All Gave Some, Some Gave All.....
Why They and We Love Her, as spoken by the Duke, John Wayne
Taps, as Spoken by the Duke....
Our Fallen didn't let that Damn Little Line Divide Us...Let's hope we do the same...
The Duke is Talking about the Alamo, but it holds true for all our Fallen:
Some Have called this the Best Memorial Day Speech Ever, but you judge:
Words cannot express our gratitude to the generations of those who gave all in battle for the cause of God and Country, of Truth, Justice, Liberty, and the American Way.
I know people say thank a veteran on this day, and that is good, as we should thank every vet every day we have the light of freedom's beacon. But, on this weekend, please remember the fallen. Go to the cemetery, clean up some of the plots, place some flags, and remember.
I would encourage everyone to get to know their history of the fallen in their families, even those who survived battle and now have gone home and are with their buddies lost. The stories of these brave men and women are amazing, and are the lifeblood of freedom and the connection to the freedom founded two centuries ago.
God bless the Fallen, God bless the Families, God bless America....
At Ease...Day is done....
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Meranda v. Gusweiler Update: Team Gusweiler Grinds Up Hot Dog Deters in Final Response
In this case, we have the difference between competent legal officers and self important egomaniacs. No, I am not talking about the principals in the case, Meranda and Gusweiler. I am talking about the legal teams. Gusweiler's lawyers released their final response to the hyperbole and rancor filled rant of the Chihuahua, Eric Deters, ambulance chasing mouthpiece of Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda. They take on the extreme language of the Chihuahua's rant and turn him into sausage. From intrepid editor Wayne Gates and the Brown County Press:
They had to repeat it because they wanted facts to be heard, not angry and fact deficient accusations by the supposed attorney, Eric Deters.
Awww snap! Facts getting in the way of a good smear! Don't you hate it when that happens? But wait, the smackdown of the Chihuahua and Clerk Meranda continue:
In other words, there was no imminent threat. Zing!
Home.....run!
Look, I am not defending what some are calling the arrogant and preening behavior of Judge Gusweiler. I think his language on the day in question was reprehensible. However, foul language does not rise to the level of monetary damages. And citing a crminal statute in a civil case is kind of henky. Where did the Chihuahua get his law degree? And why don't we see mention of this case in his online newsletters? And where is the case referenced on his website like he promised me when I asked him about it on the air? I'm still waiting, Mr. Deters, you dope.
Stick to chasing ambulances and causing our insurance premiums and doctor bills to go up. You are far better at that than actual serious jurisprudence! Stick to that and causing more people to change the channel when you go on the air for 700WLW. And as for Ms. Meranda, she has cost the people of Brown County enough with her vendetta. She should do us all a favor and resign and return to private life, enjoying her family and her whine-ery. If this were really about principle and the rule of law, it would have been the right thing to take it before the 12th district court of appeals, who would have ruled on the matter and settled disputes. Instead, Tina Meranda went for money and blood. She went to the county begging for her vendetta to be funded by the taxpayers of Brown County. Sounds like she wants a nice golden parachute. Unfortunately, she chose the wrong lawyer to pack it for her. This case should be thrown out and Meranda should reimburse the county for lost man hours and the price of getting an outside judge, and then should resign.
Common Pleas Judge Scott Gusweiler's attorneys have responded to the reply of Brown County Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda in the latest salvo in the legal battle between the two elected officials.
The reply by Gusweiler is the final filing due in the case before visiting Judge Thomas Nurre rules on the motion to dismiss the lawsuit Meranda filed against Gusweiler last March.
The Cincinnati law firm of Montgomery, Rennie and Jonson repeated many of the same points raised in their initial response to the lawsuit that was covered in the May 2 edition of the Brown County Press.
They had to repeat it because they wanted facts to be heard, not angry and fact deficient accusations by the supposed attorney, Eric Deters.
It also refers to the sharply worded response filed by Meranda's attorney Eric Deters, saying "Despite Meranda's attempt to make this case about judicial vengeance, the case actually presents a far simpler situation. When the excessive verbiage in Meranda's memorandum is removed...a judge issued an order, the judge allegedly 'threatened' the party to that order with contempt, and the party followed the order. This same set of events happens in courthouses every day."
The response goes on to cite case law supporting the contention that Gusweiler has absolute immunity from personal liability for judicial actions he takes while in office.
Gusweilers attorneys contend that the court order demanding keys to Meranda's office and the threat of contempt charges and arrest if the order is not complied with was a "judicial act" in a court where Gusweiler had legal jurisdiction.
The response says "The judge's alleged statements about sending Meranda to jail for contempt were made after the judge issued his order and clearly relate to the order."
As such, the response says, "Judicial immunity is absolute."
Awww snap! Facts getting in the way of a good smear! Don't you hate it when that happens? But wait, the smackdown of the Chihuahua and Clerk Meranda continue:
The response also addresses Meranda's claim that Gusweilers actions "put her in great fear for her safety and person".
It refers to a paragraph in Brown County Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Little's statement which reads "Tina Meranda and Judge Gusweiler had a heated discussion and after Judge Gusweiler advised Tina Meranda that he would not give the key to anyone on his staff, she gave him a key".
The response continues "So actually, Meranda negotiated acceptable terms and then handed over a key."
Case law from 1926 is also cited that says "The power of the court is inherent and takes precedence even of (sic) the statutory (legal) power of a clerk over court records and files."
In other words, there was no imminent threat. Zing!
Meranda's claim for monetary relief is then addressed. The intimidation statute cited by Deters in the lawsuit is a criminal statute that is being used to sue Gusweiler in a civil suit.
The response says "To sufficiently plead a claim for civil damages under (the Intimidation statute) Meranda must allege she suffered some damage in the form of injury, death or loss of personal property.
At the very most, Meranda alleges she 'feared Judge Gusweiler and his demeanor'. These damages are insufficient under Ohio law."
Home.....run!
Look, I am not defending what some are calling the arrogant and preening behavior of Judge Gusweiler. I think his language on the day in question was reprehensible. However, foul language does not rise to the level of monetary damages. And citing a crminal statute in a civil case is kind of henky. Where did the Chihuahua get his law degree? And why don't we see mention of this case in his online newsletters? And where is the case referenced on his website like he promised me when I asked him about it on the air? I'm still waiting, Mr. Deters, you dope.
Stick to chasing ambulances and causing our insurance premiums and doctor bills to go up. You are far better at that than actual serious jurisprudence! Stick to that and causing more people to change the channel when you go on the air for 700WLW. And as for Ms. Meranda, she has cost the people of Brown County enough with her vendetta. She should do us all a favor and resign and return to private life, enjoying her family and her whine-ery. If this were really about principle and the rule of law, it would have been the right thing to take it before the 12th district court of appeals, who would have ruled on the matter and settled disputes. Instead, Tina Meranda went for money and blood. She went to the county begging for her vendetta to be funded by the taxpayers of Brown County. Sounds like she wants a nice golden parachute. Unfortunately, she chose the wrong lawyer to pack it for her. This case should be thrown out and Meranda should reimburse the county for lost man hours and the price of getting an outside judge, and then should resign.
Most Transparent Ever? Census Bureau Inflating Employment Numbers
Mail it in. We have to get an accurate count. Blah de blah. Well, the people in charge of counting us are fudging numbers to help the Obama Administration's performance in creating new jobs. Check this out from the New York Post, and I have verified it with Census workers I know who shall remain nameless:
Yep, they are finding new ways to be corrupt and mislead the American people. Where is the accountability? Where is the transparency? Where is the outrage?
The Stimulus didn't work, so now it was about ideas and not jobs. So, we have the census engage in some creative accounting (Tom Blumer, call your office)and we find out that they are inflating jobs numbers like crazy.
Wish I could say I was surprised, but no corruption from these thugs surprises me anymore.
Last week, one of the millions of workers hired by Census 2010 to parade around the country counting Americans blew the whistle on some statistical tricks.
The worker, Naomi Cohn, told The Post that she was hired and fired a number of times by Census. Each time she was hired back, it seems, Census was able to report the creation of a new job to the Labor Department.
Below, I have a couple more readers who worked for Census 2010 and have tales to tell.
Each month Census gives Labor a figure on the number of workers it has hired. That figure goes into the closely followed monthly employment report Labor provides. For the past two months the hiring by Census has made up a good portion of the new jobs.
Labor doesn't check the Census hiring figure or whether the jobs are actually new or recycled. It considers a new job to have been created if someone is hired to work at least one hour a month.
One hour! A month! So, if a worker is terminated after only one hour and another is hired in her place, then a second new job can apparently be reported to Labor . (I've been unable to get Census to explain this to me.)
Here's a note from a Census worker -- this one from Manhattan:
"John: I am on my fourth rehire with the 2010 Census.
"I have been hired, trained for a week, given a few hours of work, then laid off. So my unemployed self now counts for four new jobs.
"I have been paid more to train all four times than I have been paid to actually produce results. These are my tax dollars and your tax dollars at work.
"A few months ago I was trained for three days and offered five hours of work counting the homeless. Now, I am knocking (on) doors trying to find the people that have not returned their Census forms. I worked the 2000 Census. It was a far more organized venture.
"Have to run and meet my crew leader, even though with this rain I did not work today. So I can put in a pay sheet for the hour or hour and a half this meeting will take. Sincerely, C.M."
And here's another:
"John: I worked for (Census) and I was paid $18.75 (an hour) just like Ms. Naomi Cohn from your article.
"I worked for about six weeks or so and I picked the hours I wanted to work. I was checking the work of others. While I was classifying addresses, another junior supervisor was checking my work.
"In short, we had a "checkers checking checkers" quality control. I was eventually let go and was told all the work was finished when, in fact, other people were being trained for the same assignment(s).
