SE Oklahoma Should Not Be Left Behind

The outcome of Wisconsin’s Recall election is a clear expression by the citizens of Wisconsin — which echoes the sentiments of the majority of Americans across the land — Enough is Enough!

Beginning with many special elections prior to the 2010 cycle, which saw a near Republican sweep, through the historic 2010 election where Oklahoma Republicans realized clear majorities in both State houses and the entire slate of statewide elected positions, the direction of Oklahoma and of America has changed.

This shift is as unmistakable as it is necessary. It is imperative that SE Oklahoma not be left behind as America and Oklahoma direct their efforts toward pro-growth, pro-business policies while promoting individual liberty, economic freedom, and the protection of our natural rights.

Just as the voters of Wisconsin made a clear and decisive choice for true conservative and principled representation to compliment this shift and repudiate the failed policies of big government spending, intrusiveness, and progressive ideology, the voters of SE Oklahoma will have a clear choice on Nov. 6. We can choose to stay on the same old path and be left behind or we can choose the proper path of less intusive and more effective government.

Howard Houchen is the right choice for Oklahoma State Senate.  Let’s not be left behind.

www.howardhouchen.com

Costello Endorses Houchen for State Senate

 

OK LABOR COMMISSIONER MARK COSTELLO ENDORSES HOUCHEN FOR OKLAHOMA SENATE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2012

CONTACT: info@howardhouchen.com; (888) 230-4856

 

Oklahoma City, OK –  In what promises to be a key pickup for Senate Republicans in the “Little Dixie” region of the state, long known for entrenched Democrats, Howard Houchen (R-Hugo) is gaining notice early in the race by picking up the high profile endorsement of Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello.

 “When I ran for Labor Commissioner in 2010, I campaigned on my commitment to bring sound business practices and constitutional principles to State Government.  Howard Houchen shares these values and will be an invaluable asset to southeastern Oklahoma. He is unabashed in his love for his home region, and unashamed to stand strong for what is right for Oklahoma in general and right for SE Oklahoma in particular. I am proud to offer my endorsement of Howard Houchen as the right choice for State Senate, District 5,”  Labor Commissioner Mark Costello stated.

 Houchen will be facing Jerry Ellis (D-Valliant) on the November general election ballot. This race also has an unusual twist: Democrat incumbent Ellis, due to term limits, is only eligible to serve two years of the upcoming four year term. He will be forced to vacate the seat midway through the term if he is re-elected.

 Houchen commented,  “Commissioner Costello has a proven record of increasing government efficiency and accountability while controlling, and even decreasing, the costs to the hardworking taxpayers of Oklahoma. I share that vision and appreciate his leadership. I look forward to ensuring that the interests of the good folks in SE Oklahoma are heard loud and clear in Oklahoma City as we all work to achieve a more economically free and prosperous tomorrow.”

 Houchen is a graduate of University of Oklahoma with a degree in Political Science, and boasts an MA in National Security Studies from the American Military University. With extensive international and small business expertise, he is extensively published in multiple conservative publications. He proudly raises his two sons alongside his wife Jeannie in the S.E. Oklahoma community of Hugo. He and his family are avid hunters and sportsmen, treasuring the bountiful natural resources that are plentiful in our beautiful state and rural communities.

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Houchen says Sen. Ellis Presents SB1327 as Something It Is NOT

Also available in The McCarville Report: http://mccarvillereport.com/archives/5490

SB1327 is a bad bill for SE Oklahoma and does little to nothing to ensure we have a voice.
 
05 May 2012 (Hugo, OK) — Oklahoma Senate District 5 challenger, Howard Houchen, states:  “Senator Ellis says he wants to strengthen local control but in advocating for passage of SB1327, he is doing exactly the opposite!”

