I sit here at this computer wishing I had the right words to tell the rest of America what it is like to live in a Republican state. What comes to mind is right to work for low wages, federal, state, and local programs that help low income people are being slashed. LIHEAP, the primary program that helps with utility bills was cut fifty percent. The state’s personal income tax exemption, sales tax credit, and the earned income credit all of which benefit low income people, are programmed for abolition. The number of households reporting “very low food security” rose to 7.5%, up from 4.7% 2005-2007, an increase of 60%. Oklahoma ranks 46th in Education. Now to top it off we have our Republican governor making sure those who need medical care don't receive it. She says it would limit money for education and public safety. I would laugh, if I could get through these tears.
Bob Waldrop wrote "The real message of Governor Mary Queen of Lynch Mobs Fallin’s action today in rejecting the Medicaid expansion is that Collapse is coming. The Ship of State is sinking and there isn't enough room in the lifeboats for everyone. First people to be shoved off the decks without life-preservers are the poor."
Bob is the founder of the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker House in Oklahoma City. He spends most of his time working to improve the lives of those less fortunate. Bob and I have some differences over some issues, however we agree on the death sentence our governor just gave many of Oklahoma's poor. Here is what he had to say about what our governor decided, below the art.
"Governor Mary Fallin decided today to grind the face of the poor into the dust by rejecting the proposed expansion of the Medicaid program. I am not a big fan of big government programs, but the expansion of Medicaid is the only thing on the table for helping low income and working class people access quality health care.
By this decision, Mary Queen of Lynch Mobs Fallin announces to the world that Oklahoma is a Culture of Death State. God only knows how many families will look at their circumstances, and decide they can’t afford one more child, and choose abortion based on their financial desperation and their lack of access to health care.
I’m sure I will have more to say about this later, but in the meantime, I warn all Republican and Democratic office holders in this state:
Your cruel, cold, and merciless political actions may very well send you to hell. Jesus Christ, who is not the Easter Bunny, but who is God, clearly and without any ambiguity says in the 25th Chapter of Matthew that all who turn their backs on the poor and do not heed their cry for justice and help, will be condemned to the depths of hell.
Don’t feed me any bizarre nonsense about how the “free market” will provide health care for the poor.
In the first place, there is no free market for health care in Oklahoma.
In the second place, because of the way health care is structured in Oklahoma, people who pay cash pay the highest prices.
And in the third place, if you were going to do something, you should have done it already. Anything you have to say on the subject at this late date is just another attempt to baffle us with bull manure.
Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. Ezekial 16:49-50
I nominate Mary Fallin as the Oklahoma Culture of Death’s Sodomite of the Year! I might even have a plaque made to that effect and attempt to present it to her."
Bob's Blog
To those in Oklahoma who now and in the future must rely on the Romney plan of ER's, be it known there are those of us who live in Oklahoma who will not stop voicing our opinion. Bob and I may not agree on all the issues, but we do on this one. We struggle with being heard as the GOP has both major Oklahoman newspapers and three TV stations in their back pocket. They say we are part of the Bible Belt here, I often wonder what Bible they are speaking about?
10:09 AM PT: I want to add this opinion that just came out.
Oklahoma Policy Institute, http://okpolicy.org/...