Coburn: Time to return to core values

Features

Related Photos

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn explains a point during a Town Hall meeting in the auditorium of the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center on the NSU campus. Bob Gibbins

Discussion

Add a comment on this story

August 30, 2010

The U.S. senator hosted a town hall meeting at Northeastern State University on Friday.

By BOB GIBBINS Staff Writer The Tahlequah Daily Press Mon Aug 30, 2010, 09:19 AM CDT

TAHLEQUAH — The country is at a crossroads and needs to get back to its core values, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn said Friday.

Coburn, R-Okla., spoke to a large crowd of Cherokee County residents at a Town Hall meeting at noon on the NSU campus between similar stops in Wagoner and Stilwell. The senator is on a trek across the state and has other meetings scheduled Monday.

“We’re [federal government] helping a lot of people who don’t need help,” Coburn said. “It reeks of the worst thing we can do.”

He said the country has a large federal deficit and other issues, but doesn’t have a problem the nation can’t solve. He said a key to the issue is being honest about what our problems are and fixing them.

Coburn also said President Barack Obama appointed him to a deficit reduction committee – a committee he believes isn’t necessary.

“We already have a deficit reduction committee,” he said. “It’s called the U.S. Congress.”

Coburn urged those in attendance to speak their minds and tell friends and relatives what they think because it can help change things.

“You have so much more influence than you think,” he said. “You have friends and family in this state and other states. Talk to them.”

The senator said despite the nation’s problems, it’s still a great country. He said Americans need to embrace what made the country great and return to core values.

Coburn was also asked about autism and said he believes it is a big problem, but it’s also “extremely overdiagnosed.”

He was asked about teachers who don’t know what to look for and think an autistic child just has behavior problems.

“Teachers are a state issue,” he said. “You need to work with your state representatives on providing training for teachers to be able to recognize autism.”

He also said he’s ready to go after those who commit disability fraud. Coburn said 600,000 commercial driver licenses were issued to people on disability.

“If they’re disabled they can’t pass the physical exam for a commercial license, and if they can pass the exam, they’re not disabled,” he told those in attendance.

He told the crowd about hiring a man to clear some trees on his property.

After the job was done and Coburn was preparing to pay the man for his work, the man asked that the check be written to a family member.

Coburn asked why and was told initially the man had no bank account. He admitted shortly thereafter he was on disability.

Coburn said Congress should use this principle when they’re in session.

“We need to think about the effect it’s going to have on the next generation, not the next election,” he said.

Text Only

Features

Business Expo back for 2012
After a successful go at last year’s inaugural Business Expo in Tahlequah, organizers are excited to bring the event back in 2012.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
Pastor at peace with life in ministry
With compassion and humor, pastor Charles Duvall has shared with couples how to find and keep love alive in their marriage for half a century, and he thrives in an area many people, including pastors, avoid – hospital and nursing home work.

January 31, 2012
Reducing your home’s carbon footprint
In a world of energy-driven daily comforts, being able to “leave no trace behind” depends on a person’s ability to mimic camping conditions in an indoor setting.

January 27, 2012
Revision of rape definition more inclusive
For years, most state criminal statutes defining rape have made the requirements for proving the crime very specific.

January 26, 2012
Workforce offers veterans’ services
The Veteran Services Department of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission wants to help its own in reestablishing life as a civilian after serving the nation’s military.

January 25, 2012
Fields shares fond memories of Tahlequah
Melanie Burris Fields may live in Bixby, but the Tahlequah High School graduate has fond memories of growing up in Tahlequah.

January 24, 2012
‘Pioneer Woman’ to host TCH Hearts of Gold Gala
The Tahlequah Hospital Foundation has been hosting the Hearts of Gold Gala, a fundraiser that supports Tahlequah City Hospital, for six years.

January 23, 2012
Library improvements in works
When the newer section of the Tahlequah Public Library opened its doors in 1978, it offered patrons a state-of-the-art facility for the last years of the 20th century.

January 20, 2012
Dye makes difference in diesel
When buying diesel fuel, it is important to know the difference between the dyed and clear forms of the combustible propellant. Not knowing that difference could result in engine damage, as well as serious financial consequences.

January 18, 2012 1 Photo
Walker adds personal touch to teaching
Cherokee Elementary School Teacher of the Year Tonya Walker married into a teaching family, both her in-laws and her husband’s siblings are teachers.

January 17, 2012
More Features Headlines

Last year, Cherokee County was hit with severe snowstorms in the winter, followed by devastating floods in the spring. What have you done to protect your property, in case it happens again?

Features

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion