No on 2

*  I thought Gov. John Kasich was to speak to 200 supporters, but according to the following Fox Toledo News, only 100 people were in his audience.  (See the report at  Video: Kasich, Bell speak to Issue 2 supporters in Toledo WUPW.)

Kasich seems dismissive of the fact that some of Ohio's public employees have had to take up to 15 unpaid furlough days, pay cuts, pay freezes, and other cuts.  Meanwhile, Kasich keeps saying that there are some people who pay zero for their health care and pensions. Really?  Ohio's public employees have sacrificed a lot, but those double dippers in the state government, and those overpaid "yes" people in the governor's office, aren't making any sacrifices.

Here is additional information from the Washington Independent:
 
...While Ohio Republicans lawmakers may have been on the front lines of the battle over SB5, it has been Gov. Kasich that has led the vocal push in targeting public employees. He said his goal is to “break the back of organized labor in schools.” In addition, earlier this year, he called a police officer that pulled him over for speeding an “idiot.” (Read previous reporting by The American Independent on SB5′s potential impact on public safety workers.)

He claimed the union-busting legislation was necessary to get Ohio’s fiscal house in order, but he didn’t bother to look for any savings in his own office.....

....“It is absolutely hypocritical for the politicians who support Issue 2 to call for “shared sacrifices” when they aren’t willing to participate,” said Melissa Fazekas, a spokesperson for We Are Ohio, a citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan coalition that has come together to repeal SB5. “While they were balancing the budget on the backs of public workers, they were also enjoying their perks and giving pay raises and bonuses to their highest paid staff members. This continued “do as I say, not as I do” attitude is exactly why Ohioans want to stop SB 5 by voting NO on Issue 2 on Nov. 8.”
 

* I've always enjoyed author Carl Hiaasen's books, and somehow I really wasn't surprised when he offered to give drug tests to the members of the Florida legislature. Hilarious.  The Florida legislature passed a bill to give drug tests to people that receive welfare.  I agree with Hiaasen.  Which members of the Florida state government are on drugs, and even Viagra.  I believe the public has the right to know.

Just asking....

*  Is Gov. John Kasich manipulating the facts about what public workers are already paying for their health insurance and pensions?

ToledoBlade:

Mr. Kasich told loyalists that Issue 2, if it passes, will make public employees pay toward their health care and pensions, something he said many do not currently do.

“Don’t you think that a public employee should pay at least 15 percent of their health care? How can anybody say ‘I should pay zero?’” he told the crowd at Omni Midwest banquet hall at 2567 Bancroft St. and was cheered on. He told listeners to remember the numbers 10 and 15 — 10 percent for the contribution public employees will have to make to their pensions and 15 percent for the minimum contribution to their health care if the law passes....

Excuse me! No one is asking to pay zero and no one, except perhaps some of your hand-picked staff members, is paying zero. Why does Kasich need to resort to these lies???? 



*  This will come as a surprise to a lot of people----> Some banks will start to charge for the use of debit cards, and other services.

NYTimes:

Bank of America, the nation’s biggest bank, said on Thursday that it planned to start charging customers a $5 monthly fee when they used their debit cards for purchases. It was just one of several new charges expected to hit consumers as new regulations crimp banks’ profits. 

Wells Fargo and Chase are testing $3 monthly debit card fees. Regions Financial, based in Birmingham, Ala., plans to start charging a $4 fee next month, while SunTrust, another regional powerhouse, is charging a $5 fee......

....Chase is now charging customers for a paper statement. It also, like many other banks, scrapped its debit card rewards program. And customers that Chase inherited from Washington Mutual no longer enjoy free checking accounts.... 

While Republicans, like Rep. Steve Stivers, work hard to protect the banks from regulations, we are getting nickle and dimed at every turn by the banks.  Will people resort to money under the mattresses again? Instead of working on legislation to undo regulations, the Republicans need to pass President Obama's jobs bill.

How many more people will lose jobs and homes before the Republicans start getting serious about job creation?

Not Very Smart

Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!  Rick Perry is not a great communicator.

Rick Perry's Views on Abstinence Education: YouTube



KETKNBC.com:

The latest counts show teen pregnancy rates are going down across the country, but in Texas, that rate continues to be one of the highest.

Texas has the third highest teen birth rate in the nation, and it costs taxpayers about a billion dollars every year.....

...Planned Parenthood says more education and birth control would help. "I think it's incredibly irresponsible to say 'Don't have sex because it's a sin' rather than telling kids the truth... the scientific truth," says one Planned Parenthood official.  The Texas Education Code doesn't require public schools to teach sex education at all, and a study says 94 percent of Texas schools teach abstinence-only sex education....

