Tuesday, December 21, 2010

It's Official, She's Done.

It seems like when you are raising children, your life hinges on life changing events usually tied to the child’s development. It seems like the first big step when they are first born is “if we can just get them to sleep all the way through the night”. To new parents, that is a big deal. For many, step two is “if we can just get them out of diapers”. Then it’s “if we can just get them out of daycare”. I want you to fast forward with the Armes’ family 22 years and it seems like the latest wish is “if we can just get her out of college”. Well, sports fans, we are there. Saturday, we watched our first born, Kathryne Leigh Armes, walk across the stage at Oklahoma State University and receive her degree in what is commonly called “HRAD” which is “hotel and restaurant administration”. Katy, aka ‘Katybob’, ‘Katycat’, also occasionally referred to as ‘drama queen’ is now officially a college graduate and I just cannot describe how proud I am for her to receive her degree and to be ready for the first chapter in her adult life. It is a huge milestone which certainly has not been without sacrifice. There have been several trips to Stillwater pulling a gooseneck stock trailer. But, all in all, I think it has been a very positive experience for all of us and mostly for her. She, like myself and many of you out there, had to work her way through and I am proud of my daughter’s work ethic because I know, like a lot of you do, that it takes a lot of work just to survive. To finally complete a goal like that is an extremely fulfilling milestone.

I know, as I write about this, that I am making it sound like college is the end. In reality, it is only the beginning. I do not believe for a minute that college is a guarantee to success but it is a huge door opener. I kind of think that a college degree in this new century will be equivalent to what a high school diploma was 30 or 40 years ago. There are still a great many unknowns as far as where this path will lead her but I do know that it will broaden her horizons, allow her to see the world from a little higher perch, and it will still be up to her whether she is successful or not but I think she is in a pretty good place to start that journey.

I know it may sound like I am bragging a little and that is certainly not my intent. But, as a public official, our lives are somewhat of an open book so I just thought that I would take a moment to share with my constituents, friends and neighbors, kind of where we are in the Armes’ family saga. I know that I am only half way home because little sister Kelsey has about a year and a half before she heads somewhere to get her education. So, it will only be a brief financial rest, and in a flash, Dede and I will be empty nesters. If you have little ones still in diapers or still hanging in there on the Santa Clause Deal, my advice is to enjoy every precious moment because in the blink of an eye, your babies will be grown and headed out into the world to seek their fortune. For now, as we head into this Christmas season, we are counting our blessings and are extremely proud of Katy for achieving this monumental milestone. Now, “if she can just get a job”.

If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call
1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov.

And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” -Wiliam Butler Yeats

It's Official, She's Done.

It seems like when you are raising children, your life hinges on life changing events usually tied to the child’s development. It seems like the first big step when they are first born is “if we can just get them to sleep all the way through the night”. To new parents, that is a big deal. For many, step two is “if we can just get them out of diapers”. Then it’s “if we can just get them out of daycare”. I want you to fast forward with the Armes’ family 22 years and it seems like the latest wish is “if we can just get her out of college”. Well, sports fans, we are there. Saturday, we watched our first born, Kathryn Leigh Armes, walk across the stage at Oklahoma State University and receive her degree in what is commonly called “HRAD” which is “hotel and restaurant management”. Katy, aka ‘Katybob’, ‘Katycat’, also occasionally referred to as ‘drama queen’ is now officially a college graduate and I just cannot describe how proud I am for her to receive her degree and to be ready for the first chapter in her adult life. It is a huge milestone which certainly has not been without sacrifice. There have been several trips to Stillwater pulling a gooseneck stock trailer. But, all in all, I think it has been a very positive experience for all of us and mostly for her. She, like myself and many of you out there, had to work her way through and I am proud of my daughter’s work ethic because I know, like a lot of you do, that it takes a lot of work just to survive. To finally complete a goal like that is an extremely fulfilling milestone.

I know, as I write about this, that I am making it sound like college is the end. In reality, it is only the beginning. I do not believe for a minute that college is a guarantee to success but it is a huge door opener. I kind of think that a college degree in this new century will be equivalent to what a high school diploma was 30 or 40 years ago. There are still a great many unknowns as far as where this path will lead her but I do know that it will broaden her horizons, allow her to see the world from a little higher perch, and it will still be up to her whether she is successful or not but I think she is in a pretty good place to start that journey.

I know it may sound like I am bragging a little and that is certainly not my intent. But, as a public official, our lives are somewhat of an open book so I just thought that I would take a moment to share with my constituents, friends and neighbors, kind of where we are in the Armes’ family saga. I know that I am only half way home because little sister Kelsey has about a year and a half before she heads somewhere to get her education. So, it will only be a brief financial rest, and in a flash, Dede and I will be empty nesters. If you have little ones still in diapers or still hanging in there on the Santa Clause Deal, my advice is to enjoy every precious moment because in the blink of an eye, your babies will be grown and headed out into the world to seek their fortune. For now, as we head into this Christmas season, we are counting our blessings and are extremely proud of Katy for achieving this monumental milestone. Now, “if she can just get a job”.

