TEA Party Groups Recommend Ron Young for Grendell Senate Seat

Release:

GeaugaCounty - October 31, 2011 - In a letter addressed to Ohio Senate Leader Tom Niehaus, House Speaker Bill Batchelder and Governor John Kasich today, leaders of the Geauga, Lake and Portage County TEA Parties announced
that they are recommending Ohio Representative Ron Young for appointment to the Ohio 18th Senate District seat being vacated by former Senator Tim Grendell. With the redistricting of Ohio Senate and House districts in October, the counties of Lake, Geauga and Portage, will be sharing the same senator. Members and leaders of the three county TEA Party groups thought that it was important to make a recommendation for this important seat and made the effort to interview in person as many of the 12 potential candidates as possible. Over the past two weeks, the group interviewed eight of the most qualified candidates for one hour each in an effort to come up with its recommendation. Ron Young was unanimously favored for the appointment by the committee.

In making the announcement, Michael J. Petruziello, President of the Geauga County TEA Party said: In an effort to have representation that fits the needs of the people, it was necessary to evaluate applicants and make a recommendation as to who would represent us for the remainder of this Senate term vacated by Senator Grendell. Since Portage and Lake counties are now in the same district with Geauga County, I felt that it was necessary for their input to help recommend a viable candidate that we could all support in 2012 and beyond. Representative Ron Young fulfills the requirements that Lake, Portage and Geauga County Tea Paries are looking for in a candidate that represents our values.

Chuck Laughlin, Co-Director of the Lake County TEA Party, added: "We recognize the importance of citizens being involved in their self-governance. In light of this responsibility and duty, we have participated in the process to make this recommendation. We have found state representative Ron Young to have consistently demonstrated a conservative voting record and to hold to the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, and free markets. Therefore, we are pleased to make this recommendation."

Tom Zawistowski, Executive Director of the Portage County TEA Party said: "We are not currently part of this new senate district, but will be starting next year. We understand that the Republican Party needs to appoint someone who is both in the current senate district and also lives in what will be the new senate district, so that they will be able to run for re-election next year after the appointment. Under those conditions, we were happy to be invited to participate in the vetting process and we were impressed by many of the potential candidates. Ron Young has a conservative record during the years that he has served in the Ohio House and we believe that he is now ready, willing and able best serve in the Ohio Senate. We encourage the Republican Leadership to appoint Ron as we believe that he best represents the interests of all the citizens of Lake, Geauga and Portage Counties. We will look forward to their appointment decision."

The TEA Party is not a political party but a grassroots cultural movement. The movement is educating American citizens about the Constitution and the historical body of knowledge that our founders relied upon to create the uniquely American form of self-governance that has made our country so successful. Through this education, the movement is attempting to re-define what it means to be an American citizen by encouraging individual participation in governance at all levels to more closely align government with its traditional role as originally defined by the nation's founders.

Teacher Voices Support for Issue 2/SB5 With Logic, Grace, and Truth

...as opposed to the We Are Ohio (but aren't really from Ohio, many of their "grassroots" are union activists from out of state, as State Senator Shannon Jones tweeted over the weekend) Liars club...
From the News Democrat:

To the editor:

On Sept. 25, Mike Riley, of Lake Waynoka wrote a letter about Issue 2 urging everyone to do their own research and then asked loaded questions like, "Who do you trust more, politicians of teachers?" I want to present some facts any of which you can Google (just be sure to use primary sources, not political ones) and my own loaded questions.

First, the money for public workers' health care and retirement benefits is not there. The only way to continue paying those benefits is a drastic tax hike on those of us who do pay taxes. I am a retired teacher and for years listened to my self-employed husband point out what a sweetheart benefits deal we teachers enjoyed. If a drastic tax hike does not pass in Ohio, assuming Issue 2 is repealed, then lay-offs of public workers will certainly follow. Hamilton County is talking about laying-off deputies, and Cincinnati was bailed out recently from a similar fate by temporary money from Washington. Private workers, most of whom have never enjoyed paid-for health care and retirement benefits, always foot the bill for public employees and their unions.

Second, all but three of Ohio's 88 counties' school districts are projecting huge deficits. (Ohio Department of Education at http://fyf.oecn.k12.oh.us/viewforecast) Local districts have eliminated busing, librarians, teachers,and free extra curricular activities. The answer from the Ohio Education Association was to charge teachers an extra $50 plus to fund the TV ad campaign against Issue 2. The ads say "could" result in fewer police, firemen, etc. The opposite is true. If Issue 2 is repealed, there will be lay-offs. The extra $50 was on top of the $800 union dues of the National Education Association which has already endorsed Obama for 2012 and contributed $50 million to his election in 2008.

Mr. Riley stated that school districts currently require teachers to pay 15 percent of their health care and 10 percent of their retirement. If that is so, why do we need Issue 2? He also states many schools are rated "excellent" by the state. (That reminds me of Garrison Keillor's "Lake Woe-Be-Gone, where all the children are above average.") If that is so, why are the SAT scores for the 2011 high school graduating class the lowest averages ever recorded in reading and writing? Only 43 percent of 1.6 million students who took the SAT (college entrance exam) scored high enough to indicate they were prepared for college. (Wall Street Journal, Sept. 15, 2011) According to Bill and Melinda Gates in another Wall Street Journal article, "Grading the Teachers," (Saturday/Sunday, Oct. 22-23, 2011) 98 percent of school teachers are rated "satisfactory." They state, "Clearly, rating systems that pass nearly everybody are a fraud." Clearly, reforms are needed. Issue 2 is a step in the right direction of returning decision making to local school boards, and ironically, to teachers themselves.

The NEA is on record stating they will put students first when students pay union dues. (NEA General Council Bob Chanin, July, 2009) (blo.heritage.org/2009/07/09/nea-general-council)

Mr. Riley sees Republicans trying to de-fund Democrats by depriving them of union money. Gov. Kasich set a meeting for the unions to negotiate issues. The unions boycotted. The lies and scare tactics in the union sponsored commercials frighten me. I know good people who believe everything their unions and their TV tell them. In solving Ohio's budget crises, whom do you believe, the union protesters who trashed the state house in Madison, Wis., and shouted down opposition, the union protesters in Columbus who also shouted down and did their best to intimidate the supporters of Issue 2 - or do you believe the politicians who endured that abuse and did the right thing any way?

Don't misunderstand me here. I am no fan of politicians. They are "the ruling class" and do not live like the "country class." But I do support Issue 2. It's time to get Ohio's financial house in order.

Vickie A. Warren

Bethel

God bless teachers like Mrs. Warren. Her students were lucky to have her in the classroom. Unlike certain other SW Ohio teachers who do more HARM than good, throwing students in trashcans, encouraging them to live the same alternative lifestyles they do, and also on their social media pages showing pictures supporting anti-semitic groups like Occupy, etc. with fraudulent claims about 1% vs. 99%, Mrs. Warren uses researchable facts and not innuendo. She uses logic and not ignorance. God bless you, Mrs. Warren.

Danny Bubp on Issue 2/SB5: Schools Will Have Flexibility, Can Hire More Teachers

As their budgets tighten, schools have relied more heavily on levies. This has obviously increased uncertainty for schools across the state because a levy's passage is never guaranteed. It is especially challenging in times like these, when families - facing layoffs or pay freezes - have been forced to tighten their own belts and are thus less able to support tax increases.

