Apologies on the late post...I had all the research done, but somehow forgot to tie it all into a post before hitting the sack last night. -.-
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Dan La Botz was born in Chicago and grew up south of San Diego along the border with Mexico. He's lived in Ohio for the last twenty years, earning his Masters and PhD in American History from the University of Cincinnati. He's taught at Miami University and the University of Cincinnati. La Botz is married and has three children, and continues to be active in causes that benefit African Americans and Latino immgriants. You can see more of his biography on his website.
La Botz is running as the Socialist candidate, which I realize is a dirty word in American discourse. However, I'd encourage you to read what the party is all about, instead of swallowing propaganda from the 1920's blindly.
The issues La Botz is running on all sum up into a lot of change. His take is the pure capitalist system we have now does more damage than it's worth, and needs to be changed. Between re-imagining the economy (including labor unions, which according to La Botz need to be strengthened but changed to meet current realities) and readdressing civil rights La Botz hopes to encourage a more equal society. He has some solid ideas, such as local and state governments investing heavily in "green" infrastructure. And there are others that seem more problematic, such as enforcing a 32 hour work week at 40 hour wages in order to end unemployment.
Read the webpages, watch the videos, go to the polls informed.
Tuesday
US Senate Race: Eric Deaton
Eric Deaton is one of the four candidates standing for the US Senate seat being vacated by the retiring George Voinovich. He's running as a member of the Constitution Party, whose seven principles state a belief in strict interpretation of the Constitution and a minimum of government involvement in the lives of citizens.
Deaton was born just across the border in Richmond, Indiana, and was raised in Lewisburg, OH. He attended the Montgomery County JVS (now known as Miami Vally CTC) and was inducted into that school's hall of fame in 2001. Moving on to attend the University of Dayton, Deaton graduated in 1990 with a Bachelors of Science in Electronic Engineering. He has worked for General Electric ever since.
Running for the Senate primarily to help oppose the two party system, Deaton believes the government has gotten too involved in the lives of citizens and as a result the country is suffering. Rather than coming up with a handful of soundbytes to describe his positions, Deaton has written a series of position papers on topics of importance, including
Deaton was born just across the border in Richmond, Indiana, and was raised in Lewisburg, OH. He attended the Montgomery County JVS (now known as Miami Vally CTC) and was inducted into that school's hall of fame in 2001. Moving on to attend the University of Dayton, Deaton graduated in 1990 with a Bachelors of Science in Electronic Engineering. He has worked for General Electric ever since.
Running for the Senate primarily to help oppose the two party system, Deaton believes the government has gotten too involved in the lives of citizens and as a result the country is suffering. Rather than coming up with a handful of soundbytes to describe his positions, Deaton has written a series of position papers on topics of importance, including
- Balanced budgets (Sometimes the budget should be balanced, sometimes it's a surplus, sometimes it's a deficit, but the massive debt we've acquired is ridiculous)
- The Fair Tax (There should be a far more robust sales tax to replace income tax, is the short version)
- Affirmative Action (The time for this policy is long passed)
- Government-Run Healthcare (Healthcare is and should remain a private sector operation)
There are a lot more on the site, and they're worth a look.
Interestingly, Deaton was also one of two candidates to answer Project VoteSmart's Political Courage Test. You can find his results here.
Monday
Off-Cycle Post: Library has a New Levy on the Ballot
Reading over at The Greatest City of All, I discovered that the Columbus Metro Library has a levy on the ballot this November. I'm glad I saw this, since I think the library here in town is one of the best I've ever seen. Since the state cut funding to help deal with the budget crisis, we've had to lose branch hours, services, and personnel in the library system...and I'm not fond of that situation. I am definitely in favor of this levy.
The issue is #4, and replaces the 2.2 mill levy passed in 1986. It also increases the amount of the last levy by .6 mills, for a total of 2.6 mills. This increases the cost of the levy by roughly $5.24/month for a $100,000 home.