If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call
1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov.

And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” -Wiliam Butler Yeats

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

What's Really Important?

If you have been watching any news at all lately, or especially for you real political junkies who like to read blogs, the “blogisphere” has been full of accusations. We have been doing what us Republicans do best “eating our young”. That has been quite a big deal lately as this is the first time in history for the Republicans to control all three branches at the Capitol. It is what I call the three-legged stool. We have only owned the third leg, which is the Governor’s office, for a matter of weeks and already Republicans are at each other to see who can “out conservative” the other one. I said in 2004 when the Republicans first took the House that “it is all well and good but now we must govern”. Now the minority party will point out the weaknesses of the majority party. We were great at that when we were in the minority. We should have been since we did it for 80 years.

Gradually, year by year, with a little help from Washington, D.C., voters have realized that Oklahoma is a pretty conservative state. I think that message is pretty clear especially considering the seats we picked in Southeast Oklahoma, which has long been considered a stronghold for Democrats. There are those who said for years “you will never switch Southeast Oklahoma”, but now it is happening. The argument as we head toward session this year seems to be “what is most important to conservatives?”. Is it the economy or social issues? When I consider things like this, it seems I often go back to things my mom used to say, one of which was something I heard all too often growing up and something you have heard me say before and that is “life is about balance”. I think it holds true today as we examine where we are as a state. I think if you think of it in other terms like “what is the hottest fire?”, I have to think that the economy is the hottest fire we are dealing with. Now, before you say that I have picked sides and “Don Armes is no conservative” and all that other malarchy, let’s go back to why we sign up as Republicans to start with. One of the big reasons that I am a Republican, even when it was not cool in Southwest Oklahoma, is the freedom to keep and bear arms. That is very important to me and the desire to be left alone transcends into other areas for me personally. I have a pro-life voting record that I will put up against anyone’s. In fact, on the other side of the ledger, I got a seven percent from the latest ACLU rating that just came out. Most liberals score well over 50, so I feel pretty good about that.

I think one thing we have to remember is that not all Republicans think exactly alike. From my experience in the last eight or nine years of politics, I can tell ya that we as a group are not very tolerant of anyone who does not think just like we do. It seems that we do not tolerate shades very well. I guess, maybe those of us who were conservative when it wasn’t cool, get our hackles up pretty easily and tend to “bow up” when someone questions us or our position. I was one of the first Republicans elected in Southwest Oklahoma in this era. I spent two years in the minority party in the House and was there when we made history with the first Republican majority in eighty years. People have been waiting a long time for us to get in position to change some things in this state. They expected things to happen and “right now”. That conservative base out there was not really in the mood for excuses. They were in the mood to make something happen. I can tell ya from being in a ringside seat that the reason Oklahoma is spending more on roads and bridges is because Republicans forced that. I can specifically remember the two members, who are both termed out now, that forced the democrats hands in what I considered a brilliant political move. The members’ names were Jim Newport and Mark Liotta. We took a responsible stance and said “Oklahoma, we need to spend our money wisely and road and bridge infrastructure as a priority and if we continue to neglect it, we will never catch up”. It is more important than getting elected and more important than lots of things.” So, there has been tons of progress and there will continue to be. With the control of both chambers, came lots of good things, especially where social issues are concerned. We can now not only take a pro-life stance, we can actually pass the laws because we have the votes.

The fighting we see within our own party is very frustrating to me but one thing it does create healthy dialogue. Former Speaker, Chris Benge, used the analogy of a “big tent”. I think that sums it up fairly well because as the size of our tent increases, so do the opinions and beliefs of all of us under that tent. We have a lot of things to take care of this year. Personally, I think the hottest fire is the economy and the state budget but, as I said before, life is about balance and our job is to lead. I believe that to do that we have got to do it all. We have to address social issues but I do not think we should let those spin out of control to where we ignore the economic issues. It is a tricky tight rope to maneuver but as an old friend of mine used to say “we have got it to do” so let’s go to work.

If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call 1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov

And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:

Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.
Helen Keller

Friday, December 10, 2010

It's A Girl!

Oklahoma made history recently by electing the first female governor ever. Although she has not been sworn in yet, I think Oklahomans have gotten their mind around it now. On top of having a lady governor, one of the first cabinet appointments Governor Fallin made just happened to be a little fireball by the name of Major General Rita Aragon. I first came in contact with “General Rita” as I call her, a little over a year ago. I was privileged to be the auctioneer for the Red Cross Gala in Oklahoma City which was a quite a doin’ with lots of heavy hitters in the crowd. I shared the stage with a lady that had an energy level that was unbelievable. General Rita replaces an old friend to veterans since 1995, my good friend, Norman Lamb who served in that capacity under Governors Keating and Henry and was himself, no slouch when it came to fighting for the needs of veterans across the state. I can honestly say that Rita Aragon will fill those shoes quite nicely.

