Trump's Red States Are Fed Up With MAGA; Liberal Candidates Takeover

Summary

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IHIP News: "Trump's Red States Are Fed Up With MAGA; Liberal Candidates Takeover"

Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Guest: Cindy Munson, Democratic House Leader, Oklahoma Gubernatorial Candidate
Date: September 27, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Cindy Munson, the Democratic House Leader in Oklahoma, as she launches her campaign for governor in one of the most Republican states in America. Hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan (aka "Pumps") unpack Oklahoma's struggling social infrastructure, the toxic influence of MAGA politics, and the weaponization of faith by Republican leaders. The show is a fiery, unfiltered discussion on messaging, hope, and how Democrats can reclaim lost ground in deep red states.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reality of Running as a Democrat in Deep-Red Oklahoma

[01:58]

• Host Jennifer Welch questions how Munson plans to compete with Trump's high approval in Oklahoma and GOP dominance.
• Cindy Munson: Highlights her history as the first Democrat to represent House District 85 and points to examples in Kansas and Kentucky:

  "There is a pathway, there are examples out there... There is a lot more hope out there. Even in rural Oklahoma, when you have face to face conversations." ([02:19])

• Munson stresses “hard work” and the power of face-to-face engagement.

2. Policy Failures and Impact on Daily Life

[04:34]

• Hosts discuss eroding public services as MAGA policies gut healthcare and education.
• Munson blasts the Republican record:

  “We're 50th in the nation for education. We’re nearly at the bottom for healthcare. There is not true economic prosperity in this state. And that's because Republicans have been in control for nearly two decades.” ([04:34])

3. Grassroots vs. Big Money in Campaigns

[04:34]

• Munson refuses to be swayed by super PAC dollars, focusing on donations from everyday people.

  “I have never been persuaded by a single dollar... I have rejected dollars from PACs and individuals... We're more focused on individual donors.” ([04:34])

4. Rural Discontent and Closing Hospitals

[06:33]

• “Are rural Oklahomans feeling Trump’s policy impacts?” Munson shares dire warnings about Medicaid cuts leading to hospital closures.

  “The number one issue that they have most concern is health care.” ([06:33])

• Medicaid expansion was voter-driven, not by GOP leaders.

5. Faith, Weaponization, and Republican Hypocrisy

[08:26]

• Welch cuts deep into how Oklahoma politicians use Christianity as cover while scapegoating marginalized groups.

  “They weaponize the faith of Christianity against the people in these rural areas... Meanwhile he is demonizing the poor and helping the rich accumulate more wealth.” — Jennifer Welch ([08:26])

• Munson describes the challenge:

  “I've had to face... colleagues weaponizing the Bible, weaponizing Bible verses to justify child abuse, to justify women who are raped, to justify things that are horrific…” ([10:13])

• Munson emphasizes authenticity, showing up “where people don’t expect me to be,” and speaking human-to-human.

6. Simple Messaging: Calling Out the Lies

[12:02]

• Hosts urge Munson to use aggressive, clear messaging — “go pit bull” on Republican lies and failures.

  “They have been lying to Oklahomans for decades and the proof is in the pudding. Attack first and then talk about what you can do later. In this post-Trump America...you've got to immediately define these people. Nobody likes a liar.” — Jennifer Welch ([15:10])

• Munson agrees about the need for conviction and calls out “constant tax cuts” for the wealthy that drain state services:

  “They want to give us some kind of scapegoat... when really it’s them. These people have the most power... and they choose not to [use it].” ([19:20])

7. Alternative to Extremism & Declining Quality of Life

[20:00]

• Welch points to Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear for being inclusive, contrasting him to Oklahoma leaders.
• Oklahoma’s history with right-wing extremism (e.g., Timothy McVeigh) is cited:

  “No one knows domestic terrorism better than Oklahomans. And it is heartbreaking.” — Cindy Munson ([22:04])

• The hosts lament the electorate’s recurring choice for “cruelty over compassion” and “money over kindness.”

