Frankly Speaking

Cap-and-Tax Bad for Farmers, Rural America

Dec 4, 2009

We like to say that we have the safest, most abundant, most affordable food and fiber supply in the world.  But this isn’t just a boastful expression, it is a reality.  Our farmers and ranchers are responsible for feeding folks living in our country and throughout the world.

But, cap and tax legislation threatens that safe, abundant and affordable food and fiber supply.  The agriculture industry, as we know it, will not survive under the heavy burdens of a cap and tax policy.

Filed under: Agriculture

The 2010 Census: Oklahoma's Future Is in Your Hands

Nov 24, 2009

“Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State.”
 -The United States Constitution  

Filed under: Constituent Services

Let Us Give Thanks

Nov 19, 2009

There is much to be concerned about in this day and age.  Our economy continues to suffer.  The unemployment rate continues to rise.  And we continue to be under the threat of terrorist attacks and home and abroad.

Filed under: General

Pelosi's Trillion Dollar Government Takeover of Health Care a Bad Prescription for America

Nov 6, 2009

The debate over health care has reached a fevered pitch in our nation’s capital.  Over the last several months, millions of Americans have spoken out at town halls, have called and written in to the White House, and have even made personal visits to their members of Congress to express their strong opposition to government run health care.  Yet Speaker Pelosi has once again ignored their voices.

Filed under: Health Care

Pelosi's Government Takeover of Health Care Hurts Seniors

Oct 30, 2009

No matter how many different ways she scores it, Speaker Pelosi’s health care legislation will cost the American taxpayers approximately one trillion dollars.  Right now, the federal government is running a deficit – fiscal year 2009 ended with the government more than $1.42 trillion in debt – and our national debt continues to climb every day.   

Filed under: Health Care

One Trillion, Four Hundred Twenty Billion Dollars

Oct 28, 2009

One trillion, four hundred twenty billion dollars. It’s an astounding number. It’s more than the entire economy of India and enough to give every man, woman, and child in the United States $4700.
 
It is also our country’s federal budget deficit for 2009. That means that in the fiscal year 2009, which runs from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009, the federal government spent $1.42 trillion more than it took in. To put this in perspective, last year’s deficit was $459 billion – still an astounding number, but less than half the deficit for this year.
 

Filed under: Economy

Government Run Health Care Not What the Doctor Ordered for Small Businesses

Oct 27, 2009

As Congress moves closer towards solidifying a health care reform package, one thing is clear: the Democrats’ takeover of health care is bad for small businesses.
 

Filed under: Health Care

Reading Bills Is Important

Oct 16, 2009

During this Congress, Speaker Pelosi and her leadership team seem to have forgotten the importance of following the proper legislative process so that the final product is a thoughtful and successful bill.  By refusing to follow regular order, the Speaker has crammed one bill after another across the House floor, forcing votes on legislation before most members have even had an opportunity to read it.  For example, members of Congress were given less than a day to read the cap-and trade legislation, a bill that weighs in at more than 1500 pages and would impose an almost-billion dollar tax

Filed under: General

Implementing a Successful Strategy in Afghanistan

Oct 9, 2009

Last March, President Obama, stating that the fight in Afghanistan was the front-line in the war on terror, appointed General Stanley McChrystal to evaluate the situation in that country and draft a successful plan of attack.  Seven months later, General McChrystal has done just that.  While the exact report has not yet been released, some details have been leaked to the public.  And the information is distressing. 

Filed under: Homeland Security and Defense

Expanding Offshore Drilling Boosts American Economy, Creates Jobs

Sep 30, 2009

Last year, following a dramatic price spike in gas prices and very vocal call by the American people to increase American-made energy, Congress and then-President George W. Bush ended a decades-long ban on offshore drilling.  Even though the Department of the Interior has jurisdiction over our coasts, Congress had used its power to spend to eliminate offshore drilling by restricting the funds necessary to develop offshore drilling.  After President George W.

Filed under: Energy

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