History of American Political Parties, Part VIII: The Politics of Slavery

By James Finck, Ph.D. By the 1850s America was in the middle of the Second American Party System of Democrats and Whigs. The two equally strong parties had members in every corner of the country.

Selecting Speakers and Turbulent Times

If you have followed my column over the years you may have noticed a theme. My belief is that there is really nothing new, that in some way or another we have seen everything before. Most of my writing is comparing modern events to the past.

Occupational licensing is a safety measure

By Leslie Osborn State Labor Commissioner   OKLAHOMA CITY – Occupational licensure is the legal requirement that a credential be obtained in order to practice a particular profession.

Economic uncertainty calls for fiscal responsibility

By Steve Lewis   OKLAHOMA CITY – State legislators returned to the State Capitol earlier this month in response to Governor Stitt’s call for a special session.

Standing in picket line may not make Biden the most pro-union president

By James Finck, Ph.D. While the writers’ strike in Hollywood has captured the nation’s attention out of fear that our favorite shows might be delayed, a potentially more important strike is the one in Michigan with the United Auto Workers striking against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.

History of American Political Parties, Part IV: The First American Party System

By James Finck, Ph.D. While political parties officially started under the George Washington administration with the introduction of Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan, they really took root when Washington stepped down leading to the first contested election in 1796.

Our Country Needs Its Journalists

Southwest Ledger Editorial Board   In April, it was a county commissioner and a sheriff threatening the lives of two Oklahoma journalists. Most recently, it was a police raid of a small newspaper in Kansas. In January 2021, journalists covering the U.S.

Aldean might be proud to be an Okie from Muskogee

By James Finck, Ph.D.    New songs stirring the pot and getting people worked up is nothing new, but ever so often a song comes out that stirs the pot in the opposite direction.

Pinnell champions Oklahoma businesses, workforce growth

By Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell As your Lieutenant Governor, I have had the privilege of visiting with countless businesses in all 77 counties. Most of the time, I’m included in celebrations – welcoming a new company coming to town or breaking ground on an expansion.

Holdenville prison operator sells out

HOLDENVILLE — CoreCivic will cease its operations at the Davis Correctional Facility here on Sept. 30, resulting in the loss of 274 jobs. The Tennessee-based private prison operator notified the state Office of Workforce Development pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.