8. Hope, Grassroots Work, and Persistence

[26:24]

• Munson shares a personal story, her family background, and the importance of hope:

  “I walk into a building every day that I'm not meant to be in, but I make a way and I believe that we can get back to that place... little Cindys across the state who are just like me, who dreamed of having some kind of great life...” ([26:24])

• Munson calls on discouraged Democrats to shed pessimism and re-engage:

  “They’re banking on us not believing in ourselves and not showing up. That’s how they win.” ([28:57])

• Welch agrees — but gives tough love: “As long as you call them all liars, I’m in.” ([31:18])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On campaigning in hostile territory:

  “I'm a normal person, just like you. You know, let's get back to being normal and what it's like to actually live in this state and the challenges that we're facing.” — Cindy Munson ([12:41])

• On Republican strategies:

  "If you and I are at each other's throats, we're not going to talk about education, we're not going to talk about reproductive health care... Who should we be mad at, each other or them?" — Cindy Munson ([11:43])

• On the need for Democrats to show up:

  "I've had Republican men who have said, 'I have never seen a Democrat show up in this part of my community'... I haven't even seen a Republican show up yet." — Cindy Munson ([12:41])

• On decades of political deception:

  “They have been manipulated and lied to by these corporate owned fake Christian politicians. The results are in. Yeah, they are dead last.” — Jennifer Welch ([19:20])

• On the stakes:

  “If you care... you have to care about Oklahoma, you have to care about the child who's going to a school that's under resourced when it does not have to be, a woman who is probably going to die because she doesn't have abortion access...” — Cindy Munson ([26:24])

• On activism:

  "You cannot just hope and pray Cindy does it. You got to get involved. And that means your money and your time and your efforts, your belief, your belief system's got to shift a little bit." — Jennifer Welch ([31:18])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:19 — Introduction of Cindy Munson and her gubernatorial run
• 02:19 — Munson’s case for hope as a Democrat in red states
• 04:34 — Oklahoma’s state rankings and campaign finance
• 06:33 — Rural challenges, hospital closures, and health care
• 08:26 — Weaponization of faith and GOP hypocrisy
• 10:13 — Munson’s personal approach to bridging divides
• 12:41 — Messaging in rural, conservative communities
• 15:10 — Urging an aggressive, “pit bull” campaign strategy
• 19:20 — Tax policy and the perpetual scapegoating tactic
• 22:04 — Reflections on extremism and the need for a real alternative
• 26:24 — Personal story, hope, and a call to action
• 28:57 — Overcoming despair within the Democratic base
• 31:18 — Wrap-up and fundraising pitch

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Tone & Style

The tone throughout is passionate, irreverent, and deeply personal — the hosts punctuate sharp criticism of GOP leadership with moments of humor and direct advice. Munson is hopeful yet steely, stressing authenticity, integrity, and the importance of grassroots engagement.

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For Listeners Who Missed It:

Expect a bracing critique of Oklahoma’s Republican establishment, a rallying cry for honest, aggressive Democratic campaigning, and a candid, inspiring vision from a Democratic candidate who refuses to give up on her state. The episode masterfully blends political insight, biting humor, and actionable optimism for progressives in red states and beyond.

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Get involved: CindyMunson.com
"All hands on deck. You got to get in the game if you want things to change." — Cindy Munson ([30:52])

Transcript

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[Podcast Host]

In studio Today we have state representative from our home state of Oklahoma and the Democratic House leader. Yes, Cindy Munson. And let me just tell you something, there aren't that many Democrats in our state. And in an ambitious turn of events, she has decided to throw her hat in the ring and run for governor of one of the most Republican states in the country. Cindy, welcome to. I've had it.

[Cindy Munson]

Thank you so much for having me. It's good to see you both. Yeah. In the flesh.

[Podcast Host]

I know the last time we saw you was at the DNC in Chicago.

[Cindy Munson]

A hopeful time.

[Podcast Host]

It was a time, yes.

[Cindy Munson]

My skin looked great, my energy was high.

