Early Voting

*Early voting starts today in Ohio. A crowd of people actually camped out overnight at Veterans Memorial so that they could be first in line to vote today. If you live in Franklin County and want to vote early, bring a picture ID and go to Veterans Memorial. For further info, check the Franklin County Board of Elections.

* Mary Jo Kilroy is gaining more support throughout Ohio's 15th district. More and more people agree that sending Steve Stivers to Congress with talks of bank bailouts is not such a good idea. Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, is more willing to protect banks and business instead of people.

* Did you see Tina Fey use Sarah Palin's exact words to get laughs on Saturday Night Live? Isn't it frightening to think that Palin could be a heart beat away from the Presidency if McCain gets elected? Heaven forbid.

Warning Today for Columbus

Just when you thought it was safe.............
John McCain and Sarah Palin will be in Columbus today at Noon. Tickets are still available. Of, course, tickets are still available.

>>>> Looks like Republican candidate for Congress, Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, is getting lots of love and contributions from some notable PACs. Here are a few of the PACs that are throwing money to Stivers (from Federal Elections Commission):

Chevron Employee PAC
Coal PAC
BankPAC
AEP
Ashland
Fifth Third
ExxonMobil PAC
First Energy
Grange Mutual PAC
Halliburton Company PAC
HSBC PAC
Huntington PAC
JP Morgan Chase PAC
Keycorp Advocates Fund
KPMG PAC
Marathon Oil PAC
National City PAC
RJ Reynolds
Etc.

Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, is going to owe these PAC contributors for their support. These PACs (oil, banks, insurance, tobacco, coal, energy) are going to expect that their investment in Stivers will pay dividends if he is elected to Congress. Is that what we need----- a former bank lobbyist protecting the rights of oil companies, banks, tobacco, coal, and energy companies?

News from Central Ohio

>>>> The Latino voter outreach still needs volunteers. A training session will be held 6pm on Monday, 9/29 at Obama-Biden Campaign for Change Office

6066 Huntley Rd

Worthington, OH 43085

(614) 436-0936.

> In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, all pets will be blessed on Saturday, October 4th, Noon at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 386 Buttles Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Masses are held every Sunday at 9am & 11am at St. Francis of Assisi Church. See you there!

> Early voting starts on Tuesday, September 30th in Ohio. In Franklin County, voters can go to Veterans Memorial to cast an early vote. Here are some highlights from the Franklin County Board of Elections:

- - -All voters must be registered by October 6, 2008 to be eligible to vote in the November 4th General Election.

- - -When you vote by mail, you won’t ever have to wait in line. To vote by mail, send your application to the board of elections by noon on Saturday, Nov. 1. Your voted ballot must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day or by Nov. 14 if postmarked by Monday, Nov. 3. Return postage of your voted ballot is prepaid by the County, so it won’t even cost you a stamp!

- - -To vote an absent voter ballot for the November 4, 2008 General Election in person before Election Day, go to Franklin County Veterans Memorial located at 300 West Broad Street in downtown Columbus.
Weekday Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 7 PM beginning September 30 and ending November 3.
Saturday Hours: From 8 AM until 5 PM on October 4, 11, 18, 25 and November 1.
Sunday Hours: From 1 PM until 5 PM on October 5, 12, 19, 26, and November 2....

Stivers' Campaign Money

Ohio Daily Blog:

Just a week after news broke that Steve Stivers (R-Upper Arlington) has spent $10,000 of campaign money on OSU football tickets, concert tickets, and at least one year of membership in the OSU alumni association during his tenure in the Ohio Senate, the campaign of opponent Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Columbus) has announced that Stivers appears to be breaking FEC regulations by using email software purchased through his state campaign account to send email relating to his federal election campaign:

The Kilroy for Congress campaign is seeking an immediate end to corporate lobbyist Steve Stivers' use of an E-mail program for his Congressional race that he is paying for out of his State Senate account. According to Federal Elections Commission regulation 11 CFR 110.3(d):

Transfers of funds or assets from a candidate's campaign committee or account for a nonfederal election to his or her principal campaign committee for a federal election are prohibited. No amount of money or services paid for by a state committee can be used for a federal committee....

>>>>Oh, my. Stivers needs some schooling on campaign finance laws. What is it with Ohio Republicans spending campaign money improperly?????????