"I was re-hired about eight months later and was informed that I would have to go through one week of additional training.
"On the third day of training, I got sick and visited my doctor. I called my supervisor and asked how I can make up the class. She informed me that I was 'terminated.' She elaborated that she had to terminate three other people for being five minutes late to class.
Yep, they are finding new ways to be corrupt and mislead the American people. Where is the accountability? Where is the transparency? Where is the outrage?
The Stimulus didn't work, so now it was about ideas and not jobs. So, we have the census engage in some creative accounting (Tom Blumer, call your office)and we find out that they are inflating jobs numbers like crazy.
Wish I could say I was surprised, but no corruption from these thugs surprises me anymore.
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Foresight from the One: Cut the Coast Guard's Crisis Center!...And, Competence Matters!
Pure Genius! President Obama's administration was wanting the very organization that is supposedly in charge down in the Gulf supervising the spill response to take a huge cut in resources. Pure genius:
Tell me, my lib friends, where is the competence?
Peggy Noonan floats back into reality for a few moments with her latest column, but she misses something extremely important, which I will get to in a minute:
Peggy, he doesn't care about his countrymen. He cares about his agenda, and he would say or do anything to get elected. Now that he is elected, he doesn't care. He is the One. It is not that he doesn't have the acumen, he doesn't care. This oil spill is an opportunity to stick it to the Oil and Coal industries, as well as the mostly red states that support them. He thinks he IS competent, the smartest guy in the room, and everyone else just doesn't understand. It is the height of megalomania and the level of groupthink with this admin is perhaps unprecedented. But, back to Peg:
Again, Peggy, he doesn't care. He wants to do as much damage as possible to capitalism. he is a megalomaniac idealist.
She does get one thing right. Government cannot solve every problem. In fact, as some former actor said once....Government is the problem!
Three months before the massive BP oil spill erupted in the Gulf of Mexico, the Obama administration proposed downsizing the Coast Guard national coordination center for oil spill responses, prompting its senior officers to warn that the agency’s readiness for catastrophic events would be weakened…
Accidents happen, “but what you’re seeing here is the government is not properly set up to deal with this kind of issue,” said Robbin Laird, a defense consultant who has worked on Coast Guard issues. “The idea that you would even think about getting rid of catastrophic environmental spill equipment or expertise at the Department of Homeland Security, are you kidding me?”
“Cutting a strike team is nuts,” said Stephen Flynn, a former Coast Guard commander and now president of the Center for National Policy, a Washington think tank. “Whether it’s an accident of man or an act of terrorism, it requires almost the exact same skill set to clean it up.”…
“The elimination of the national command element could well lead to a reduction in core competencies in capabilities needed in a crisis,” said Cmdr. Tina Cutter [in February]. The absence of large spills in recent years has “degraded” the skills of responders, making it more critical to maintain technical experts, particularly in catastrophes, she said.
Tell me, my lib friends, where is the competence?
Peggy Noonan floats back into reality for a few moments with her latest column, but she misses something extremely important, which I will get to in a minute:
This is his third political disaster in his first 18 months in office. And they were all, as they say, unforced errors, meaning they were shaped by the president's political judgment and instincts.
There was the tearing and unnecessary war over his health-care proposal and its cost. There was his day-to-day indifference to the views and hopes of the majority of voters regarding illegal immigration. And now the past almost 40 days of dodging and dithering in the face of an environmental calamity. I don't see how you politically survive this.
The president, in my view, continues to govern in a way that suggests he is chronically detached from the central and immediate concerns of his countrymen. This is a terrible thing to see in a political figure, and a startling thing in one who won so handily and shrewdly in 2008. But he has not, almost from the day he was inaugurated, been in sync with the center. The heart of the country is thinking each day about A, B and C, and he is thinking about X, Y and Z. They're in one reality, he's in another.
Peggy, he doesn't care about his countrymen. He cares about his agenda, and he would say or do anything to get elected. Now that he is elected, he doesn't care. He is the One. It is not that he doesn't have the acumen, he doesn't care. This oil spill is an opportunity to stick it to the Oil and Coal industries, as well as the mostly red states that support them. He thinks he IS competent, the smartest guy in the room, and everyone else just doesn't understand. It is the height of megalomania and the level of groupthink with this admin is perhaps unprecedented. But, back to Peg:
The American people have spent at least two years worrying that high government spending would, in the end, undo the republic. They saw the dollars gushing night and day, and worried that while everything looked the same on the surface, our position was eroding. They have worried about a border that is in some places functionally and of course illegally open, that it too is gushing night and day with problems that states, cities and towns there cannot solve.
And now we have a videotape metaphor for all the public's fears: that clip we see every day, on every news show, of the well gushing black oil into the Gulf of Mexico and toward our shore. You actually don't get deadlier as a metaphor for the moment than that, the monster that lives deep beneath the sea.
In his news conference Thursday, President Obama made his position no better. He attempted to act out passionate engagement through the use of heightened language—"catastrophe," etc.—but repeatedly took refuge in factual minutiae. His staff probably thought this demonstrated his command of even the most obscure facts. Instead it made him seem like someone who won't see the big picture. The unspoken mantra in his head must have been, "I will not be defensive, I will not give them a resentful soundbite." But his strategic problem was that he'd already lost the battle.
Again, Peggy, he doesn't care. He wants to do as much damage as possible to capitalism. he is a megalomaniac idealist.
She does get one thing right. Government cannot solve every problem. In fact, as some former actor said once....Government is the problem!
Obama Admin's Elitism: He Golfs, Big Sis Goes to Opera, While Nation Suffers
Barack Obama slept while the Christmas Day Bomb attempt went down, then he went golfing. He is now on his 2nd vacation since the oil spill started. The elitism of this administration is galling. Big Sis, Homeland Insecurity Chief Janet Napolitano, she likes to go to the opera:
Wow, way to be on top of things. I guess, in her mind, as long as she gets to go to the opera, the system works.
Napolitano was a VIP guest at the Washington National Opera Ball at the Russian Federation Embassy last Friday, a luxurious event that featured Fabergé egg cakes, 30,000 pounds worth of ice sculptures, and Russian ballerinas and singers—bringing in some $1.5 million for the opera. The Homeland boss says she's been to all the company's performances this season, including last Saturday's Hamlet at the Kennedy Center. It's one of the best insider perks of a top-level Washingtonian. Top Obama aides have dibs on the center's Presidential Box tickets that the first family doesn't use, which is pretty often.
Wow, way to be on top of things. I guess, in her mind, as long as she gets to go to the opera, the system works.
Hillary the Hypocrite Says Bleed the Rich, While Hiding Her Assets
Well, she can't hide that big er, ahem.....
Hillary Clinton said the following the other day during a presser with some reporters:
OK, that would be fine...if HillRod and Bubba weren't funnelling money through a formerly secret foundation. Now, I am not talking about the Bill Clinton Presidential Library Foundation and Whorehouse. Nope, I am talking about the Clinton Family Foundation. This foundation was not disclosed until relatively recently but:
Also, Hillary didn't list it on her disclosure forms as a Senator until called on it, which her office called a mere "oversight":
Hmm...not only are they engaging in bribes to Senate candidates, but they are hiding millions in assets that could be taxed for the "greater good", as Mrs. Clinton is fond of saying....Hmmmm.....
Hillary Clinton said the following the other day during a presser with some reporters:
This is my opinion. I'm not speaking for the administration so I will preface that with very clear caveat. The rich are not paying their fair share in any nation that is facing the kind of employment issues, whether it's individual, corporate, whatever the taxation forms are.
OK, that would be fine...if HillRod and Bubba weren't funnelling money through a formerly secret foundation. Now, I am not talking about the Bill Clinton Presidential Library Foundation and Whorehouse. Nope, I am talking about the Clinton Family Foundation. This foundation was not disclosed until relatively recently but:
has enabled the Clintons to write off more than $5 million from their taxable personal income since 2001
Also, Hillary didn't list it on her disclosure forms as a Senator until called on it, which her office called a mere "oversight":
The Ethics in Government Act requires members of Congress to disclose positions they hold with any outside entity, including nonprofit foundations. Hillary Clinton has served her family foundation as treasurer and secretary since it was established in December 2001, but none of her ethics reports since then have disclosed that fact.
The foundation has enabled the Clintons to write off more than $5 million from their taxable personal income since 2001, while dispensing $1.25 million in charitable contributions over that period.
Clinton's spokesman said her failure to report the existence of the family foundation and the senator's position as an officer was an oversight. Her office immediately amended her Senate ethics reports to add that information late yesterday after receiving inquiries from The Washington Post.
Hmm...not only are they engaging in bribes to Senate candidates, but they are hiding millions in assets that could be taxed for the "greater good", as Mrs. Clinton is fond of saying....Hmmmm.....
Biden: We Spent Porkulus Money on Ideas, not Creating Jobs
Well, we finally get the truth from the befuddled tongue of Vice President and resident idiot Joe Biden. Here is what he said about the so called Stimulus money aka Porkulus recently:
We spent 787 billion dollars on ideas? Nice. But that is not what Obama said to begin with. This was supposed to be about creating jobs. But, Biden says we have ideas now. And what is this about no fraud, or rather virtually no fraud?
What about this story?
Or this one?
Or this one?
And Joe, these are ideas to spend government money wisely? OK, first of all, it is not the government's money...it is the people's money....but check these out.
The Obama administration....spending and surrendering our way to oblivion, one day at a time.
Biden said he and Melody Barnes, White House Domestic Policy Council director, have talked at length about ways to “generate new ideas about how to deal with future employment needs,” Biden said. “We have new ideas about how to spend government money wisely.”