[Podcast Host]

How do you, as a person running for governor, address the issues with. I think Donald Trump's approval rating in the state is in the high 60s. Yeah. How do you do that? How do you run in. In a state that has just capitulated to fascism like that?

[Cindy Munson]

Well, I'll say two things. Give me a path of possibility. First, I have. I'm the first person to Represent House District 85 in Central Oklahoma City. The first Democrat, not the first person, excuse. And so I know what it takes to run strong campaigns and get in front of people, even those who very much disagree with you and talk about the issues they actually care about. The second thing is we have examples. Kansas, just north of us, they have a Democratic governor, very similar demographics and similar makeup of their legislature and also the state of Kentucky where you have Andy Beshear as governor. Again, similar demographics, similar makeup of the legislature. And these folks have been able to win as Democrats and stand firm in their values. And so there is a pathway, there are examples out out there. And I think what people are missing, and so many who don't actually get on the ground and talk to people is there is a lot more hope out there. Even in rural Oklahoma, when you have face to face conversations and you've seen me out knocking doors and, and getting face to face with people, and I sure certainly would not be as successful as I have been in the last 10 years that I've been in the legislature if it weren't for those conversations. So it's hard work. It's gonna, it takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of effort. I tell people every day I put in the effort each and every day to make it happen. And I, I'm, I'm hopeful. And, and as the Republicans on the other side continue to, you know, bring each other down and figure out who can be the most maga, I'll be talking about the issues that Oklahoma actually care about.

[Podcast Host]

Let's get into the nuts and bolts of that, because when I see a lot of Democrats on the national scene right now, and I'm talking about Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, they are beholden by the same lobbyists that are also donors to maga. And so, as a Democrat in a deeply red state, a lot of these MAGA policies are going to start eroding the quality of life of so many Oklahomans. And it's going to make them realize that they had taken for granted the services that government provides that they were indoctrinated to believe were somehow controlling them. And once these services start eroding, then we have to look to candidates that can deliver on promises. What is your position on taking money from super PACs?

[Cindy Munson]

Well, we're already seeing that happen in Oklahoma. We're 50th in the nation for education. We're nearly at the bottom for healthcare. There is not true economic prosperity in this state. And that's because Republicans have been in control for nearly two decades. You know, when it comes to. I have, I have never been persuaded by a single dollar that has been contributed to me to make decisions on behalf of my constituents. And that's because I do the work. I actually get down and talk to people. I earn my job based on the people who can put me there, which is any dollar that comes into my campaign, I think about morally and with my own integrity, what fits and aligns with my values. Even as a state representative, I have rejected dollars from PACs and individuals who I say this just does not align with who I am as a person and what I stand up for. And so I have to send those monies back. Already in my campaign, we're more focused on individual donors and people across the state and quite frankly, across the country. I'm very grateful that people across the country are looking to invest in oklahom. But really in the state of Oklahoma, everyday people who are giving 5, $7 a month, $25 a month, of course, larger donations too. But those grassroots efforts are what you see. And you see leaders at a national level who stay in integrity with who they are as a person and everyday people needs, everyday people's needs because they are not persuaded by big dollar donors. And you can do that when you actually do the work and talk to people.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Okay, so you have, you're in Oklahoma, which is Oklahoma City, Tulsa, you probably do great there. But when you go into the rural parts of the state, now they're closing hospitals, we are 50th in education. What my question is, are those people feeling the results of Trump policies yet? Because I know he put some policies that don't come till after the midterms, but are they feeling the tariffs and the economic impact of what he is doing with America?

