OPINION: Stitt supports parent’s choice, but few others

The Oklahoma Empowerment Act, SB 1647, passed through the Oklahoma Senate. The controversial bill would allow taxpayer dollars to cover private school costs and give parents control over the choice to send their child to a private school.  

Governor Kevin Stitt praised the passage of the bill. In a social media post last Wednesday, he said, “Thank you to those who voted to put parents in charge of their child’s education, not government-controlled systems.” 

Back on Feb. 23, Gov. Stitt said in a tweet, “Parents should be in charge of their child’s education.” 

So, in Stitt’s mind, he believes that parent’s know what is best for their children and should have the freedom, power, and legal ability to use their own judgment about making decisions in their best interest. 

Yet, he doesn’t support a woman’s choice to make decisions about her own body. 

He supports pro-choice regarding parents and their children, but not women and their healthcare needs.

Pro-choice, but only on things he wants them to be.

This torrent of hypocrisy doesn’t stop here. Stitt praises himself as one of the biggest pro-life governors in the United States. He has said numerous times how he “promise[s] to sign any piece of legislation that protects pro-life values.” 

Stitt is not pro-life. He is pro-birth. If he was truly pro-life, he would abolish the death penalty in Oklahoma and push for easier access to government assistance programs to help women who are faced with the decision of abortion because they have no other option. 

Whether you are pro-life, pro/anti-choice, pro/anti-death penalty, pro/anti-anything, whatever you choose to believe, preach and follow, that is your business and belief. You have every right to think whatever you do. However, in Stitt’s position as a leader and government official representing a lot of people with a lot of different views and beliefs, hypocrisy on such big topics that affect more than just “your people” is something he doesn’t understand to be more harmful than being “politically correct.” If you want to believe something, it might be best to believe that straight across the board. It doesn’t make sense to be pro-choice, but only for certain groups. It makes any kind of decision or judgment irrelevant to the core values you are trying to make others believe. 

I’m not buying it and I’m sure others aren’t either. It is these things I will be thinking about during Stitt’s time for re-election.