While these are certainly trying times, simple changes can be made. Senate Bill 5 gives schools greater flexibility over their budgets, which in the past has not been available to them because of growing union demands. Such demands included automatic pay raises, excessive paid leave and generous retirement packages.

Besides lessening the burden on taxpayers to cover teachers' healthcare and retirement benefits, SB 5 also eliminates the "last hired, first fired" policy that has long been a staple in union contracts. In the past, this policy has cost many young and energetic teachers their jobs, simply because they were not as tenured. Also, because younger teachers are often paid less, when layoffs were necessary, schools have been forced to cut more teaching positions in order to cover their deficits.

The previous General Assembly refused to confront these issues, electing instead to fill gaps in the education budget with one-time stimulus funds. They knew this would not solve the problem over the long haul, but did it anyway because it was more politically expedient.

That option is no longer available. If we do not get our fiscal house in order, schools will continue trying to pass levies onto the backs of local taxpayers who simply can no longer afford them.

Danny Bubp

State Representative

88th Ohio House District

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GUEST COLUMN: "Trade Pacts Could Benefit Ohio Farms, Factories, and Freight Haulers" by Rep. Schmidt

Rep. Jean Schmidt

By Rep. Jean Schmidt

I traveled to Panama last week to discuss implementation of a free-trade agreement.

During the visit, I met with Panama’s president, Ricardo Martinelli, and participated in panel discussions on economic development with members of the country’s National Assembly. The topics included issues that could benefit Southern Ohio.

I’m excited about what the expansion and improvement of the Panama Canal could mean for Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, and Scioto counties – all of which border the Ohio River and are part of the 2nd Congressional District. I also represent nearby Pike County and Warren County, and they might benefit as well.

Commercial traffic on the Ohio River averages more that 150 million tons a year, and much of the cargo that passes by my district eventually is transferred to sea-going vessels destined for ports throughout the world.

That cargo includes coal, crude oil, petroleum products, sand, gravel, iron, steel, chemicals, and grain.

A lot of that cargo ends up traveling through the Panama Canal.

Although there is some uncertainty as to what the ultimate impact of the Panama Canal’s expansion and improvements will be, the results likely will be positive for both Panama and the United States.

For Panama, the completion of the project in 2014 will mean more jobs, economic growth, enhanced national pride, less unemployment, and less poverty.

For us, the project should translate into faster shipping times, especially between the East Coast of the United States and Asia.

Faster shipping means cheaper shipping. And cheaper shipping means many U.S. products will now become financially competitive in Asian markets.

The Cincinnati Enquirer recently detailed the excitement and enthusiasm of some political and business leaders in Southern Ohio. They are trying to prepare for new economic opportunities that might result from increased commercial river traffic as a result of the expansion and improvements to the Panama Canal.

“Freight volume in the region is expected to grow by 56 percent over the next three decades, including a 5.5 percent rise in barge freight,” the newspaper reported.

Three separate free-trade agreements that I worked hard for in the House – involving Panama, Colombia and South Korea – were approved the week before I traveled to Central America.

These free-trade agreements could be a boon for farmers, manufacturers, and freight haulers throughout the 2nd Congressional District. That’s because the agreements eliminate tariffs that made U.S. products unnecessarily expensive in those countries.

The Ohio Soybean Association estimates that the free-trade agreements will result in a $3 billion increase in soybean exports to the three trading partners. Slightly over half of that, $1.8 billion, will come from increased soybean purchases by South Korea, the association said.

Because agricultural exports move in bulk, water-borne freight is likely to grow as goods are carried by barge down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. This bump in river traffic also is expected to result in construction of terminals and other necessary infrastructure to handle the purchases from our trading partners.

These are the kinds of things that actually stimulate an economy – buyer and seller, supply and demand. Such economic activity causes businesses to grow and unclench their grip on cash, which they have been saving to keep their companies viable in case the economy takes another dive.

The free-trade agreements provide us with hope for the future, and recent history shows it’s more than wishful thinking.

Statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Commerce show that American exports to a dozen countries increased by an average of 25.6 percent in the first three years after free-trade agreements took effect between 1985 and 2008. Taken together, the increased business between the United States and these trading partners is expected to provide a $12 billion shot in the arm for the American economy.

Making a deal with South Korea was a big prize. The Koreans went out of their way to make life difficult for American car makers who had sought to sell vehicles in that market. South Korea would almost whimsically change fuel-efficiency standards on American cars exported there, setting mileage and safety requirements that U.S. carmakers couldn’t meet. Either the rules kept changing or the new standards would price American cars out of the market, according to a report by Bloomberg News.

Some of this seemed like a college prank – such as limiting the square footage for U.S. dealerships in Korea, which resulted in cramped showrooms. Or tinkering with the size of the country’s license plates so they wouldn’t fit on the bumpers of U.S.-built cars, Bloomberg reported.

I hope all of that is behind us now – that we can put away the whoopee cushions and water balloons. It’s time to get our rails, roads, and rivers ready to carry more of the commerce of our factories and farms.

Ohio Department of Agriculture Issues Quarantine For Six Animals

Release:

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (Oct. 27, 2011) – Today the Ohio Department of Agriculture issued a quarantine order for six animals currently held by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium that the zoo received last week from the Terry Thompson farm in Muskingum County.

The order was issued because of the possibility that the animals could be infected with disease as a result of the conditions in which they were reportedly held.

The order is in effect indefinitely and prohibits the Columbus Zoo from moving or releasing the animals to their owner until they are determined to no longer be a potential disease threat. The animals’ owner can appeal the quarantine order and is entitled to a hearing within 30 days.

The six animals currently held at the Columbus Zoo include: three leopards, two macaques monkeys, and a grizzly bear.

A copy of the quarantine order can be viewed here (PDF)

Rep. Schmidt Praised for Perfect Voting Record on Pro-Family Issues

Release:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt has been named a “True Blue Member” of Congress for her perfect voting record in favor of pro-family and pro-life issues.

Representative Schmidt scored 100 percent on recorded votes in the first session of the 112th Congress, according to Family Research Council Action and CitizenLink. She was one of only 54 of the 435 House members to receive a perfect score. Of the 18 House members from Ohio, Congresswoman Schmidt was one of just four to score 100 percent.

Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council Action, commended Congresswoman Schmidt and the other True Blue Members for voting “consistently to defend faith, family and freedom.”

"I applaud their commitment to uphold the institutions of marriage and family," Perkins said. Congresswoman Schmidt has “voted to repeal Obamacare, defund Planned Parenthood, end government funding for abortion within the health care law, (and) uphold the Defense of Marriage Act.”

Congresswoman Schmidt, a Republican from Miami Township, said she was honored to be recognized for her stalwart support of issues important to families throughout Southern Ohio.

“I’m proud to represent the values of people who live in the Second Congressional District, and I will not waiver in my commitment to them,” Congresswoman Schmidt said.

Romney Was a Pawn in DeWine vs Kasich?

Our good friend Tom Blumer of BizzyBlog.com provides a pretty decent overview of what happened. Check it out first if you don't know what this is about.

Over at the Business Insider, there is a piece by Michael Brendan Dougherty that suggests Romney got used by Chairman Kevin Dewine in his super secret civil war with Governor John Kasich.

Now, there has been no love lost between these two; but, to suggest that the Ohio Republican Party (ORP) would stage an event with Romney to make Kasich look bad is absurd.