[Cindy Munson]

Yeah, as I've traveled the state of Oklahoma and of course I have to get outside of Oklahoma City and Tulsa and I'm from southwest Oklahoma, so I, you know, it is important to me to travel across the state and I will go to all 77 counties, the communities that I have gone into, which bring out quite a big group of people, predominantly women, who are upset and frustrated, people who sat on the sidelines for a little bit too long. They are worried about education. But the number one issue that they have most concern is health care. They are fully aware of what is going to happen when these Medicaid cuts hit, because hospitals are already putting out a warning. They have to start financially planning. You know, when there's hundreds of millions of dollars being cut, what is that going to look like for the future? They were planning for, you know, their, their hospital systems had been planning for how do we get to 35th in the nation for healthcare outcomes versus where we are today? But that takes money and it takes resources to do that. And so since they already see those cuts happening, they have to start pulling back now in Oklahoma Medicaid expansion happened in 2020, but not because of those who are in power who are making decisions on behalf of each and every one of us. The people decided to expand Medicaid. So what Republicans are saying is we don't care what you want and what you've done and the effort you put in to expand Medicaid and ensure people in your community have access to health care. We're cutting all of that. So there was hope there in the last five years here in Oklahoma to make that happen. And now to know that those doors will shutter, those services will end. There is a deep fear not just for themselves, but how they take care of their family members. And how do you jobs to rural Oklahoma or the state of Oklahoma. We've been rejected more times than once. We're in this like dysfunctional relationship with these corporations to bring them here to bring high paying jobs with good benefits because we say we'll give you all our tax dollars.

[Podcast Host]

And they say, well, that's not good.

[Cindy Munson]

Enough because business leaders tell us you have to invest in people when it comes to education, health care, and you don't do that.

[Podcast Host]

So Republican super majorities have driven Oklahoma to the bottom, a bottom five state. And we've had these Republican super majorities, you know, all through the Bible belt. And you see it really, really distinctly in Oklahoma. In my opinion, governors like Kevin Stitt and politicians like Ryan Walters weaponize the faith of Christianity against the people in these rural areas to care about. Hey, I'm not going to get you anything you need right now, but I'm going to scapegoat these trans people and I'm going to scapegoat these immigrants. And that's why you can't have nice stuff. This is a very religious state. I'm not a religious person, but I find it so insidious and dangerous that these politicians like Kevin Stitt, who's a total charlatan, a complete hypocrite in his faith, uses the faith of these people in rural Oklahoma that have no social life outside of their churches. Any Christian signals and he Jesus signals and he says, you know, things like the Lord this and Jesus that. Meanwhile he is demonizing the poor and helping the rich accumulate more wealth. He is demonizing homeless people. I think he recently was on record calling somebody who cared about homeless people Goody two shoes or something. Something to that extent. How do you. I personally am so sick of religion being in politics. But you're in Oklahoma politics and it is just such a huge part. How do you speak to these very, very religious people in r rural Oklahoma who have been lied to and have had their faith weaponized against them. And it has led them to being like basically a bottom five state, which I think is really the most diabolical thing that the Republican Party does.

[Cindy Munson]

Yeah, it's. That's probably been one of the more difficult things I've had to face in politics. And it's not just with people in their communities. It's with my colleagues weaponizing the Bible, weaponizing Bible verses to justify child abuse, to justify women who are raped, to justify things that are horrific, that I think on a human level, regardless of what, what your religion is or where you live, you would never stand for. And so it's my job and it's always been important to me to just show up where people don't expect me to be. A young Democratic woman who's Asian American, who has stances on issues and predominantly social and cultural issues that may be, you know, folks don't share with me to show I'm just like you. I'm a human being. You're a human being. Let's talk about the things that actually matter and, and why I decided to run for governor. What I think is so important, especially for Democrats who are running in 2026, and what my job is every day is to speak truth to these issues and to show up even if you're a little afraid, you know, or you're going to be rejected because of your ideas or what your stances are. Because I think what people are actually craving, what they need is authenticity. They need to see people who are standing firm in their trut they believe is right and they need to hear that because of these things, because we're at each other's throats, because we're demonizing each other. These people who, and quite frankly, politicians and my opponents on the other side of the aisle, they pander to protect their power. That's it.

[Podcast Host]

Totally.

[Cindy Munson]

If you and I are at each other's throats, we're not going to talk about education, we're not going to talk about reproductive health care. We're not going to talk about health care access. Just in general, we're not going to talk about that. We're not raising the minimum wage that you and I are working two or three jobs and we can barely pay our rent. Who should we be mad at, each other or them?