Sen. Ellis has made a hearty endorsement of the House amendment to Senate Bill 1327 but the changes made to this bill can hardly be thought of as an amendment.   SB1327 was actually gutted and replaced l with the language of another measure, HB2914.  HB2914, the “Regional Water Planning Act” was a highly problematic bill intended to create nine regional councils to manage Oklahoma’s water planning which would add another layer of government onto the already profoundly complex issue of water rights and water management.  The amended SB1327 now mandates the establishment of nine Regional Councils to manage our water.

Sen. Ellis is particularly pleased with the alteration to SB1327 that would require the members of these new Regional Councils be elected rather than appointed and to Sen. Ellis’ credit, if we are going to add yet another authority to manage our water resources, then indeed, some representation is better than none.  But this does not mean, as Sen. Ellis says, “the interests and needs of local communities would have representation in the decision making process.”  Source: The McCarville Report May 2, 2012
Oklahomans should know that SB1327 stipulates that the role of the Regional Council is advisory only.  They have no regulatory authority or any other authority.    This means that the Regional Councils do not have the power necessary to represent the people in any real sense.
“I believe Ellis’ intentions are good”, says Houchen,  “but he is totally missing the fact that regional management of our water resources will inevitably make the decision making process less local, not more.”

The powerless Regional Councils do have a mandate to fulfill, however.  This bill, supported by Ellis, requires the Regional Councils adhere to the ever evolving Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan as a guide for their recommendations on the water management of the nine regions, as has been predetermined by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

This is a terrible trade off according to Howard Houchen who explains that his campaign is invested in carefully examining the water issues that face Oklahoma .  “Right now our cities and counties have quite a bit of power when it comes to the water policy decision making process.   I am worried that by establishing these Regional Councils our local governments will end up being mere administrators of the OWRB’s plans and that is not representative government.”

The entire reason for the creation of these Regional Councils comes directly from the 2012 Update to the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan which recommended that the Legislature authorize the creation of regional planning groups.    No matter how the Council members are chosen, elected or otherwise, the constraints remain the same.  The Regional Councils will follow the dictates of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan, a plan that has been soundly criticized by many including Sen. Ellis himself.
Sen. Ellis is to be applauded for his concern for adequate representation of the citizen however, dividing the state into nine new political voting regions is not the answer. Do we really need to be so hasty to enact such a drastic alteration of our traditional government structure?

If Sen. Ellis has so little faith in the statewide plan why would he support a measure that will create a mandate that effectively binds water management throughout the state to the plan?  This does not provide the constituents of SD5 or any Oklahomans with the representation that they need and deserve.
It is clear that If we continue on the path that Sen.  Ellis is endorsing, Oklahomans can expect to have less control over their natural resources, not more.   

  
Howard Houchen
OK State Senate D5 – Candidate
P.O. Box 353
Hugo, Oklahoma 74743

Houchen Announces Candidacy for Oklahoma State Senate – District 5

Howard Houchen Announces Candidacy for Oklahoma State Senate

13 April, 2012 (Hugo, OK) – Howard Houchen, a former U.S. Congressional candidate from Hugo, Oklahoma, is very pleased to announce his campaign to represent the good folks of Oklahoma Senate District 5 in the upcoming election.

Houchen, a 4^thgeneration “Okie”, is a successful small businessman and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Political Science and a Masters degree in National Security Studies from American Military University.  He is a devoted husband and father that has built a solid reputation as a grassroots leader but feels compelled to do more, stating that;

“I have called SE Oklahoma home my entire life.  There is no doubt we are the “Heart” of the heartland.  I have witnessed the increasing encroachment of government into our private lives and businesses, to the detriment of us in rural communities. We have seen jobs leave and populations decline throughout much of this district.  After so many calls for me to seek this position, there is no way I can just stand idly by and simply watch as Oklahoma City carves away at our ability to sustain and promote individual liberty and personal responsibility in the place we call home.”