He said that there was “virtually no fraud” associated with the spending so far of the billions allocated for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The government, according to recovery.gov, has distributed just over one half of the $787 billion.
“I might add, I’m very proud to say, that’s there’s been virtually no – knock on wood – virtually no fraud associated with the $787 billion program overall,” Biden said as he banged his fist on the table and against his head.
We spent 787 billion dollars on ideas? Nice. But that is not what Obama said to begin with. This was supposed to be about creating jobs. But, Biden says we have ideas now. And what is this about no fraud, or rather virtually no fraud?
What about this story?
Or this one?
Or this one?
And Joe, these are ideas to spend government money wisely? OK, first of all, it is not the government's money...it is the people's money....but check these out.
The Obama administration....spending and surrendering our way to oblivion, one day at a time.
President Obama Cares, I am Told...but About What, Exactly?
Everybody in the media is out there since that rather pathetic press conference Thursday talking about how much Chairman President Obama cares. Here are some transcripts:
But, what does he care about? Our honored War Dead? Nope, skipping Arlington Memorial Day Ceremonies and hanging out in the hood in Chi-town. VACA, everybody! Does he care about the oil leak? Well, he did have a presser about it. But, what else? Check this out:
Obama cares about all that malfeasance and craziness over at the Mineral agency that was partially in charge of inspecting the oil wells, right? Um, does this sound like someone who was ready to "rule" on day one?
And I guess he cared about the Christmas Day Bomber, but it was hard to tell from his wardrobe or his tone as he gave a hastily prepared summation from VACATION in Hawaii:
This vacation over Memorial Day is Obama's 2nd since the oil leak. I guess fielding those tough questions from his daughter are really draining...and all that caring...of course, it could be this as well:
Yep, five hours on the links, and only a 3 hour tour of the oil spill damage....I guess Obama cares about something...Governing and getting things done does not appear to be one of them.
CARVILLE, MAY 27, 2010: The president, if he comes down here and does this right, he's going to see that people have not been candid with him, that BP has not been candid with him, that certain people on his staff and maybe people in his cabinet are not being candid with him. He needs to go investigate this and find out what it is, and when he does, I think we're going to get a lot of action. I think it's a man who cares.
COOPER: You think the president is not getting the real word of what's happening here?
CARVILLE, MAY 27, 2010: I don't think so. No, sir. It's inexplicable that this man -- as smart as he is, as talented as he is -- would have the real world saw -- we saw today and not be furious and not tell people to get into action now.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX: This administration, A, cares about this.
CARVILLE: This is a man who cares.
PLAQUEMINES PARISH PRESIDENT: I truly believe he cares.
DIANA SAWYER: ...to show that he cares.
DAVID GERGEN: President Obama clearly cares.
But, what does he care about? Our honored War Dead? Nope, skipping Arlington Memorial Day Ceremonies and hanging out in the hood in Chi-town. VACA, everybody! Does he care about the oil leak? Well, he did have a presser about it. But, what else? Check this out:
Asked if this was the president’s Hurricane Katrina, (Chief Deputy Whip Kevin) McCarthy (R-Calif.) responded, “It very well could be.”
He explained that Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), who represents the district in which the BP explosion occurred, said he tried reaching the president last Thursday to discuss possible solutions.
“He was called back by a staffer on Friday who said that the president was too busy to talk to him. He understood that until I turned on the TV and saw that he was golfing and went out to California to do a fundraiser. He said — six days now and he’s never even spoken to him,” McCarthy said.
Obama cares about all that malfeasance and craziness over at the Mineral agency that was partially in charge of inspecting the oil wells, right? Um, does this sound like someone who was ready to "rule" on day one?
After two years of Hope and Change, America has grown accustomed to President Obama’s crisis face: eyes glazed over.
At his first press conference in 308 days, Obama fielded questions about the Gulf oil spill, immigration, the war in Afghanistan and the mounting outrage over Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak’s job-trading allegations with a sluggishness bordering on geriatric. His aplomb was a bomb.
The commander-in-chief’s mumbling, diffident tone contradicted the “I CARE” message of urgency that drifted across the teleprompter screen and rolled languidly off his tongue.
“I am angry and frustrated,” he heaved. Rather unconvincingly. He was “singularly focused,” he asserted. Rather distractedly. The president did manage to work up enough energy to condemn BP and then turned to a moment of obligatory self-aggrandizement: “I’m confident that people are going to look back and say that this administration was on top of what was an unprecedented crisis.”
How “on top” was he? Well, not enough to take the time on Thursday morning before his much-hyped appearance to nail down the details of how and why his Interior Department Chief of the Minerals Management Service Liz Birnbaum was no longer in office. “You’re assuming it was a firing,” Obama told reporters. “I don’t yet know the circumstances.” He explained that he was preoccupied with other matters and couldn’t get ahold of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
When pressed to elaborate, he heaved again: “I don’t know.”
And I guess he cared about the Christmas Day Bomber, but it was hard to tell from his wardrobe or his tone as he gave a hastily prepared summation from VACATION in Hawaii:
Obama doesn’t bother to wear a tie. He hastily reads a belated statement describing the incident like a small-town sheriff’s deputy rather than the leader of the free world. He ticks off investigative steps in a perfunctory, plodding, bloodless manner. “We will continue to every element of our national power to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat the violent extremists…anywhere where they are plotting attacks against Americans.”
Eyes down on his paper the whole time — not looking at the camera and directing his statements at our enemies.
He talks about “resilience” as a foreign concept, not something he believes in in his heart.
Rushes through the end of his statement with a postscript about the violence in Iran.
Couldn’t get off the podium fast enough.
Inspiring.
“We will not rest.” Now, back to his vacation…
This vacation over Memorial Day is Obama's 2nd since the oil leak. I guess fielding those tough questions from his daughter are really draining...and all that caring...of course, it could be this as well:
Long, slow rounds. A lot of time hunting for balls in the woods. All dished up with a dollop of trash-talking.
The First Golfer brought his duffer’s game to Martha’s Vineyard this week. By Thursday, Mr. Obama had logged three golf games in four days, appearing at one island course after another. He spent five hours on Monday afternoon playing 18 holes at the Farm Neck Golf Club here, two and a half hours on Tuesday playing nine holes at Mink Meadows Golf Club in Vineyard Haven, and several hours playing Thursday afternoon at the Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown.
Yep, five hours on the links, and only a 3 hour tour of the oil spill damage....I guess Obama cares about something...Governing and getting things done does not appear to be one of them.
St. Rep. Combs Announces Passage of Lgislation to Stiffen Animal Cruelty Laws
Release:
COLUMBUS-- State Representative Courtney Combs (R-Hamilton) announced today the Ohio House voted to pass his legislation, House Bill 55, which is aimed at addressing animal cruelty.
“The Masterpiece case really brought the issue of animal cruelty in Ohio to light,” Combs said. “House Bill 55 realizes the seriousness of abusing innocent animals and creates consequences for these actions that were long overdue."
House Bill 55 would increase the penalties of cruelty to animals, require mandatory evaluation and possible therapy for minors who torture or abuse animals, and allow judges to include pets in court protection orders issued in domestic violence cases.
Last February, a three-month-old baby alpaca named Masterpiece was stolen from a farm in Butler County by two teens and one adult. According to police reports, Masterpiece was suspended in the air and severely beaten and tortured until it died. The story received national attention and was a driving force for this reform.
“Constituent outcry over this issue has been overwhelming,” Combs said. “I’m pleased that both sides of the aisle were able to agree on the importance of this legislation and the ramifications it has on reducing violence now and in the future.”
Combs’ bill now moves onto the Senate for further debate.
SEN. Voinovich on $13T National Debt
Release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) today issued the following statement on the national debt surpassing $13 trillion for the first time in history:
“Just six months ago our national debt hit $12 trillion, prompting Newsweek to run a cover story titled ‘How Great Powers Fall: Steep Debt, Slow Growth, and High Spending Kill Empires – And America Could Be Next.’ This startling truth is already weakening our credit and credibility around the world, as much of our debt is money borrowed from foreign countries like China and the OPEC nations. This week our national debt hit a monumental $13 trillion, and we still have no credible plan to balance the federal budget.
“In just 16 months, the Obama Administration has increased the debt 23 percent, and gross national debt as a percent of GDP is slated to hit 94 percent this year with growing deficits as far as the eye can see. The federal government is the worst credit card abuser in the world, and we are putting everything on the tab of our children and grandchildren.
“Americans must take a stand for the future of our country. Will we continue down this destructive, unsustainable course, or will Congress take responsible action? I have been working to address this problem since I arrived to the Senate in 1999 and proposed creating a statutory debt commission to reform our tax code and entitlement systems. Unfortunately, earlier this year – after a great deal of hard work – this effort failed in the Senate, and I was very disappointed.
“As a result of the vote’s failure, President Obama moved ahead with an executive order commission, which is a start. It is imperative that the president’s fiscal commission produces a viable proposal to deal with our growing debt. We are in serious trouble, and inaction will result in America going over the cliff. Perhaps the European debt crisis will be the wake-up call Congress needs because continued inaction is morally indefensible.”
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Hallett Admits That He is Confused
In other news: the sky is blue, grass is gree, and water is wet.
In a piece wherein he actually says he is "confused", Joe Hallett also reveals that he needs some new friends to talk to... In a section talking about Cordray vs. M. DeWine, Hallett says:
Cordray isn't honest and DeWine isn't competent.
And NOBODY wants BOTH of these candidates running for anything... I mean, I could understand wanting one or the other, but not both...
Confused? Yeah, Joe, you are confused...
By the way, there is plenty of idiocy in that piece, I just couldn't let that one go...
