Perspectives: Sam’s Perspective – The Legislature

Having been a broadcaster for a good many years, I can say I’ve watched various first time political animals who, once they were elected, were faced with the reality of what they are supposed to do. Simply put, they are elected to represent the people that voted for them, not the lobbying groups. Some folks say Congress gets its marching orders from the NRA, or other special interest groups with enough money to back up their demands. Sadly, one special interest group is under represented. I’m talking about Psychiatrists. I’ve come to a point where I believe if the psychiatric lobby were as strong or stronger than the NRA, we might see real progress on Capitol Hill. For example, if your congressional behavior should indicate you are not playing with a full deck, there might be a law on the books that would force you to clean out your congressional desk, pack up and go home, and the voters would be told to try again. Same thing would apply to state legislative bodies all across this great land of ours. Better still, maybe before running for office, one would have to be evaluated by a body of Psychiatrists and if judged sane, granted a license to hold office. So, why am I saying all this? That’s an easy one to answer. The Real I.D. Act. You see, right after 9/11 and the slaughter of over 3-thousand innocent Americans, Congress decided we needed a uniform identification of some sort, that each citizen would be required to carry to help prevent another such attack so, they passed what’s called the Real I.D. Act and each state was required to approve it at the local level. That was over 14 years ago and would you like to guess who hasn’t yet approved it? That’s right, Oklahoma. All we seem to be able to do is repeatedly ask for an extension. Why? Cause some of the boys we send to the legislature time and time again are worried. Why? Cause they don’t want the feds to know too much about them. Why? The information can already be found on the internet. Oh, I forget, some of the boys over there don’t know that, but most of our youngsters in public school know it, in spite of the fact that education is ignored in this state. Another little fact for you to consider, the current estimated cost to implement the Real I. D. in Oklahoma is around 13- million of our tax dollars. Seems Oklahoma has waited so long to approve the measure, we missed out on the federal grant money that was available earlier to pay for it. Smart. No wonder the Governor wants to renegotiate the Indian Gaming agreements so Oklahoma can get more money. It’s a sort of ‘cover your backside’ move. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and the Feds are about to spank us like a red headed stepchild. If we don’t man up and approve the measure, Oklahoma residents won’t be able to board a commercial airliner to go see Aunt Freeda,, enter federal building or visit a foreign country.
Yes sir folks, step right up. Watch your legislature in action. Making those little aluminum foil hats to wear while they’re in session, so aliens from Area 51, can’t scan our brains and read our thoughts. And we got nobody to blame but ourselves, since we elected them in the first place.
I’m Sam Jones and that’s my Perspective.