26 million annually.
The group represents some of
the state's industrial companies.
They want the Oklahoma
Corporation Commission to
reconsider its approval of the
$81.4 million in higher rates and
other charges.
l,LS. Debt Limit Increased
On Friday the House of
Representatives approved a $1.9
trillion increase to the debt limit
217-212. This is an increase of
about $6,000 more for every U.S.
resident.
It's an amount of increase only
enough to keep the government
atloat for about another year as it
borrows more than 40 cents of
every dollar it spends.
Oklahoma Rep. Dan Boren, a
Democrat, voted for the measure
while all other Oklahoma legisla-
tors voted against it.
The budget tops $3.7 trillion
this year and Obama's budget is
approaching $1.6 trillion.
The huge increase (to $14.3
trillion) in the cap on federal bor-
rowing was designed by
Democratic leaders to ensure the
rank and file won't have to vote
again to run up another increase
before they face voter in
November's midterm elections.
(Talk about who is damn the polit-
ical posturing...)
The accumulated debt
amounts to roughly
$40,(XX) per person.
Thirty-seven
w Democrats voted
against it as did every
r f Republican.
Pay-Go Opens Door
to Tax Increases
Oh. yeah. They
also adopted rules to curb an
upward annual deficit known as
"pay-go." The rules require
spending increases or tax cuts to
be paid for with either cuts to
other programs or equivalent tax
increases.
Guess what they will probably
choose to do???
It's No Accident, Folks
Commentators say it's no acci-
dent the United States is spiraling
into unprecedented debt. Debt
will not only remove us from our
standing as a world power but
puts us subservient to those who
hold the purse strings - both for-
eign lenders and within our gov-
ernment.
Administration Seeks
to Strangle Oil & Gas
Harold Hamm, president of
Continental Resources. Lmd. said
the oil and gas industry has
cracked the axle on getting both
from the shales and that has
brought us "almost an unlimited
supply of natural gas...and we re
on the upswing with oil produc-
tion.”
We prtxluced nearly 49 percent
of our own oil supply in 2(K)9 (up
from 44 percent in 2008).
However, if Obama is success-
ful in eliminating fossil luel sub-
sidies - used for normal business
expense deductions lor decades
then exploration and production
activity would be reduced, energy
prices will rise, and jobs w ill be
lost.
This industry accounts for
nearly $14 billion in payroll and
08.(XX) jobs in Oklahoma. The
measure would devastate
Oklahoma because of the state s
reliance on tax income generated
by this industry.
New Terror Plots
in the Making
Al-Qaida is deploying opera-
tives to the United States to carry
out new attacks from inside the
country. including “clean"
recruits with a negligible trail ot
terrorist contacts.
Wasting the Green
. .i in " U.i iinLUinnul1 tn<*
It was bad enough last month
watching Washington politicians
merrily Hying off to the U N. cli-
mate change Conference of
Parties in Copenhagen (or COP-
15 for short), ostensibly to draft a
global-warming treaty, when all
the players knew that no meaning-
ful pact would result and the only
sure outcome was that much ener-
gy would be squandered.
Now comes the sticker shock.
When CBS News reporter Sharyl
Attkisson dug into the latest
House expenses filing tor the cli-
mate confab, she found that the
cost for a hotel room for the dele-
gation of 15 Democratic and six
Republican members of Congress
and 38 staffers was $2J00 per
person per day - more than most
Americans spend on their month-
ly mortgage. In addition, House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other
members flew on three military
planes at an estimated cost of
$I68J)00. Many staffers, howev-
er, flew on commercial airlines at
fares ranging from $4,163 to
$I0J038.
The tab for the House delega-
tion - not including the military
planes - was #55.? ,564.
I asked Pelosi spokesman Drew
Hammill about the $2«2(X)-a-day
tab. "We don't get to pick the hotel
Submitted
editorial
Predicting the Future
It has been said. "Show me your
friends and I'll show you your
future." How true this is in the world
of politics. Too often elected officials
take on the characteristics ot their
surroundings, not only their allies but
also their foes. They leant to speak
the political two-step to shield their
actions in Congress from their own
words in their home district.
The best way to know if a politi-
cian's rhetoric matches their actions is
to check their voting record. In this
Republican primary for governor. I
welcome and encourage everyone to
check my record as a State Senator,
but also check my opponent
Congresswoman Fallin's record in
Washington D C. To make a decision
about voting, it is important to know
our words match our deeds on every
given issue.
There is a stark contrast between
my opponent's and my views on the
role federal government should com-
mand in our lives, l or example, we
have differences on the Bailout and
Stimulus package. Congresswoman
Fal I in voted for the Washington
Bailout. I have consistently been
against the Bailout. As a business
owner for over 30 years, I recognized
the devastating attack the Bailout
would have on the free market and
jobs.
Because of her vote and the vote
of many of her. Washington col-
leagues, the Federal Government
seized control and ownership of
financial, banking and automobile
companies around the country.
Another difference: I have consis-
tently been against taking money or
receiving earmark spending trom the
Stimulus. My opponent voted against
the Stimulus bill and then requested
and received millions ot dollars ot
earmarks after it passed. The irre-
sponsible spending ot billions ot dol-
lars from the stimulus package has
created a tremendous debt and put
our economic future at risk.
Since Oklahoma took its "fair
share" of Stimulus money from the
Federal government, the Federal
branch now has control ot over half
of the State budget. This is clearly
unconstitutional. We must cut the ties
of control Washington has on the
State of Oklahoma.