No Surprises

The Columbus Dispatch has once again endorsed right wing Republican candidates who favor big business. No surprises. The Dispatch does not always print every story. When the Taft administration and the "Coingate" scandals were going strong, the Dispatch waited a long time before they reported on the Republican scandals. I'm smart enough to know that one should not rely only on the Dispatch for information. It only reports what they want you to know and only that information that is good for Republicans.

Here is what the Buckeye State Blog has to say about Republican, Steve Stivers:
Stivers represents a brand new kind of lame that I don't think people completely understood. Think about it, a bank lobbyist running for public office at a time when poor planning of banks leaves our country on the verge of an economic disaster. This is really groundbreaking stuff here...

Steve Stivers is definitely the best candidate for banks.

Be There! Volunteer for Obama!

>>>>>>> Watch the debate with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland on Friday night at the Ohio Campaign for Change Office, 6066 Huntley Road, Worthington (located on the northeast corner of Huntley and 161).
Telephone (614) 436-0936

> In an effort to get out the vote in the Latino community, the Ohio Campaign for Change is looking for Latino volunteers. There will be a meeting for Latino volunteers on Monday, 9/29/08 at 6pm at 6066 Huntley Road, Worthington. For information, call (614) 436-0936.

This evening I volunteered at the Obama-Biden Campaign for Change Office. It is a very exciting place. We were all focused on one goal------ electing Barack Obama as President. If you'd like to help make phone calls or canvassing neighborhoods, call the Ohio Campaign for Change Office (614) 436-0936.

**** Here are a few facts about Republican Steve Stivers as posted at Lobbyist for Congress:
Steve Stivers approved over $7,000,000 in taxpayer giveaways to Buckeye Check Cashing during his first day on the controlling board. [Ohio Controlling Board Minutes 1/9/06]

-On Stivers and taxes (Lobbyist for Congress):

The Taft Tax, as it is now known, was the largest tax increase in state history and Steve Stivers supported it. [Cleveland Plain Dealer. 6/27/03, Citizens for a Sound Economy, 6/27/03, National Federation of Independent Business, "State Spending in Ohio" USA Today, 2/9/04]

The tax contained 151 fee increases which disproportionately affected middle class families. [Columbus Dispatch, 6/27/03] It also raised tuition at Ohio universities over previously imposed caps. Tuition at Ohio State increase by 12.9 percent, and all other Ohio schools went up by 9.9 percent......

Aren't there enough lobbyists in Washington, DC? Do the people of Ohio's 15th congressional district really want a bank lobbyist as their member of Congress????? With the problems that banks and Wall Street are experiencing, we need someone that will protect people, not banks and corporations. We need Kilroy for Congress.

**** Ohio Republicans have a real knack in choosing candidates for the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House. The GOP looks for candidates with names similar to the names of movie stars. Here in Ohio, there are two Republican candidates running for office---- Kevin Bacon and Jimmy Stewart. Are these the best candidates that the Republicans could find? The Ohio Republicans are desperate.

Taking Note

Sinclair owned TV station, WSYX, had Republican candidate Steve Stivers on their midday news today. I think that this is grossly unfair to give a candidate free airtime during a campaign. Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, continues to be a cheerleader for banks and businesses.
Here is a my post from November 28, 2007:

Steve Stivers: State Oversight of Mortgages A Bad Idea

Republican candidate for Ohio's 15th congressional district, Steve Stivers, worked as as lobbyist for Bank One (now part of Chase). In his capacity as a member of the Ohio Senate, Stivers worked hard to protect banks and lenders. Here is an example from the Dispatch (January 19, 2006):

...Sen. Steve Stivers, a Republican and former lobbyist for Bank One, said Ohio should remain one of only two states that exempts the mortgage industry from the Consumer Sales Practices Act......
....Instead of expanding the consumer-protection law, the attorney general's office should coordinate with local law-enforcement agencies to create "strike forces" that can quickly go after and punish predatory lenders, Stivers said.....
.....But Stivers isn't finding much support in his own caucus, much less among advocates for the poor.Bill Faith, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, said the proposals would not address Ohio's mortgage lending problems.....