Obviously, Gov. Perry and the supporters of abstinence only education are unable to see the connection between abstinence only education and the high teen birth rates.  Students need information not ideology.

Not Interested in Christie

The Republican Party seems to be unimpressed with their weird collection of presidential candidates.  Not one of the 8 or 9 frontrunners has the charisma, or agenda that would inspire millions of right wingers.  Now, in an effort to look for someone else, some members of the Republican Party have been calling, begging, and talking up Chris Christie as a potential savior for their party's bid.

FirstReadMSNBC:

...Christie is still answering the phone: As for Christie, the calls keep coming for him to run. And he keeps saying no. But guess what: He’s still answering the phone. It’s what’s keeping the Christie storyline alive. And even if he doesn’t run, it’s probably a storyline he’s enjoying. By the way, this isn’t a family thing, so we’re told. In fact, a few months back, former First Lady Barbara Bush called Christie’s wife to reassure her about raising teenagers during a campaign and in the Washington bubble...

The Bush family is very close to Christie and his family.  If Barbara Bush felt no qualms about calling Mrs. Christie to encourage her husband's candidacy, you know that the GOP is desperate.  America should take note---  If you want policies like those of George W. Bush, then Chris Christie is for you.  However, most of us would say that right wing, pro-wealthy, anti-worker policies, being pushed by a loud bully is not what we want in a leader.

Frankly, we don't need a President who is a pompous, right wing bully, with a deep-seeded hatred for public school teachers and fire fighters.  Seeing as how the Republican Party has already stopped all legislation and job creation, we don't need to embolden these death cheering, anti-science, anti-public school, pro-pollution, conservative, Ayn Rand apostles.

As for me, I'm not interested in Chris Christie or the rest of the Republican Presidential candidates.

Messing With Academics

*  Ohioans are still waiting for the time when Gov. John Kasich actually brings jobs to the state.  So far, only "consultants" are getting jobs as Kasich continues to try to sell off state assets.

*  The History News Network has an interesting article, The War on Higher Education, that points out the problems that Kasich and others are creating on campuses across the country.

In the wake of last year’s sweeping Republican victories in statehouses across the country, recent months have brought waves of legislation hostile to both academic unions and universities across many states.  The most prominent cases are in Ohio and Wisconsin, but nationwide, according to the National Conference of State Legislators, 820 bills have been introduced that would limit or eliminate collective bargaining rights of public workers, including university faculty.

In Ohio, Senate Bill 5 would drastically limit the ability of all public unions (police, firefighters, state workers, school teachers, and university professors among others) to negotiate for salary, benefits, and work conditions.  As a Republican senator said, testifying against the bill, it is a collective bargaining bill that does not allow for collective bargaining.  Moving rapidly through the state legislature, over one hundred pages of amendments were introduced just hours before the bill was approved.  Among the amendments was a clause that specifically targeted university professors—faculty who participate in service activities, such as search committees, promotion and tenure committees, or the Faculty Senate, would be defined as “managers” and thus ineligible for union membership.  A coalition of unions and progressive groups launched a petition drive to put the bill on referendum in November.  Needing nearly 232,000 signatures, the coalition gathered nearly 1.3 million, a record number in Ohio’s history of referendums.  Senate Bill 5 will be on the ballot in November as Issue 2 and the legislation is on hold until the vote.....

Not only are these Republicans moving to take away the working rights of teachers, police officers, nurses, fire fighters, public workers, university professors, but they could be moving in the direction of limiting academic freedom. Outspoken professors have always just plain bothered Republicans and right wing TV talking heads.

* The Speaker of the House John Boehner had declared a recess for this week for the House of Representatives.  Boehner has been busy raising funds for his Republicans.

Chron.com:

A group of angry Texans couldn’t afford the $30,800 per person ticket to a political fundraiser Monday featuring U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, so they set up a not-so-friendly greeting for him outside an Austin high-rise.

More than 100 folks from San Antonio, Houston and Austin chanted, carried protest signs and marched around the bank building hosting Boehner’s fundraiser for several Republican congressional members, including Lamar Smith and Francisco Canseco of San Antonio.

“We don’t have $30,000 for a ticket, so we are having a little picket. That’s the only way we can let them know to pass the American Jobs Act,” said Shannon Perez of San Antonio. “We want the jobs act passed now. We are tired of the stalling.”

 
Do you think Boehner was rubbing elbows with some of those millionaires and billionaires he is trying to protect?   

More Ohio politics......

* Is it possible that the new congressional map created by Ohio's Republicans could be illegal? Oh, please. Oh, please. Oh, please!