Personally, when I wasn't able to afford computer access for several months last year, the library kept me in contact with the rest of the world. I was able to do e-mail, banking, AND get all my book and entertainment needs from the library, with no upfront cost (as long as I returned the stuff on time). Totally an essential service in this day and age.
Check out the post at TGCA, and then head over to the library's campaign site to get the full scoop.
The issue is #4, and replaces the 2.2 mill levy passed in 1986. It also increases the amount of the last levy by .6 mills, for a total of 2.6 mills. This increases the cost of the levy by roughly $5.24/month for a $100,000 home.
Personally, when I wasn't able to afford computer access for several months last year, the library kept me in contact with the rest of the world. I was able to do e-mail, banking, AND get all my book and entertainment needs from the library, with no upfront cost (as long as I returned the stuff on time). Totally an essential service in this day and age.
Check out the post at TGCA, and then head over to the library's campaign site to get the full scoop.
Sunday
US Senate Race: Rob Portman
Rob Portman is a Cincinnati native running for the US Senate on the GOP ticket. Portman is a veteran of the Federal government having served as Representative for the 2nd Congressional District from 1993-2005. He then spent a year as Trade Representative for the Bush Administration, and another year as the Administration's Director of the Office of Budget and Management.
Growing up, Portman's father started Portman Equipment as a small forklift dealer, and grew it to considerable size. Portman worked for the company, and later represented them as part of his law practice. You can read more about the life and times of Rob Portman on his website.
As for issues he's campaigning on, Portman has them broken down into 13 points.
Growing up, Portman's father started Portman Equipment as a small forklift dealer, and grew it to considerable size. Portman worked for the company, and later represented them as part of his law practice. You can read more about the life and times of Rob Portman on his website.
As for issues he's campaigning on, Portman has them broken down into 13 points.
- Jobs for Ohio: Portman has laid out a plan based on six key elements to improve the recovery of the Ohio economy. This stretches from increasing Federal aid for job programs to helping provide a more hospitable environment for small businessness. I didn't see anything new and exciting, just a repeat of what everyone is saying about the Ohio job market.
- Energy: The energy plan laid out is almost standard Republican boiler plate: "Cap and trade will destroy the economy," "We need to expand on petroleum and natural gas in Ohio," "Nuclear power is clean energy." His stance is to not increase regulation to choke fossil fuel power, but to use it in the short term while developing alternatives.
- Budget: There's a statement about the importance of a balanced Federal budget to improve the nation's long term fiscal health.
- Taxes: This page reads a list of achievements on the issue of tax reform. As you would expect from a Republican candidate, the goal is lower taxes, simpler tax code, and fiscal responsibility.
- Healthcare: I find two points on this page: Portman believes health care is broken and needs to be fixed (just like all of us), and he feels the worst thing we could have done about it was pass the recent reform bill.
- Defense: Three main points: Protecting the benefits for those who serve our country, maintaining a strong defense program, and keeping Wright Patterson Airforce Base near Dayton, OH functional.
- Veterans: This page reads a list of accomplishments in support of veterans, from votes in Congress to budget decisions with the OMB.
- Pro-Life Record: Portman lists his Right to Life score cards, 100% from 1997-2005.
- 2nd Ammendment Rights: The NRA approves of Portman, who has voted against gun regulation regularly.
- Community: A list of efforts to improve community life by eliminating the effects of illegal drugs. Bills included at the Drug Demand Reduction Act, the Second Chance Act, the Drug Free Workplace Act, and several others. He also founded the Coalition for a Drug Free Greater Cincinnati.
- A Strong and Independent Israel: That says it all. Portman also lists his legislative record in regards to Israel, and touches on his dedication to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
- Immigration: Portman appears to be a strong enforcement advocate. He mentions in some depth how he'd like to see the rules tightened and enforced, from the border to the hiring line. He also states his support of legal immigration.
- Agriculture: A declaration of support for American farmers, including a list of farm-friendly bills he's voted for. He's in favor of less regulation, more protection for farmers and their markets.
I encourage you to check out his voting record from Congress. That's all I have for now (I think that's more than enough, don't you?). Tune in next time for another candidate for the junior Senate seat in Ohio!
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