FRANK BERNHEISEL

Oh, those Oklahoma senators

The people of Oklahoma are known for being very conservative and adverse to big government and government spending. Nonetheless, in 2010 the federal government spent $38.5 billion in Oklahoma or $10,256 for each resident in the state (U.S. Census Bureau).

This broke down as follows:

• $12.6 billion -- retirement and disability payments, including Social Security and retirement pay for federal workers and veterans

• $9 billion -- direct payments for Medicare, food stamps, farm subsidies, and other payments $9 billion

• $8 billion -- grants, which include Medicaid and transportation spending

• $5.5 billion -- salaries and wages

• $3.4 billion -- purchasing, by the Defense Department and other departments and agencies

It's great that the liberals in the northeastern states do not hold grudges and will support disaster money to help the Oklahoma folks who suffered from the tornado.