Chillicothegazette:

A maneuver by state lawmakers that would protect a Republican-drawn congressional map from the possibility of a repeal by voters likely is unconstitutional, but it would take the state's highest court to answer the question definitively, legal experts said Thursday....

..... legal experts point to Ohio Supreme Court decisions that indicate that adding appropriations to such measures doesn't always mean they can't be repealed.

"It seems to me that the bottom line is the redistricting plan is subject to referendum (voter repeal)," said Prof. Daniel Tokaji, an election law expert at the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University.....

We'll see what happens.  If it goes up for a referendum, and Kasich is associated with it, the new redistricting plan could be thrown into the trash.

---   ---   ---   ---   ---

>>>  Another week is passing and Republican Josh Mandel still has not filed his financial disclosure with the U.S. Senate.  Mandel, a tea party Republican, has been able to delay his required paperwork for over 128 days!!!!  OMG!  WTF! 

Vindy:

You would think as the state treasurer, Josh Mandel would have a good grasp of finances.

But Mandel, a Republican, is apparently having trouble figuring out his own personal finances....

...Joe Aquilino, Mandel’s campaign spokesman, said the reason for the delay is the result of questions regarding the financial assets of the candidate’s wife.....

How is this even possible?  Wouldn't Mandel and his wife have records of their finances from their broker, accountants, bank statements, etc.?  Are they hoping that people will forget about their inability to meet deadlines and follow the law?  Is there something they are trying to hide?


Mandel portrays himself as an honorable man but this kind of delay and lack of a full explanation is not honorable, or honest.  Ohio voters want the truth.

Bridges to Opportunity

President Obama was at the Brent Spence today and encouraged Americans to press  Congress to pass his proposal to get people back to work.

Here is the view from the NRDC on President Obama's bill:

...Putting people back to work by rebuilding our national transportation infrastructure is a natural fit. Our surface transportation infrastructure was given a D grade by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and our world ranking in infrastructure has dropped from 6 to 16 since 2007. Our infrastructure is crumbling, and unemployment is hovering around 9 percent.

So the infrastructure investment that the President proposes is smart on two levels. First, it’s a quick way to create thousands of jobs, largely in construction and manufacturing, two sectors of the economy that have been hit hard in the downturn. Second, and perhaps more important than a quick fix, transportation investments, particularly in public transit, have long-term economic and environmental benefits for an even larger population.

Infrastructure investments provide returns on the order of $1.57 for every $1.00 invested, according to economists from Moody’s and Princeton. They create more jobs per dollar than tax cuts. Public transit investments, in particular, are highly effective job creators. They require more manufactured “parts,” such as bus seats or train tracks, than highway projects do, creating a ripple effect in the economy.  A manufacturer in Lincoln, Nebraska, for example, builds cars for the New York City subway system. So a public transportation investment in New York creates employment in Nebraska....

However, the biggest obstacle for this bill and any legislation that would put people back to work is the Republican Party.  John Boehner and Mitch McConnell will continue to block any proposal to put people back to work. Boehner, McConnell, and their Republican and Tea Party followers will go to any length, say anything, and do absolutely nothing so that they can blame a lack of jobs on the President.  They don't want the President to succeed.  They don't want you to have a job, be able to keep your home, and feed your family.  The Republicans want you to fail, the President to fail, and the country to fail. 

We have to push for President Obama's American Jobs Act. Building bridges, fixing roads, repairing schools, will help us all fully recover from this economic slowdown.

Raiding Kentucky?

*  It looks like Gov. John Kasich has opened up Pandora's Box.
Cincinnati.com:

Now that Ohio Gov. John Kasich has lured a Fortune 500 business from Northern Kentucky's largest city, the development fight is on, according to one city commissioner.

Commissioner Steve Frank said there would be reorganization of the city's economic-development staff, and, "we're going to concentrate on getting some people who actually are out there, beating the bushes and trying to find jobs - and if some of them happen to be in Cincinnati, well, that'll be their problem."....

"Everything's fair game," City Manager Larry Klein said about recruiting Ohio businesses....

When it happens, Kasich will start whining.

****  Cronyism continues to thrive under the leadership of the Ohio Republicans and John Kasich.

Dispatch:

The Ohio Casino Control Commission didn’t go far to find its first executive director.

Matt Schuler, chief of staff for Senate President Tom Niehaus, was appointed to the job today.....

Wow!  Schuler did not apply for the job, has no experience in the gaming industry, and has no law enforcement background.  He is perfect for the job in the world of the Ohio GOP, as long as they can pull the strings.  Without the law enforcement and gaming background of a qualified candidate for the position, the Republicans are setting up the state for a massive disaster. 