In a piece wherein he actually says he is "confused", Joe Hallett also reveals that he needs some new friends to talk to... In a section talking about Cordray vs. M. DeWine, Hallett says:
Some wish this showdown between two honest and competent politicians were the race for governor this year.Has ANYONE said ANYTHING like this EVER?
Cordray isn't honest and DeWine isn't competent.
And NOBODY wants BOTH of these candidates running for anything... I mean, I could understand wanting one or the other, but not both...
Confused? Yeah, Joe, you are confused...
By the way, there is plenty of idiocy in that piece, I just couldn't let that one go...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Ellis Ousted as Chairman in Butler County
In a report that is so big that Intrepid Reporter Josh had to bring in a reporterette by the name of Tiffany to get it out there, the Butler County GOP is now under new management. Former Chairman Tom Ellis has been defeated by David Kern.
The time has come for the Butler County GOP to get its act together.
Unfortunately, Central Chair Judy Shelton was unopposed. I guess we have to take these things one at a time.
The time has come for the Butler County GOP to get its act together.
Unfortunately, Central Chair Judy Shelton was unopposed. I guess we have to take these things one at a time.
Majority Party Plays Politics Before Curing Ohio’s Woes
Release:
House Chamber Plagued with Abuse of Legislative Process
COLUMBUS— With less than two weeks of legislative session left, a bipartisan effort to produce jobs and reduce the anti-business atmosphere that majority Democrats have created over the past 17 months has yet to occur.
“Unfortunately, throughout this legislative session, the majority party has demonstrated a consistent inability to garner open, earnest discussions on legislation aimed at ensuring a more prosperous Ohio,” said House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “It has become very clear that Ohio is not experiencing the same growth that many other states across the nation are. The majority caucus, especially the leadership team, should take their responsibilities and actions more seriously. They seem to be unaware that, as lawmakers, we are honored to represent the people of Ohio in the people’s house.”
To date, the House Democrats have silenced numerous economic discussions, ignored bills that would stimulate job growth and embarrassed the House chamber through blatant disrespect of the House rules.
“This legislative political game playing must be stopped,” said House Republican Asst. Leader Louis W. Blessing Jr. (R-Cincinnati). “If my colleagues from across the aisle truly believe that our caucus will take part in their games, they are sorely mistaken. In the beginning, the speaker and his colleagues pledged to use tax or fee increases as a last resort. To date, they have worked with Governor Strickland in raising more than 150 fees and placing a $900 million unexpected, retroactive tax increase on the backs of Ohioans. The numerous examples of total departure of the legislative process and respect for the House as a sacred institution are appalling.”
One such example of deliberate disrespect for the legislative process includes House Bill 400. This legislative measure, introduced by Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney), works to incrementally diminish over a decade’s time, the personal income tax in Ohio to make the state economy more competitive.
“While our economy is suffering, one might think that partisanship power grabs of the legislative process could yield until we find a solution,” said Adams. “However, my legislation aimed at stimulating discussions about the best way to eliminate Ohio’s income tax and alleviate the tax burden that has made Ohio uncompetitive is being abused. Tax policy is the main difference between states that create jobs and states that scare them away. The Democrats have time and again entertained foolish legislation and neglects to address the hemorrhaging of jobs from our state.”
However, since it was unveiled six months ago, House Bill 400 has received only two hearings. The first hearing included brief sponsor testimony and the second was reported by the media as an attempt by the House majority to repeatedly twist the intent and use it against the sponsor, or “flog it like a zombie that keeps popping out of the grave.”
“Almost all bills that have more than one hearing have at least a day for proponent testimony, but despite our requests, the majority has refused to allow a proponent hearing,” said Matt Huffman (R-Lima). “As ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, it was quite distasteful to see that no witnesses who attended to offer proponent testimony were able to fully testify at the first hearing, because opponents were called before the proponents. Many had traveled from across the country to Columbus under the impression they would be afforded the opportunity to offer their insight and comments.”
Recognizing that fixing the state’s woes requires fiscal discipline and a long-term vision, House Republicans have proposed several dozen bills to create jobs, encourage business investment and propel Ohio’s economy forward.
“As legislators, we have a responsibility to hold cooperative, intelligent debates on how to get Ohioans back to work,” Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) said. “Unfortunately, when one group of witnesses is silenced during the committee process, it is impossible to work together as a legislative body. I hope that the House majority will be able to put partisanship aside and do what is right for Ohio’s future.”
Boehner on America Speaking Out
Yesterday at The Newseum, Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American, also known as the Right Knight of Congress -- John Boehner -- joined House Republicans in unveiling America Speaking Out, an unprecedented initiative to engage the American people and give them a voice in crafting a new governing agenda for Congress.
Check it out!
“All across America, the people are speaking out, but unfortunately, Washington hasn’t been listening,” Boehner said. “When you look at all the taxes, all the spending, and all the debt, it’s clear that Washington has been doing what’s best for Washington, not what’s best for America. House Republicans are giving Americans a megaphone to speak out, using the best technology available. AmericaSpeakingOut.com provides a platform for Americans to submit their ideas and have each of them debated and discussed on the merits in an open forum.”At AmericaSpeakingOut.com, all Americans can submit ideas on a wide range of critical issues and have each of them debated and discussed on the merits in an open and transparent forum.
...
“As Republicans, we know our principles, and we’re going to use them to build a new governing agenda rooted in our principles of smaller, more accountable government,” Boehner added. “We want the American people to be engaged in this process right from the start, and that’s what America Speaking Out is all about.”
Check it out!
Cates Says "NAY!" to Shuttle in Dayton
Speaking of State Senator Gary Cates...
What's up with the nay vote on S.C.R. No. 28? It urges Pres. to choose Air Force Museum at WPAFB for space shuttle display.
What has the shuttle, WPAFB, or Ohio tourism ever done to you Senator? Did the shuttle suggest that the legislature ought to reduce its pay during a recession? What?
UPDATE: I emailed the senator to ask his about the vote and here is his response:
What's up with the nay vote on S.C.R. No. 28? It urges Pres. to choose Air Force Museum at WPAFB for space shuttle display.
What has the shuttle, WPAFB, or Ohio tourism ever done to you Senator? Did the shuttle suggest that the legislature ought to reduce its pay during a recession? What?
UPDATE: I emailed the senator to ask his about the vote and here is his response:
I’m not against the shuttle being brought to WPAFB. My no vote is to express my frustration of the GA dealing with largely ceremonial issues. With all the problems we have to deal with this to me is a fairly trivial pursuit. If I’m going to go the trouble of asking the President to do something, I would rather spend my chit on something that is more important such as addressing jobs, jobs and jobs. While it may be nice to have the shuttle nearby, it doesn’t do anything to change our lot in life. So I hope you will understand that I’m not against the shuttle, but sometimes you have to stand up and make a statement by voting “no”. Now that the primary elections are over, it’s easy for politicians to get back into their bad habits…one of them having your hand out to the federal gov’t looking for favors. I doubt that my “no” vote will have any impact on the President’s decision.Fair enough! And while I treated this somewhat in jest, it is a legit question that I got from a reader. I want to thank the senator for responding and I have to say that I agree with his reasoning on this one. And that is coming from a strong supporter of bringing the shuttle to WPAFB.
Tonight's Butler County GOP Meeting Could Be the First Step
Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- also known as the Right Knight of Congress has endorsed a candidate for Executive Chairman of the Butler County Republican Party and it isn't Tom Ellis.
State Senator Gary Cates also has expressed a desire for a change in leadership.
And you can add my voice as well.
Tom Ellis has been many things to the party, an effective leader isn't one of them. I can't say that I found him to be an acceptable administrator either. The only positive thing I can say about Ellis' tenure is that he has been pretty good at raising money; but I am actually not real sure of that either because in the three years I served on the Butler County GOP Central Committee, I don't recall ever seeing a financial report.
One of the things that I have been saying all along is that if we expect to change the culture of our party, we simply must put new people in charge.
Don't get me wrong, Tom Ellis has never said an unkind word to me; but this isn't about friendship and who people know. It is about cleaning up our party and Tom Ellis has no interest in that at all.
And let's not forget Judy Shelton. It is my belief that she also needs to not return to leadership in this party.
Follow the money, folks...and make the right decisions.
To my friends still on the Central Committee, I wish you all luck and hope for the best in all that you do. I have faith that you will do the right things and make the correct decisions.
State Senator Gary Cates also has expressed a desire for a change in leadership.
And you can add my voice as well.
Tom Ellis has been many things to the party, an effective leader isn't one of them. I can't say that I found him to be an acceptable administrator either. The only positive thing I can say about Ellis' tenure is that he has been pretty good at raising money; but I am actually not real sure of that either because in the three years I served on the Butler County GOP Central Committee, I don't recall ever seeing a financial report.
One of the things that I have been saying all along is that if we expect to change the culture of our party, we simply must put new people in charge.
Don't get me wrong, Tom Ellis has never said an unkind word to me; but this isn't about friendship and who people know. It is about cleaning up our party and Tom Ellis has no interest in that at all.
And let's not forget Judy Shelton. It is my belief that she also needs to not return to leadership in this party.
Follow the money, folks...and make the right decisions.
To my friends still on the Central Committee, I wish you all luck and hope for the best in all that you do. I have faith that you will do the right things and make the correct decisions.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Guest Column From Representative John Adams: "Snail Rail Spending Ignores Ohio’s $8 Billion Deficit"
Recently, Ohio was handed a $400 million gift from the federal government—along with a whole host of attached strings that will skyrocket state spending and increase the tax burden on families and businesses.
In exchange for this loan, the big spenders in Columbus committed to resurrecting Ohio’s passenger rail network and keeping it in operation for 20 years. The catch? If the state fails to hold up its end of the bargain, the taxpayers will be forced to pay the money back to Washington.
