Articles
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Law & Principles
Explaining the Constitution
For at least a century, the Constitution has been under attack by politicians, judges, and academics. President Woodrow Wilson called for a more flexible “Darwinian” interpretation of the Constitution. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer argues the text should be manipulated to serve his own “democratic” ideals. For many Americans, none of this is a big deal.Trent England | September 30, 2014
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Good Government
Optimism or liberalism: Grow the pie or fight over the pieces?
The left will win if Americans believe the best they can do is fight for economic scraps. Those who believe in the possibility of a brighter economic future, on the other hand, are likely to want that economy to be free.Trent England | September 19, 2014
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Law & Principles
State by State is the Right Way to Elect a President
The American Founders intended for presidents to be elected by a state-by-state process, which is how we have done it since George Washington. John Koza’s National Popular Vote plan would throw all that out, diminishing the voice of Oklahomans and undermining our constitutional system of states.Trent England | September 2, 2014
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Education
Bigotry bites into scholarship for disabled students
Last week, an Oklahoma County District Court decided that a program to help pay for disabled children to access private education cannot be used for religious schools.Trent England | August 31, 2014
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
HB 2562 lawsuit: Is a tax cut the same as a tax hike?
In 1992, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 640 to add a taxpayer-protection provision to the State Constitution. Everyone — supporters and opponents alike — understood the provision would make it harder to raise taxes.Jonathan Small & Trent England | August 12, 2014
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Education
Conflicts in Moore school district show need for more choices for families
Superintendant Robert Romines of the Moore School District today threatened to have Fox 25 reporter Phil Cross and his crew arrested if they attempted to cover a school district event.Trent England | August 8, 2014
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Health Care
Medicaid expansion advocate relies on false choice
The most comprehensive study of Medicaid found that simply extending coverage did little to improve health outcomes. It also found that emergency room visits went up. Here in Oklahoma, emergency room visits are also up among Medicaid patients.Trent England | July 24, 2014
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Agriculture
EPA’s Gina McCarthy dismisses citizen concerns, shows why federalism matters
The limits on federal power and the system of states known as federalism exist in the Constitution to protect people.Trent England | July 21, 2014
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Law & Principles
What we celebrate today
Most nations have an independence day, usually commemorating a military victory or legal action. America’s Independence Day, marking the anniversary of July 4, 1776, is different.Trent England | July 3, 2014
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Budget & Tax
Pernicious view of property rights on display in energy tax debate
Arguing recently for a tax increase on Oklahoma’s energy industry, one writer for a liberal policy institute performed a valuable service by putting his philosophical cards on the table.Brandon Dutcher & Trent England | May 27, 2014