YOUR VIEWS

Second-rate results

Regarding The Oklahoman’s Oct. 16 and

Oct. 21 editorials touting the failure of Medicaid expansion and low state

ACT scores, respectively. I identified five

“Super Red” and five

“Super Blue” states, where one party controls the governor’s office and both houses of the legislature. States were paired as closely as possible by population. Oklahoma was one of the Super Red states. None of the five Super Red states has expanded Medicaid, all of the Super Blue states have. The ACT is given nationwide. I selected 14 categories considered indicative of quality of life, subsumed in health, income, crime and education. In 13 of 14 categories, the divide was clear: All Super Red states ranked below the national average, all Super Blue states ranked above.

The percentage of uninsured people was far higher in Super Red states, which also suffer the oxymoron of higher crime and incarceration rates. People in Super Blue states live longer. Infant mortality is higher in Super Red states. Workers in Super Blue states pay more dollars in taxes, but that is offset by higher personal income, leaving more disposable income. In the categories of per-pupil spending, ACT scores and higher education achievement, Super Red states fell short of the national averages, Super Blue states exceeded them.

While surely not scientific, I was somewhat surprised by the consistent results. It’s not just Oklahoma. Other states that share Oklahoma’s very conservative attitudes and politics are also at the bottom of the social barrel. What’s that tell you? Tells me conservatism produces second-rate results.

Mike Barnett, Moore

An election consideration

People often say higher education and public education and government should be run like a business. However, the two are very different because their goals are different. The goal of business is to make a profit and to make that profit as big as possible. That means low taxes and few regulations. On the other hand, education and government are service organizations. Briefly, the goal of education is to teach history, critical thinking, communication skills, ethics and information to enable citizens to make a living. The goal of government is to protect citizens and to help provide education, health care, retirement security, a clean environment, and access to public services such as national and state parks, libraries, and public radio and television. To fulfill these goals requires that all businesses and employees pay taxes according to their ability, and that regulations be in place to protect human rights and the environment and to help control financial practices.

Voters, when you go to the polls, think carefully about whether you want your government to focus on big money for the few or services for the many.

Loree M. Rice, Edmond

Downside to SQ 793

Eye care is an important necessity for almost all people. State Question 793 may make it possible for some who, at present, cannot afford to see an optometrist to do so. A quick look at the Yellow Pages will reveal a large number of practicing optometrists in Oklahoma City and most likely over the entire state. These optometrists are entrepreneurs in every sense of the word. They have undergone a rigorous education, established a practice, acquired by lease or purchase a location for their practice, and hired competent help for giving tests and the normal bookkeeping of any business. They also invest a large amount in medical equipment that must be constantly updated. If the big box stores win on SQ 793, many of our dedicated optometrists will be forced to close and eye care in Oklahoma will be greatly diminished.

Frank Lynn Payne, Oklahoma City