The proposed 3-C rail is a costly plan with only marginally acceptable results. As proposed, it will connect Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, only traveling an average speed of 39 mph and taking 6.5 hours to move from Cleveland to Cincinnati—which is slower and costlier than highway travel. Additionally, this snail rail will cost about $29 million annually while the taxpayers will be required to supplement a $17 million subsidy. Which begs the question, does anyone believe that $17 million subsidy will actually come in as anticipated or higher? This ongoing subsidy over the next two decades will total a whopping $340 million burden that will be forced onto the backs of hardworking taxpayers and already-overwhelmed businesses.
Statistically, the average Ohioan will only ride the passenger rail once every 17 years! I believe that a major reason behind the low ridership expectations is the slow speed of the train; the faster the train will go, the more people are likely to ride it. However, to implement faster and more efficient rail system would mean updating hundreds of miles of tracks—which will cost too much in this economy.
Ohio is facing an $8 billion deficit in the next budget, largely due to the overuse of one-time money in our current budget that will no longer be available in the next budget. Is the path to job creation really to amp up spending projects with unstable money and increase the tax burden?
Instead of using federal funds to launch this pricy program, it would be wiser to invest this money in improvements to our primary modes of transportation—roads and highways. In fact, why not use available funds to fill the deficit or use it for the programs and services that took severe cuts in the budget, such as school funding or services for the elderly and disabled?
Common sense tells us that since passenger rail already failed in Ohio 40 years ago, it’s likely to fail again—especially with the rise of more efficient cars and interstates that rendered the trains archaic in the first place. Unfortunately, this time around, the taxpayers are locked into a two-decade contract of unaffordable spending to sustain it.
Forget free-market principles or the rise and fall of outdated industries! Here in Ohio, thanks to the taxpayers, this 3-C boondoggle is too big to fail, just like every other inefficient government program that enjoys constant influx of tax dollars to feed its bloat.
Energy Update
Release:
WASHINGTON – The responsible development of the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, a phenomenon made possible thanks to the common and continued use of hydraulic fracturing, has the potential to add an additional 212,000 new jobs to the state’s employment rolls by 2020, on top of the thousands of jobs already being created. That’s the message that researchers from Penn State University delivered today in the state’s capital of Harrisburg, on hand to share the results of an updated economic study that builds on research first released last year.What are we doing in Ohio? We're trying to build windmills in Cleveland...
“From southern Texas to northern Michigan, the historic opportunities being made possible right now thanks to the responsible exploration of America’s shale gas resources represent a ray of light against an otherwise dreary national economic backdrop,” said Lee Fuller, executive director of Energy In Depth.“But in few places across the country has this light been brighter and more hopeful than in Pennsylvania, a state with a long and proud history of providing the energy our nation needs to keep moving,” Fuller added. “The release of this report from Penn State today serves to reinforce that status in a modern context, and also make clear to those who oppose this critical work on political or ideological grounds that, at least on practical economic ones, that opposition could lead to fewer jobs, greater dependence, and a lot less revenue for the state.”
According to the latest numbers from the Energy Information Administration (2008), Pennsylvania contributes a little less than one percent of the total amount of natural gas produced each day in America – roughly 500 million cubic feet of natural gas a day. But all that changes over the next 10 years according to the Penn State report, with the ramp-up in Marcellus-related activities in Pennsylvania slated to bring online an additional 13.5 billion cubic feet a day, a 27-fold increase over current production numbers in the state.
Fully developed, the authors find that the broader Marcellus region, spread throughout much of Appalachia, could prove to be second largest natural gas field in the world, behind only a massive gas reserve split between Iran and Qatar. Examined another way, the 516 trillion cubic feet of Marcellus shale gas could hold the BTU equivalent of 87 billion barrels of oil – more than the entire proven reserves of nations like Russia, Libya, Nigeria and China.
The study finds that only the state of Texas is expected to produce more natural gas per year in the United States by the 2020 than Pennsylvania – assuming efforts to hamstring the innovative technologies needed to produce these resources aren’t successful on Capitol Hill.
Sheriff Jones on "Vacation" in Arizona?
I found it interesting that the last line of this piece from Intrepid Reporter Josh says that the trip is "self-funded." I assume this to mean that the Sheriff is using vacation time for this trip.
Ohio is surrounded by Michigan, Pennsylvannia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana. Now, I joke about Kentucky being a foreign country all the time, but I really don't think we need a Border Patrol to join Sheriff Spotlight's Navy, Air Force, and Horse Cavalry.
Look, I get that illegal immigration is a problem. Specifically, enforcement of our laws are the problem. What more is there to learn from junkets to Arizona? If he were spending his "vacation" in Columbus or Washington DC lobbying for the laws we have to be enforced, I'm totally on board. But I don't believe this sort of theater is productive at all.
Your mileage may vary...
Ohio is surrounded by Michigan, Pennsylvannia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana. Now, I joke about Kentucky being a foreign country all the time, but I really don't think we need a Border Patrol to join Sheriff Spotlight's Navy, Air Force, and Horse Cavalry.
Look, I get that illegal immigration is a problem. Specifically, enforcement of our laws are the problem. What more is there to learn from junkets to Arizona? If he were spending his "vacation" in Columbus or Washington DC lobbying for the laws we have to be enforced, I'm totally on board. But I don't believe this sort of theater is productive at all.
Your mileage may vary...
Monday, May 24, 2010
One Year of Democratic Principles Maintains Ohio’s Double-Digit Jobless
Release:
COLUMBUS—Ohio House Republicans amiably encouraged a public discussion with their legislative colleagues to address the fact that Ohio has now faced an entire year of double-digit unemployment.
“As lawmakers, it is our responsibility to the people we represent to work in a bipartisan manner. However, Ohio House Democrats continue to push frivolous legislation that ignores the real needs of Ohioans,” said Asst. Leader Louis W. Blessing (R-Cincinnati). “At a time when Ohio and Michigan are national leaders in unemployment, I can’t help but wonder – if job creation isn’t their priority, then what is?”
Ohio’s unemployment rate is consistently higher than the national average, with 10.9 percent of Ohioans unemployed compared with 9.9 percent of Americans. After 17 months of legislative follies, pandering policies and complete Democratic neglect of job creation, House Republicans are actively seeking a public discussion with their counterparts on how to repair Ohio’s economy.
“As a small business owner, I see firsthand the effects of the mistakes made by Governor Strickland and his Democratic allies,” said House Republican Whip John Adams (R-Sidney). “The Buckeye state needs job creation and real economic relief, not political maneuvers. We should take up legislation to address this continuing problem before the Speaker considers adjourning the House for summer recess.”
One answer to Ohio’s economic woes is House Bill 25, a measure to reduce spending and consolidate Ohio’s government bloat. Currently, Ohio’s government has 24 cabinet departments and more than 300 boards, commissions, task forces and councils under the executive branch alone. This structure has led to duplicative services and staffing inefficiencies, as well as misuse of tax dollars. House Bill 25 will consolidate state government into 11 agencies, which will improve Ohio’s business environment, save the taxpayers approximately $1 billion, and help address Ohio’s imminent $8 billion deficit. This will result in government services being administered more efficiently and effectively to those Ohioans who need it the most.
“House Democrats need to be open to a fundamental change in how we operate in Columbus,” said Adams. “They’ve had numerous opportunities to get this state back on track by improving the business climate and making our tax code more competitive, but every sensible solution has been ignored. It’s long overdue that they step up to the plate and be the leaders that Ohioans asked for, instead of procrastinating the decisions that need to be made.”
House Bill 25 is a vital component of the “Future of Ohio” government reform package, a collection of 10 bills to get government spending under control, reduce government waste and improve Ohio’s business climate. However, since its introduction in February 2009, this legislation has only received one committee hearing. The House Republican Caucus remains hopeful that this and other cost-saving, job-creation measures will receive further committee hearings after an open, bipartisan discussion.
Gibbs Wins Support for Amendment That Would Encourage Clean Coal and Advanced Energy Projects to Locate in Ohio and Create Jobs
Release:
COLUMBUS— State Senator and Congressional Candidate for the 18th district Bob Gibbs (R- Lakeville) recently announced that an amendment he sponsored that would extend the window for clean coal and advanced energy projects to take advantage of an exemption to the tangible personal property tax was recently approved by the Ohio Senate. Gibbs offered the amendment as a part of Senate Bill 232, which seeks to make Ohio’s tax rates more competitive in order to make the state more attractive for renewable energy projects and the jobs they create.
“The window originally proposed in SB 232 did not provide enough time for clean coal and other advanced energy technology facilities to get off the ground and would severely limit our ability to attract these projects to Ohio,” Gibbs said. “My amendment simply extends the deadline to begin construction and operation of clean coal and advanced nuclear facilities in order to ensure these types of energy remain a viable option in our state.”
As part of the energy bill passed by the Legislature in 2008, standards were implemented that require 25 percent of Ohio’s electricity be generated from renewable and advanced energy sources by the year 2025. The bill also requires that one-half of the renewable energy standards be generated within Ohio. However, few facilities have been built in the state because of the vastly larger tax liability these projects currently face in Ohio as compared to other states.
SB 232 provides a window that would allow companies seeking to build renewable energy generation facilities in Ohio to pay an annual fee based on how much they generate, in lieu of tangible personal property taxes or real property taxes, thereby bringing tax rates for these kinds of projects in line with other states competing for the same projects. In order to be eligible for this provision, the facility must begin operations by January 1, 2013.
Ohio Coal Association President Mike Carey said “once again Bob Gibbs is standing up for the coal industry and making sure we are keeping jobs here in Ohio.”
