Media

For a while now, there have been thoughts, ideas, claims and all sorts of opinions floating around about Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and whether or not it’s a good thing for America. It has become a subject of conversation in recent days because of the trade deal that’s currently being negotiated through the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that includes 12 countries, of which President Obama is acting on behalf of the United States.

As President Obama’s time left in office draws to a close, it’s clear that he’s grasping at any and all opportunities to leave a legacy. He has either refused to work with or negotiate with lawmakers in the present Congress or failed to encourage a previously split-party Congress to find compromise. With his loss of a Democrat-led Senate, the president has now shown that when met with opposition to his policies, his arrogant answer will be to bypass Congress and act alone.

Without question, Oklahomans are no strangers to severe weather and the terrible destruction that can result from it. Past experiences in distant and more recent times have served as sobering reminders that we must be ready at a moment’s notice to face tornadoes and other unpredictable weather patterns. In Oklahoma, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ that time will come.