Oklahomans Face Tough Issues

Here are excerpts from some recent Okie Funk posts:

Oklahoma City is hard hit by rising gasoline prices. The metropolitan area encompasses a large geographical area. Many vital institutions, such as major hospitals and medical offices, can be miles away from residential areas and rural communities. For example, the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in north Oklahoma City is approximately 30 miles and more away from Norman neighborhoods.

Local officials need to continue planning to improve and increase mass transit. Undoubtedly, there will come a time when mass transit and energy conservation will become emergency issues. Is Oklahoma City ready? Is the state ready?
March 3, 2008

Coburn, a Republican, recently put a “hold” on legislation known as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). The bill, authored by U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-New York), prohibits employers from discriminating against anyone for their genetic predisposition. Recent advances in DNA research have made such a law crucial. This is a pressing contemporary issue.

The bill is nonpartisan and has overwhelming support. It passed the House on a 420-3 vote and passed on two Senate votes by 95-0 and 98-0 margins. The Bush White House has issued statements of support for the bill.
February 27, 2008

Let us all hope the civil rights lawsuit filed this week against the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will open up a real dialogue here about how to solve the state’s massive socioeconomic problems.

Children’s Rights, a child advocacy group based in New York, has filed a lawsuit asking a judge to order reforms to the state’s child welfare system because, as a spokesperson for the group puts it, “Oklahoma has long maintained one of the most dangerous and badly mismanaged child welfare systems in the nation, and thousands of children have suffered under nightmarish conditions for years as a result.”
February 15, 2008

The hunger issue in Oklahoma is a serious one, and it takes a heavy toll on individual lives. It also, unfortunately, echoes the state’s Dustbowl history. During the 1930s, there was massive hunger and poverty in the state and many Oklahomans migrated to California and other states. Oklahoma should show the nation it takes the hunger issue seriously in 2008.

Everyone should donate what food and money they can to local food banks to help alleviate the problem. But growing hunger and poverty in this country demands more action by the federal government. We need permanent solutions. Food banks alone are not the answer. People need decent jobs and health care.
January 31, 2008