In the past few months over four Republican legislators have had to resign in Oklahoma. Each had to do with immoral actions from the party that runs on family morals platform. The most sensational are about Senator Ralph Shortey. He resigned due to news coverage regarding inappropriate sex with a 17-year old boy. Now, the FBI is involved with federal charges. “Recent court documents reveal two persons knew of the pornographic files but remained silent, as reported by Associated Press(AP).”



“AP reports a federal indictment of four counts, including child sex trafficking, producing child pornography (2013-2017).” Shortey faces up to life imprisonment if convicted. He resigned from his Senate seat in March when state law enforcement arrested him at a local motel with the boy inside.

“Reuters reports that when police arrived at the motel, a strong odor of marijuana emanated from inside the motel room.” Local news outlet The Oklahoman videoed local constituents speaking out on Shortey’s arrest.

“AP story also focused upon Republican Sen. Bryce Marlatt sexual battery against an Uber driver. Republican Sen. Dan Kirby’s sexually harassing female legislative assistants. The former staffer, for Republican Governor Mary Fallin, Travis Brauer for taking pictures or video up the skirts of women at the state capitol.”

Many Oklahomans are now questioning the political platform of the Oklahoma Republicans family morals when obviously they are lacking. Brady Doughty of Tulsa, OK said, “If they are for family morals then they are for protecting children and their future by education. By cutting public education and engaging in anti-family morals they (Oklahoma Republicans) are being hypocritical.” Brian Collins of Edmond, OK said, “It’s about time Oklahoma conservatives wake up and realize their public servants are not listening to them.” Cindy Sanchez, Oklahoma City, states, “Republicans can no longer claim moral superiority or that they are the party of family values when they seek to destroy public education, cut off assistance to the poor and the working poor, yet cut taxes on the very wealthy. They claim it is a sin to be gay, while they hide their own homosexuality in the closet.”

Dennis Moore stated, “You would hope that any elected official would be moral. Yet I have to ask myself am I always moral?” Many politicians choose to run on red-baiting issues and platform to reach the masses. This type of mentality forces an unrealistic expectation upon anyone. Maybe politics need to change to listen to the public and not the politicians.

Wellstone Action’s book Politics the Wellstone Way offers insights (page 166) from Paul Wellstone. “The book suggests that it’s advocacy that is needed, grassroots advocacy that should shape legislation. Because grassroots advocacy builds public awareness, by organizing constituents and brings the people’s voice to bear on public policy debates.”

Local Oklahoma City television, KFOR, states “ in April of 2017, Republican Sen. Kyle Loveless, resigned due to the criminal investigation into unethical campaign fraud.” This year alone four Senators and one Governor’s aide all resigned with unethical actions.

Ana Earis of the Heritage Foundation, states, “that corruption is a symptom of over-regulation.The government needs to curb corruption by lifting over-regulation.” While this pertains to economics, it does point out a general problem. As far as economics are concerned., over-regulation has decreased workers rights. Democracy works when workers speak up and show up.

Maine news blog, Bangor Daily News, says, “Fundamental change happens when our daily lives mesh by getting involved with others. If we don’t our elected officials respond to the corporatists and wealthy.”

While the Oklahoma Republicans have used family morals as a foundation base, these four Senators failed. Maybe they failed because of the apathy and lack of local grassroots involvement.

The Bernie Sanders movement did, in fact, awake the mass grassroots groups. From Occupy to Black Lives Matter to others, it was huge despite the mainstream media reporting as such. Senator Sanders was quick to point out it was “Us” and not him.

While the failings of these Senators hurts an already failing state economy in Oklahoma, maybe the 2018 election can change to benefit the citizens. Just last week a Democrat flipped a Republican-held House seat. CNHI reported that Jacob Rosecrants flipped it by a large majority. “Rosecrants spoke on how coalition building helped him win in House District 46. And that type of coalition building will be brought to the state capitol by him.”