General Rita’s service to our country has been outstanding as she served from 1979-2006 in the United States Air Force. Rita earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Central State College in Edmond in 1970. She also received her Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from there in 1979. She enlisted in the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 1979 as an Airman Basic in the 219th Engineering Squadron stationed in Oklahoma City. She received her commission through the Academy of Military Science at Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1981. She returned to the 219th EIS as an administrative officer. In 1989, then Captain Aragon became the first female commander in the history of the Oklahoma Air National Guard when she assumed command of the 137th Air Refueling Wing at Will Rogers World Airport Air National Guard Base. She became the first female to hold the rank of Brigadier General in the history of the United States Air National Guard as the commander and Assistant Adjutant General for the Oklahoma Air National Guard in March 2003. As Assistant Adjutant General for Air, General Aragon reported directly to the Adjutant General of Oklahoma. While serving as Assistant Adjutant General, General Aragon was appointed to serve as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. She served in that position from 2003 to 2005. In 2006, General Aragon was appointed Air National Guard Assistant to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Manpower and Personnel. In that position, General Aragon oversaw policies and plans covering all parts of the Air Force's military and civilian personnel management.

I would dare say that no one would cross her, or at least no one in their right mind. Whatever she lacks in size, she makes up for in vim and vinegar. She is a take charge kind of gal and I can tell you from my experience with her that when she talks, people listen. She can hold her own with any man and I promise you, veterans will be in good shape with her in the governor’s cabinet. She is no nonsense and commands respect from everyone she comes in contact with. I have been very involved with veteran’s affairs having served for several years on the Veteran’s Committee in the House and over the last six months, my dad, who was a Korean War Veteran, spent his last months in the Lawton Vets Center. I was on the grounds of that first-rate building on a daily basis and know a great deal about that state-of-the-art facility. I can hardly wait to bring General Rita down to Lawton to show her around. I have already extended my congratulations to General Rita privately. I want to take this time to publicly say congratulations to her for being appointed Secretary for Veterans Affairs in Governor Fallin’s new cabinet. Yep, that’s right. It’s a girl. But she can hold her own and veterans across our state will be well represented.

If you would like to contact me while I am at the capitol, please do not hesitate to send an email to donarmes@house.gov or call me at 1-800-522-8502.

And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:

“Leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders.” ~Tom Peters

Friday, December 3, 2010

In the Zone: The Holiday Zone.

It seems that once the gate opens on Thanksgiving, we enter what I like to think of as the “holiday zone”. Life is pretty normal up until that time and then people shift into a whole different gear. Nobody is really focused on a whole lot work wise or anything else but everyone is planning their holiday parties and family get-togethers or holiday trips. It is really hard to break anybody out of that mindset. Christmas and Thanksgiving are 30 days apart and if you haven’t got in done, whatever that is, you can almost forget it until, at the very least, after Christmas. More likely, after New Years.

In the game of politics, we will be very busy through this holiday zone attending Christmas banquets and holiday get-togethers as well as whatever family events. There is quite an expectation that we attend everything we can. So, this lull in the action can actually be quite fast paced. Even with that being said, it is still a pretty nice time of the year. I certainly do not try to schedule any auctions during that time because I have learned after 25 plus years that peoples’ attention is on anything but business. It is kind of like my friend Mattie Kinder taught me years ago about using the Almanac to work cattle. It is not magic or sorcery. It is just a simple rhythm of the Earth. She has said several times that her Grandma Stoll taught them that you do not even wean babies without the Almanac. I think this “holiday zone” is a lot like that. It is swimming up stream or walking uphill. It is just really hard to get peoples’ minds out of holiday gear and I guess that is as it should be. We do need to take time to be thankful for all the things we are blessed with and to celebrate the birth of Christ and to enjoy our families. Those are the things that really count. Whether you can squeeze in one more real estate deal or one more auction, in the end really does not matter. What really matters is our friends and families. I guess that is really what this zone is all about. It is that little stretch of time when people really are focused on everything but business.

I have fought it for years but I think with my age has hopefully come a little bit of wisdom. So, this year, I am going to try to relax into it and not fight human nature and just try to enjoy this little stretch that used to really frustrate me. Oh, there will be the daily stuff. Making sure cattle are taken care of and things of that nature. I guess the passing of my dad right before Thanksgiving kind of helped serve to tune me into what is important and what is real, and I guess you could say, what really matters. I am going to try my best to work with the rhythm of the Earth and enjoy the “holiday zone” and not fight it so much and just let it happen. It has been a pretty good Fall, for the most part. We have been pretty busy. Just sold our Spring calves. So the world looks pretty level. Got a deer hanging in the shop and a few more days to get another one possibly. So, I am going to enjoy this time of year and I hope you do too.

If you would like to contact me while I am at the capitol, please do not hesitate to send an email to donarmes@house.gov or call me at 1-800-522-8502.

And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:

“I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month”. -Harlan Miller