Opinion

I was born in the State of Texas, November 19, 1882, fifty-five years ago. I came to the Indian Territory when I was 13 years old. The place we first landed was Dougherty.

Last week, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives put forward their highest priority legislation with introduction and passage of H.R. 1. Unfortunately, I regret that their bill has nothing to do with the priorities and needs of the American people and everything to do with trying to preserve and expand their present majority in Congress. Indeed, while the bill might be titled the “For the People Act,” the policies contained therein clearly contradict that lofty promise. Since its aim is to federalize state election systems and to change campaign finance law in a way that would direct taxpayer dollars toward political campaigns, a much better name for H.R. 1 would be the “For the Politicians Act.”

My parents were Andrew Ashton and Annie Meadowbrook Ashton, both born in Georgia. (Dates Unknown). There were twelve children in our family. Father was a stockman. I was born in 1868 in Georgetown, Texas.