Perspectives: Sam’s Perspective – Never Too Old to Learn

I moved to my adopted state Oklahoma in the late 70’s, and it took me a few years to really learn the lay of the land.  But learn it I did.  The history of this state is a treasure trove of interesting facts.    But then something else happened,… I started to absorb more facts that didn’t really have anything to do with history, at least not yet.   Remember a few weeks ago when a Russian delegation ask permission from the state to come monitor the elections here?  Well of course permission was denied.  Then I came across this little talked about fact that was part of an article dealing with State Question 777,… the so-called “Right to Farm” question.  This article was written by a Tulsa attorney, Teresa Burkett and appeared in the Tulsa World.  In the article she pointed out something that caused my head to snap back.  She wrote that currently 345,000 acres of Oklahoma Farm Land are owned by agribusiness interests from China and Brazil.  She said that Smithfield Foods sounds as American as apple pie, but it is 100% Chinese owned!   Also she said that many more acres are leased to foreign companies.

She also pointed out that under Oklahoma law, it was illegal for foreign nationals to own land in the state.  But that prohibition was removed years ago.   Well, that’s a fine how do you do.  Who approved that little move?   I really don’t know but I can almost guarantee it had something to do with special interest contributions.   Republican Jason Murphey, from Guthrie represents District 31 in the Oklahoma House.  He wrote in an article in the Oklahoma Observer that special interest contributions are the invisible wall that can’t be acknowledged by lawmakers when justifying their bad votes. 

Mr. Murphey also points out the “big lie” used by some elected officials,… quote,  “Contributions don’t influence my vote” and“Lobbyist contributions don’t make a difference to me.  There’s always a special interest group on both sides of the issue who will give me money, no matter how I vote.”    He says neither statement is true.   That could explain how the law was changed, but what I need to know is,… why hasn’t  it been changed again to make it illegal for foreign interests to own land in Oklahoma.  

Oh I forgot there for a moment,… special interest contributions.  You know, it might be wise to do what Mr. Murphey recommends.   He says the next time they ask for our vote, ask them,… “Will you reject all contributions from lobbyists and their employers?”

My feeling is their answer could go a long way in solving a number of problems in the Oklahoma Legislature.

And that’s my perspective.