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
Conservatives, it’s time to demand better from the GOP
I first started writing a conservative opinion column during my days as editor of the Enid News & Eagle in the early 2000s. At the time, my writing came from a traditional conservative perspective, meant to counter what I saw as the excesses of the left in the wake of the Clinton presidency, the disputed … Continue reading Conservatives, it’s time to demand better from the GOP
Condemn the murder, confront the legacy: Why Charlie Kirk’s harmful ideology cannot be sanitized
Since last week’s brutal murder of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus, emotions have run high. A suspect is now in custody, but questions, accusations and rising tensions persist, with little sign that the national climate is cooling. The right-wing propaganda machine—with leaders like Donald Trump and Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters—has … Continue reading Condemn the murder, confront the legacy: Why Charlie Kirk’s harmful ideology cannot be sanitized
MAGA politics have undermined a once-principled conservative approach to education
Principled views on education were once a cornerstone of Republican politics, both nationally and here in Oklahoma. For most of my adult life, traditional (pre-MAGA) Republicans offered an intellectually consistent and constructive approach—emphasizing local control, school choice, high academic standards, respect for institutions and expertise and teaching civics and history in ways that promoted patriotism … Continue reading MAGA politics have undermined a once-principled conservative approach to education
It’s time to let all Oklahoma voters have a voice in primary elections
Let’s face it: more and more Oklahomans are dissatisfied with the two dominant political parties—Democrats and Republicans. As of Jan. 15, 2025, there are 488,756 registered independents in Oklahoma, up from 436,041 the year before—a 12% increase. That growth is a key reason behind State Question 836, which proposes an open primary system in Oklahoma. … Continue reading It’s time to let all Oklahoma voters have a voice in primary elections
The 250th anniversary of the United States deserves better than what we just saw
The recent attempt to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army brought something else into sharp focus: we are just one year away from July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It should be a moment of national unity and pride. But if the June 14 parade was … Continue reading The 250th anniversary of the United States deserves better than what we just saw
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has traditional elements, but still highlights growing rift between traditionalists and Trump-era populism
The rhetoric around President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has been pretty provocative – particularly for Democrats and left-leaning Americans; however, the House’s narrow passage of the bill on May 22 does offer several aspects that traditional, non-MAGA Republicans will view positively. The bill provides certain provisions that align with long-standing conservative principles. First is the … Continue reading ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has traditional elements, but still highlights growing rift between traditionalists and Trump-era populism
The global right turn: How ultra-conservatism is reshaping democracies
It may seem to many that the shift toward ultra-conservative or far-right political policies is recent and unique to the United States; however, broader trends of nationalism, anti-immigration sentiment and challenges to progressive norms have been taking place all across the world for some time. Countries like France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany are … Continue reading The global right turn: How ultra-conservatism is reshaping democracies
It’s time to decisively end this third-term conversation
Any notion that a second-term president can run for a third term should end right now. For a couple of weeks since President Donald Trump said he “wasn’t joking” about potentially seeking a third term, the media and political pundits have actually been engaging conversations about the prospect of such a thing happening. The media … Continue reading It’s time to decisively end this third-term conversation
Trump’s 2nd term unfolds as predicted: How Americans can stay engaged and informed
The initial days of President Donald Trump’s second term are occurring just as promised by those who, prior to the election, tried to warn the electorate that they should believe what they had already seen and heard from Trump’s previous presidency and his 2024 campaign. In rapid-fire fashion, the president is implementing drastic changes and … Continue reading Trump’s 2nd term unfolds as predicted: How Americans can stay engaged and informed
Cindy Allen 