What goes on at private meetings?

****  Mike Shreffler's letter about Gov. John Kasich has a lot of people wondering how much b.s. Kasich is throwing out at his "invited" guests at his special meetings.

Daytonos:

.....According to Superintendent Shreffler, Kasich lied about the amount that public employees pay to their retirement funds.  Writes Shreffler, “Kasich told the audience that public employees do not pay a dime into (retirement) and they do not pay a dime for their health insurance.”

....In her DDN article, Bishoff writes, “State law mandates that public workers pay 10 percent of their wages toward their pension while their employers pay between 14 percent and 26 percent. However, about 6.6 percent of public employees have union and individual contracts that call for the employer to pick up all or part of the workers’ share as well.”

In Kettering Schools, the “public workers” who got such a sweet deal — of having the local board pay all of their retirement — were not members of the teachers’ union, but were all of the administrators....

I'm so tired of the Kasich administration.  Who voted for this clown?

*  Favorite Twitter comments about Republican Josh Mandel,and his personal financial disclosure which is 120+ days late-----

polipaca Donna Elizabeth

almost spit coffee, hahahah RT @plunderbund: Josh Mandel is the State TREASURER, but cannot figure out same di… (cont) http://deck.ly/~ufwcD

6 hours ago

»

plunderbund Plunderbund

Josh Mandel is the State TREASURER, but cannot figure out same disclosure form Christine O'Donnell had no trouble figuring out.

6 hours ago


Awesome response.  Since Mandel is the state treasurer, should he know how to fill out  a form?

Why not take more from millionaires?

*  Today, Republican leaders, Rep. John Boehner and Sen. Mitch McConnell discounted President Obama's plan to tax millionaires at a higher tax rate.  McConnell and Boehner, both wealthy men, continue to defend the millionaire's club.  The arrogance Boehner and McConnell display and their defense of their millionaire friends is just plain wrong.

HuffingtonPost:

Drawing clear battle lines for next year's elections, a combative President Barack Obama on Monday demanded that the richest Americans pay higher taxes to help cut soaring U.S. deficits by more than $3 trillion. He promised to veto any effort by congressional Republican to cut Medicare benefits for the elderly without raising taxes as well.

"This is not class warfare. It's math," Obama declared, anticipating Republican criticism, which was quick in coming....

Luke 12:48---"...to whom much is given, much is expected..."

Snakes?

* In an effort to do nothing to solve the unemployment crisis in the United States, the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are making themselves look like fools.

The ProgressiveProfessor:

In the midst of the jobs crisis in America, members of the House of Representatives Republican majority are holding hearings trying to prevent an end to the transportation and importation of nine varieties of snakes, including the Burmese Python, Boa Constrictors, and Anacondas, that have become to inundate the Florida Everglades, posing a risk to other species, and ultimately, to humans! We have the report of a Burmese Python swallowing a live alligator whole and then exploding from the effect of doing it!

A snake breeder testified that the ban proposed by Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson and Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar, would interfere with the right of snake owners and snake breeders to purse their hobby and livelihood, and prevent them from moving interstate!......

This is a regulation that the Republicans want to eliminate because they say it will create more jobs?????!!!!!  They are out of their minds!  Shame on the Republicans.  President Obama has presented a plan that would get millions of people back to work, yet the GOP is using snakes to spur job growth.

Politico has this response from Democrats about the Republican House Oversight Committee that held the hearings:

“With all due respect to our witnesses from the Association of Reptile Keepers, repealing a so-called job-killing regulation to allow more pythons, boa constrictors and anacondas into the United States is not the kind of bold, bipartisan solution Americans are looking for to help the economy,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), ranking member of the oversight panel.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman for Nelson (D-Fla.) said that “respectfully, the House Oversight Committee might just be wrong on this one.”

“I mean, how many people line up outside Walmart on Black Friday to buy a python?” the spokesman said. “Rules like this are carefully weighed, narrowly targeted and aimed at protecting the public safety and welfare.”

Then, we find out this information posted at TheHill:

....According to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held 22 hearings on federal regulations this Congress “but not a single hearing on job creation.” Connolly said Wednesday’s hearing on a snake transportation ban was a prime example.

Holding a hearing about “snakes on a plane” when Congress should be focused on job creation bordered on a “theater of the absurd,” according to a press release from Connolly’s office.....

Is this what the Republicans plan to do for the next 14 months?  These hearings cost time, and money.  While Americans are looking for work, trying to feed their families, the Republicans would rather talk about snakes than creating jobs.

