Oklahoma's Founding Fathers: Were They Secretly Hipsters?
You might think of Oklahoma and picture wide-open plains, rodeos, and cowboys saying "yeehaw" (which, by the way, is a perfectly good way to live). But there's a fascinating wrinkle in Oklahoma's history – its constitution, written in 1907, was bursting with ideas that would make a modern-day progressive do a happy dance.
Direct Democracy: You're the Boss (Literally)
Forget smoke-filled rooms and backroom deals. Oklahoma's founding fathers (and a few mothers, though they couldn't vote yet) were all about citizen participation. The constitution included the initiative and referendum, which basically means the people could propose laws and shoot down ones they didn't like. Imagine if you could skip the whole lobbying Congress thing and just vote on a law directly? Pretty rad, right?
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Sticking it to the Man (or Corporation): The Corporation Commission
The early 1900s were boom times for big business, and some companies weren't exactly known for being kind and gentle. Oklahoma's framers said, "Not today, Satan!" They established a powerful Corporation Commission with the authority to regulate these giant corporations and make sure they played fair with regular folks. Basically, it was an "anti-monopoly monster spray" for a time when monopolies were all the rage.
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Looking Out for Number One (and Two, and Three...)
Oklahoma's progressive constitution didn't stop there. It included things like an eight-hour workday for government employees (because, you know, breaks are important!), restrictions on child labor (because kids should be in school, not factories!), and a progressive income tax (the more you make, the more you chip in – a crazy idea, right?).
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Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Women's suffrage, for example, didn't make the cut (though it was initially proposed). But hey, you can't win 'em all, especially in 1907.
So, why was Oklahoma so darn progressive?
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Well, a few reasons. First, the territory was a blank slate, unlike states with long-established power structures. Second, it attracted a lot of folks looking for a fresh start, and many of them brought progressive ideas with them. Think of it as the original "build-your-own-country-with-worker-rights-and-stadium-nachos" experiment.
How To Be More Progressive in Your Everyday Life (Oklahoma Edition):
- How to Channel Your Inner Initiative: Get involved in local government! Attend meetings, write to your representatives, and don't be afraid to speak up about the issues that matter to you.
- How to Be a Corporation Commission Crusader: Support businesses that treat their employees well and are committed to sustainability.
- How to Rock an Eight-Hour Workday (Even if You Don't Work for the Government): Set boundaries! Take breaks, unplug after work, and prioritize your well-being.
- How to Fight Child Labor (From Your Armchair): Support organizations that advocate for children's rights and ethical labor practices.
- How to Do Your Part for Progressive Taxation (Without Feeling Like You're Being Nickel-and-Dimed): Advocate for fair tax policies that ensure everyone contributes their fair share.
So there you have it. Oklahoma's constitution: a surprisingly progressive document from a time when fedoras were all the rage. Maybe those cowboys were more than just yeehawing – they were secretly plotting a social justice revolution (with excellent hats).
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