Mazzei Minute 03/17/25

There’s nothing worse than a new law that creates red tape but fails to solve the problem at hand. As the saying goes, “Change creates the illusion of progress.”

At the State Capitol, legislators are told, “This critical legislation will fix the problem!” So, they vote for it—only to later realize that the politically well-connected have watered it down to nothing.

Take, for example, foreign ownership of land in Oklahoma. Oklahomans are rightfully outraged that Communist Chinese buyers and Mexican cartels are purchasing vast amounts of land for marijuana grow operations, drug trafficking, and even sex trafficking.

When legislation was passed and signed into law, it was celebrated with bold promises of restoring public safety. The law amended Title 60, Section 121 of the Oklahoma Statutes, stating:

“No alien or any person who is not a citizen of the United States or foreign government adversary shall acquire title to or own land in this state either directly or indirectly…, except as herein after provided.”

But here’s the loophole: When foreign buyers acquire land—often at prices hard to refuse—all they have to do is fill out the Exhibit to Deed Affidavit and check the box in Section 3, which states:

“Not a citizen of the United States, but an alien who is or shall become a bona fide resident of the State of Oklahoma.”

Further down, the form explicitly acknowledges:

“I further acknowledge and understand that 60 O.S. § 121 does not prohibit an alien who is or who shall become a bona fide resident of the State of Oklahoma from acquiring title to or owning land in the State of Oklahoma.”

We were lied to. The idea that foreign entities—including the Chinese Communist Party—can no longer buy land in Oklahoma is a complete farce. Thanks to a courageous county clerk who exposed this sham, we now see the truth: The law is meaningless, and there is zero enforcement to verify whether these buyers ever become "bona fide residents."

So, the real question is: Who at the State Capitol is covering for whom? And who has been corrupted?