[Podcast Host]

I think one of one thing the Republican Party has been so successful at is convincing people that make 50, $70,000 a year to fight for billionaires and not for themselves. So how do you barnstorm the state and message in a very simple way. Simple that the, you know, your opponents, you know, whoever comes out of the Republican primary and I'm sure they're just going to be horrific, just based on geography in my lifetime here. How do you message, simply a simple Democratic message that these people are lying to you and they are only helping the billionaire class and they are not going to help you. How do you message that?

[Cindy Munson]

I think, I think you're doing it now. You know, it's just we have to keep pointing to where we are and you have to be persistent. And I feel like, you know, right now it is face to face conversation. It is the harder, more difficult work. There is not a simple solution. But I think once we, once we get closer to a lecture, election day, and we see who, who ends up actually being my opponent, there's going to be a clear contrast. And what I've, what I, the message I've sent out so far is I am a normal person, just like you. You know, let's get back to being normal and what it's like to actually live in this state and the challenges that we're facing. And I have had Republicans in rural Oklahoma. I go to these fairs. I go to all sorts of things. You know, I'm used to just give me a list and let me knock a lot of doors. And I am still knocking doors to an extent versus go to a county fair and just walk up to people, probably people who don't want to talk to me, you know, and I've had Republican men who have said, I have never seen a Democrat show up in this part of my community or, you know, good for you for being brave enough and courageous enough. I haven't even seen a Republican show up yet. So they understand. I think there is a level of understanding of people who've been taken for granted.

[Podcast Host]

Do you think that's a good message to rural Oklahomans that the Republican Party has taken you for granted and taken advantage of you and weaponized your faith against you all of this time because they know that all they have to do is Christian signal and you're going to go vote for them?

[Cindy Munson]

Yes, and it's my job to listen to. Where, where is that fear coming from? What, what is it that I can tell you?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, it's Fox News.

[Cindy Munson]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, yes, yes, yes. But I mean in terms of their own livelihood and they think about themselves. And another message I've sent to people, especially Democrats and a lot of Our issue here is I'm going to get Republicans who vote for me. I have had that happen. People will cross over because a good chunk of registered Republicans aren't actually Republicans in this state. They just do that because they think they can influence a primary, because we have a closed primary system here in Oklahoma. But there have been thousands of Democrats and independents who have sat on the sideline who are not voting consistently. And my message to them is, do you believe you deserve better first, as an individual, do you believe you deserve better than living in a state that's 50th in the country for public education, when, by the way, it doesn't have to be this way. Right. And that you don't have access to health care as a woman, if you care about reproductive health care, you care about motherhood, even if you're pro life, if you consider yourself pro life, don't you think you should have access to health care?

[Podcast Host]

I just want to, I want to advise you unsolicited. The best way for you to do this is to just go barnstorm and say they have been lying to you for decades and the proof is in the pudding. Attack first and then talk about what you can do later. But we are in a post Trump era and you have got to immediately define these people. They have lied to oklahomans for over 20 years and they have not delivered. They have lied to them. They have weaponized their face. And you've got to go pit bull. You got to go full tilt pill bull, pit bull. And then once you get them in, you can talk about the important things that we're doing. But in this post Trump America, everybody, it's what, what is going to get their attention. First, nobody likes a liar. Nobody does. And Oklahomans have been lied to by their hypocrite Christian governor Kevin Stitt, this freak show, free freak show school superintendent Ryan Walters, and they get lied to. Every single. That is the biggest crime of what the Republican Party has done to people in Oklahoma. And I think you've got to get, I like how your, you know, your policy stuff is. But we're in this. People are just, you've got to be a pit bull. You got to go after them because they have done Oklahomans dirty. They have done us so dirty. It is, it is a travesty how indoctrinated the people in the state are to believe that those politicians actually care about them.