Wow! Stivers is against consumer protection laws? Sounds to me that Stivers continues to be a lobbyist!

And......
Stivers also worked to cut asbestos suits in Ohio. (See the Toledo Blade.)

------> Stivers certainly sounds like he cares more about banks and corporations than he does about people.

Let Them Hear From You

> According to an article in The New York Times, members of the House and the Senate are hearing plenty from their constituents about the proposed Wall Street bailout:

....Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, has received nearly 17,000 e-mail messages, nearly all opposed to the bailout, her office said. More than 2,000 constituents called Ms. Boxer’s California office on Tuesday alone; just 40 favored the bailout. Her Washington office received 918 calls. Just one supported the rescue plan.

Senator Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, said he had been getting 2,000 e-mail messages and telephone calls a day, roughly 95 percent opposed. When Senator Bernard Sanders, the Vermont independent who votes with Democrats, posted a petition on his Web site asking Mr. Paulson to require that taxpayers receive an equity stake in the bailed-out companies, more than 20,000 people signed.....

Keep sending those e-mails!

> Need to poke a little fun at the righties? Visit Dependable Renegade.

Stivers is Stooping to Lies and Distortions

Republican candidate for Congress, Steve Stivers is getting in the mud. Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, has worked hard to protect banks, mortgage companies, oil corporations, and insurance firms. Stivers has nothing new to offer the citizens of Ohio's 15th district except more of the same tax cuts for the rich and tax breaks for oil companies. Now Stivers is lying about Democratic candidate, Mary Jo Kilroy in material on the radio, TV, and pamphlets. A Dispatch article give the details about the Stivers smear.

If you like a member of Congress who protects the fat cats on Wall Street, banks, oil and insurance companies, vote for Stivers.

If you like the current economy and don't care if the small savings you have disappears, vote for Stivers.

If you like that the U.S. taxpayers have spent trillions of dollars in Iraq, while we've lost 4169 members of our military in Bush's Iraq war, vote for pro-war candidate, Stivers.

However, if you think it is time to change Washington, you'll vote for Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy for Ohio's 15th District.

Do you live in Ohio? Would you like to help Senator Obama and Mary Jo Kilroy? Visit the Ohio Office Locations and volunteer.

Columbus (Northern Franklin County) Office
6066 Huntley Rd
Worthington, OH 43229
(614) 436-0936
View Map

Ohio State Campus Obama Office
1902 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio
(614) 299-2375

Work for change.

Ohio's 15th District: Who Will Work For Us?

With the general election 43 days away, there are some voters that are still undecided. However, there are some clear distinctions between those running for Ohio's 15th district, Democratic candidate, Mary Jo Kilroy, and Republican candidate, Steve Stivers.

+Mary Jo Kilroy supports the rights of people, families, and workers.
-Steve Stivers supports the rights of corporations, banks, payday lenders, and oil companies.

+Mary Jo Kilroy supports ending the war in Iraq.
-Steve Stivers has been called a pro-war candidate.

+Mary Jo Kilroy supports the right of people to keep large factory farms out of their community.
-Steve Stivers voted for a bill (HB 152) that prevents communities from stopping large factory farms. (Ex: Hi-Q Egg plans two factory farms in Union and Madison Counties.)

+Mary Jo Kilroy supports the safety and rights of workers in the building of the new Franklin Co. stadium.
-Steve Stivers doesn't care about the safety and rights of workers building the new stadium.

+Mary Jo Kilroy is concerned about people's lives.
-Steve Stivers says he is pro-business.

+Mary Jo Kilroy supports stem cell research.
-Steve Stivers voted against stem cell research.

Which candidate will work for you? Which candidate will help our families? Which candidate will bring real change to Washington, DC?

Ohio's Unemployment=7.4%

* Ohio's unemployment rate has gone up again. Here is the news release from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services:

Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in August, up from 7.2 percent in July, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.....

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in August was 445,000, up from 432,000 in July.....

George W. Bush and his economic policies have taken a toll on Ohio. McCain plans more of the same.


* It appears that Steve Stivers, a pro-war Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress and a former bank lobbyist, is attacking Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy about the new Franklin County stadium. Stivers, who'd rather hang out with bankers than real working people, seems unable to understand that a certain contractor was disqualified because of a total of 21 previous wage violations. Keeping with his favoritism of payday lenders, banks, big oil, and big insurance companies, Stivers is out of touch with actual working men and women. Once again, Stivers needs to stop hanging out at country clubs and mansions and meet with real working people.

