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.