Rep. Emily Virgin, Norman Democrat, writes on Facebook that she is “disgusted” by a website statement by the Oklahoma Republican Party and she’s not alone.
“I’m absolutely disgusted by this statement from the Oklahoma GOP literally comparing citizens on food stamps to animals. Many Oklahomans who are on food stamps are working full time or even two jobs. Some of Oklahoma’s teachers and correctional officers qualify for food stamps because of their abysmal pay from the state. This attitude perpetuates a stereotype that is just not true, and it shows how out of touch the OK GOP is with working Oklahomans.”
She isn’t alone; Republican Rep. Josh Cockroft posted this on Facebook: “We all agree we should strive to reduce the numbers of recipients who receive Food Stamps across our state and nation. However grace, tact, and common sense should also be used when discussing this and other issues. This statement is very disappointing and unprofessional and should have been stated very differently. I am embarrassed and do not agree with my party’s approach in this statement.”
House Democratic leader Scott Inman wrote, “This is disappointing to say the least. Certainly we should do all we can to reduce the number of our citizens – children, seniors, working mothers and others – who receive food stamps, but to compare them to animals is insulting, degrading and not at all in the spirit of Christ. I hope that my friends and colleagues in the OK GOP will denounce posts like this one and instead focus on solutions to the challenges facing our poor and needy.”
And the Cleveland County Young Republicans said, “There is no need for this kind of insensitive statement to be made using the State Party’s Facebook account. The comments do not reflect the ideals or beliefs of the Cleveland County Young Republicans. I think all fair minded people would agree that there is waste, fraud and abuse within many government programs, and legislation should focus on making sure those that truly need assistance receive it from their government. We as a Party should highlight how the concepts of limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and free enterprise are the best recipes for combating poverty in this great nation of ours. Comments like this do not advance the true Republican brand and hinder the job of the grassroots organizations that are working to bring in a new generation of conservatives. I call for this post to be removed immediately from the OKGOP’s Facebook page.”
Oklahoma City Fox affiliate Fox 25 asked its morning show viewers to react to the statement. A “flood” of responses generally opposed the statement and its wording.
Oklahoma Republican Party
The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever, to 46 million people.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us “Please Do Not Feed the Animals.” Their stated reason for the policy is because “The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.”
Thus ends today’s lesson in irony #OKGOP
We’ve asked GOP Chairman Randy Brogdon for comment.
Some how I am not surprised that the current chairman of the party was a okay with putting this up given his track record on domestic violence. Chairman Brogdon needs to remove the posts and issue an apology and PLEASE quit doing things like this that HURT Republicans.
Oops.
I get the point, but it could have been worded a little more tactfully…
Brogdon doesn’t do; tact, civility or grace to say nothing of competence, cooperation or party building. He does “cheap heat” and “angry bird” rhetoric. As one of a crowd of legislators; Borgdon could be and was easily ignored.
As State Chairman; he will continue to prove himself the fool.
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I’m GOP most of the time, but not the GOP described here.
You folks elected him – you can darn sure get rid of him.
It’s going to get worse – brace yourselves.
Time for Brogdon to go…he is hurting the party.
The truth hurts doesn’t it?
If no repubs are apparently ok with this, then how did Brogdon win chairmanship with a majority vote?
Anyone that supports any kind of welfare, corporate welfare included is supporting theft by the state. Davy Crockett wrote about it when he was in office. Workfare, not welfare.