Friday, February 10, 2006

People Losing Confidence With Republicans

The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting the latest charges against Ohio Republicans:
Charges were to be filed Friday against two former aides to Gov. Bob Taft over allegations they failed to report loans from the rare coin dealer at the heart of Ohio's government corruption scandal.

Douglas Talbott and Doug Moormann were expected to be charged with ethics violations over their financial disclosure reports, which they filed because they were members of state boards, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said.....
O'Brien also said a task force has finished its investigation into Noe's handling of a $50 million investment in rare coins for the state insurance fund for injured workers.

His attorney has acknowledged that up to $13 million from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's fund is unaccounted for...

Here in Ohio, Gov. Taft and other Republicans grant contracts to companies based on their employees'/owners' political contributions. It is called "pay-to-play." Results of a poll from the Columbus Dispatch. The respondents answered the question:
Do you believe state officials make decisions or award contracts as a direct results of money they receive from campaign contributors? 92% YES 8% NO

A new AP Ipsos Poll has questions on Bush's approval rating. I thought question #9 was the most thought-provoking:
If the election for Congress were held today, would you want to see Republicans or Democrats win control of Congress?
49% DEMOCRATS 36% Republicans 12% Neither 3% Not sure