That's right. Absurd.

Absolutely NOTHING gets the blessing of the State Central Committee (SCC) that Chairman DeWine doesn't want approved. SCC supports and has endorsed Issue 2. So I find it highly unlikely that ORP forces oppose Issue 2 and want to risk Ohio's fiscal future in a bid to make Kasich look bad.

Furthermore, the old guard staffers are gone. Most of these guys on staff at ORP now have spent less time in this state than Secretary of State Jon Husted spent in his "residence" in Dayton the last decade while serving in the House and Senate. For those of you not from here, that's not a lot of time.

Never mind the fact that such behavior would be wildly inappropriate and highly unprofessional, I just don't think that these guys would deliberately stage an event that would make their guy look bad.

This is on Romney. He is the tool that got in over his head and decided to lick his finger and stick it to the wind. He punted. he should never have come to the event if he had no idea what he was doing or why he was there. His slick staff are the ones who dropped the ball.

UPDATE: Now the Mittster is "110%" on board with Question 2...whatever that is... What a tool.

BUTLER COUNTY: Fairfield Board of Education Update

Can I PLEASE get a candidate for school board that has a clue and actually doesn't act like clown? Is that too much to ask??? Apparently so... Oh, and look, COASTers are involved too.....color me shocked and surprised...

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Kasich to Sign EO on Wild Animals

In little over an hour, Governor Kasich will sign and discuss an Executive Order dealing with dangerous wild animals.

Nothing like closing the barn door after the animals escaped...

Although I can't say I am surprised by this, it is exactly the sort of move that most politicians make after an event like what happened in Zanesville earlier this week.

HAMILTON COUNTY: Super Bowl Champion to Tackle Green Township Issues

Statement:

"The Hamilton County Republican Party congratulates the newest Green Township Trustee, Rocky Boiman."

"On Monday, October 18th, Green Township Trustees David Linnenberg and Tony Upton appointed Rocky Boiman to replace Tracy Winkler, making Mr. Boiman the newest member of the Board. Mrs. Winkler recently vacated this position to become the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. The two remaining Trustees, Upton and Linnenberg, have the legal authority to name her replacement. Mr. Boiman is expected to be sworn-in this coming Monday, October 24, at 5:30 p.m., at the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. The Board convenes at the Green Township Administrative Complex, 6303 Harrison Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45247."

"Mr. Boiman is an 8 year NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion. He received his degree in pre-med from the University of Notre Dame in 2002, and is currently the CEO of the Rocky Boiman Football Academy LLC. Mr. Boiman is a Cincinnati native, and will work diligently to serve the residents of Green Township."

Gaddafi Status

UPDATE:

al Reuters reports

GUEST COLUMN: "Carl Lindner’s Kindness Touched Every Part of Cincinnati" by Rep. Schmidt

By: Rep. Jean Schmidt

WASHINGTON – After I was first elected to Congress in 2005, Carl Lindner invited me to his corporate headquarters in Cincinnati. We took an elevator up to the top floor of the building, which afforded beautiful views of downtown and the Ohio River.

“This is what’s important to me,” he said as we gazed upon the city. “This needs to be important to you.”

I replied: “It’s always been important to me, and it always will be.”

Carl Lindner, the chairman of American Financial Group, smiled. And then he reached out and squeezed my hand.

He loved this city. It was the most important thing to him – behind only his faith and his family.

Carl and I walked over to a table, sat down, and continued our conversation over frozen yogurt. His family rose to prominence in the business world by establishing United Dairy Farmers, the convenience stores famous for ice cream. But Carl Lindner knew I was a health buff – so he had served up Homemade brand frozen chocolate yogurt. I thought that was sweet of him.

“Delicious,” I said. “But my favorite is your family’s chocolate chip ice cream.”

That brought a twinkle to his eye. “Mine too,” he said.

Every time I see UDF’s frozen yogurt, I think of that day and smile.

Carl Lindner, the man dubbed Cincinnati’s most successful entrepreneur, passed away Monday night at age 92.

Although he supported me as an elected official, Carl Lindner was a friend of my family for far longer.

In 1974, when my father’s racing team first competed in the Indianapolis 500, Carl Lindner’s company was the primary sponsor of our car. I have a picture tucked away somewhere of him at the Indy track – standing in a leisure suit next to me, several others, and the racecar known as the American Financial Special.

Because Carl Lindner and my father, Gus Hoffman, were both in the banking business, their paths crossed a lot. In late 1986, Carl bought my father’s small bank.

My dad admired how Carl Lindner thought outside the box when it came to the financial world. In many ways, Carl was a pioneer.

I recall how sometimes, while sitting around the kitchen table, my dad would say: “Let me tell you what Carl is doing now.”

Carl Lindner was also smart enough to surround himself with very smart people. He was an amazing man when it came to loyalty. If you were loyal to him, he was steadfast in his loyalty to you.

Loyalty, honesty, integrity – those are the attributes he personified.

Carl Lindner also epitomized the American dream. He came from nothing, but he believed in himself – and he believed in America. He worked hard, and he took chances.

He was rewarded for his efforts – but all of Cincinnati shared in that.

Look at the jobs he created, not just in Cincinnati but throughout the United States.

His philanthropy was astounding. Carl’s generosity was well known, but not the extent of it. He improved thousands of lives. His office included a wall adorned with the pictures of some of his many charitable projects. There was no part of Cincinnati that his kindness didn’t touch.

The 2nd Congressional District encompasses all or parts of seven counties, ranging from Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati to the river town of Portsmouth in Scioto County. It also includes Indian Hill, where Carl Lindner lived.

It’s the most affluent community in Ohio, but Carl Henry Lindner Jr. never forgot his humble roots in Norwood.

My heart goes out to his wonderful wife, Edyth; their three sons, Carl Lindner III, Craig Lindner, and Keith Lindner, as well as their wives; Carl and Edyth’s 12 grandchildren and five great-grand children; and all the staff at American Financial and the other Lindner companies.

Carl Lindner was a Cincinnati icon, and he was a great American.

May God bless him and his family.

God certainly blessed all of us with Carl Lindner.

Kasich on Carl Lindner

Statement: <blockquote>

“We’ve lost a giant.  Carl Lindner had an uncommonly clear understanding of how to solve problems and nurture the best from the people around him.  His unfailing love for Cincinnati made it a better place and those contributions will live on for generations.  His story of success from humble roots is a classic American tale from which we can all be inspired.  It was my pleasure to know him and I will miss him.  Karen, Emma, Reese and I lift up the Lindner family in our prayers and ask that God bless them with His peace and comfort.”

</blockquote>

Fiarfield Board of Education

The Echo has a piece up about this important race.

The three candidates for two seats are Jerome Kearns (incumbent, current president of board) , Arnold Engel (former board member), and Balena Shorter (incumbent board member).

In light of the fiasco with the transportation kickback scandal, an issue that Engel was 100% RIGHT about, I believe he deserves another chance.

I like Kearns and don't know anything about Shorter, so -- for now anyway -- I'll be voting for Kearns and Engel.