The Rights of Workers in Ohio

Ed Schultz of MSNBC-TV visited Toledo, Ohio, last night, where he was met with a loud, excited, enthusiastic, crowd of people. Ed helped bring the national spotlight to the repeal of SB 5 and the workers who'd lose most if the Kasich/GOP/Koch Brothers legislation passes.  Ed even had an empty chair set up for his invited guest, Gov. Kasich, who did not arrive.  The Toledo Blade has a complete summary of Ed's visit.

Vote NO on Issue 2.

The fact that the Republicans are using the mayor of Toledo as one of their spokesmen, even though he is a former firefighter, illustrates exactly which people would be in charge. Now, as mayor, he is in a position of power. If the Republicans win in November, those in power would be able to have the upper hand over workers, and would be able to deny them the rights they enjoy today.

We cannot allow Kasich, the Ohio GOP, and their corporate supporters to take away the rights of middle class workers.  If they win, we all lose.  Ohio would lose.

Vote NO on Issue 2.

Mandel Should Stay in His Office

*  Has Republican Josh Mandel released his financial disclosure report with the U.S. Senate yet?  Why does he refuse to file it when he is required by law?  Does Mandel think he gets a free pass when he released most of the salaries of all the public employees in Ohio (except for his people)?  I'm sure that people in their 40's and 50's are not going to be anxious to vote for Mandel, who wants to end Social Security.




* In another story related to Josh Mandel, the Ohio Treasurer of almost 9 months has asked Ohioans for their ideas on state owned properties.

OhioVotes2011:

State Treasurer Josh Mandel says there doesn't appear to be a concise audit anywhere in the state saying what property the state owns and what it's used for.

For example, among the properties Mandel lists that the state includes on its somewhat mysterious land is the Riverwatch Tower at Ohio State, apartments for OSU students.

The state doesn't know the acreage, and part of it is listed as being owned by the Ohio Department of Transportation......

It might be a good idea for Mandel to check at the website for the Franklin County Auditor.  Before Mandel starts selling off property at Riverwatch Tower on West Lane Avenue, he might want to check with the almost 300 private citizens who own some of the condos in the tower.

I'm going to suggest that Mandel spend a little more time in his office instead of running around the state trying to increase his profile.  If there is work to be done in the Ohio Treasurer's office, Mandel should stay in Columbus and do it.

......................................................................

*  Republican candidate for President, Michelle Bachmann, made a statement this morning that has made the American Academy of Pediatrics set the record straight.

USA Today:

....During Monday's debate, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) criticized Texas Gov. Rick Perry's attempt to require the shots for school girls. In TV interviews Tuesday, Bachmann attacked the vaccines themselves as "dangerous," relating a conversation with a mother who blames the shots for her daughter's mental retardation.

But there's no evidence that the HPV shot — or any other vaccine — causes retardation, says O. Marion Burton, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"There is absolutely no scientific validity to this statement," Burton said in a statement. "Since the vaccine has been introduced, more than 35 million doses have been administered, and it has an excellent safety record."

The Republican debates have brought out the right wing bizarre responses from their audiences.  Their audiences have cheered for the high amounts of executions in Texas and people dying without health insurance.  Have the Republicans just gone over the edge?

The GOP Mess in Ohio

>  Find out what Darrell Issa thinks is unnecessary over at RawStory. 

***  Do you know what firefighters do?  There is a great video that explains it all.

YouTube



Gov. John Kasich, who called a police officer an "idiot" several times in front of a meeting of state employees, seems surprised that his calls for unity are being ignored.  Kasich has already demonstrated that he is a crass, disrespectful, bully.  Why should anyone listen to his calls for unity? You can't insult people and then ask for their support.


*** Teachers need to be reminded of what they make.  Taylor Mali has a video on YouTube called  "What Teachers Make" that is a must see for every teacher. I'd advise you to listen to it without any children in the room.

>>>>  The League of Women Voters of Ohio is worried about the problems that could arise out of Ohio HB 194.  Daytonos has the details:

.....The League is seeking repeal of HB 194 because, according to a statement released by the League, HB 194,  “could significantly increase lines on Election Day, force many more voters to vote provisionally and result in more votes being disqualified.” The League says their position on HB 194 is in keeping with their historical work, “to remove obstacles to voting, ensure all eligible voters can vote and ensure all valid votes are counted.” The League objects to these provisions in the bill:

• Shortening early voting from five weeks to three and eliminating most weekend hours.
• Elimination of requirement that poll workers direct voters to the correct precinct. (Failure to vote in the correct precinct means that the vote will not count.)
• Prohibiting boards of elections mailing absentee voter forms to voters or paying the return postage on such forms.
• Establishing a minimum precinct size in cities, which could result in longer lines on Election Day.
• Long lines of voters not be allowed to interfere with nearby businesses.