Howard Houchen is well known in Oklahoma for his outspoken support of legislation which protects Life, Liberty, and Property while being very active in informing and resisting, and even defeating, legislation that threatens the freedoms of all Oklahomans and does not cater to party politics.  He stated:

“What is right is right and what is wrong, is wrong; regardless which party proposes the legislation. In 2012 and beyond, District 5 will be facing critical issues such as natural resources, property rights, job creation and retention, and just plain having a voice in how we govern ourselves.  How we handle these issues may make or break the livelihoods of many in this area, it is my duty to do everything in my power to make sure that these issues are handled with the citizens of District 5 best interests in mind.”

Houchen looks forward to an active campaign as an opportunity to better know his neighbors in SD5 and fully understand their concerns more deeply so that he can help produce and support the best solutions possible, as their State Senator, and actively resist those actions which are not. “It is time to return to government ‘of, by and for ‘We the People’“ 

Oklahoma Senate District 5 is comprised of the entirety of McCurtain, Pushmataha, and Choctaw counties and the southern portion of LeFlore County and the eastern portion of Atoka County.  “The ultimate “stakeholder” in our system of government is we, the citizens.  Not special interest groups, not lobbyist, and certainly not politicians. I look forward to hearing from as many citizens in SD5 as possible so we can all work together to realize the prosperous future we and our children deserve.”

# # #

Oklahoma Wildlife Commission Was Disingenuous with SE Oklahoma

The following was published in my hometown newspaper, The Hugo Daily News, on 07 March 2012.

These are my comments concerning a “recent” decision by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation commission that I felt was very deceptive, to say the least.

 

     Yesterdays Hugo Daily News front page announcement, and the accompanying editorial, did a very good job describing the “recent” ODWC commission’s decision and “vote” to issue further mandates restricting 4-wheeler activity in the Honobia WMA. 

     Yes, the issue included many variables to be considered…not least of which is that much of Honobia WMA is private property managed by ODWC and private property rights, in my opinion, are to be protected at all costs.  With that being said, that doesn’t mean that the state has license to lie and deceive…which is what occurred in this instance.

    At a meeting for “Public Comment” in Antlers, relative to the Honobia WMA matter, well over 100 concerned citizens were told: “The restrictions are not set in concrete” yet a few minutes later it was revealed that an agreement had ALREADY BEEN SIGNED.  Hmmmm…here we are at a meeting, supposedly designed to gain public input, offering input on a contract which was already a done deal.  We were then told, by ODWC officials (the state), to get with our elected officials at the state level…that this would be “beneficial”.  Both Rep. Pruett and Sen. Ellis happened to be in attendance and it was finally agreed, with their input and with a vast majority of other atteendee consensus, that a two-year moratorium would be offered so that alternatives could be pursued.  The overwhelming majority of concerned citizens left that meeting feeling pretty good about the outcome.

     I can guarantee many of those good folks are asking themselves today: “Did I miss something? Did I not hear something correctly?”. The answer is: Nope, your memory is fine!  You were just deceived.  The “recent” decision was not recent at all.  The ODWC made their decision long ago when they inked the official state signature to the contract on your behalf.  The “vote” was mere political showmanship. 

     Our input didn’t matter…especially after-the-fact!  Are instances like this rare, you may ask?  Not at all!   Freedoms and natural rights and the voice of the public are being stolen everday by that one thing that is by its very nature “force”.

“Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force…” — George Washington

Respectfully;

Howard Houchen

 

The NEW White House Rural Council: A “Take-Down”

Point-by-Point “Take-Down” of  Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council:

Below is the White House link to the Press Release “explaining” Executive Order #13575.  You may want to view it first.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/09/obama-administration-establishes-white-house-rural-council-strengthen-ru

 

1). JOBS — You gotta be kiddin’ me! Yea, right…this administration has a stellar track record with job creation…NOT!  By the way…Government does NOT create jobs. 

 2). Agriculture Market… Expansion: Get Gov’t out of the market!!! The MARKET functions best when central-planners leave it alone, thus the term FREE-MARKET…you know, that thing that once made America the envy of the world!

 3). Innovation — Thru subsidies???? Huh? What??? You gotta be kiddin’ me! Leave us alone, let the market function, get out of the way, repeal most regulations and we’ll innovate like you’ve never seen (which, by the way, these folks have no idea what REAL innovation is).