[Cindy Munson]

And that's a lot of where my conviction from is that you, you see, you hear statistics and those are numbers and data. But when you're on the ground and you see people truly struggling. It should make you angry, you know, and it does make me angry. And you're right. And there's nothing. You're right. People don't like liars. And to be somebody who's compassionate towards people, to see that people who are vulnerable, who deserve, you know, our children, elderly, I mean, people that they say they care about. Veterans, My dad's a veteran. He struggles a lot in different areas. And we could be doing more and.

[Podcast Host]

We could with regards to like immigration, you know, I think that people in rural counties and suburban counties, you can say, you know, some immigrants, these are good people, these are good family people. Does your faith instruct you to demean them the way Kevin Stitt and Ryan Walters want you to? Is that what your faith instructs you to do? I think we, I mean, I think if you go there, Cindy, you got to go in, call them liars, tell them how they've used their faith against them and just, I mean, just go tear it up, just go turn the whole thing upside down. Because that's the only way a Democrat is going to win in this state. As I think you've got to call out every single one of them. What do you think? Pumps?

[Co-host/Commentator]

Well, you know, I completely agree, but I just think when Brad Henry was governor, how many years ago was that?

[Cindy Munson]

Two term governor governors ago, by the way.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Two governors, 15 years. Our education was higher.

[Podcast Host]

Like we were 12 through 16.

[Cindy Munson]

Yes.

[Co-host/Commentator]

I mean everything was, I think, above 25 in all the statistics. And now we are 45 plus exactly in every statistic.

[Podcast Host]

And we have a. Because Oklahomans have been lied to.

[Cindy Munson]

That's right.

[Podcast Host]

They have been manipulated and lied to by these corporate owned fake Christian politicians. And I'm telling you that, Cindy, in my opinion, that's what gets people motivated. Because I wish that you could say, I'm gonna, hi, my name is Cindy and I'm gonna deliver health care and, and bring education up. People do care about that. But we have to address how this state got here and it got here by lying politicians. And the people that are running on the Republican side, these people are, are the same diabolical, pathological liars that Trump and Kevin Stitt and Ryan Walters are. These people are liars. All of them, every single one of them. Ass kissers to a man that doesn't give a shit about the country. It's crazy.

[Cindy Munson]

Well, in the constant tax cuts to your point, I mean, they've only helped the wealthiest in this state and, and, and we've cut taxes for the wealthiest, we've cut taxes corporations and by we Republicans, Democrats have not joined in on, on that effort. And, and our rankings are because of lack of investment. So, and that goes back to what I said. We stay at each other's throats and we're not paying attention. The actual things that are happen and they want to give us some kind of like you said, scapegoat or group to point fingers and blame when really it's them. You know, these people have the most power. They have power to transform people's lives and they choose not to. And I've been in the fight for a decade, over a decade.

[Podcast Host]

Look at what they've done with their power. They have taken our state as she said when we had a Democratic governor, Brad Henry, and now we are at the very bottom. But all Kevin Stitt has to do is get out and Christian signals and then it provides cover. He has to mention the Lord and that is just so insidious and so diabolical to weaponize people's faith against them. And you talked about Andy Bershear. He actually was in Oklahoma and came to the studio and filmed with us. And I thought it was really interesting that Andy Beshear, he's won two terms and he has refused to throw any marginalized group under the bus because his faith instructs him not to do that. Not to bully people, but just to, to, to spread love. And I think that that message of number one, you know, combining. You have been lied to. Kevin Stitt's a liar. And you have to just, you have to call it out. Kevin Stitt is a liar. Simple, you know, like make America great again. It's simple messaging. You've got to call it up. MAGA has been lying to you. Combined with why has the faith of Christianity gotten so toxic? Aren't we supposed to. And cruel. Aren't we supposed to embrace each other? Another interesting point. A final question that I just kills me about Oklahoma is we fell prey to right wing extremism and yet the state still votes for politicians that have no problem pardoning right wing extremists. And I wonder where is the lesson in that? We saw a fireman pick up a baby that was bombed in the federal building by a right wing extremist named Timothy McVeigh and all these little kids died. And you would think that our state would be the leader against right wing extremism. Yet this electorate continues to vote for a political party that placates and nourishes and feeds right Wing extremism.

