Originally Posted by solitude

Solitude (note to myself),

Remember, this is OKLAHOMA. Nobody (in their right mind) is defending the profits of Big Oil but the Exxon Mobil CEO. But, this is Oklahoma. This is Oklahoma. This. Is. Oklahoma. What can you expect, Sol? This is Oklahoma. You know, these people blasting you think oil companies somehow actually worked for almost 50 billion dollars in profits in 90 days. These people voted for Inhofe, Coburn, Fallin, Cornett (remember his congressional race? nutty), and all the other right-wing fanatics that the rest of the country shake their heads at. This is a reputation that this state has. So, don't be surprised at the defense of big oil plundering. This is Oklahoma! It's just as much your state as it is theirs. When they say, "Move to Cuba," remember they would have been comfortable in Pinochet's Chile or Batista's Cuba or Samoza's Nicaragua. These people have an economic mindset that says, "I've got mine," with little concern about how people will pay Winter heating bills coming up while the big utilities will make out like the capitalist bandits that they are. The far-right in Oklahoma is the epitome of selfishness and greed. And remember - there are a lot of people like you out there - just not in the numbers of the far-right.

Don't leave the state you love and were born and raised (and raised a family yourself). Don't let the nutty unbridled capitalism of Oklahoma conservatives drive you away. It is all a product of decades and decades of Oklahoma newspapers preaching rich=patriotic. One day, when unrestrained capitalist greed has destroyed the country - maybe we can then build a society where people matter.

Remember Eugene Debs. He had the largest vote in the country in 1912 from right here in Oklahoma. The Socialist Party candidate! This state is populist at its core.

Hang in there and remember - this is Oklahoma.

End of note to myself.

Your Friend,
Solitude