The Ohio Attorney General rejected the first Referendum Petition because it sought to repeal only part of sections of the law. Accordingly, the new petition drive seeks to repeal HB 194 in its entirety.....

Leave it to the Ohio Republicans to try and destroy the right of citizens to vote.  It seems that the Ohio Republicans certainly know how to interfere with voting and access to ballots.

Pass the Jobs Bill!

Have you seen the new ad sponsored by the DNC?  The Grandforksherald has the video.
YouTube



We cannot wait for jobs, economic development, and repairs to our infrastructure, while the Republicans sit on their hands trying to damage the economy even more.  We need jobs now. The Republican Party appears to be motivated by their own greed and right wing extreme ideology.

****  There is a big election ahead for NY-9, the congressional seat formerly held by Anthony Weiner.  Democrat David Weprin is facing a Republican, Bob Turner, an anti-social security candidate.

*  We haven't heard much about Republican candidate for Senate, Josh Mandel in the last few days.  Mandel has yet to file his required financial disclosure with the U.S. Senate and people want to know why he has refused to do it.  Is he hiding something????  Seniors are also worried about Mandel because he has very little legislative experience and he wants to make cuts to Social Security.  Since Mandel hasn't even been in office for one year, why does he want to run for another office?  He promised Ohioans that he would finish his term as Treasurer.

Salute Our First Responders

Today at the Ohio State football game at the Ohio Stadium, there was a moment of silence in tribute to those who had died on September 11, 2001.  It was also mentioned that we should honor those first responders who risk their lives for us everyday.  Members of the Highway Patrol, Police, Firefighters, EMS squad members, and others stood and were recognized for their service and dedication.

*** It was quite evident that there were some special guests watching today's football game.  There were several nuns were present in the press box at Ohio Stadium.  I'm guessing these were the Little Sisters of the Poor who've become BFF's of OSU President Gordon Gee (see New York Times).  Considering the game, I'm hopeful that the Sisters prayed for divine help for the Buckeye win.

Jobs

With the President proposing legislation to create jobs, we need to take names and contact any elected member of the U.S. House and Senate that refuses to vote for the new jobs package.  Constituents need to hit the telephone and the email to register our views with our representatives.  We cannot continue to give tax breaks to corporations and wealthy individuals in hopes that they'll do something to start hiring.  These corporations and fat cat millionaires/billionaires have already had their tax breaks and nothing has happened in the area of job growth.  The corporate leaders and wealthy people have already demonstrated that they would rather sit on their money, buy another house or yacht,  instead of getting Americans back to work.  Any further further tax breaks for them should be met with, "been there, done that, and it didn't work."

_________

 < This is a picture of Gov. John Kasich (from governor.oh.gov).  (I'm sorry to startle you with the picture.)  According to various newspaper accounts, Kasich is getting very desperate in his efforts to completely destroy the hardworking Middle Class of Ohio.  His bill (SB 5) to end collective bargaining for police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and state workers, would only crush the protections that these dedicated, essential community leaders have today. 

With his back to the wall, Kasich is making all kinds of claims of what would happen if his plan to crush workers' rights doesn't happen the way he wants.  Plunderbund has all the dastardly details.

In the back of my mind, I continue to believe that these purposeful restrictions by Kasich and his GOP supporters has something to do with some deep seeded dislike of working people.  When Kasich has attacked the teaching profession, I always wonder if he is somehow trying to stop the political power of those who make up the teaching field.  A huge majority of those who are teachers in the state are women.  Is Kasich worried about women having power?  Is he making a statement that teachers (mostly women) don't deserve to have a say in the conditions of where and how they work? We've seen Kasich's obvious anti-diversity picks within his own administration.  Are his vicious attacks on teachers born out of his efforts to control the political power of women (especially since a large majority of women in the state do not approve of the job he is doing)?

Vote NO on Issue 2.

Looking for a hero?

*  A great majority of Ohioans don't think of John Kasich as a hero.  His verbal and legislative attacks on firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses, and state workers, have been harsh, unwarranted, and hurtful.  Now he expects everyone to run and support the legislation that destroys workers' rights????

Was that Gov. John Kasich, the most unpopular person in Ohio, appearing in a pro-SB 5 ad????  Kasich, with approval numbers in the toilet, is the perfect person for their side.  This is simple to say---- Do you really want Kasich to win???? Exactly!

Vote NO on Issue 2.

------------------

If you are looking for an example of a real hero, check out the story of a Marine in USA Today.  Marine Corporal Dakota Meyer will receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic effort in Afghanistan, where he saved 36 lives in one day.

