The following chart shows the state of Oklahoma's economy in terms of earnings (personal per capita income or PPCI), during the period 1980 - 2005. The differences between the two red lines demonstrate how Oklahoma's economy (lower line) stayed significantly below the national average (upper red line). The travesty of the situation is with the benefit of rich resources like oil and gas, less than average administration would have kept Oklahoma's wages well above the national average.

PPCI [Ref A141].    Crude oil prices [Ref A142].

1. The upper straight red line represents average national wages. The lower varying red line represents wages or PPCI scaled on the right in percent below the national average. [Ref A141]

2. The green plot represents the range of oil prices scaled on the left. [Ref A142]

Note: For clarification this chart is constructed to compare the relative differences in Oklahoma and national PPCI's. The difference is best demonstrated by holding one value steady and charting the differences. IN this case the national average is held constant.

The chart clearly demonstrates both how much oil and gas has supported Oklahoma's economy, and how that support is rapidly diminishing. A 2004 OSU study states "oil and gas workers now comprise only 2 percent of total wage and salary employment statewide, down from more than 8 percent at the height of the oil boom in 1982." More recent, but less involved information shows the oil and gas impact on the economy has increased along with the price of crude oil, and is now above 2 percent, but less of an impact than past oil and gas price increases.

It is obvious that with the benefit of oil and gas Oklahoma should have remained well above the national average. If Oklahoma's leadership would have only performed at an average level Oklahoma would have been well above the national average. The oil and gas factor should have built a foundation that would have put and kept Oklahoma well above the national average for many years to come.

A political system dominated by good ol' boys has robbed the state of this opportunity.

In summary this chart demonstrates Oklahoma's economic development agenda needs to be ditched and ditched quickly.