Speaker Batchelder on Death of Carl Lindner

Statement: <blockquote>“I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of my dear friend, Carl Lindner. He was a successful entrepreneur and selfless philanthropist who dedicated his life to giving back to the community. He has certainly left his mark on the great city of Cincinnati, as his legacy of creating jobs and devoting his life to serving others through his charitable contributions will continue to inspire all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Carl was a man of incredible integrity who devoted his time, energy, and livelihood to serving others so that they could live the American dream, just as he did. I know he will be sorely missed by his family and friends, as well as all in the city of Cincinnati – the city he cherished and called his home.” </blockquote>

Boehner on Passing of Carl Lindner

Statement: <blockquote> "Carl Lindner was a good friend, an entrepreneur and job creator who truly loved Cincinnati.  Never a man to turn down a worthy cause, Carl's generosity touched countless lives.  My thoughts and prayers are with Carl’s wife Edyth, his sons Carl, Craig, Keith, and all the Lindner family during this very sad time."</blockquote>

Hamilton County GOP: Statement on Death of Carl Lindner

Release: <blockquote>"The Republican family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Carl H. Lindner, Jr.  Our region has lost a giant.  Mr. Lindner's impact on Cincinnati is legendary. For a generation, he was the unmatched leader of the business and philanthropic communities in this area.  Mr. Lindner touched many lives and his generosity benefited citizens across the country."

"Mr. Lindner was a dear friend to the Hamilton County Republican Party.  Despite his well-deserved status as a major supporter of national political figures, he continued to strongly support our local efforts and he cared deeply about good government in his hometown.  He was a true champion for our cause."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lindner family."</blockquote>

GUEST COLUMN: "Improving Local Governments through SB 5" by St. Rep Terhar

St. Rep. Lou Terhar

By State Representative Louis Terhar

The spotlight shining on Senate Bill 5 has not dimmed since its passing earlier this spring. Most recently, debates and forums have been held across the state to provide even more information about the bill. If you have the chance, I recommend attending one of these debates because it can be beneficial to hear more than just one side of the argument. I think that the more people learn about Senate Bill 5, the more they will understand why it is needed and the positive, reasonable changes it can have on Ohio.

One area that needs reforming in our state—and one that Senate Bill 5 directly impacts—is local governments. You certainly don’t need me to tell you that budgets are tight. You have probably been living it—adjusting to someone in the family taking a pay cut or being laid off and reevaluating the way you spend your hard-earned money. The same is true for counties, cities and townships. When hard times hit the people, it inevitably trickles down to the governments representing them. Less tax revenue is coming in, so there is less money available to pay for vital public services. But instead of solving this problem by simply cutting large numbers of staff from public positions, Senate Bill 5 provides more reasonable solutions that can actually preserve these jobs.

By requiring public employees to pay about 15 percent of their healthcare costs and picking up 10 percent of their pensions, more tax dollars will be available to keeping these men and women on the job—fighting our fires, protecting our streets and educating our kids. Recently, the only way that local governments were able to deal with constricted budgets was to lay off workers, which, as you know, impacts us all negatively. Young workers were even more at risk of losing their jobs because of layoff policies that targeted the less-experienced, regardless of their performance.

Therein lies another positive component of the legislation—performance-based pay. Instead of having guaranteed salary step increases—which placed additional strain on dwindling public funds—Senate Bill 5 instates a system whereby a person’s intelligence, energy and efficiency in doing his or her job is considered. This creates an even playing field for all workers to display their talents. Of course, experience will still play a major role in determining who to hold onto, but only because experience usually enriches someone’s performance on the job.

Finally, as opposed to the popular rumor, SB 5 does not eliminate collective bargaining. It preserves bargaining for wages, hours and conditions of employment. Additionally, it should be mentioned that public safety workers are able to negotiate for safety equipment.

The information contained in Senate Bill 5 cannot fit into one column or one radio segment. Therefore, I encourage you to do additional research about the bill and become informed about the issues facing our state. My office is always willing to answer any of your questions and address any of the concerns you may have about Senate Bill 5 or any other piece of legislation.

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GUEST COLUMN: "President Claims He Wants Jobs, but Regulations Could Eliminate Them" by Rep. Schmidt

Rep. Jean Schmidt

President Obama was in Cincinnati last month to call for replacement of the aging Brent Spence Bridge, which carries Interstate 75 traffic over the Ohio River to and from Kentucky. The bridge was the backdrop as the president touted his American Jobs Act, which he claims would help people get back to work.

Unfortunately, at the same time he was talking about creating jobs, federal regulators were quietly working to damage the private sector’s ability to compete with the rest of the world.

“We used to have the best infrastructure in the world here in America,” the president said while standing on riverfront property next to the bridge.

The site he chose for his speech was Hilltop Basic Resources, which makes concrete from cement. Ironically, many in the cement business have serious concerns about federal regulations that could cost the industry a lot of money – and cost thousands of people their jobs.

As the House debated a bill to delay these job-stifling regulations, I couldn’t help but reflect on what the president had said when in Cincinnati.

“We’re the country that built the Intercontinental Railroad, the Interstate Highway System,” the president said. “We built the Hoover Dam. We built the Grand Central Station. So how can we now sit back and let China build the best railroads? And let Europe build the best highways? And have Singapore build a nicer airport? At a time when we've got millions of unemployed construction workers out there.”

The president should ask his own Environmental Protection Agency, which has been trying to deliver a kick in the pants to the U.S. cement industry. Regulations have already been imposed that require cement companies to reduce emissions from manufacturing plants, but the EPA wants more rigorous ones.

The cement industry estimates that could cost billions of dollars.

The EPA estimates that it also could cost about 1,500 jobs, while the cement industry figures as many as 4,000 people could end up out of work as plants that can’t comply are forced to close.

This comes as the cement industry is struggling to emerge from the devastating effects the recession has had on construction.

The president’s timing is breath-taking, but he forgot to pack his sense of irony before he traveled to Ohio.

The effect of these regulations will be to drive business to foreign manufacturers, whose governments don’t handcuff them with expensive environmental rules that force cement prices up and force cement manufacturing workers onto the unemployment line.

The House has voted to add some common sense to the EPA’s proposed regulations, which will allow manufacturers time to make the necessary changes and pull together the money needed to pay for them.

I hope the Senate will agree with the legislation the House has just passed on this matter.

If it doesn’t, our cement manufacturers will find themselves in a foot race wearing concrete shoes.

And if the $2.4 billion is ever found to replace the Brent Spence Bridge, the work might have to be done using cement made in some country other than America.

Thank you for taking the time to visit, Mr. President – but taking away jobs isn’t the way to solve the economic problems facing our nation.

Portman Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Export Agreements

Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a former U.S. Trade Representative, today issued the following statement after the Senate’s approval of the pending export opening agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama, agreements Portman helped negotiate while serving as U.S. Trade Representative:

“I welcome the long awaited passage of the pending export agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama, which will create much needed opportunity and job creation at a time when American families are falling behind in a stagnant economy.

“After years of unnecessary delay, American manufacturers, farmers and service providers will gain greater access to nearly 100 million consumers through lower tariffs on our exports to Korea, Colombia and Panama. According to the President’s own metrics, these agreements, which passed with strong bipartisan support, will create up to 250,000 American jobs.

“The Korea agreement is supported by the United Auto Workers (UAW), and is a welcome example of American businesses, labor groups, a Democratic President and a bipartisan majority in Congress working together to pass an important job-creating bill.

