Kasich Hates Children, the Future

I just read the Dispatch's report on the effect Kasich's budget will have on school districts state wide.

All I can say is, if any of you people who voted for him last November were expecting enlightened leadership, this is proof that you were wrong.  And we'll be paying the price for generations.

The man claims the budget increases spending for education.  While this is TRUE, there is a slight increase in spending over the 2 year budget, it's NOT the full story.

But tangible property tax reimbursement?  A key part of many district budgets?  He's speeding up the elimination of that revenue.  Sucking away a HUGE source of income from many districts, especially those districts getting 2% of their income from that source (that money is being eliminated right away).

There's also this pesky problem with Federal money.  Stimulus money was being used by a lot of districts to plug gaps in budgets...that money is gone.  And with the attitude in Washington, I don't think any more aid is forthcoming (nor should Congress send more money...this is a state and local issue, not a Federal one).  But the Federal money is gone, and it was keeping a lot of districts from collapse.  Kasich's answer to that?  "It's not a good idea to operate on one-time money."

By now, it should be clear why Kasich is pushing SB 5 so hard.  The only way schools will be able to lay off enough expensive teachers is by breaking the union.

Well!  I feel good about raising children in this state, don't you?

SB 5, Death of the Unions?

So.  The Ohio Senate passed the anti-union bill, by a single vote.  It's now going on to the House, where the action is expected to be quicker and less painfully in favor of the law.

Apparently the Senate lived up to it's expectations of being a brake on poorly-conceived notions, with GOP leadership needing to play games just to get the damn thing to the floor for a vote.  All Democrats and 10 Republicans were against the bill.

The fact leadership had to replace committee members who are known for being anti-labor in order to get a vote to happen should say something about this bill...namely, that it's just not a good idea, at least in large part.

Essentially, the bill eliminates the purpose of a union.  The union can be there...they just aren't allowed to bargain as a group.  It puts all the power into the hands of the government employers, and even makes it illegal for a union member to discuss issues pertaining to labor disputes.

Let me reiterate that: A union member, who lives in and works for Franklin County (as a clerk, or maintenance, or whatever), will not be allowed to speak to the county commissioner they voted for on an issue that involves the union employee.

Not sure that's Constitutional, which many lawmakers cited.  By working for the government in Ohio, you're expected to give up part of your right to representation.  Yep, those are good old-fashioned American values!

There's another element the State Troopers brought up...they've been trying to use their bargaining weight to get the state to upgrade bulletproof vests and fire suppression systems in their cruisers.  Under Senate Bill 5, the troopers' union can push for better gear...if the state wants to discuss it.

Defeats the whole point of protecting workers.

Now, in general unions don't make me happy.  I think many of them do bargain too hard, and refuse to look
at the facts of running a business (unions managed to destroy American automaking, if you'll remember).  I work for a company where the employees have a very good union...and their work habits and personal interactions reflect the fact in a very negative way.  And there's the bad taste still in my mouth from not getting a job when I was in high school, where a manager really wanted to bring me on, but the union was unwilling to work with my schedule (it would have meant bumping a senior guy out of his first choice shift for part of the month).

But I'd say that means the system needs to be reformed and tightened.  Reform does not mean giving the other side of the equation all the power.  Think back to algebra...both sides gotta equal.

Senate Bill 5 does NOT balance the equation.  It's just a tool Kasich and other GOP leaders are using to limit the checks and balances on their power.  You average citizens will not like the results of this, many of which we will not be able to see until we're knee-deep in the muck (see the law of unintended consequences).

I borrow from The Godfather: "That's your small government!  That's your job growth!"

Read On:

Columbus Dispatch

The Problem with Being a Left-Leaning Centrist...

...is that I don't count.

It's not just that interesting rabble, the Tea Party, claiming to be speaking for me and dismissing my opinions as "socialist ravings" when I dissent.  Tho that's the most troublesome, because their "Take no prisoners and poison the wells" approach to politics has EVERYONE terrified.

It's also the fact that I'm too right-wing for the liberal side of the coin.  I'm in favor of slimming down the government, and balancing the budget, and not regulating EVERYTHING.

So.  That leaves me totally unimportant when it comes to the polls that decide things in our 2 party system.

It's sort of sad that one of the few people I know, who actually keeps up on issues and news, has no real voice in today's government.  What to do about this?

Not sure yet.  But something.

Temporary Set Back

So, with the advent of yet another job change, and the latest attempt at earning a college degree, I've found I need to temporary shut down the blog.  Sorry folks :-(  I do have every intention to begin again, once I manage to carve out some more time in my schedule.  Stay tuned for updates!

US House of Representatives Race, 12th District: Travis Irvine

Travis Irvine is running for the 12th District as a Libertarian.  I encourage you to follow the link and do a little reading about what the party stands for.  In short, Libertarians support the rights of the individual.

Irvine grew up in Bexley, and has ties to many areas in the Central Ohio region.  A graduate from Bexley High School and Ohio University, Irvine has cemented his Ohio roots.  However, Irvine has also lived and worked around the country and the world, as a journalist, film professional, and film editing instructor with the New York Film Academy.  He has also spent time on Capitol Hill, working in the press office of Senator Charles Schumer. Irvine ran for Mayor of Bexley in 2007.  Other political experience include volunteering with the Ohio Democrats, the Gore and Kerry Presidential campaigns, and as a member of the Libertarian Party.

On the campaign website, Irvine lays out a pretty clear platform.  He's against the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.  He believes in health care reform that keeps government as far away from direct involvement as possible.  Federal spending should be cut dramatically.  He supports increased transparency in government, as well as stopping the backslide in civil liberties in the name of fighting terrorism.  As for the economy, Irvine would support small businesses and self employment as a primary means to improving the economic situation. As for the environment, the first point Irvine lists is eliminating subsidies to the petroleum industries and allowing free market economics to take their course.  Finally, on immigration he supports immigrants, but does not approve of amnesty for illegal aliens.

Irvine has filled out Project Vote Smart's Political Courage Test, and it has some interesting points to help you get a feel for his views.

Read more about Travis Irvine on his campaign page and Vote Smart!

US House of Representatives Race, 12th District: Pat Tiberi

Sitting Congressman Pat Tiberi is standing for reelection this year.  A Republican from Columbus, Tiberi graduated from OSU in 1985.  He's been a realtor, a Congressional aid for John Kasich, a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1992-2000, and also the House Majority Leader while serving in that office.  He's been in the US Congress since 2001.  Tiberi is married, with four young daughters.  You can read more at Project Vote Smart and Tiberi's campaign site.

As with many career politicians, Tiberi refused to answer Project Vote Smart's issue survey, leaving the staff and volunteers to compile a list of inferred positions on hot-button issues such as abortion and gun control.  Tiberi's voting record can be found here, also courtesy of Vote Smart.  Browsing through, it appears Tiberi has opposed spending money, supported defense, been pro-life and anti-gay.

Tiberi hasn't posted his opinions on many issues, but emphasizes his work for older Americans and his lack of budget earmarks in the last three years in his biography.

Tiberi has acquired several endorsements, including Ohio and National Right to Life, the NRA, United Transportation Union, and the Ohio Society of CPAs.

Read more about Tiberi at his website and at Project Vote Smart.