COMMENTARY: Pat McGuigan just doesn't get it

Patrick's McGuigan's June essay in the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs magazine, "Perspective," shows just how misinformed many state conservatives are about the issues and problems which face Sooner State residents.

In his article, "Conservatism for Oklahoma's Second Century" McGuigan wants us to believe voters lost faith with state Republicans due to a lack of a "positive vision."

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Oklahomans booted many conservatives because they speak one way and act another.

Simply put, they voted against the man, not the party.

For example, when the GOP saddled up their candidates for the fall, 2006 horse race it was obvious from the beginning the party's front runner -- Congressman Ernest Istook -- had little hope of ever gaining enough steam to defeat a popular incumbent, Brad Henry.

Istook's poor campaign strategy, his lack of funds, and his ties to disgraced D.C. insider Jack Abramoff, all conspired against him.

As the fall race unfolded, the Istook campaign then found itself tied to a congressional sex scandal -- through a campaign employee -- and a hit-or-miss fundraising strategy.

Instead of a revolutionary ideas, Istooks campaign gave us receipes.

Neither helped.

Yet, somehow, McGuigan wants us to believe that it was something else -- instead of the GOP's failed leadership -- which pushed voters to the left.

I don't buy it.

McGuigan also trots out the tried, old, "less government, lower taxes" mantra, and wants us to believe that government is, somehow an evil entity just waiting to take away your rights and freedoms.

Funny thing, government is composed of men and women, just like you and me. And while I will agree there are many mistakes, I can also cite many examples of a government which benefits the public.

Pat's being disingenuous.

Citing examples of state agencies which are (or were until 2006) controlled by Republicans, the Corporation Commission and the Labor Department, McGuigan wants us to praise both for their "reductions in spending and personnel over much of the past decade."

But what the former editorial writer of the Daily Oklahoman doesn't tell you is this: he was the second in command of the Labor Department, after being forced out of the his position at the Daily Oklahoman.

Like many other "conservatives" MgGuigan rants about the evils of government while praising the private sector.

Yet his actions say something different.

Instead of remaining in the private sector, after leaving the Daily Oklahoman McGuigan turned to the government and -- like so many others he's scolded -- became a state employee.

I guess, somehow, being a part of government is only bad if you're not being paid by that government.

But wait, there's more.

McGuigan praises the passage of the state's alleged "right to work" law which, he says, "affirms the power of the private sector workers to control the fruits of their own labor."

Again, the writing doesn't match the person.

The product of a union household and a Catholic and public education, McGuigan betrays his past with the belief that right-to-work is somehow better for the state' economy.

Since its passage, huge companies, including Dayton Tire and General Motors, have pulled up stakes and left Oklahoma. These companies have been replaced by a few other smaller companies with with far smaller salaries.

More unemployment and smaller pay do nothing positive for our state.

Right-to-work has done nothing to benefit Oklahoma -- it's just another tool which can be used to force workers into low-paying jobs; which results in an increased use of public services.

I challenge him to prove -- with documents and not hyperbole -- otherwise.

But McGuigan saves his biggest gun -- and his silliest argument -- for last: Educational choice.

Designed to bring back segregation, school choice is simply another tool to divert public funds to private companies.

"Why not finish the job and empower parents and students to fully control their educational destiny?" he asks.

The answer is simple: Most parents and students don't have the skills to develop educational programs. Left to the general public, alone, the state's educational system will look like more Tulsa's '57 Plymoth Belvedere -- rusty and water logged.

Why not apply the same argument to doctors and the legal system? The train wreck would be incredible.

Instead of pontificating, McGuigan should spend a few weeks as a teacher in one of the state's public schools; there he might develop an appreciation for the work done by educators and the problems they face.

While I respect Mr. McGuigan's interest and I support his right to share his ideas with the rest of us, I believe many of those ideas have already proven themselves to be harmful or ill advised.

If Pat truly wants the 3.5 million people who call themselves Sooners to live and work together, he should roll up his sleeves and see for himself the hard work and the problems our residents face.

Otherwise he's just a misinformed, conservative windbag touting a few worn out, tired ideas.