Senator Gibbs explained that projects involving clean coal, advanced nuclear and cogeneration technologies would be unable to begin construction by that deadline, putting them at a disadvantage compared to projects involving solar and wind energy. His amendment extends the window for these types of projects to begin until 2017, creating a more even playing field for all sources of renewable and advanced energy.
SB 232 was recently approved by the Senate and now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for further consideration.
VOINOVICH SAYS OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM NEEDS SURGERY, NOT A BAND-AID
Release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) []issued the following statement on his vote against cloture on the financial reform bill:
“Although I am pleased with the fair and open process my colleagues used to advance this bill – senators were allotted enough time to offer amendments, there was substantial bipartisan debate, and all amendments were germane – this financial reform legislation still does not include all the things needed to strengthen and restructure our financial system.
“I voted no on cloture for several reasons, but first and foremost it is because this bill fails to address the catalyst of the 2008 financial meltdown – the bursting of the mortgage and housing bubble. It does not get to the root of the problem, and also over-reaches its regulatory scope. The issues with the now-government owned and operated Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are numerous, yet none are addressed in this bill. Additionally, an increase in regulations will cost Ohioans jobs, hurt businesses that are not connected with the meltdown, and harm credit at a time when job recovery is still just inching forward. The Consumer Bureau is like an octopus, reaching its tentacles into various sectors and pulling others, who are not a part of the problem, into government regulation.
“I am disappointed that many of the amendments offered by my colleagues that would have addressed these issues, as well as my other concerns with the bill, were not adopted. It is as if my colleagues want to put a band-aid on a wound that obviously needs emergency surgery.”
The following reasons are why Sen. Voinovich voted no:
The now-government owned Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac failed in the midst of the financial crisis and continue to drain taxpayers for billions of dollars. Just this month, Fannie and Freddie requested an additional $19 billion of taxpayer monies to fund operations, bringing the total government assistance to roughly $145 billion, yet these two entities are not addressed in the bill.
The lack of sound underwriting standards produced a flood of mortgages that ended with homeowners in foreclosure, yet this is not adequately addressed in the bill.
The new Consumer Bureau is far too wide in its regulatory scope and will result in overburdened businesses that had nothing to do with the financial crisis facing heavy and unnecessary new regulations.
State attorneys general are permitted wide authority, likely to be abused for political purposes, in enforcing new federal consumer rules.
Many businesses with no connection to the financial crisis will be punished and forced to adhere to new regulations that increase their costs and reduce available credit to consumers.
Dr. Johnson Warns HB206 Could Lead to Rx Drug Abuse
Release:
Dr. Terry Johnson [has] commented on the recently approved House Bill 206, which will give certain Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) the authority to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances.
Dr. Johnson, a candidate for State Representative in Ohio’s 89th District, warned that the bill could seriously hamper efforts to stop prescription drug abuse.
“Prescription drug abuse has been destroying lives in southern Ohio for too long,” Dr. Johnson said. “H.B. 206 gives almost 4,000 new people the ability to prescribe these drugs. This is the absolute wrong time to do this. While I have tremendous respect for Advanced Practice Nurses and value them as colleagues, the reality is that we have enough trouble trying to keep an eye on all the prescribers we have now. If we start giving more people the power to hand out these drugs, this problem could go from bad to worse.”
Dr. Johnson is among the leading voices in the fight against prescription drug abuse. Since becoming County Coroner in 2002, he began tracking the number of prescription drug overdoses in Scioto County and educating the public about how bad the problem has become.
“Right now, there aren’t any physicians in the statehouse, and this issue underscores why it is so important to change that,” Dr. Johnson said. “I’m sure our lawmakers had the best of intentions with this bill, but unfortunately they just don’t understand how their decisions are affecting southern Ohio. If I’m elected to the Statehouse, I’ll make sure the needs and the problems of southern Ohio are strongly represented and understood.”
Jon Wills, director of the Ohio Osteopathic Association, has also warned lawmakers about the potential impact of the bill. In a letter sent to members of the Ohio House, Wills wrote that it “makes no sense to add an additional 4,000 Schedule II prescribers,” and that it was not in the public interest to “indiscriminately expand the availability of Schedule II prescribing.”
Saturday, May 22, 2010
TIB All Stars -- Show Notes and Live Blog
The TIB All-Stars Show is back on the Air at 6PM Eastern...
Click the link to listen; participate in the live blog...
Listen Now!
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Click the link to listen; participate in the live blog...
Listen Now!
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Friday, May 21, 2010
Sheriff Jones Update
Two tweets from the Sheriff are worth taking a look at:
It's disgusts me that the Mex Prez comes to USA and lectures 2 our people while our border is overrun with drugs, murderers, and kidnappings...and...
mexico president should apologize at once.I agree with both sentiments completely.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Batchelder: Budget Oversight Is Necessary Precaution
Release:
HB 120_Government Reform Package
Columbus—The majority House Democrats yesterday passed a third financial Band-Aid on education funding after numerous incorrect revenue estimates from the Office of Budget and Management and a consequential $8 billion budget deficit. House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today encouraged further action on House Bill 120, a legislative measure that would provide financial oversight and accountability regarding state expenditures and revenues.
This proposal would establish the Legislative Budget Office (LBO), which would provide nonpartisan financial oversight and continuous monitoring of state finances to the General Assembly, including analysis and reports concerning the state budget.
“The LBO would allow the Legislature to determine its own fiscal capacity, especially as we prepare for a multi-billion dollar deficit,” said Batchelder. “This past budget neglected the transparency that is so crucial to primary and secondary education as well as local government units. Lawmakers, as well as their constituents, deserve to know when the administration fails to provide accurate revenue estimates prior to the passage of the budget. As lawmakers, we need to ensure that these estimates are correct if we want the next budget to be balanced and sustainable.”
Batchelder asserts that LBO will be able to alert the legislature to any potential problems arising with the state finances and raise any questions regarding fiscal actions taken by the governor or state agencies. Currently, the Legislative Service Commission is prohibited from alerting lawmakers of a questionable policy or harmful legislation due to their non-partisan nature.
As a caucus, House Republicans have expressed deep concern that without accurate revenue estimates, the legislature will be unable to craft a balanced budget and, as a result, perpetuate a high-tax, anti-business status quo. The “Future of Ohio” government reform package, a collection of 10 bills to fundamentally improve Ohio’s government and reduce waste, was a crucial first step, but these and other Republican solutions have been ignored by the House majority.
“It is unfortunate that this General Assembly slashed Ohio’s education funding a total of $32 million over the next two years,” said Batchelder. “For the first time since the DeRolph decision, the majority has enacted a budget that effectively cuts funding to school districts.”HB 120:
Since its introduction more than a year ago, House Bill 120 has only received sponsor testimony in the House State Government Committee and has remained idle for more than a year. Batchelder and his House Republican colleagues are hopeful that prior to the House summer recess, both sides of the aisle will finally engage in a bipartisan discussion.
Lawmakers Work to Ensure Quality Education Standards
Release:
Columbus – State Representatives Gerald L. Stebelton (R-Lancaster) and Ronald Maag (R-Salem Township) recently delivered testimony on jointly sponsored legislation to postpone the required adoption of new social studies and science K-12 curriculum standards by one year. The bill will move the deadline from June 30, 2010 to 2011.
“It’s important to instill the best education for Ohio’s students, especially in the realms of social studies and sciences,” said Maag. “These subjects are integral pieces to quality education, and the children of our state would benefit from our diligent construction of these new standards. This bill plays an important role in maintaining high standards for K-12 education that are critical in producing Ohio’s future work force.”
Under these new standards, schools will be required to place more emphasis on critical thinking and innovative problem solving than having students simply remember and recite facts. Many concerns have been raised on the drafts of these standards but have not yet been resolved for social studies and science related courses.
“While changing to this type of learning will better prepare our students for success in college and beyond, the proposed science standards lack important scientific inquiry components and leave open the risk of cutting out subjects completely,” said Stebelton. “The social studies standards are also troublesome, particularly for history studies, and may leave students with a thin and incomplete outlook unless we carefully and meticulously design these new standards.”
House Bill 494 will allow stakeholders more time to thoroughly develop quality comprehensive curriculum standards. HB 494 is currently supported by the Ohio Academy of Sciences, the Ohio Aggregates and Industrial Minerals Association, the Clermont County Veterans Services, the Ohio Earth Sciences Teachers Association, and various individual interested parties.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Strickland's Attack on Kasich IS Lame
...but don't take my word for it, even the editors of the Dayton Daily Democrat News agrees that attacking Kasich for doing his job while the governor failed at doing his own is lame.
And yes, Strickland has failed...
In 2006, Ohio was ranked 10th highest in State-Local Tax Burden. Under Strickland we have zoomed "up" to 7th (source).
Ohio's 2010 Business Tax Climate Ranks 47th out of 50. (source)
Strickland promised to Turn Around Ohio but all he's done is spin, spin, spin...THOSE are the FACTS.
And yes, Strickland has failed...
In 2006, Ohio was ranked 10th highest in State-Local Tax Burden. Under Strickland we have zoomed "up" to 7th (source).
Ohio's 2010 Business Tax Climate Ranks 47th out of 50. (source)
Strickland promised to Turn Around Ohio but all he's done is spin, spin, spin...THOSE are the FACTS.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Hallett Wrong About Strickland's Responsibility on Jobs
In a piece about how negative the race for governor is going to be, Joe Hallett makes a terrible blunder taht simply must not be ignored. He writes, "Although Strickland is no more responsible for the loss of 427,000 jobs during his tenure than Kasich is for the collapse of the economy, it doesn't matter."
