Oklahoma is making the largest cuts to education in the country. The school districts are going to a 4-day week to cut expenses while 1 in 4 children struggle with hunger. It is first in expulsion rates, female incarceration, second in male incarceration, and 1 in 12 citizens have a felony conviction. High school teachers are making slightly more than convenience store workers. Oklahoma is 49th in teacher pay and spending per pupil has dropped 27%. Support programs for individuals with developmental disabilities have waiting lists of 10 years.
Oklahoma has been busy lowering their environmental regs and production tax to stay competitive for oil and gas, but the future is still grim. Oklahoma is dependent on oil and gas for 25% of state revenue and the recent downturn in oil prices have left the state reeling. Sounds like the Venezuelan style of mismanagement, doesn't it? Meanwhile earthquakes from fracking have rocked the region known as the oil pipeline crossroads of the world.
But the people are proud, many never think to inquire for welfare or food stamps, even if they could damn well use it. And in maybe shifting signs of the times Oklahoma is now looking to decriminalize drugs, create more separation of church and state, and maybe look for tougher regulations on the agribusiness that has been damaging the state. Even the rednecks know that desperate times call for a rethinking of stubborn, failed policies.
Is this what we want for our country? Can we not see the abject failure of many of our states. Remember that term we hear thrown around around when discussing "foreign affairs", that label of "failed states"... well it is happening right here in the U.S.A. And do we really still "wonder why" the country is in such a mess when white-collar criminals in high places write the rules for themselves while poor children are busy being funneled directly to jail. How far have we fallen from liberty, equality, and justice for all? We need to seriously rethink our priorities, our place in the world, and hopefully do so starting with those two small words... "for all".
peace 
@clumsysilverdad
Sources for post
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/29/oklahoma-education-system-four-day-school-weeks-poor