Weekly Columns

Ours is the land of opportunity. The age-old idea of the “American dream” is who we are. It drives the dreams we have and reassures us that success is attainable through hard work and ambition.

Generation after generation of Americans have pursued and yearned for their part of this dream. The wealth of opportunity available in our country has fueled the pursuit of knowledge in order to attain success. It is this American ambition that has kept dreams alive in our hearts, turning them into reality—century after century.

Due to federal government resistance in approving TransCanada’s application to build, the Keystone XL pipeline has remained a topic of conversation far too long. For more than 1,700 days, TransCanada has awaited approval of its permit to begin construction. With each passing day, we are reminded of the needless delay placed upon this vital project. This must change, and the American people are not willing for another four years to pass before it does.

Without question, your friends, family and anyone that surrounds you on a consistent basis will shape and influence your decisions and how you will be viewed by the rest of the world. History has proven over and over again that the character, ideology and decisions displayed in your inner circle provide a usually-accurate assessment of who you are. That reality is no less true for President Obama’s choice of advisers.

The first and arguably most foundational amendment to the United States Constitution clearly states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” As a result of these wise words penned and adopted by our forefathers more than 220 years ago, regardless of religious or political beliefs, the framework was established to protect one’s right to hold and exercise their personal beliefs.

Facing tragedy, hardship and disaster is not new for the people of Oklahoma, especially those living in my hometown of Moore. While residents in my community lived through what seemed like a nightmare last week, our strength and resilience still shines brightly through the storm and radiates hope of full recovery.

More than eight months ago on September 11, the nation was shaken by the attack on our consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Claiming the lives of four innocent Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, that horrific night still demands further investigation before it can be laid to rest. Due to an uncooperative Administration and State Department who attempted to downplay the terrorist attack just eight weeks before the presidential election, we still don’t know the truth.

If it sounded too good to be true, that’s because it was. Before the Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010, President Obama painted an unreal, impossible picture of how this reform would affect hardworking Americans and job creators. Three years later, the true cost of Obamacare is still becoming known, but it is evident that the losses far outweigh any benefits—now or ever.

Time is a precious commodity. Last week, you might have been one of many airline travelers who lost unnecessary time due to flight delays and cancellations resulting from staffing reductions within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Claiming compliance with required cuts due to sequestration, FAA actions that upset travelers and hardworking personnel should ultimately be recognized as an attempt by the Obama Administration to make a dramatic political statement.