USA Today:

When Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyer plunged into Afghanistan's Ganjgal Valley, he was sure he wouldn't come out alive....

....Meyer saved the lives of 13 U.S. troops and 23 Afghan soldiers that day, Sept. 8, 2009.

Next week, President Obama will award him the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest medal for bravery. During the ceremony Sept. 15, Meyer will become the third living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan....

We honor Meyer, our men in women who have served and continue to serve, and their families who continue to wait for their return.  We need to bring them all home.

Same Stuff, Different Day

* Here we go again----
Politifact:

...A number of websites and blogs recently have been busy claiming there are 70 card-carrying Socialists in the U.S. House of Representatives, including three Democrats from Ohio: Reps. Marcia Fudge, Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich. (The number actually varies. Some posts say 70, others insist it’s either 73 or 76 and some go as high as 83. One post used both 76 and 75 in the same entry.)...

...There is not one member of Congress who is a formal member of the DSA, Llewellyn said. In order to join, a person must fill out a form and pay dues. Even Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, is not a formal member of the DSA, Llewellyn said.....

...Misinformation and smear campaigns also are part of political life. But these persistent claims about socialists are riddled with errors and outright lies. Any one of the problems would be sufficient to discredit the report, but taken together, the effort is flagrantly false. For that reason, we rate this claim: Pants on Fire.

Did you get that?  They said, "Pants on Fire."


>>>>>> Young guns?  They're not that young and they act like conservative, unfeeling, egocentric, greedy, old farts, in my humble opinion.


Capitolhillblue:

A year after declaring themselves “Young Guns” ready to clean up Washington, these budget-slashing Republicans are drawing more jeers than cheers — and raising Democrats‘ hopes for next year’s election.

Having rejected compromise and threatened government default, they and other Republicans have upset voters, who polls show are increasingly anxious about the economy and disgruntled with both political parties. Last month, Congress’ approval rating slumped to its lowest level ever — about 12 percent.

“Right now, voters hate everyone,” said Steve Stivers, one of 62 first-term “Young Gun” Republicans in the House of Representatives. “People are frustrated. But I feel we are on the right track.”.....

Republican Steve Stivers, the former bank lobbyist that now represents Ohio's 15th congressional district, is wrong. If Stivers, Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor, John Boehner, and the rest of the GOPers had their way, grandma and grandpa would be off Social Security and Medicare and living under a bridge, while banks and millionaires got more tax breaks. Shame.

____________

**** Mitt Romney unveiled his jobs plan today.  It is just plain laughable.  You can probably guess which group would get their taxes lowered.

ABCnews:

...The package of bills – called the Day One, Job One Initiative - includes a measure to reduce the corporate income tax from 35 percent to 25 percent, a move he says will be one way his plan will induce short-term job growth through incentive hiring.

Second, Romney says he will implement the “stalled” Colombia, Panama and South Korea Free Trade agreements. Third, he will call for a survey of our energy reserves that could in turn promote domestic production of energy and create jobs.  And fourth, he will make states responsible for retraining programs. Last, Romney will submit a bill that will cut non-security discretionary spending by 5 percent, a move that will reduce the federal budget by $20 billion.

Also on his first day in office Romney promises to issue five executive orders that will repeal Obamacare, eliminate or repeal any Obama-era regulations that have a negative effect on job creation and economic growth. Executive orders would also be issued to develop a streamlined process to create new oil and gas drilling, sanction China for currency manipulation, and reverse pro-unions orders issued by the Obama administration....

Romney's 169 page plan should be put in the fiction section of libraries. How can you believe any person that declares that corporations are people?

Really?

If you listened to Gov. Kasich p.r. guy, Rob Nichols, you'd think that Ohio was doing better. 
News-Messenger:

...Gov. John Kasich's spokesman Rob Nichols said the governor has been talking about the state's dire economic condition for two years, but has started to turn things around, achieving a net job growth of 45,100 jobs in Ohio since taking office in January.

"We've had good success," he said.....

Really?  A quick look at the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services Warn Notice page shows that layoffs are still happening in the state.  As of last week, the Warn Notices show that over 7,000 people will have been laid off since Kasich became governor.  Somehow that doesn't look like things are getting better.  It might be that Kasich, his administration, and Nichols, all live in a bubble.

The Republicans are the only ones who care about deficits.  A majority of Americans want jobs.  When will corporations get off their fat profits and start to create jobs???  If they really believed in America, they'd help to rebuild the nation.

Blame the Republicans

 If you and your family have suffered some recent setbacks because of natural disasters, and you have not received the federal help that you needed, you might want to ask Republican leader Eric Cantor and Republican Rep. Jim Jordan why they are refusing to help.

