Media

The Oklahoman - Editorial Board

Having worked in the trenches for decades, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, is one of Oklahoma's most astute political observers. When he talks, Republicans should listen.

During a meeting with The Oklahoman's editorial board last week, Cole persuasively argued that Republicans are poised to win elections in 2014, potentially seizing full control of Congress. The ongoing debacle of Obamacare is a major factor.

Yet GOP infighting could derail the party's electoral success.

We are a blessed nation indeed. Throughout our more than 237-year history, countless men and women have selflessly answered the call to protect our freedom and preserve liberty by serving in the military. On Veterans Day, we remember these individuals, their bravery and sacrifice. As we commemorate those who have come before to secure and preserve independence, honor those currently serving to keep us safe and as we support military families in our neighborhoods, join me in showing your appreciation.

Even before passage of his healthcare law, President Obama promised numerous times, “If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it.” But as millions of Americans have realized since the roll-out of Obamacare and its failed website, that is far from the truth. Now we’re watching the president back up and try to find cover for misleading the country and selling something that never existed as it was presented.

Political opinions aside, it is clear that our economy is broken and that our debt is growing at an alarming rate. In fact, the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently called our situation “unsustainable indefinitely.” The entire nation was reminded and awakened to this grave reality over the last several weeks—first with the lapse in appropriated funds that caused shutdown and second with the debt ceiling deadline that, without action, would have resulted in default.