The error is that Strickland most certainly is responsible for the loss of 427,000 jobs since he took office. This governor campaigned on the concept of Turn Around Ohio. He insisted that he had a plan -- which he shared with NO ONE -- and that all we had to do was elect him and he would save us from all that ails us.
This governor is responsible for not decreasing the tax burden on businesses so that they could employ more Ohioans. Strickland has played the fool on blunder after blunder virtually from Day One and there is no accountability whatsoever.
In contrast, there is absolutely no evidence at all that indicates that John Kasich had anything to do with the failure at Lehman Brothers or that he was in any way responsible for what Ohio Democrats are ridiculously calling the "Great" Recession. But that doesn't stop them from pushing the smear job that the 527 Media in this state seem very willing to contribute to -- including Mr. Hallett.
This election ought to be about accountability and integrity. On that score, John Kasich achieves a knockout.
The error is that Strickland most certainly is responsible for the loss of 427,000 jobs since he took office. This governor campaigned on the concept of Turn Around Ohio. He insisted that he had a plan -- which he shared with NO ONE -- and that all we had to do was elect him and he would save us from all that ails us.
This governor is responsible for not decreasing the tax burden on businesses so that they could employ more Ohioans. Strickland has played the fool on blunder after blunder virtually from Day One and there is no accountability whatsoever.
In contrast, there is absolutely no evidence at all that indicates that John Kasich had anything to do with the failure at Lehman Brothers or that he was in any way responsible for what Ohio Democrats are ridiculously calling the "Great" Recession. But that doesn't stop them from pushing the smear job that the 527 Media in this state seem very willing to contribute to -- including Mr. Hallett.
This election ought to be about accountability and integrity. On that score, John Kasich achieves a knockout.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Meranda v. Gusweiler Update: Tina's Mouthpiece Gets Personal
Previously on WMD, we posted Team Gusweiler's motion to dismiss the cashgrab arrogant self serving buttface movelawsuit against him filed by self serving and possessed by a spirit of vengeance Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda. If you recall, the response was precise, full of legal precedent and arguments, and did not seek to cast undue aspersions on Clerk Meranda. Well, the BulldogChihuahua, Eric"Wannabe" Deters, has submitted Team Meranda's response. For the coverage, we go to Wayne Gates and the Brown County Press:
Go check out the response here.
OK, seriously, now we are just resorting to blind namecalling? I guess this type of deep thinking on jurisprudence must be why he gets paid the big bucks. Oh, and Chihuahua, where is the case on your website, like you promised me a few months back? Hmmm?????
When all you can do is pepper your arguments with namecalling, you must be either desperate, stupid, or a wannabe radio host on 700 wlw. Deters fits all three.
But wait! There is more. In his attempts to totally sway any potential jurors should this suit go forward, he plays the victimization of Meranda card. Read this bloviating, b.s. overbloated and exaggerated line:
Yes, the judge is ordering armed mercenary terrorists to throw her into a cell and waterboard her while throwing a hairdryer in the water....COME ON NOW! It is called enforcement of a court order. Give me a break!
Look, I think both Meranda and Gusweiler have acted like children in this matter, as far as Gusweiler's alleged statements. However, he is not actively costing the taxpayers of Brown County thousands of dollars in paying a judge to hear the case as well as lost man hours filing briefs, securing witnesses, and testimonies. Gusweiler did not manage to cast aspersions on three offices in the county, as Meranda has. Gusweiler did not ask the county to pay for a high priced mouthpiece, Meranda did.
As I have stated before, legal experts I have consulted tell me this should be thrown out on its ear for what it is: a grandstanding move by an arrogant woman who didn't like how someone talked to her and her ring wasn't kissed. While Gusweiler's actions may have been rude or less than concilatory, they are not necessarily illegal nor are they worthy of "punitive damages." If this were just about the legalities, why not take it up with the 12th district court of appeals, as was suggested?
People close to the case have told me they think Deters went too far, and that is putting it mildly. And if this is the type of representation Meranda thinks is above board, her judgment must continue to be called into question.
If this is what makes the Chihuahua a good lawyer, give me Stan Purdy anyday. Or even the corpse of Johnny Cochran. Eric Deters is nothing more than a sheister ambulance chaser with a big mouth and even bigger ego. Well, maybe not as big an ego as Tina Meranda's. Gusweiler's lawyers were professional and respected their opponent, Meranda's Chihuahua just attacked and engaged in verbal denigration. Pathetic!
If this is thrown out, Meranda should resign. She has cost us enough.
Tina Meranda's attorney has filed a sharply worded response to the motion to dismiss her suit against Common Pleas Judge Scott Gusweiler, calling him a "power-mad megalomaniac who will tolerate no opposition to his vainglorious omnipotence".
Wrapping up the immunity argument, Deters writes "Defendant has not established he is entitled to immunity...(he) has established that he is not entitled to wear the judicial robes he is attempting to hide behind."
Deters also references Gusweilers alleged behavior to bolster his argument that Gusweiler illegally intimidated Meranda by using his judicial powers in an illegal manner.
Go check out the response here.
OK, seriously, now we are just resorting to blind namecalling? I guess this type of deep thinking on jurisprudence must be why he gets paid the big bucks. Oh, and Chihuahua, where is the case on your website, like you promised me a few months back? Hmmm?????
When all you can do is pepper your arguments with namecalling, you must be either desperate, stupid, or a wannabe radio host on 700 wlw. Deters fits all three.
But wait! There is more. In his attempts to totally sway any potential jurors should this suit go forward, he plays the victimization of Meranda card. Read this bloviating, b.s. overbloated and exaggerated line:
the response wraps up with a request that Judge Nurre grant a restraining order against Gusweiler that "is tailored to permit Defendant and Plaintiff to each do their jobs, and in particular for Plaintiff to do the job to which she was elected...without fear that the Defendant will again threaten and intimidate her by ordering armed men to throw her in jail."
Yes, the judge is ordering armed mercenary terrorists to throw her into a cell and waterboard her while throwing a hairdryer in the water....COME ON NOW! It is called enforcement of a court order. Give me a break!
Look, I think both Meranda and Gusweiler have acted like children in this matter, as far as Gusweiler's alleged statements. However, he is not actively costing the taxpayers of Brown County thousands of dollars in paying a judge to hear the case as well as lost man hours filing briefs, securing witnesses, and testimonies. Gusweiler did not manage to cast aspersions on three offices in the county, as Meranda has. Gusweiler did not ask the county to pay for a high priced mouthpiece, Meranda did.
As I have stated before, legal experts I have consulted tell me this should be thrown out on its ear for what it is: a grandstanding move by an arrogant woman who didn't like how someone talked to her and her ring wasn't kissed. While Gusweiler's actions may have been rude or less than concilatory, they are not necessarily illegal nor are they worthy of "punitive damages." If this were just about the legalities, why not take it up with the 12th district court of appeals, as was suggested?
People close to the case have told me they think Deters went too far, and that is putting it mildly. And if this is the type of representation Meranda thinks is above board, her judgment must continue to be called into question.
If this is what makes the Chihuahua a good lawyer, give me Stan Purdy anyday. Or even the corpse of Johnny Cochran. Eric Deters is nothing more than a sheister ambulance chaser with a big mouth and even bigger ego. Well, maybe not as big an ego as Tina Meranda's. Gusweiler's lawyers were professional and respected their opponent, Meranda's Chihuahua just attacked and engaged in verbal denigration. Pathetic!
If this is thrown out, Meranda should resign. She has cost us enough.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Another Driehaus Lie: Franking
Cincinnati Enquirer:
Just another Democrat liar willing to say whatever it takes to get people to vote for him...
"For a guy who goes around town claiming he's a fiscal conservative, these figures amazingly contradict who Chabot portrays himself to be. He's not a 'fiscal conservative.' He is more like an opportunist politician who says one thing and does another."How much taxpayer dollars did Steve Driehaus just use with the very same franking privlege? So glad you asked, the answer is: $125,421.
In that same news release, Driehaus said: "I pledge to never abuse the franking privilege the way Chabot has done if I am elected to Congress in November."
Just another Democrat liar willing to say whatever it takes to get people to vote for him...
Thursday, May 13, 2010
SB 232: Ohio Senate Republicans Going Green and Working for Strickland (Again)
Ohio Senate Republicans are poised to pass a key part of Gov. Strickland’s “green jobs” agenda. SB 232 would eliminate the tangible personal property tax on wind and solar project and replace it with a fee tied to power generation.
Gov. Ted Strickland supports easing the tax, said Mark Shanahan, the governor's top energy adviser. "He's listened to them say that solving this tax challenge is their last remaining obstacle," he said. "Based on that, he's asked for the legislature to give them a fix."And this is the part that really gets me...
Companies that generate wind power pay the state $40,000 per megawatt generated, the industry group said. That is higher than in neighboring states such as Indiana.Hoosiers pay less in all kinds of taxes, what is so special about this one?
The plan is opposed by the Buckeye Institute.
Skeptics such as Matt Mayer of the conservative Buckeye Institute don't think the wind industry can survive without government aid, in Ohio or anywhere else.We simply can not afford another government-funded boondoggle.
"The fact is that it's still grossly inefficient compared to gas and coal," he said.
Reactions to Gov. Strickland's Speech
Leader Batchelder:
Chairman Kevin DeWine:
“I’m shocked by the speech given by Governor Strickland yesterday. It was a mostly personal diatribe attacking John Kasich’s character and integrity. I have worked cordially with Governor Strickland on legislation and found him to be a friendly and courteous man. I did notice that this speech was read from a teleprompter, which appears to provide a personality transplant along with the script.
Ohio is in deep trouble, and we do not need a campaign conducted by character assassination. We need a constructive campaign focused on issues that are important to all Ohioans. What is the plan to attract businesses, industries and jobs? Why have we lost more than 200,000 jobs in this administration, and how are we going to get them back?