TheHill:


Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the chairman of the influential Republican Study Committee, said on Thursday that Cantor (R-Va.) was “absolutely right” in suggesting that Congress look for offsets when providing federal aid for states and cities hammered by Hurricane Irene. Cantor has come under criticism from Democrats, who pointed out that his position is a shift from his stance during earlier weather events that affected his home state of Virginia.

Republican governors from Virginia and New Jersey, two of the states hit hard by Hurricane Irene, have also been critical of Cantor's position.


....Under fire in Virginia and nationally, Cantor has stopped short of a ironclad demand that disaster relief be offset, but his spokeswoman has said that would be “the goal” for congressional leaders.....

What would Cantor and Jordan like to cut....... Social Security? Medicare?
WIC (nutritional help for women and children)?  Pell Grants? funding for schools? 

Cantor and Jordan are full of baloney.  They continue to say that they speak for the American people, but they don't.  Cantor and Jordan might not personally ever need the help of FEMA or some federal agency because of their own personal wealth.  This is America and we need to help each other recover from these disasters.  If Cantor and Jordan don't want help for themselves and their families, we'll just add their names to a list of people who don't want help from the rest of us.  The Republican arrogance and desire to protect the wealthy are both things that I cannot tolerate.


>>>>>>>>  ThinkProgress has this little ditty to ponder:




Progressive groups organizing a rally at the same Richmond-area hotel where House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) was holding an event Wednesday were abruptly kicked out of the hotel and told by hotel management to remain off of its property during Cantor’s event. 

Cantor held an Advisory Council gathering, closed to the media but open to constituents who registered ahead of time, at the Holiday Inn Koger Center in Richmond. A coalition of progressive Virginia organizing groups — Progress Virginia, OurDC, and Virginia Organizing — had booked rooms and a separate ballroom in the hotel to hold a “jobs rally” countering Cantor’s event. According to organizers, the groups planned to invite Cantor to attend their rally after his own event, in the hope that he would listen to their concerns regarding job creation and unemployment.

But just hours before the events were set to begin, the Holiday Inn canceled the groups’ ballroom and room reservations and ordered the groups to remain off of hotel property during Cantor’s meeting. According to organizers, hotel management falsely accused them of smoking in their rooms and used that as justification to cancel their reservations. A representative of Holiday Inn who only agreed speak on the condition of anonymity, however, said the hotel was seeking to avoid confrontation between the progressive groups and those attending the Cantor event. He would not comment on whether the hotel had any communications with Cantor or his staff regarding the progressive groups.....

OMG!

Keep informed......

Gov. Kasich's plan to sell off Ohio's prisons leaves the public in a dangerous place if the plan is completed.  Here is what I found out about the three major private prison companies that are in the running----

Fox19:

...The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has scheduled a Thursday morning news conference to unveil the winners in a privatization effort by Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik).

The three contenders are Nashville, Tenn.-based Corrections Corporation of America; Boca Raton, Fla.-based GEO Group Inc.; and Centerville, Utah-based Management and Training Corporation.

Selected firms will take over Jan. 1, pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's move....

Which politically connected firm will win? Has the Kasich administration done any research on the background of these firms?

   > Have they read this report from KBOI2 which details the beatings, unqualified counselors, improper medical care, etc.?????

   > There is another article involving escaped prisoners from private prisons.  The YumaSun has some details about GEO Group, as well as Management and Training Corp.

If you'd like to view other reports, check the California Correctional Peace Officers Association website  on  the GEO Group, CCA, and MTC.

As they say, this is all very interesting.  Plunderbund has more details on what happened today---Plunderbund.

 ______

*****  If you live in Ohio and someone comes to your door with a petition to sign about "personhood" and "abortion," do not sign the wacko petition.  For more info, visit http://tinyurl.com/3joaxwr asap.

*   *   *

>>>>  Republican state legislator Jarrod Martin has run into many problems recently dealing with alcohol.  In an article published at the DaytonDailyNews, Martin said he hadn't seen calls/emails that were for his resignation.  Here is something that gives us a hint why---DaytonDailyNews:

....An open records request showed a handful of people from District 70 called for him to step down and five more asked for him to resign right after the article was published. More emails from outside Martin’s district also asked him to leave office. Two emails, including one from his district, supported him.

Martin did not respond to messages seeking comment about the emails, but political ally John Broughton stated that Martin said he only sees emails his staff forwards to him and that’s why the second-term office-holder hasn’t seen the negative ones.....

Jarrod Martin doesn't see negative emails/calls????   Is the guy even dealing with reality?