“I applaud the good work by Congressional leaders to move swiftly to bring these agreements up for a vote, shortly after the President finally submitted them to the Congress. The Senate’s vote of approval today of the Korea, Colombia and Panama agreements is a significant step in the right direction for American workers and businesses. They are also proof that Republicans stand willing to work with the Administration to help them re-engage in the global market place to opening new opportunities for U.S. goods and services.”

CSI Ohio Facilitates Change in BWC Classification to Small Businesses

Release:

Columbus – Lt. Governor Mary Taylor today announced that CSI Ohio: The Common Sense Initiative and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) worked together to reverse a change in classification of deputy registrars that was increasing premiums for these small business owners by 975 percent over the previous year.

“This is a great example of CSI Ohio bringing a state agency together with our business community to solve a problem,” said Taylor. “The reclassification of deputy registrars may seem like a small change, but it has a tremendous impact on the survival of these small businesses.”

Ohio Deputy Registrars are independent businesses who compete for contracts from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to manage government transactions such as drivers’ licenses and automobile titles. Despite being classified for years as “clerical” for the purpose of workers’ compensation premiums, registrars have recently been reclassified as “retail” in a series of audits conducted by BWC. Retail businesses have significantly higher premiums.

Listening to both sides, Lt. Governor Taylor’s CSI Ohio office questioned whether deputy registrars were actually equivalent to retail businesses. CSI Ohio facilitated a discussion between the Deputy Registrar Association and BWC, after which BWC agreed to research the matter further, and ultimately decided to adopt a new classification to cover these types of operations. The new classification will be based directly on the actual experience ratings of deputy registrars, which will lead to much lower – and more fair – premium amounts.

“If government is going to help business thrive in Ohio, we have to look at ways to regulate with common sense,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Stephen Buehrer. “We’re pleased to work with the deputy registrar industry to ensure their workers’ compensation premiums accurately reflect the risk they bring to our system.”

Ohio Deputy Registrar Association president Aldo Filippelli praised the cooperation between CSI Ohio and BWC, stating, “It is because of Lt. Governor Taylor’s dedication, outreach, and leadership that I attribute the return of deputy registrars to a more appropriate classification.”

CSI Ohio was launched on January 10, 2011 by Gov. John R. Kasich to reform Ohio’s regulatory policies to help make Ohio a jobs and business-friendly state. CSI Ohio is reviewing Ohio’s regulatory system to eliminate excessive and duplicative rules and regulations that stand in the way of job creation. Ohioans with ideas on cutting this red tape are encouraged to visit the CSI website and submit their ideas at www.governor.ohio.gov/CSI.

About That Issue 2 Ad

This is a pretty good ad, but I do have a problem with it...

Once again, the Old Guard left over from the Bennett regime that are currently running the Better Ohio pro-Issue 2 campaign have -- once again -- shown a total lack of respect for copyright law. This is something of a regular occurrence for these folks...

Furthermore, I really don't like the misrepresentation of this woman who appeared in the anti ad. She doesn't support Issue 2. Instead of twisting her words, call her out on position. Demonstrate why she is wrong in 30 seconds. If you can't do that without perverting HER POSITION, then you aren't the marketing geniuses that you think you are.

That doesn't mean that the content of the ad is wrong though. Because the ad is pretty solid on the facts and is exactly the sort of ad that Better Ohio should be running.

If you are interested in the squabble, check out 3BP's post on the subject here.

UPDATE: Better Ohio doubles down. Who didn't see THAT coming???

Jean Schmidt Recognized as Taxpayer Hero

From the release:

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jean Schmidt has been recognized as a Taxpayer Hero by the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.



Schmidt’s voting record for the second session of the 111th Congress last year is “a true testament to your willingness to stand up for American taxpayers,” said Erica L. Gordon, director of policy & government affairs for the council.



“I look forward to continuing to work with you to increase transparency, minimize waste, permanently eliminate earmarks, and reduce the ever-growing national debt,” Gordon said in congratulating Schmidt.



“I am honored that the council has again named me a Taxpayer Hero,” Schmidt said. “I will continue to represent the conservative fiscal values of my constituents in Southern Ohio. We must reduce our national debt and stop deficit spending. Raising taxes isn’t the solution. I favor a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution so we don’t have similar problems in the future.”



According to the council, it “examined roll call votes to help identify which members of Congress stand up for the taxpayers’ interests and which fail to deliver on campaign promises of fiscal responsibility.”



Schmidt received a rating of 93 percent, which was higher than most other members of the House of Representatives, according to the council.

Congratulations to Congresswoman Jean Schmidt!!!!

More Proof. Romney=Obama

Romney's advisors were brought in to help draft Obamacare. Yep, there you have it. From NBC News:

Newly obtained White House records provide fresh details on how senior Obama administration officials used Mitt Romney's landmark health care law in Massachusetts as a model for the new federal law, including recruiting some of Romney's own health care advisers and experts to help craft the act now derided by Republicans as 'Obamacare.'"

Don't be shocked if this report surfaces at tonight's Republican debate in New Hamsphire, which is previewed at our On Politics blog.

Investigative ace Michael Isikoff further reports, "The records, gleaned from White House visitor logs reviewed by NBC News, show that senior White House officials had a dozen meetings in 2009 with three health care advisers and experts who helped shape the health care reform law signed by Romney in 2006, when the Republican presidential candidate was governor of Massachusetts.

"One of those meetings, on July 20, 2009, was in the Oval Office and presided over by President Barack Obama, the records show." "The White House wanted to lean a lot on what we'd done in Massachusetts," said Jon Gruber, an MIT economist who advised the Romney administration on health care and who attended five meetings at the Obama White House in 2009, including the meeting with the president. "They really wanted to know how we can take that same approach we used in Massachusetts and turn that into a national model."

Romney has forcefully defended the Massachusetts law he signed, but says he is adamantly against a "one-size-fits-all national health-care system" imposed on all 50 states. "I will repeal Obamacare," he has said. "And on day one of my administration, I will grant a waiver from Obamacare to all 50 states."

Asked about the White House records, a Romney campaign spokeswoman responded by citing comments that Romney made last April after Obama suggested the White House had borrowed from his law in Massachusetts.

"He does me the great favor of saying that I was the inspiration of his plan," Romney said of Obama. "If that's the case, why didn't you call me? ... Why didn't you ask what was wrong? Why didn't you ask if this was an experiment, what worked and what didn't. ... I would have told him, 'What you're doing, Mr. President, is going to bankrupt us.'"

Sorry, Mittster, no dice. So, you didn't care about what happened to Massachusetts, because it was 'just an experiment?' By the way, your policy has made healthcare worse in Massachusetts, and more people are fleeing the state. Sorry, Mitt, I don't believe you. And then there is the new Rick Perry commercial equally damning:


More proof that


Don't vote for Obama Lite, Republicans. Don't let the same wizards of smart (blueblood, George HW Bush Republicans like Bill Kristol, Chris Christie, and others) who gave us John McCain in 08 convince you to go with the Mittster now. He is objectively unfit. Just as Tom Blumer at Bizzyblog.

Budish Joins We Are Ohio in Issue 2 Liars Club

State House minority leader Budish is no stranger to obfuscation and lying. His turn as majority leader of the Ohio House showed that often. Now, he is really going into propaganda mode. From the Intelligencer:

During the Belmont County Democratic Party's annual summer gathering Sunday, Ohio House of Representatives Minority Leader Armond Budish attacked SB 5. Budish, D-Beachwood, said the law "contains horrible cuts to education, local governments and law enforcement, and leaves our communities less safe."