[Cindy Munson]

Yeah, it's. It is one of the more confusing because no one knows better, no one knows domestic terrorism better than Oklahomans. And it is heartbreaking. But I'll tell you this. I think what it comes down to, and again, all my years campaigning and doing the work that I have done, there has to be an alternative. There has to be a choice. And I think that that's what has been missing. And that's why you see low voter participation and things going the way that they are, because you don't have people on either side many times talking about what Oklahomans actually care about. So it's easy to get distracted with some of this more extreme stuff. I mean, where are people spending a majority of their time throughout the day? It's on that dang phone. Scrolling, scrolling, scrolling. And I tell people this all the time. And we're talking about more with recent events on a national level. But nothing makes more money than rage. Stay angry at each other. So you'll keep clicking on these things and you'll make your comments and you'll go after your neighbors, your family members. It's just, it's ridiculous. And so I am doing the hard and important work and many candidates are across the country and even in the state of Oklahoma. And I think a lot of times people take Democrats in states where Republicans are in the supermajority. Granted, we're doing some of the most difficult. We're standing up against the most extreme policies. And then we go back out in our communities and we talk about it and then we get reelected. And so that is what keeps me passionate about being in politics and being proud to be a Democrat and standing up for my values.

[Podcast Host]

You're really in the trenches.

[Cindy Munson]

I am.

[Podcast Host]

Truly. I mean, it is a profile encouraged to go to the state legislator every day because those people are unhinged. That's where one of the most recent I saw a, a state representative wanted to. Wants to demand that every Oklahoma University put a Charlie Kirk statue up. And you know, let's be clear. I oppose gun violence. What I, what I witnessed was terrible. But to demand that we memorialize a racist where a lot of African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans are going to go to school is just an overreach. And when I read into this colleague of yours, of course he promoted or voted for a bill where women where parents could abuse their physically disabled child. Right. And so that surprised me. Zero. That he traffics in cruelty and not compassion. And that's the problem, the fundamental problem I have with all of these Oklahoma Republican politicians is. They traffic in cruelty and they're liars. They lie. They lie. They lie and they react. Refuse to tell people that are making under $100,000 a year why they can't get ahead. And why they can't get ahead is because all of those lying Christian Republicans only vote to help the wealthiest in the state, which are all these oil and gas companies.

[Cindy Munson]

Well, and then, and then to. To cut programs and cut services that are so vital to keeping people healthy and having a high quality of life. And Oklahoma, we do not that tax at a high rate. We are, we are, we are in many senses affordable. But. But at the same time, we. We are being deprived of things that are so important in order for us to, to succeed and to.

[Podcast Host]

Well, and the corporate tax loopholes right in this state for oil and gas companies really are something that help defund education extensively because you have these, you know, companies that are. Have record, record, record profits even in a dip in oil and gas. And it's just, it's such. It's so immoral. And when I, When I think about the state, the people that I love here are so wonderful, but when I think about what the politicians do and weaponize and lie, it makes me really, really sick. And so it's so important that you're fighting for it. I wish you the best. But I have become very disenchanted with the electorate here because it feels like they vote for cruelty over compassion and they vote for money over kindness over and over and over again.

[Cindy Munson]