Stivers needs to stop his monkey business. He needs to stop supporting companies and corporations that ripoff people in central Ohio. Stivers just doesn't care about the middle class.

* This morning on the Today Show, former Bush administration mouthpiece, Ari Fleisher, blamed the Wall Street financial meltdown on people who applied for ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages). Poor, Ari. He just doesn't want to blame George W. Bush. President Bush has allowed banks and financial institutions to run wild. Now that the entire American economy is on the brink of total collapse, Bush starts noticing the mess. Yesterday, Bush made a one minute statement about the financial market mess. It is the policies of the Bush administration that have allowed this disaster. Americans better wake up because if they elect John McCain, they'll see Bush's same economic policies front and center in a McCain administration.

* Parts of Worthington and Columbus are still without power. Several schools remain closed.

* Volunteers are needed for the Obama-Biden campaign for phone banks and door-to-door contact with voters. If you are interested, please call (614) 436-0936.

Steve Stivers "Pro-War"

I thought that an article in CQ Politics that refers to Republican candidate for Congress, Steve Stivers, and others as "Pro-war veterans" is worth some attention. Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, is hoping to succeed current Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15). However, Stivers, like the other "pro-war veterans" mentioned in the article, wants to continue the war in Iraq f-o-r-e-v-e-r. With the financial markets having such great losses the last few days, and government bail outs to save corporations, how does Stivers and the other "pro-war veterans" expect to pay for the Bush-McCain Iraq war?

We know that Stivers has supported banks and financial institutions over the rights of citizens. With banks and Wall Street institutions going down the tubes, do we really need someone like Stivers who favors banks instead of us?

Mary Jo Kilroy, Democratic candidate for Ohio's 15th district, understands that the people who attacked us on September 11th were not from Iraq. She knows that we need to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home.

Debate in Ohio's 15th District

Last night there was a televised debate for candidates for Ohio's 15th Congressional District. The three candidates were Democrat- Mary Jo Kilroy, Independent- Don Elijah Eckhart, and Republican- Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist. Everything was rather calm. There was one little tidbit, Dispatch:

....Although the race in one of the country's more competitive congressional districts frequently has been heated, there was only one real dust-up during the first formal debate among the candidates. It came when Stivers, asked about constituent service, said he worked with the family of a girl who was shaken as a baby to develop a law requiring education on the health consequences of shaking infants.

Kilroy said Stivers improperly was claiming credit for an idea that actually had percolated through a panel of Franklin County leaders and volunteers -- a panel that Kilroy led. She said the panel handed off the concept to Stivers, nearly in finished form, to get it passed....

Shame on Stivers for trying to take credit for someone else's work. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

The three candidates were asked to pick one word to describe herself/himself (Dispatch):

...Kilroy: priorities. She said her priorities -- ending the Iraq war, expanding access to health care, tax credits for college tuition -- are most in line with the district's....

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

Is John McCain smart enough to fix the economy? Watch this You Tube video:

Oh, my.

Stivers Doesn't Get It

Republican Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, just doesn't get it. He says he is for strengthening national security, but he is clueless as to the way to do it. Stivers has taken contributions from big oil. Like other Republicans, Stivers worships at the altar of big oil. If our country reduced its reliance on foreign oil by using alternative fuels and innovation, we truly would help our national security.

Here is what the congressional candidate for Ohio's 15th district, Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy, has to say about energy independence on her website:

"We are being fleeced by greedy oil companies earning record profits and even greedier oil sheiks who are holding America hostage. We need to invest in new energy technologies, bio fuels, wind and conservation to make America energy independent. It won’t happen overnight, but it is cheaper to invest in tomorrow’s energy than guard oil fields in the Middle East. The road to energy independence starts now and it must be a priority for America to remain strong."

Kilroy is correct.

If you've been to Europe, you know that the European governments, auto manufacturers, and consumers are way ahead of us. People use different fuels and even electric cars. Bush and McCain have been completely clueless as to how to cope with the energy crisis.

