From Southwest Ledger Next year, Oklahomans will have the opportunity to go to the polls and basically decide if the Republican Party will still be allowed to choose its own candidates for state elections. While this is being touted as closed versus open primary elections, it is more complicated than that.As the U.S. Supreme Court … Continue reading Open primary voting and ending party choice? Not here.
Tag: history
Constitution 101: Congressional Pay Clause
From Southwest Ledger We have come to the juicy part of our Constitution where members of Congress get paid. Congressional salaries have come under great scrutiny since our nation was founded. Lately, with the administration’s appointments and confirmation hearings, some may say, “Congress spends too much time investigating the people when someone should be investigating … Continue reading Constitution 101: Congressional Pay Clause
National Guard troops policing capital not unprecedented, history shows
From the Southwest Ledger On Aug. 11, President Trump ordered around 800 National Guard troops to assume control of policing our nation’s capital — something that was done frequently in the 1960s but had not been done since the Nixon administration. According to CBS News, crime has fallen since the takeover, including violent crime down … Continue reading National Guard troops policing capital not unprecedented, history shows
Constitution 101: Journal and Adjournment Clauses
Article I, Section 5, Clauses 3 and 4 of our Constitution proves there are some areas of the government where everyone actually can agree — well almost. Clause 3 states, “Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment … Continue reading Constitution 101: Journal and Adjournment Clauses
Gerrymandering. It’s nothing new, but its effects are always decided by the majority.
From Southwest Ledger “The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy” is one of my favorite quotes from a Founding Father and one that I use whenever I teach about the Constitution. The quote by our most underrated founder, Elbridge Gerry, shows how the founders were cautious of protecting the government from the … Continue reading Gerrymandering. It’s nothing new, but its effects are always decided by the majority.
Are we simply choosing to ignore the diamond anniversary of a forgotten war?
From Southwest LedgerHow many are surprised to know that this summer marked the 75th anniversary of the start of a war that claimed the lives of more than 36,000 Americans?If this had been a major anniversary of the American Civil War or World War II there would be ceremonies and parades, yet with the Korean … Continue reading Are we simply choosing to ignore the diamond anniversary of a forgotten war?
Constitution 101: Congressional Punishment and Expulsion Clause
From Southwest Ledger On Dec. 21, 2023, the United States House of Representatives voted 311-114 to expel Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., from Congress. Doing so was the first time a member had been expelled without a prior conviction of a crime since the Civil War. While Santos eventually would plead guilty to identity theft and … Continue reading Constitution 101: Congressional Punishment and Expulsion Clause
Constitution 101: Congressional Rules Clause
From Southwest Ledger In July of 2022 U.S. Rep. John B. Larson (D-Conn.) wrote an op-ed in which he called the Senate “the most debilitating threat” to our nation. He was writing about Rule 22 in the Senate which requires 60 votes to take up a House bill. Larson claimed that the Constitution did not … Continue reading Constitution 101: Congressional Rules Clause
Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth
From Southwest Ledger Last week after learning about America’s bombing of Iran, two debates emerged: Did we do the right thing? And did President Trump have the legal authority to attack Iran without congressional authority or input? The first question is difficult to answer, and we probably will not know until everything has played out. … Continue reading Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth
Army’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Overshadowed by ‘No Kings’ Protests
From Southwest Ledger I was disappointed June 14 as I saw several social media posts celebrating the low turnout at the military parade honoring of the 250th anniversary of the United States Army in Washington, D.C. Closer to home, Lawton/Fort Sill canceled their anniversary celebrations to ensure public safety following protests nationwide. I understand that … Continue reading Army’s 250th Anniversary Celebration Overshadowed by ‘No Kings’ Protests
Historically Speaking 