Yeah. Well, I hope that me being here and thank you for having me bring some level of hope and optimism because somebody has to do the work and it is hard, like I said, and people like to tell me all the time that I can't win and I can't do this. And God bless you and bless your heart and, and, and I hear that. I think the reason why I can bring a different level of belief in the possibility that people will show up and things can change is because I hear the stories. I talk to people face to face. And it is my job to bring. To build a very strong campaign and to be out there every day doing the work to make it happen. And it's a lot of pressure. I. You know, there's a lot going on in the world, but. But I get up every day committed to making Oklahoma better because I was able to go to a great public school in Lawton. I was able to go to college because of Oklahoma's promise. My mom is from Seoul, South Korea. My dad was in the military. He neither one of them have a college education. I'm the first in my family to go to college. I'm the first Asian American woman elected to the legislature. These are all things that I should not be doing. I walk into a building every day that I'm not meant to be in, but I make a way and I believe that we can get back to that place, little Cindy's across the state who are just like me, who dreamed of having some kind of like great life influencing people. I had no idea I'd be a state representative or I run for governor someday. But everyone should have that hope and possibility, regardless of where they live and regardless who they vote for. I have a lot of Trump Munson voters in my district. It's interesting, one of them my dad. But it happens. And so it, but it takes work, it takes organization. And I know you have a lot of folks who listen in who are not from Oklahoma, who are probably also like, okay, yeah, whatever. But I think if you care about education, you care about health care, especially reproductive health care, you care about economic prosperity, you have to care about Oklahoma, you have to care about the child who's going to a school that's under resourced when it does not have to be a woman who is probably going to die because she doesn't have abortion access in Oklahoma for something. Maybe she wanted that pregnancy and she wants a healthy baby, but her, her pregnancy is not going in that way. You have to care.

[Podcast Host]

Telling you, you have to tell them the reason they don't have that stuff is because the Republicans have been lying to you. That's how they, that that has been pitched. What's her name? Joy. She ran on all that. You've got to tell them the reason you can't have nice things in this state is because they've been lying to you for two decades. You have to, to pound them.

[Cindy Munson]

I'm telling you, what I'm saying is those who have disbelief, who think it's not possible, and it's mostly people on our side that you're going to have to start believing. You're going to have to have some level of optimism and get away from the pessimism. It's, they, they're banking on us not believing in ourselves and not showing up, that's how they win. And I tell people that all across the state, if you care and you sit on the sideline, you let them win. You have that mentality that a Democrat can't win, that nothing can change. You're letting them win. They love that. They love that. The problem is, is Cindy Munson believes more than anybody else. And I wake up like that every day and people probably think I'm crazy. And maybe I am. I don't know. But, yeah, crazy enough to believe it can happen. And. And I'm doing the work and I just need people to. To come alongside me to make it happen.

[Podcast Host]

Well, we'll help you.

[Cindy Munson]

Thank you. I need that.

[Podcast Host]

I have to say, I. I have been involved in hosting fundraisers and voting for politicians in Oklahoma so much. And they always lose. And they. Do they roll out a Republican light platform.

[Cindy Munson]

Exactly.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Yeah.

[Cindy Munson]

We will not be doing that. We have not done it.

[Podcast Host]

And it doesn't resolve anything. It doesn't work, and it feels inauthentic. And so you guys, I just want to tell you, the first time I ever met Cindy, she. I live in her district. She knocked on my door.

[Cindy Munson]

That's right.

[Podcast Host]

And that's the very first time I met her. So she really does put in the work.

[Cindy Munson]

Work.

[Podcast Host]

She really does care. And I want to be your stealth advisor. You have to go after the liar, Cindy. I'm telling you, they have been lying to Oklahomans for decades now. And. And the results are in. Yeah, they are dead last.

[Cindy Munson]

Results are in.

[Podcast Host]

We're dead. And because they're pathological liars. These all your co workers at Congress, they are pathological liars. They are.

[Co-host/Commentator]

Well, no one knows that more than her.

[Cindy Munson]

Yeah, yeah. I live it. Yeah. But no, you're right.

[Podcast Host]

I tell our listener, listen, if you want to help Cindy, what's your website?

[Cindy Munson]

CindyMunson.com and it's C Y N D I. Everyone gets caught up on Munson. I'm like, it's actually Cindy. That's where the right. But just CindyMunson.com Cindy Munson. Okay. All my social media handles. But yeah, get involved. All hands on deck. I tell everybody, you got to get in the game if you want things to change. You cannot just hope and pray. Cindy does it. You got to get involved. And that means your money and your time and your efforts, your belief, your belief system's got to shift a little bit.

[Podcast Host]

I'm in. As long as you call them all liars, I'm in. All right.

[Cindy Munson]

All right.

[Podcast Host]

We'll see you all later.

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[Podcast Host]

Prices and participation may vary.