The net result of the Bailout and
Stimulus package is government
grew rather than the economy. Now
over 40 percent of every dollar spent
by Congress is borrowed from our
kid's and grandkids
Show me your friends and I'll
show you your future. We can no
longer depend on our triends in
Washington D.C. Their overbearing
policies are controlling our State,
bankrupting our Nation and destroy-
ing our freedom. The proof is now
clear. Washington politicians arc not
friendly to the free market or to our
Oklahoma values.
My record proves I am a
Constitutional Conservative. My
reform policies support free market
solutions, bom from the creativity
and ingenuity of Oklahomans. I
believe in limiting the power of the
politician and expanding the freedom
for all individuals.
These are the reasons I am running
for governor to lead the State in the
practical use of our founding princi-
ples. I would be honored to have your
support
Sen. Randy Brogdon
Letters to the Editor
we stay in." he answered; the State
Department picks hotels for con-
gressional delegations, and it
chose a five-star Marriott with a
six-night minimum during the
summit. Hence, the $4,406 per-
room tab for a 48-hour stay. My
journalist pal Ola Tedin ot Ystad,
Sweden, suggested. "They would
have found a better deal in
Malmd. Sweden." where many
attendees stayed. No, I am told,
the delegation worked nonstop
and didn't have time for the 35-
minute train ride.
As for the air fares. Hammill
explained they are "government
rate." Government rate means that
taxpayers fork over as much as
$|().(XX) for a flight that could be
purchased online lor $800..
"Government rate," then, is D.C.-
speak for: Money is no object.
The disconnect in this story
doesn't end. Participants could
have put together a nonbinding
treaty to try to halve emissions in
40 years by phone or the Internet.
But the circus always was more
important than the cause.
And you paid for it.
Excerpts submitted by Sen. Jim Inhnfe
Column by Debra J. Saunders
San Francisco Chronicle
Dangerous Intersection
Editor:
Oklahoma 66 (New Sapulpa Road) and 96th Street
(Hilton Road) rated No. 3 on a state list as being most
accident-prone. A couple years ago I tried to get ODOl
to do something about adjusting the signal lights and I w as
told that it was the Sapulpa's responsibilty to maintain the
lights. I have a suggestion that may reduce the accidents
and that is to adjust the lights same as the ones at
Oklahoma 66 and West 81 st Street, just north of the dan-
gerous intersection. These lights are set the best ol any I
have encountered and they were installed about the year
2(X)2. This will not stop accidents from happening but
mavbe it will reduce accidents and be removed from No.3.
Walter R Smith
Sapulpa
In Support of the City Bond
Editor:
As a fourth generation Sapulpan (and Senior C itizen)
who has spent virtually his entire lite in our community I
take pride in the eftorts ot our citizens to make Sapulpa a
better place to live. The many private citizens who have
stepped up to serve on our City Council arc decent public
servants who serve without pay and give a great deal ot
their time to do so. Our present Council has presented to
us their best solution to a problem that exists and must be
solved one way or the other.
The recent letter to the Editor from Barbara Moore is
well written. However, I take issue with her attack not
only on the bond issue but the credibility of those leaders
who are offering the best alternative to a difficult problem.
We are in dire need of upgrades to our Water and Sewer
systems. Because of the state of our infrastructure such
upgrades are mandated by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) on the Federal level and the Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) on the State level.
Unless these matters are dealt with voluntarily by us
EPA has the authority to level large fines against our City
and to enforce action through Federal Court.
I don’t like being in this position either. But getting the
job done now through a bond issue spread over several
years as opposed to having substantial increases to our
water and sewer rates after fines are leveled against us
doesn’t make sense.
Ms. Moore states in her letter as follows: “If passed, it
will once again increase our property taxes to pay off
these bonds at probably the usual 10 percent interest rate
- a profit for the already wealthy ."
I do not recall ever having bonds issued by our City or
Schix)l system with interest rates at 10 percent.
The 2(X)4 City bonds for our new police station, tire
station and improvements to our water tank at Skiatook
were issued in intervals with interest rates of 3.5 to 5.0
percent.
The last Sapulpa School bond was issued at 3.06 per-
cent and the one before that was at 2.18 percent.
Our local banks routinely join in competitive bidding
on City G O. bonds. This helps to get the City the lowest
possible interest rate and is another example of local sup-
port.
A check with my local banker estimates an interest rate
at 4.0 to 4.5 percent on this bond issue. He also confirms
that 10 percent interest on such bonds has never occurred
during his lifetime either.
Ms. Moore also says in her letter: "Folks, don t believe
everything that politicians and the powerful tell us."
1 suppose that is directed at our City Council and
administration. This also includes our Economic-
Development Director who is working hard to present the
facts to the voters. Our former Senator, Ted Fisher, serves
in that capacity during a very tough economic downturn
He knows that business and industry consider the way
communities respond to their infrastructure needs as
important and is key to future economic development.
I believe our local leaders deserve our support on this
issue and that their proposal is the best alternative way out
of a bad situation which does in fact exist. My wife and I
will provide that support with a Yes Vote on March 2nd.
Les Henderson
Sapulpa
Through Rain, Sleet, and Snow...
Editor.
I would like to thank my newspaper carrier for the
great service that I have received. 1 wasn’t expecting a
paper delivery in the middle of an ice and snow storm, but
he delivered my paper right on my door step, so all I had
to do was open the door and there it was, wrapped in plas-
tic. I was most amazed that he delivered the papers on a
bicycle. I would like to suggest to other Herald sub-
scribers to thank their carriers as well for a job well done.
Sharon Wall
Sapulpa
V
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Shance, Brenda. Sapulpa Daily Herald (Sapulpa, Okla.), Vol. 95, No. 104, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 10, 2010, newspaper, February 10, 2010; Sapulpa, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1509142/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.