Posted Oct 16, 2008 at 11:22pm
You’re doin fine Oklahoma!
OKLAHOMA CITY,OK-It is fairly rare that I get songs from 1940s musicals stuck in my head. However, from the moment we pulled into our spot near the Oklahoma capitol on Wednesday, one particular verse from the musical Oklahoma! ran through my head,“Yipee aiey! You’re doin fine Oklahoma. Oklahoma OK!”When Roger’s and Hammerstein wrote that verse they sure didn’t see the Bush Administration coming. Over the last 8 years, Oklahoma, much like the rest of the country, is not doing fine. Since George Bush took office Oklahomans have seen their medium household income drop $3,000. They have lost 71 soldiers in Iraq and have had 515 wounded. Unemployment in the state is up 30%. The Oklahomans that came out to see the bus had little good to say about what this administration has done. Lou Ann from Luther, OK lost her good-paying job in 2001. She has now lost 75% of her 401k as well. Despite this set back, she went back to school to get her degree. However even with her new education, she still earns what she did in 1996! The last eight years have been a step backwards for her. Similarly, Kevin from Yuko, OK lost his job when it was outsourced in 2006. Warren from Choctaw, OK’s loss during the Bush Administration has been even more profound. His son was killed in Iraq. Warren stood at the Iraq War exhibit and lamented the loss of his son “for nothing.” Warren is now a vocal advocate against the war. 
Unfortunately, the people of Oklahoma are “not doing fine” and are not getting a lot of help from George Bush or their Senator James Inhofe. Senator Inhofe has supported Bush’s policies 90% of the time. He voted to privatize social security and voted against the State Children’s Health Insurance Program twice. Inhofe voted for tax-cuts for the wealthiest Americans earning over $1.2 million/ year and then voted against raising the minimum wage. Inhofe’s support of Bush’s policies has harmed Oklahomans, and that is nothing to sing about. Even if it is a catchy number from Oklahoma!
