Oklahoma Heartbreak

University of Oklahoma student Hailey Branson writes this moving article in the The Oklahoma Daily about her state's shift to the right:

Though many are questioning why Oklahoma is shifting to the right, I believe the answer is simple.

The state is becoming more conservative because it has politicized Christianity and turned liberalism into a sin.

Oklahomans are proud of the fact that their state is most conservative in the nation, despite the fact that it contains more registered Democrats than Republicans.

They view it as a final safe haven for Christians, morals and families and have no desire to “conform” to the idea that America can endure what they perceive to be dangerous change. . . .

It breaks my heart that, outside campus, I cannot discuss politics in my home state without my faith being questioned.

It breaks my heart that, in this state, there is little room for the middle ground. A person has to agree with everything — or nothing — a party stands for. . . .

Christians are called to love. When did so many forget that?

Too many Republicans — though definitely not all — in this state are benefiting from stirring hatred that should not be there in the first place and fueling it by saying it is the Christian thing to do. . . .

If things do not change here, I cannot see myself staying.

And that breaks my heart.

What Branson says about Oklahoma is also true of rural Texas, where I live. A very ugly state of mind that is closed to any deviation from the norm: religious, political, sexual, or otherwise.

But at least Texas did have some "blue counties" where the majority voted for Obama; Oklahoma had none of its 77 counties go Democratic.

In my home county here, 3 out of 4 of my neighbors voted for McCain. Ugh.