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U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, D-OK
Discussion
Economy concerns Cole constituents
Oklahomans from Chickasha and surrounding areas got a chance to voice their opinions about the nation and how it is being governed at a town hall meeting on Saturday.
Close to 50 people attended the meeting hosted by Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla, who spoke of the current status of multiple bills and ways he thinks the nation can move forward through bipartisan legislation.
Three topics dominated the discussion; each rousing passion and intensity amongst some in attendance.
One attendee jumped at the opportunity to speak his mind. Tuttle resident Gary Monroe was visibly angry as he spoke. He attacked conservatives for their lack of passion and anger, during what he said is nonsense in the Government.
Cole did not agree in terms of intensity. He said he believed it takes bipartisanship and winning elections.
"I wouldn't worry about the intensity of the fight," he said. "I'd worry about the numbers, and when you lose an election it's going to make an impact."
Cole delved into the economy, Afghanistan and healthcare, but people in Chickasha were most worried about the economy because it is effected by every other topic.
"Remember the time table was to get Cap and Trade done this year and that hasn't happened, it may not happen at all because people stood up and decided to fight it," Cole said. "The healthcare fight isn't over, and it drug on a lot longer. The president's popularity has dropped pretty dramatically...so the country is getting aroused." Cole said.
Cole said he has opposed the three major bills that have been voted upon in the house; the stimulus package, cap and trade and healthcare. He said he plans to continue voting no until a bipartisan alternative is available.
"You can't beat them unless there is a bipartisan opposition," he said.
Cole said the current economic situation is a direct effect of the stimulus package, which he voted against. He said that even though things look bad, they are not anywhere near as bad as the great depression or even the early 1980s. He said he supports the building of infrastructure and expanding green energy efforts, but he also is in favor of opening off shore drilling. He believes less restrictions on the private sector will have a more positive effect than government spending.
He said there is a lot of resistance to cap and trade on his side of the aisle. He said that it is simply "anti-carbon," and will allow India and China to surpass us in world markets.
"It's effectively an energy tax," he said. "It's the best economic development India and China have ever had."
Cole said that India and China are becoming more competitive in world industries such as petroleum and manufacturing. In the near future China will surpass the U.S. in automobile production, and more and more jobs are exported there.
The topic of jobs was an overwhelming concern in all in attendance.
Chickasha resident Jack Thomas works at the local NAPA Auto parts store. His main concern was the effects on jobs. Thomas was a worker at Delta. He said that one afternoon he saw a few Chinese engineers inspecting the pant. It was like writing on the wall to him, and sure enough the plant closed a few months later.
"They made it cheaper so we can afford it, but now nobody in Chickasha has got any money to buy it," he said.
Cole tried to build confidence in his constituents. He said the U.S. is still the largest importer and exporter of goods.
"The idea that the U.S. is in the descent while everybody else is in the ascent just isn't true," he said. "We just live in a very competitive environment."
He said things are difficult now because of the economic follies of last year and because the U.S. is currently fighting two wars. He said the U.S. is winning in Iraq and victory is within our grasp, but Afghanistan will be a challenge on both the economy and families.
He said that Oklahoman's in his district are 20 times more likely to lose a loved one in combat.
Healthcare also has direct implications on families. Cole agrees that changes need to be made within the healthcare system. But, he said the current bill is too expensive and will inundate the system with patients. He said that he does not see how the government can afford it without raising taxes, which is out of the question.
"We are spending too much," he said. "I think this healthcare bill is a disaster."
Cole's plan to revitalize healthcare is to first, nationalize the insurance markets, which would lower costs across the board; second, create tort reforms and forget about the public option.
He said that he wants to eventually vote yes for something, but right now the bill is not right.
"It's pretty safe to say no Oklahoman has voted for this or will vote for it," he said.
Cole was very receptive to the ideas of his constituents. He has a number of ideas that he is reaching across the aisle with, in hopes that by working with democrats he can push conservative ideals through the House.
He said he is confident that after the 2010 elections the seats will swing in favor of the right.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