No, it does not. Though state legislators are considering budget measures that reduce support of public schools and local governments, they are not included in SB 5. The law says nothing about how much money Columbus will dole out for education or local governments. Nothing.

SB 5 relates only to collective bargaining by public employees, along with how their pay and benefits are handled. Budish knows that, yet chose - as have many critics of the law - to misrepresent the situation.

"We're seeing an unprecedented attack on the middle class coming from Columbus," Budish continued.

Again, no. Unless Budish believes public employee union members are the only members of the middle class in Ohio, he's not being candid. In fact, public employees are a tiny fraction of the Buckeye State's middle class.

As far as collective bargaining limits in SB 5, there are some. But the new law does permit public employee unions to continue negotiating their members' pay, the most important item in most contracts.

Among other provisions of the law are one requiring public employees to pay at least 15 percent of the cost of their health insurance, another outlawing strikes by public employees, and a third requiring teachers' pay raises be awarded on merit, not seniority.

Far from attacking the middle class, SB 5 gives their elected representatives on school boards and other local entities the ability to curb the ever-increasing cost of government. That will help, not hurt, the overwhelming majority of middle-class Ohioans.

Again, Budish knows all this. His philosophy and that of public employee union leaders is simple: Misleading Ohioans worked well in the past, so why shouldn't it now?

But there is a difference this year: Buckeye State residents have seen the harm done by liberal, special interest politics in the past. They're not going to fall for it again.

Let us hope that the people of the Buckeye State look to the truth and not blatant lies from desperate unions and their desperate beneficiaries.

A Teacher Stands up for Issue 2/SB5

This guy better change is name and address. He is in deep trouble. However, he has chosen to speak up. I know quite a few teachers that privately will tell me they are in favor of and see the logic in Issue2/sb5, but don't speak up due to fear of union reprisals. That should show you who is the more virtuous. Those holding court with fear or those speaking real truth to power. But, here is what this retired teacher says, and I think we all should listen:

I taught in a district that had 85 percent reduced-price lunches. We were one of the poorest districts in the state, which means that for every dollar I was paid as a teacher, the state of Ohio paid 85 percent and the local residents paid 15 percent.

But herein lies the problem.

We had an administrator who retired at $80,000 a year, was rehired at the same salary he had just left behind, and then got another $40,000 a year from the State Teachers Retirement System, making him $120,000 a year.

So, when he was rehired, 85 percent of his $80,000 was paid by the taxpayers of Ohio. In this one simple action by the local school board, every taxpayer in our state was held liable for his salary.

A new principal was denied a chance to become an educational leader, new educational ideas were lost and the school system became an example of cronyism. And the state once more was scheduled to pay 85 percent of a salary that could have been a lot less if a new and younger person full of creative ideas had been hired.

We shouldn't be so willing to spend the public money of hard-working Ohioans.

Members of the public should have some say in the matter, since it's their money.

I believe Ohio Senate Bill 5 would put the power of spending their hard-earned dollars back in the hands of the taxpayers, just where it should be.

DAVID A. KUNKLER

Rushville

We Are Ohio=Liars Club on Issue 2

The We Are Ohio Gang are full of misrepresentations and obfuscations. Here are some of the latest examples. First we have even the Cleveland Plain Dealer calling Shenanigans:

Rather than talking about what the law actually does, like a broken record We Are Ohio continues to rely on exaggerations, distortions and class warfare.


From the ad, you’d think Ohio’s elected leaders made sure they didn’t have the same health care and pension contribution requirements as they ask of everyone else.

Except Politifact states:

As for benefits, state lawmakers already pay health insurance costs and contribute toward their pension in line with SB 5’s provisions. Medical coverage rates and required pension fund contributions for lawmakers mirror those of unionized state workers. Therefore, they typically pay at least 15 percent of their medical insurance premiums and, if enrolled, must contribute 10 percent of their salary to the retirement system.


Don’t let We Are Ohio win just because they yell the loudest.

And then, we have also heard the talk about how nurses are going to be cut and "not be able to negotiate for more"...Child please. Again, from politifact Ohio, not exactly right leaning:

The commercial, which began airing on Sept. 27, raises questions about how SB 5 impacts nurses – a group of workers less commonly associated with SB 5 than others, such as police officers and teachers. PolitiFact Ohio decided to check the ad’s claim.

We started by checking how many nurses belong to public unions and, therefore, will be affected by SB 5.

There are about 160,000 registered nurses in the state and between 6,000 and 10,000 of those are public employees, according to the Ohio Nurses Association. That means SB 5 would affect between 4 percent and 6.25 percent of Ohio nurses.

The Ohio Nurses Association represents about 3,000 public-sector nurses, chief executive officer Gingy Harshey-Meade said. The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association and the Service Employees International Union also represent Ohio nurses. These nurses work at places such as prisons, city or county hospitals and public health departments.

When the nurse in the commercial says the new law will make it harder for nurses to provide care, the following text appears on the screen: "Source: Senate Bill 5; p229, Section 4117.08 (B)."

That section of the law specifies a handful of subjects that cannot be collectively bargained. Among those topics is "the number of employees required to be on duty or employed in any department."

In an email, We Are Ohio spokeswoman Melissa Fazekas said the restriction on bargaining staffing relates to patient care because "it is more difficult for a nurse to provide quality care when he/she is working short-staffed."

Jason Mauk, spokesman for the pro-SB 5 group Building a Better Ohio, sought to minimize the idea that SB 5 bans workers from negotiating staffing. He said management can discuss the issue if it chooses. As evidence, he has pointed to a different provision in SB 5 that lists "the number of persons required to be employed or laid off" under topics that can be negotiated at management’s discretion.

It is unclear how this provision would mesh with the ban cited in We Are Ohio’s commercials about nurses and firefighters. Certainly, however, management has no obligation to discuss staffing and unions do not have the right to collectively bargain the issue.

The current collective bargaining agreement that covers Turner, the nurse featured in the commercial, gives some insight into how SB 5 would affect nurses working conditions.

Turner, who works at the Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital, is represented by the Ohio Nurses Association. The union’s contract with the university contains a clause that gives management the right to set staffing levels.

ONA’s contract with OSU says management has the right "to determine staffing and staffing patterns including, but not limited to the assignment of nurses as to the numbers employed, duties to be performed, qualifications required, and areas worked."

That sounds a lot like the rule that SB 5 would impose.
there are some critical facts on which the ad is silent.

First, it is impossible to say whether public employers will cut nursing staffs. The ad assumes that with staffing non-negotiable, management will cut staffs or not provide adequate staffing to a point that it will have an impact on the quality of care.

That’s where this claim differs from the claim in the previous ad involving firefighters, which specifically focused on the inability to bargain over staffing. This claim goes one step further, saying it will make patient care harder to provide.

Even more significantly, though, the commercial makes no distinction between nurses who are public employees and those who are non-public employees, and as such implies all nurses will suffer if Issue 2 passes. But only a tiny fraction of Ohio nurses are public employees - just four to six of every 100.

A listener knowing those critical facts would have a different impression of the claim.

On the Truth-O-Meter, the claim rates Mostly False.

