The Governorship is up for grabs in my home state of Oklahoma. Thankfully, Democrat Brad Henry cannot run for a third term. So, politicians with dreams and aspirations of living in that historical mansion off of NE 23^rd Street are filing their papers. So far, two Democrats are in the race. First, we have the current Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins. I’ll never vote for a Democrat, and can’t in the primary anyway, so I really don’t have a dog in this hunt. However, I’ve spoken with several state congressmen who have told me Jari is a very nice lady who really means well. She doesn’t appear to be a far left liberal (a professor I had once told me that most Oklahoma Democrats are more in line with New York Republicans). Ms. Askins seems to be a tough political foe, so the second candidate, current Attorney General Drew Edmondson, will have a hard fight. I’m glad. I don’t care for Edmondson. I don’t know the man personally, but the same two who told me about Askins have told me he is a far left liberal. He has done several things (that I won’t go into on this post) that have ticked me off. So, here’s hoping Jari Askins beats the political snot out of him in the primary.

On the Republican side we have (so far) Congresswoman Mary Fallen and state Senator Randy Brogman. I really don’t know much about either of these two, so I will withhold judgment at this time. I don’t know if I’d like either one of them in the State’s highest office. However, I think there’s slim chance Fallen won’t win the primary. It’s almost a slam dunk.

I also predict that Congresswoman Fallen will take the overall job, as well. She’s been around Oklahoma politics for a long time and seems to be well liked. I believe Jari Askins will be her opponent in the General Election, but will ultimately lose. There is enough “Obama backlash” in Oklahoma that will make it hard for any Democrat to take the governorship.

The Congressional races are what I’m really interested in, however. Governors have an important job, but let’s be honest, they are very limited. Now, don’t get me wrong, it shouldn’t be that way. I’m a “states rights” kind of guy, but the truth of the matter is policy is set on the Federal level.

The Fifth Congressional District race should be very, very interesting to watch! Ms. Fallen currently holds the seat, but is resigning to pursue that most coveted state position. One candidate on the Republican side who is trying to fill her vacancy is Kevin Calvey. He ran against her in the primary back in 2006 I believe (my memory fails me right now…with the House elections rolling around every two years they all sort of run together). Now that Fallen is leaving, he’s giving it another try. Most of what I know about him I like, and he seems like he’d make a fine Congressman. He has experience as he is a former state legislator.

Another possibility who recently announced his candidacy is James Lankford. James served for years in a position with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, working in the Student Ministries department. Anyone who can work with teen-agers for years shows they are a strong individual who can endure numerous hardships! Teen-agers seem a bit trying to me, even more so than Congress! I don’t know James personally, although I have met him on a few brief occasions. He seemed like a nice, capable guy. I know several people involved in Southern Baptist ministry who speak very highly of Mr. Lankford. But, as of now, I’m not sure where he stands on the issues. I believe he just announced his candidacy, and I can’t find an official campaign site other than a Facebook profile. There may be other candidates trying for the seat, but I think Calvey and Lankford will be the ones to beat in the primary. So, what’s my prediction? Calvey has experience, and is a very polished speaker. He’s making the rounds to all the right places (Tea Parties, etc), and I’ve heard him on local talk radio. Having run for this seat before, he also has some name recognition. On the other hand, James Lankford will have a very strong following with the Southern Baptist crowd. That is a big group in the State of Oklahoma! He will likely appeal to faith based voters of other denominations as well. So, he has name recognition going for him, too. I’m not ready to give my prediction on this one yet, but it will be a tight race to watch.

I don’t live in the Fifth District, however, so my real interest is the Fourth. Tom Cole is the Republican congressman who currently holds the seat. I believe he’s running for reelection. However, in a rare case, he’s being challenged in the primary by R.J. Harris. Harris isn’t a career politician, which Mr. Cole seems to be. I applaud Mr. Harris because he has the guts to stand up against a fairly popular sitting congressman! R.J. seems to be upset over the same things that have made me upset: Congressman Cole’s support for some of the “bail-out” packages, Obama’s GIVE Act, and several other horrible pieces of legislation. For one who claims to be a conservative, Tom Cole just doesn’t make the grade. This is nothing personal. I’m sure he’s a very nice man who means well. However, being a nice guy isn’t what we need. We need someone who will stand up for the Constitution! R.J. Harris, I believe, would! So, he’ll be getting my vote in the primary.

Enough people are waking up and crying for real change, which might give Harris the boost he needs. It’s a tough job to go against a sitting elected official, and Harris doesn’t seem to be getting the recognition in the media he deserves.  It’s refreshing that there is finally a real alternative being offered for those who truly want change!

I’m sure it will be an interesting political season in the days ahead. I’m not really sure how to describe my political beliefs. Certainly conservative. I’m probably best described as a “paleo-conservative who borderlines on libertarianism,” if that makes any sense. I’m just glad that in my district there is finally someone with my beliefs to actually vote for!

The Federal Reserve seems to be all over the news today. And why shouldn’t it be? The quasi-federal agency is dominating our country and its economy right now. Supposedly, in this tough economic time, the Fed is looking out for us…watching over us so to speak. But who’s watching them? Who monitors the organization that pretty much sets monetary policy in the United States? No one. That’s right…they aren’t really accountable to anyone. They have been given (unconstitutionally, I might add) a blank check and free reign. They can pretty much do whatever they want, and have been!

Thankfully, there is still some common sense in Washington, D.C.! Ron Paul just introduced a bill, H.R. 1207, also known as the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009. Basically, this short bill would force an audit upon the Fed by 2010. It’s simply a move to make the agency more accountable, and to let the American people see what in the heck is going on! We have a right to know what they are doing!

So, please, please, please, PLEASE contact your representative, and senator for that matter, and let them know you support this bill! It doesn’t matter how you feel about Ron Paul and all of his ideas (yes neo-cons, I’m looking in your direction). If you agree that the Fed should be held accountable to the American people, and that we the people have a right to know, then call your congressman and let them know H.R. 1207 is a good idea!

If you would like to read the bill (it’s only a little over 400 words) click the link below.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1207

If you would like to look up your congressman’s contact information, click the link below.

http://www.votesmart.org/

I recently read an article stating that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are going to hand out “retention bonuses.” In fact, four of them are for $1 million dollars each. Let’s see if Barney Frank and the other criminals in Congress get upset about that. Keep in mind that Freddie and Fannie have both asked for federal funds (Fannie for $15 billion and Freddie for $45 billion). Also keep in mind that Frank and others receive a lot of campaign cash from these two organizations.  Not to mention Barney Frank used to be romantically involved with a Fannie Mae executive! Now, the thought of Barney romantically involved with anyone will probably keep me from eating my lunch. But, that’s beside the point. Frank and his cronies are also the ones who regulate (or don’t regulate I should say) these two quasi-government organizations. I’m just wondering how they will respond this time around. Will it be more political grandstanding like with AIG, or will they remain silent? Time will tell.  Either way, once again, they are the ones to blame.

But, let’s cast our votes. I vote they will, in passing, make a comment about how disgusted they are, but there will be no grilling of the Fannie or Freddie execs. But, maybe I’m wrong. We’ll see.