MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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November 19, 2009

THE PEOPLE SPEAK: Bottom finishes say much about no vision

Why is it Oklahoma continues to bottom out in most national statistical ratings: poverty, poor health, deteriorating highway infrastructure, low teachers’ salaries, etc.

Ours is a state that has fallen behind and not moving forward.

Should we not be researching our legislators’ votes on bills in Congress that have significant impact on our people?

In particular is Sen. Tom Coburn, whose re-election is probably inevitable in 2010 because he is mired in partisan politics which goes unchallenged each election and emboldens him to spew the same worn-out politics that have failed us Oklahomans over and again. Yet his constituents praise him for his no-voting record which has earned him the regrettable title of Dr. No and made him an embarrassment to Oklahoma because of his lack of insight.

Can Oklahoma even trust him now as the Tulsa World Oct. 7 editorial “Wrong” pointed out given Coburn’s denial of his negotiated payoff to Sen. John Ensign’s mistress?

He has now changed his stance by agreeing to testify before the ethics committee. His state flounders as he pursues questionable tactics.

The senator’s voting record is also problematic, which has earned him an F by the non-partisan Drum Major Institute for Public Policy. On themiddleclass.org there will be DMI’s analyses of the impact of domestic legislation on America’s middle class and evaluation of members of Congress based on their votes on this legislation.

It proves Coburn’s lack of fortitude has enhanced a status quo in our great state.

Ann Mocha Kent

Tulsa

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