 4.) Networks: More REGIONALISM here. BTW, REGIONALISM only serves to break-down representative government. Via REGIONAL councils, rather than elected representatives who are able to be held accountable, more rules and regulations will be foisted upon We, the people and we are left without avenues of recourse and redress of grievances.

5). Health Care — Nothing needs to be said about this, we know whats implied here: Centrally-Planned and managed Health Care that will, once again, drive costs up even more that will be chased by more of OUR hard-earned $$$.

 6). Education — Increase Post-Secondary enrollment rates??? Huh? What? Are they going to MANDATE enrollment? Are they going to now pay for college with MORE tax $$$? Increased Graduation rates for rural students in college? Huh? What? Is gov’t going to supply cheat-sheets or tax-payer funded tutors?  Lower standards (again) maybe?

 7). Broadband — this is already well in the works and once again Gov’t is interfering with the market by taking more of OUR $$$ (taxes and “fees”).

 8). Infrastructure — coordinate investment? Huh??? What??? Are we sooooo “stoopid” that we can’t “COORDINATE”?

 9). Ecosystem Markets — Here’s the REAL reason for this council. “Expanding opportunities for conservation”, Uh huh…yea…right. Let me translate this: Increased PRIVATE land management by the FEDs. That means that YOUR (OUR) private land can be used as we see fit IF…IF…IF…we do so the way “they” say we are allowed to do so.

10).  The history of government desires, and resulting policies, to “do good”  reminds me of what Ronald Reagan told us years ago:  “The nine most terrifying words in the English language — I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”   WE REALLY DO NOT NEED OR WANT GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE INVOLVED, YOU’VE DONE ENOUGH ALREADY…Thank you, and goodbye, now!

AxXiom for Liberty Radio: Okla. Labor Commish Mark Costello and Jonathan Small – OCPA

  AxXiom for Liberty Live: 

  Friday 3-18-11 from 6:00 – 8:00pm CST

ListenLive at  www.ruleoflawradio.com       AxXiom for Liberty is broadcast on the Rule  of Law Radio Network on AM and FM stations in 21 states. 

     Kaye and I welcome Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello and Jonathan Small, C.P.A. – Fiscal Policy Director for Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

     Kaye and I will also discuss our recent experiences at the Oklahoma Capitol and Kaye will provide The Weekly I.A.C.P. Update.

     Commissioner Costello’s recent column in The Oklahoman discussed binding arbitration and how this has contributed to a “have vs. have-not” society.  With all the hullbaloo going on around America (most notably, Wisconsin), we felt a brief time with Commissioner Costello would be beneficial for all listeners.

     Jonathan Small is the Fiscal Policy Director for OCPA.  He has served as a budget analyst for the Oklahoma Office of State Finance, fical policy analyst and research analyst for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and as Director of Government Affairs for the Oklahoma Insurance Department.  Jonatahn will detail how our money is taken from us and where that money ends up!

This promises to be a great show!!!  See ya there.

AxXiom for Liberty Live Radio_2-25-11

 AxXiom for Liberty Live, tonight 6:00 – 8:00 pm CST:

WE ARE LOADED WITH GREAT GUESTS!

Kaye and I welcome:

Meredith Dake – Producer for the Stage Right Show, contributor at Andrew Breitbart’s Big Journalism and Big Hollywood.

www.meredithdake.com

 

Adrienne O’Reilly – Oklahoma Director of Students for Conceal Carry on Campus.  

www.concealedcampus.org

 

Tim Gillespie – Founder and Director of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association.

www.ok2a.org

AxXiom for Liberty is on the Rule of Law Radio Network that is broadcast on AM and FM stations in 21 states and you can also Listen Live at www.ruleoflawradio.com.  Call  in with questions or comments from 6:00 to 8:00 pm CST every Friday: 512-646-1984.