When the governor announced his candidacy five short years ago, unemployment was 5.5 percent. Today, unemployment is 11 percent. We need to talk about jobs and not try to drench each other in contumacy. Let’s move Ohio ahead with new ideas and concepts of government, not diatribe.
Chairman Kevin DeWine:
"Ted Strickland used to be a candidate full of promises and optimism. Four years later, the only thing he has to offer is attack ads and negative campaign speeches. It's no surprise that a governor who lost 430,000 jobs would want to shift the attention away from his record, but Ohioans know better.
As much as the governor wants to make this election about his opponent, it's about four years of Ted Strickland's failed leadership, broken promises and incompetent management. Gov. Strickland promised to turn around Ohio's economy, and by every measure this state is worse-off today than it was when he took office. No amount of scorched earth campaigning can change that."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
A Message From Rep. Kaptur to OH-09 Constituents
From the E-mailbag:
Dear Residents of the Ninth Congressional District,
Thank you for voting for me and returning me to Congress for the past 28 years. During my years in Congress, while serving as your representative, we have accomplished the following, of which I am very proud:
(1) Congress has increased spending to unsustainable levels. When I began my service to you, the U.S. was about $1 trillion in debt. This year I expect that we will have increased our debt to over $14 trillion. I feel this is one of my greatest accomplishments.
(2) Congress has bailed out (greedy) banks, (greedy) Wall Street firms, and auto companies (which employ hard working men and women).
(3) Congress has hired more Federal workers than at any other time in the history of the United States. I am permitted to hire 18 full-time staff members for my office alone, as are all other members of Congress. When I started, my pay was $69,800 per year. Today it is $174,000 per year. The Federal Government is now the nation's largest employer. Including contract employees which the government pays for, there are over 14 million federal workers. Not counting contract workers, the government writes pay checks to over 2.5 million workers, the largest amount ever. When I began my career in Congress, there were barely 1 million workers on government payrolls. We've come a long way.
(4) Government workers are paid more than all you chumps in the private sector. The average federal government worker now makes $67,691 plus $40,785 in benefits. Private sector employees average $60,046 and much less in benefits. A government janitor, for example, makes $30,000 while one in the private sector makes $24,000 per year. I'm so happy I've been able to take care of government (union) workers and that there are so many of them now. Thank you all for paying for not only my salary, but for the salary of my staff and all the government workers.
(5) We have now placed control of your health care in the good hands of the Federal Government. My vote helped to ensure that your treatment options when you are sick will be determined by the Federal bureaucracy.
(6) We have successfully limited the energy supply of our country and, during my 28 years in Congress, my votes have helped to ensure that we are more dependent on foreign countries for our energy supply each year. In 1981, just before I came to Congress, 43.6% of our oil came from foreign sources. Today, with my help in voting against new drilling in our country, 66.2% of our oil comes from foreign sources. I'm particularly proud that we are sending billions of dollars each month to our enemies.
(7) Finally, I'm proud of the fact that only 52% of our citizens have to pay income taxes and that, because of my votes and those of my fellow Democrats in Congress, 48% of our citizens get a totally free ride. Haven't we made this the greatest country in the history of the world?
I hope you appreciate all I have done for you these past 28 years. I know that, since I do so many nice things for my constituents, you will all continue to blindly vote for me when I am up for re-election.
Sincerely,
Marcy
Ohio House GOP: Ohio Can’t Afford Medicaid Without Significant Strides
Release:
COLUMBUS—The recently passed federal health care reform act, which includes an expansion of Medicaid, will leave Ohio unable to afford the new requirements unless a bipartisan solution is enacted, according to State Representative Dave Burke (R-Marysville). Burke and other House Republican members have championed various legislative reform measures.
“Health care access and coverage is a concern our caucus shares with many families across Ohio and the nation,” said Rep. Burke. “Our state needs to rein in spending, realign our priorities to control rampant unemployment, and address the issue of health care access and coverage. I would like to see swift action seeking statewide input for health plans in managing, evaluating and improving care systems, and serving Ohioans in the most efficient and effective manner.”
The statement comes a day after the Congressional Budget Office released a new estimate [1] that the health care overhaul will likely cost more than $1 trillion over the first ten years.
When enacted, a statewide managed care program may illustrate mandatory participation for most, voluntary participation for some, and excluded participation for other populations throughout the pool of participants or, in this case, Ohioans. Additionally, a statewide program will be able to better identify varying models of care and risk-adjusted payment methods.
“The fact remains that without immediate discussions and strides toward custom-fitting the Washington directive, Ohio’s economic turmoil will plague our state for the foreseeable future. Our state simply does not have the money to expand Medicaid overnight. Since America has been written a prescription for $1 trillion dollars in new spending, I urge my legislative colleagues to collaborate and pursue this first step in beginning to implement health care reform,” said Rep. Burke.
Late last month, it was reported that Ohio’s unemployment had seen nearly 12 consecutive months of double-digit unemployment and partisan-pointed discussions have led the House chamber away from measures, such as those relating to Medicaid fixes. House Republicans remain hopeful that the House majority will give this discussion due consideration prior to summer recess.
COMBS: Bill Addressing Animal Cruelty Wins Passage in Key Committee
Release
COLUMBUS-- State Representative Courtney Combs (R-Hamilton) announced today the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee voted to pass his legislation, House Bill 55, which is aimed at addressing animal cruelty.
“The current penalties for animal abuse in Ohio are no more than a slap on the wrist and do nothing to punish the abuser or prevent future acts,” Combs said. “In addition, current law does not connect the dots between children abusing animals and the potential for future violence."
House Bill 55 would increase the penalties of cruelty to animals, require mandatory evaluation and possible therapy for minors who torture or abuse animals, and allow judges to include pets in court protection orders issued in domestic violence cases.
Last February, a three-month-old baby alpaca named Masterpiece was stolen from a farm in Butler County by two teens and one adult. According to police reports, Masterpiece was suspended in the air and severely beaten and tortured until it died. The story received national attention and was a driving force for this reform.
“Public outcry and calls for increased penalties from officials across the state have led to this demand for change. This bill will go a long way towards reducing and preventing cases of animal abuse here in Ohio,” said Combs.
Combs’ bill now moves onto the House floor for a full vote.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sheriff Jones Costs Us $700,000
Add this to Spotlight's price tag...
Previously on WMD, we covered Spotlight getting tagged for $100,000.
Well on his way to a cool million...
Previously on WMD, we covered Spotlight getting tagged for $100,000.
Well on his way to a cool million...
Monday, May 10, 2010
Husted's Ignorance
Over at the DDN, Marty Gottlieb catches this bit from the Boy Wonder in his wrap-up piece:
Is it too much to ask that our statewide candidates not sound like they have no idea what they are talking about???
Husted supported the Third Frontier issue on the ballot, like the party establishment, but unlike, say, Seth Morgan. And Husted supported the school levy where his vote is counted, in Kettering, whereas the local head of the Tea Party took credit for its defeat.Is the ORP even coaching their candidates on the local grassroots issues? Taxation without representation isn't the issue that the Tea Party cares about today. The real issues are out of control spending, reducing the size and scope of government, and fiscal responsibility.
Husted says his levy vote was consistent with Tea Party values, because the original Tea Party was about taxation-without-representation, the precise opposite of a situation in which people get to vote specifically on a tax.
Is it too much to ask that our statewide candidates not sound like they have no idea what they are talking about???
Ohio Jobless Rate Soars Under Democrat Leadership
Release:
Increased unemployment and business exodus plagues Cincinnati
Columbus—With Ohio’s unemployment at 11 percent, House Republicans decried the partisanship and inactivity displayed by House leadership throughout this General Assembly.
“We all know that our state has been in an economic struggle for some time, and southwestern Ohio is not immune to the financial stresses Ohioans have faced across the state,” Rep. Robert Mecklenborg (R-Green Township) said. “If we’re going to bring jobs back to our constituents, House leadership must be willing to reach across the aisle and embrace innovative, effective solutions to our problems.”
While Ohio has lost 194,000 jobs in the past year alone, the Cincinnati metropolitan area saw unemployment rise to 10.9 percent in February 2010 – the highest rate since 2000.
“My colleagues and I in the legislature see the regrettable path Ohio’s economy has taken under this leadership, and we’ve proposed bill after bill to help solve increasing unemployment and out-of-control government spending,” Rep. Ronald Maag (R-Salem Township) said. “Ohioans deserve for our proposed legislation to have a chance on the House floor, and I urge my fellow lawmakers across the aisle to give us that chance.”
In an effort to create jobs and make Ohio more business-friendly, the House Republican Caucus introduced two packages of proposals aimed at creating jobs and restoring accountability to state government. These “Future of Ohio” jobs and government reform packages would help bring Ohio into the competitive race for jobs by improving the business climate, reducing taxes on families and businesses, and restoring a fiscally responsible state government. To date, none of the “Future of Ohio” proposals have been permitted a vote in committee or on the House floor.
“When your proposals are not working, you have to be able to swallow your pride and ask for help,” Rep. Joseph Uecker (R-Miami Township) said. “The statistics show that the few Democratic solutions to bringing jobs and business back to Ohio have not worked. Ohioans want to work in a business-friendly environment, and my colleagues and I maintain that our “Future of Ohio” packages can accomplish that.”
“As state legislators, our constituents entrust us with the responsibility to be sure that Ohio can fulfill their needs as mothers, fathers, and business professionals,” said Rep. Danny Bubp (R-West Union). “My House Republican colleagues and I remain confident that an effective session will take place before summer recess that will begin to address bipartisan solutions to Ohio’s economic woes.”
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