Let's discuss more about the nursing thing. From the Toledo Blade:

Opponents to Issue 2 claim that SB5, which would be repealed if Issue 2 fails, will cause harm to nurses. Quoting from the We are Ohio website, http://action.weareohio.com/page/s/issue2primer:

“Issue 2 will make our nursing shortage worse. It makes it illegal for nurses, hospital and clinic workers to demand reasonable and safe staffing levels—so nurses will juggle more patients while their salaries and benefits are cut.”

This claim is also made in a We are Ohio television ad.

The Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) summarizes their position against Issue 2 as follows:

(SB5) . . . would strip public workers of their rights to collectively bargain for fair and equitable workplace conditions. For nurses, it’s a matter of life or death (emphasis theirs) Collective bargaining allows us to advocate for protections that directly affect patient safety and care. This includes making sure nurses aren’t assigned to too many patients at once or forced to work long, overtime hours that lead to burnt (sic) out and injury, and make them unable to effectively care for patients (from http://www.nfn.org/archives/1559).

Like We are Ohio’s site, both this ONA site and the one detailing ONA’s arguments (see http://www.nursesrepealsb5.org/know-the-facts.html) are rich in talking points but devoid of supporting evidence. Given the total failure of the opposition to back up their claims with citations from SB5, we can only search the text of the law and guess at what the opponents are referring to.

After ruling out any other rational possibilities from the results of my search of the text, what apparently has the opponents exercised is Sec. 339.07 (B). This section states that the administrators of county hospitals “shall ensure that the hospital has such physicians, nurses, and other employees as are necessary for the proper care, control, and management of the county hospital and its patients.” This is repeated in Sec. 749.083 (B) in the context of non-profit hospitals.

Based on this evidence from SB5 itself, the arguments made by We are Ohio and the ONA are illogical and flawed. They claim that SB5 will result in unsafe and unreasonable staffing levels in hospitals. But the language of the bill flatly contradicts this claim, unless one is willing to believe that hospital administrators are inherently so incompetent that they are incapable of fulfilling the law’s requirement to provide proper staffing.

Moreover, this argument is also based on deceit. As noted in the Columbus Dispatch’s Campaign Ad Watch analysis of the aforementioned TV ad, nurses do not have the right to negotiate staffing levels. The Dispatch notes that, under current law, nurses’ committees can suggest staffing levels to hospitals, but the levels are not subject to collective bargaining. SB5 not only does not mandate staffing levels for nurses, as opponents suggest; it also does not change current law regarding negotiation of staffing levels. (Neither does SB5 cut salaries and benefits, nor does it restrict or ban collective bargaining; but those are broader topics for later discussions.)

The intent of this argument against SB5 is not to inform, but to induce panic among the uninformed. Please, do not take the opponents at their word. Neither do I want you to take me at mine. Do what I did: Study the bill for yourself and see what it says. SB5′s text is at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_5_EN_N.pdf, and it’s fully searchable.

I am Ohio, and so is every Ohioan who favors Issue 2.

So, as we can see, We Are Ohio is lying again. But wait, they even go after the Governor, John Kasich. However, Tom Blumer of Bizzyblog is there to prove they are perverting the truth, again! Here are some excerpts:

Here is the relevant text from the source identified in the ad:

Ohio’s unemployment rate was 9.1 percent in August, up slightly from 9.0 percent in July, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 700 over the month, from the revised 5,117,200 in July to 5,116,500 in August.


In fact, Ohio’s economy added seasonally adjusted jobs in January, and continued to add jobs each and every month through July, until losing a “whopping” 700 in August. So far this year, the state’s economy has added 82,300 jobs, the sixth-best performance in the entire nation in terms of percentage of workforce growth. That’s in stark contrast to the 425,000 jobs Ohio’s economy lost during 2007-2009, and the paltry 31,000 it picked up during 2010.

There is no record of “continued job losses” since John Kasich took office. The above statement in the linked anti-Issue 2 ad is a lie.

Sadly, this is one of many self-evident lies, misleading statements and deceptions in the ad, as seen in the follow analysis of its script (referencing screen graphics where necessary):

John Kasich promised to make Ohio great again. [1] But he gave over $100 million of our tax dollars to big corporations. [2] Meanwhile, Ohio continues to lose jobs. [3]

Now Kasich is using Senate Bill 5 to destroy collective-bargaining rights [4] for Ohio workers. [5] (with an on-screen reference to SB5, page 229, 4117.08)

Kasich and other politicians took over $3 million in campaign contributions from corporate special interests [6] who could profit from Senate Bill 5. (on-screen graphic reads “profit from Senate Bill 5″) [7]

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can stop Senate Bill 5 by voting “No” on Issue 2.

Notes:

[1] — Well, over 80,000 jobs added is a start towards “making Ohio great again.” What we’ve seen through August of this year beats the heck out of any full year Ohio has seen since 1999.
[2] — Show me the checks, guys. If you want to argue that Kasich and the state agreed to $100 million in tax breaks, fine. But that’s not what the ad says. It says he GAVE them $100 million in the recent past. It hasn’t happened as described. Therefore, this statement in the ad is a lie.
[3] — This statement has already been shown to be a lie.
[4] — SB5 does not (as implied) “destroy (all) collective-bargaining rights.” Specifically, “All matters pertaining to wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment are subject to collective bargaining between the public employer and the exclusive representative, except as otherwise specified …” After that, numerous items are listed as exceptions, but there are still items subject to collective bargaining. Thus, this portion of the statement is extremely misleading.
[5] — Then there is the reference to “Ohio workers.” The implication is that SB5 affects all Ohio workers. It doesn’t. It only affects unionized Ohio state, county, municipal, and school-district public-sector employees. It does not affect private-sector workers. This portion of the statement is also extremely misleading.
[6] — “And other politicians”? What other politicians? Lefties? Righties? Indies? This is a deliberately inflammatory non-statement which communicates absolutely nothing of substance.
[7] — “Could profit”? Could? Wow, that’s powerful (/sarc). It’s closer to the truth to assert that the vast majority of Ohioans will probably be better off if Senate Bill 5 stays in place, because taxes won’t have to go up, more resources can be dedicated to Ohio’s classrooms, and government entities will have the flexibility to do what they must to keep their costs under control. Note that the gutless graphic omits the word “could,” presumably in the hope that viewers won’t realize how deliberately misleading this statement is.

The ad demonstrates that the WeAreOhio.org folks believe that they can’t win without lying to, misleading and deceiving Ohioans at every step of the way.

Why would such an organization work so much in lies? Well, considering they just give general references to some page in SB5, hoping you don't read it, we see one explanation. They think you are stupid. But, let's follow the money and see who is funding this misrepresentation. From Third Base Politics, we see that union bosses in Washington DC are the lead funders of We Are Ohio, as well as the Union Heads of Ohio unions. Gee, could we be desperate that another Wisconsin could be in the making? So desperate we are going to lie to the people of Ohio? You betcha. Check out the blog post with videos from 3BP.

Quit lying to protect your own skins, people. I thought it was about serving and protecting and educating, not lying to save yourselves.

Video of Occupy Wall Street Rabble?

No, but based on what I have seen of them in the media, these are kindred tabula rasas to the goofballs who have nothing better to do.....



These people are so sad and pathetic and have no sense of self worth that they want to matter so much, but don't know what in the heck is true, false, or even what they are doing....Sad and pathetic. Not to mention dangerous.

TIB All Stars -- Show Notes and Live Blog

The TIB All-Stars Show is LIVE and DIRECT at 6PM-ish Eastern...