Every week Kaye Beach and I discuss the topics you will not hear or see the main stream media types (or very many others)  report on…much less examine in order to help you answer the most important question of all: 

“How Free do you want to be?”

 

We attempt to make sense of the insensible while objectively surveying the problems and possible solutions to the issues that continually threaten individual Liberty and personal Freedoms.

AxXiom for Liberty_01-07-2011 Guest:Don Casey

Tonight  (Jan. 07, 2011) on AxXiom for Liberty, Kaye and I welcome Vice Chairman of the Alliance for Citizens Rights – Don Casey. 

AxXiom for Liberty is on the Rule of Law Radio Network and is broadcast on FM and AM stations in 21 states.  You can also ListenLive by visiting www.ruleoflawradio.com or dialing 512-485-9010 on your phone.  The question and comment line is 512-646-1984.  AxXiom for Liberty is also available on iTunes.

Don Casey, is a Vietnam era Navy veteran retired from the United States Steel Corp.  He is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Alliance for Citizens Rights (www.keepourrights.org) .  His involvement in property rights restoration began in 1992.  At that time, the nation was embroiled over the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  Determined to understand the tenets of the NAFTA Agreement, Don purchased a copy of the two volume, two thousand page Agreement.  After carefully studying the document, Don was astounded to realize that the NAFTA Agreement had nothing to do with “free trade” – it was in fact – government control of every aspect of commerce in North America and is a giant step in the ongoing merger of the United States with Mexico and Canada.

The NAFTA trail leads directly to the Earth Summit, an agreement signed by President Bush in 1992.   The forty chapter Earth Summit agreement is generally referred to as Agenda 21 and is considered to be the bible for Sustainable Development.   Don has devoted his time and energy to exposing socialist aspects of this system which will ultimately abolish private property rights, institute social justice, destroy the already teetering economy and eliminate the last vestiges of national sovereignty.

Don seeks to raise public awareness of our God given un-a- lienable rights, which is the only true avenue of combating the process of “globalization”.  Don’s efforts have included the Beacon Round Table – a weekly talk radio show, columnist for the Beacon Newspaper, numerous speaking engagements and radio interviews around the country.

From higher taxation to the global religion, our Providential gift of freedom and liberty are being systematically stripped away.

A video of Don’s presentation recorded on July 15th, 2010 may be viewed at: http://vimeo.com/13962882

See also “A Christmas Grim” – “Code Enforcement Past, Present & Future” 10 minute – http://vimeo.com/8947178

Senator Cory Bernardi (South Australia) on Axxiom for Liberty Radio_10-22-2010

Tonight I will co-host “Axxiom for Liberty Radio with Kaye Beach” from 6:00 to 8:00 PM CST (US).  This shoudl be one show you will not want to miss.  We have as our guest, Senator Cory Bernardi (South Australia). Senator Bernardi came to my attention almost two years ago by way of a “hometown girl” turned Aussie citizen.  I began to read and listen to quite a bit of his writings and speeches and thought to myself: “This guy sounds like me (different accent though)”. 

Cory is among the most Conservative of voices in Australian politics and will not shy away from controversy nor throw his conservative principles to the way-side.  He is a staunch supporter of property rights, lower taxation on Australian citizens, national sovereignty (vs World governance), a HUGE anthropogenic climate-change critic (calls Al Gore “The Myth-Maker”), hates Cap and Trade, struggles to limit the power of federal government, works to preserve and restore natural individual RIGHTS, and-so-on, and-so-on, and-so-on.

We will also have Marcus Kesler of The Oklahoma Pirate Party talking about the planned rally at the Oklahoma Stae Capitol on Oct 30 as well as Kirk Shelly representing Campaign for Liberty who will discuss a petition drive to protect PERSONAL INFORMATION from reaching the hands of the almight Big Government!

Should be a great show so please go to www.ruleoflawradio.com to ListenLive or get more info on the radio stations the show broadcasts from in the NINETEEN state coverage area as well as other ways to listen to the show.

see ya there!