Protecting the president of the United States is unquestionably one of the federal government’s most important responsibilities. But that responsibility should never make the safety of everyone traveling with the president an afterthought. We learned last week that concerns about a possible Iranian assassination plot prompted extraordinary security measures as President Donald Trump prepared to … Continue reading Protecting the president shouldn’t mean endangering everyone else
Vote no on SQ 846: Trust Oklahoma voters, not politicians
State Question 846 is being marketed as an election integrity measure. It isn’t. Every election, Oklahoma voters arrive at their polling place, present an acceptable form of identification, verify their eligibility, and cast their ballot. It’s a routine Oklahomans understand. The law has been on the books since 2011. It has survived court challenges. There … Continue reading Vote no on SQ 846: Trust Oklahoma voters, not politicians
Stop pretending fringe fantasies deserve debate
There are plenty of legitimate policy debates in this country. We have major economic issues, educational issues and international issues that need serious attention from lawmakers and advocacy groups. What we do not need to be doing is debating contraception and women’s right to vote. Those battles were settled generations ago, and anyone trying to … Continue reading Stop pretending fringe fantasies deserve debate
Anonymous money Is poisoning Oklahoma politics
By now you’ve seen them. Super PACs are paying for a wave of attack ads in Oklahoma’s gubernatorial and attorney general races ahead of the June Republican primary. While the claims are often outrageous — particularly from big-money conservative groups attacking fellow Republicans — there is usually a smidgeon of truth buried in them, though … Continue reading Anonymous money Is poisoning Oklahoma politics
The 25th Amendment isn’t a political escape hatch
It’s fair to say that millions of Americans believe Donald Trump is a deeply flawed president—one who makes controversial decisions and, at times, says things that leave even his supporters wincing. Lately, that tension has gotten worse. His rhetoric surrounding Iran—particularly talk that veers into sweeping, apocalyptic language—has unsettled not just critics, but parts of his … Continue reading The 25th Amendment isn’t a political escape hatch
As 2026 nears, Oklahoma Republicans must decide what conservatism means
The contrast between what I would call traditional Republican conservatism and the current far-right push is becoming increasingly clear as the 2026 elections approach. That divide is especially visible in the Oklahoma Senate, where roughly a dozen senators have aligned themselves with efforts to move the Legislature further to the right and to embed religious … Continue reading As 2026 nears, Oklahoma Republicans must decide what conservatism means
Student protests the very definition of the importance of ‘good trouble’
“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble," is a quote the late Congressman John Lewis popularized when discussing the history of the Civil Rights movement. It was not a call to chaos, but as a call to conscience. In times like these, that phrase feels less like historical perspective and more like a civic instruction. The … Continue reading Student protests the very definition of the importance of ‘good trouble’
If we want more babies, we need to fix adulthood first
I read an article last week noting that by the end of this decade, every Baby Boomer in America will be 65 or older. Because Baby Boomers make up the largest generation, we’re already feeling the effects of that demographic shift—worker shortages, pressure on health care systems and growing strain on Social Security and Medicare. … Continue reading If we want more babies, we need to fix adulthood first
Why State Question 836 can be seen as a recommitment to populist roots
Oklahoma ranks dead last — 50th — in voter turnout. That’s not a coincidence. It’s the result of a system designed to make most voters irrelevant. How can anyone who believes in the Oklahoma Standard not be outraged by that? Our state was built on populist roots — a belief that the people’s voice should … Continue reading Why State Question 836 can be seen as a recommitment to populist roots
The only revolution America needs: Rebuilding the Middle Class
It seems we spend a lot of time complaining about what’s wrong with our economy and our government systems. And certainly, there’s plenty to complain about. But let’s face it — the 2026 midterms are just a year away, and the same politicians we’ve been grumbling about are already warming up their campaign speeches. They’ll … Continue reading The only revolution America needs: Rebuilding the Middle Class
Cindy Allen 