Click the link to listen; participate in the live blog...




Listen Now!

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NOTE: In case the JavaPlayer doesn't work, try this one.

The TIB All-Stars Show is LIVE and DIRECT at 6PM-ish Eastern...



Click the link to listen; participate in the live blog...




Listen Now!

Click the "Listen Now!" text above to listen to TIB RADIO.

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Link to Video on YouTube

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Obama: Cant Think Without TelePrompter, or is First Lady Really a Man?

I mean, he says he has a wife named Michael. Yes, you heard that right! Barack Obama confirms what has been said on internet radio: Michelle Obama is a man. I don't know which is funnier, that Obama may be married to a man or that the man is too stupid and slow to self edit what is on a teleprompter? I mean, seriously, are you that much of a tabula rasa, Mr. President, that you just say whatever anyone types? Come on now. Here is the video along with the article from the American Thinker:

There's no fool like a teleprompter fool.

If anyone needs any further proof that Barack Obama merely says what the teleprompter tells him to, the remarks delivered at yesterday's ceremony marking the new chairman of the joint chiefs provides it. The President of the United States refers to his wife as "Michael."This gaffe can only be because there was a typo on the teleprompter. The alternative explanations are far-fetched:

1. He doesn't remember his wife's name and doesn't realize that Michael is predominantly a male name in this country.

This can't be true. Whatever else you say about Michelle Robinson Obama, she is a memorable person.

2. He has sceretly been carrying on a gay relationship, and his real partner in life is a dude named Michael.

Highly unlikley. If it were true, his current strategy of playing to the base would lead him to proudly proclaim the love that these days not only dares to speak its name, but doesn't know how to stop talking about itself. Donations from the gay, lebian, transgendered, bicurious, etc. community would skyrocket.

3. Michelle has changed her name to Michael.

This hypothesis has some possibility of being true, but wouldn't a First Lady so proud of her fashion sense be eager to proclaim her trendy new name?

Which leaves us with the dominant hypothesis:

4. When reading a teleprompter, Obama's conscious mind checks out, so that he can refer to his wife as "Michael" and never even notice. Those jokes about TOTUS now apply not just to the Oval Office, but the the personal living quarters of the White House.

Let's hope no one hacks the teleprompter, because maybe next time he just blindly checks out he might surrender us to China or something.

Or, maybe the hypothesis that you never see Michelle and her brother at the same place and time may just be onto something....

Michelle's Target Visit More Staged than WWE

Some people were taken in by the visuals of Michelle Obama shopping at Target taken by the AP this week. OOOOH, look, she is like us. She is in disguise and hanging at Target. Ninja, Please! This was a faked, staged, scripted photo op. It was meant to soften the image of Michelle "Antoinette", the Queen who goes around boozing it up on private jets and wasting your tax dollars. The Queen who eats and eats and eats junk food while lecturing you and your kids on eating a candy bar. She must want all the cake and junk food for herself, as much as she gripes. Well, now we have proof of just how cynical the Obamas are and how gullible they think we are. Check this out:

Another staged moment in the lives of Barack and Michelle Obama.
Michelle Obama just had to get out to Target to do a little shopping last week. But, before the shopping run the White House tipped off AP photographer Charles Dharapak so that he would be at the store to memorialize the moment.

How stupid do they think we are? If we reelect this clown Obama and his family, their views on our stupidity and gullibility will be confirmed. Say no to Obama in 2012 and prove we aren't a nation of coddled, easily fooled morons.

Tom Niehaus Thinks a Guy at a Church Social=Big Time Lobbyists

I am so glad that dirtbag Senate President Tom Niehaus is term limited and cannot come back to the Ohio Senate. The guy doesn't give a rat's about his constituency or conservative values. Remember, he is THE GUY who voted to retroactively raise your taxes with his former master, ex-Senate President Bill Harris. He also is doing everything in his power to sabotage the Issue 2 effort. Remember, he is the guy who basically helped the anti vote write at least one of their commercials. How, you ask? He gave his staff pay raises during this controversial time. Well, Tom Niehaus thinks that lobbyists who make six figures and give out freebies and have all sorts of access are the same as Joe Average coming up at a church social and pitching an idea. Don't believe me? Here's the WCPO I Team evidence in video and in script:


The key cut comes in the last minute or so....

Here is the quote in print, from the story:

Senator Niehaus denies any back room deals. He says lobbyists “certainly they have access because we’re sitting at the table with them but… I don’t see any correlation between lobbying and whether people have access because anybody who wants to have access can call the office and set up an appointment.”

Niehaus says he meets with constituents all the time. He defends the rights of the sponsors giving gifts, saying "Do they have an influence? Only to the extent that they provide you information, you know, but it isn’t a matter of I am going to call someone and say, ‘Well, how do you want me to vote on this?’”

While Niehaus lauds the opportunity for professional education, Turcer says the conference offers an opportunity for much more. “If you’re hanging out with a bunch of bank lobbyists after a while those are the people that you could listen over your neighbor, over your constituent.” She says, “It would be wonderful if there was an opportunity like this for the public.”

Niehaus says it happens all the time. “If I go to a church festival and someone walks up to me and you know, makes a pitch about a particular bill that they want me to support, are they lobbying? Sure they are.”

This guy should not be in a role to represent the values of the Republican Party, even the Ohio Republican Party. His career is one of sucking up to others (Doug White), using their influence to get ahead, and building a network of toadies and influence. He is what is wrong with politics and politicians. I will be glad when he is gone and hope that whomever takes his place will not be as easily influenced by cashola and not be quite the dullard when it comes to sticking one's foot in one's mouth.

Schmidt: Debt Plan Must be "New Math"

From OH-2 Congresswoman Jean Schmidt:

President Obama tossed around some big numbers earlier this week, when he shared details of his plan to reduce the federal government's debt burden through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases.

The president said his plan would call for twice as much in spending cuts over tax increases.

Not so, according to an analysis by the Heritage Foundation, which says the White House is counting on tax increases of $1.57 trillion and spending cuts of $130 billion.

The administration's proportions are a little off. Instead of $2 in spending cuts for every $1 in tax increase, Heritage found about $12 in tax increases for every $1 in spending cuts.

"This is not class warfare," President Obama said in his Rose Garden speech. "It's math."

Perhaps it's some kind of new math. It's confusing for folks used to traditional arithmetic. Some analysts call it double-counting.

If any of this looks familiar, it's because this isn't the first time the president has trotted out these proposals.

In fact, it's the fourth time.

So far, the president has run into a brick wall every time he's proposed a version of this plan - and Congress has sent him home empty-handed.

There's more at work here than a political disagreement over the wisdom of raising taxes versus cutting spending.

The Congressional Budget Office has said for years that these government-sponsored investments don't work.

The reasons are simple:

• The benefits are small, and sometimes their unintended effect is to suppress economic growth.

• Federal money is often used by states and cities to pay for programs they would have implemented anyway, but now they don't have to spend their own money to do it.

• The federal goal sometimes has nothing to do with economic growth.

I agree with the president that we have to get control of the runaway government spending that threatens to further damage our nation's credit rating.

The way forward requires that we stay focused on creating the conditions that promote the growth of our businesses, just as sunlight and water do for the crops in our fields.

Not gimmicks or smooth talk or the high-pressure sell.

Just the truth. We can take it.