LET'S PROTECT OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
The right to trial by jury has been protected by the Constitution of the United States of America for more than 200 years and by the Oklahoma Constitution for 100 years. Sadly, there is a segment of society who wishes to erode and, in some cases, eliminate your fundamental right to trial by jury. This movement is often referred to as "tort reform" or "lawsuit reform". It's sponsors are big business, the insurance industry, drug companies, the medical industry, the transportation industry (trucking companies, automobile makers etc), and any other group or conglomeration who does not feel as though they should be held accountable when their negligence injures or kills someone.
These groups have been working for decades, trying to convince Americans in general, and Oklahomans in particular, that unless we enact laws that erode or eliminate our right to trial by jury, many horrible things will happen, such as: doctors will quit delivering babies, doctors will flee Oklahoma and go to other states, Oklahoma will not be able to attract jobs or industry. Of course, they have been saying this for 30 years and nothing like that has happened. We have more doctors than ever, doctors are not leaving the state, our economy is booming and Oklahoma is attracting high quality jobs like the Google plant that is being built in Pryor.
So then, what is the true reason behind all of the rhetoric? Simple. These powerful interests simply want immunity from being sued when they injure or kill someone. They feel insulted when a jury of citizens hold them accountable for their wrongdoing and order them to pay their victims substantial compensation. This attitude goes against the fundamental notion of "personal responsibility" and "corporate accountability".
Recent polls suggest the public is not buying into this corporate propaganda. Voters are deeply worried about their nation's future, and concern about corporate misconduct is a major source of their anxiety. Many people see corporate irresponsibility as a big problem in the country. Voters will support candidates who defend the civil justice system over candidates who advocate "tort reform". These feelings cut across party lines. For more information about the poll, click on this link http://www.atla.org/pressroom/PressReleases/2007/july12.aspx