Steve Stivers and John McCain would be quite happy to hang out with their oil and banking lobbyists. Meanwhile, we remain beholden to foreign oil. We need a fresh, new approach to solving our energy demands. When we've developed energy independence, then we will be secure.

Ohio Voters Need to Vote by Absentee Ballot

Many people in Franklin County, Ohio have received their applications for an absentee ballot. In order to avoid the lines and avoid the hassles from the GOP on election day, it is strongly suggested that voters fill out their absentee applications and vote by absentee ballot. Today's Columbus Dispatch has an article about the push for absentee voting. It would be best if every voter in Ohio would vote absentee to avoid any potential problems on election day.

* We had a huge wind storm last night in central and southern Ohio. People are without electricity, schools are closed, and trees are down and blocking roadways.

* Senator Hillary Clinton was in Ohio, according to the Dispatch. She reminded everyone that a vote for McCain is a vote for a third term for the Bush administration:

"This election is going to be a game-changer," Clinton said. "We have the opportunity to go beyond the failed policies of the past eight years, or continue them."

* Democratic candidate for Ohio's 16th congressional district, John Boccieri, has been getting some top notch endorsements. Swing State Project:

The Canton Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 249, has endorsed John Boccieri in the race for Ohio's 16th Congressional District....

* It looks like Democrats are very fired up. With the media's focus on the totally empty resume of McCain's running mate, Democrats are speaking out about their support for Obama.

What does this say about McCain's judgment?

Have you seen the new ad by the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund? I'm sure people who are vegetarians, animal protection activists, and the rest of us animal lovers, will be horrified. I know I was. You Tube:




* I don't watch The View anymore because I can't handle the right winger. The Huffington Post has extensive information about McCain's appearance on The View. Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Bahar asked questions that made McSame squirm. The videos I watch show that McCain was very uncomfortable. Why can't journalists ask tough questions of McSame? A CBS News story says that McCain "contradicts Palin's record." Here is a shorter version: McCain is lying. Not only is McCain lying about Palin, he is also lying about Sen. Barack Obama.

* I did watch that Service Forum last night. McSame said he wants to let private companies deal with disaster response instead of the federal government. McSame said he would like to "privatize emergency response ....." Is he insane????

* There is more on Sarah Palin's "Troopergate Scandal" from WJLA:
The abuse of power investigation against Sarah Palin, Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate, took a potentially ominous turn for her party on Friday when state lawmakers voted to subpoena her husband. Republican efforts to delay the probe until after the Nov. 4 election were thwarted when GOP State Sen. Charlie Huggins, who represents Palin's hometown of Wasilla, sided with Democrats. "Let's just get the facts on the table," said Huggins, who appeared in camouflage pants to vote during a break from moose hunting....
....The Senate committee acted at the request of investigator Stephen Branchflower, who is gathering evidence on whether Gov. Palin abused her power by firing Walt Monegan, the state's director of public safety. Critics charge she fired Monegan after he refused to dismiss Mike Wooten, a state trooper who had a messy divorce from the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was let go because of a budget dispute.....

(Branchflower) He said Todd Palin is "such a central figure. ... I think one should be issued for him."

Sounds like a regular soap opera in the Alaskan governor's office.

Vote Vets Has a New Ad

Vote Vets has something for you to think about (h/t to Americablog) :

Check it out!

* Looks like the Ohio Democratic Party has a little gift for Republican Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist:
There is a parody site that pokes fun at Stivers and his lobbying activities, as well as his associations with big oil, big banks, and payday lenders-----

Lobbyist Steve Stivers for Congress: http://lobbyistforcongress.com/

* Yesterday, I talked with someone about how Barack Obama's tax cut for the middle class would actually give them back more money than McCain's tax cut. If you want to try it with your numbers, visit the website http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/ and you'll be amazed.

* Don't you wonder what Sarah Palin is hiding? She refuses to take any questions from reporters. Palin continues to say that she was against 'the bridge to nowhere' but she supported it, until she was against it. Check out this video about her church HERE.

* Do you need to register to vote, apply for an absentee ballot or find an early voting location? Visit https://www.voteforchange.com/index_obama.php to take care of your voting questions.

* Have you watched the smartest woman on TV? Rachel Maddow now has her own TV show on MSNBC at 9pm. Don't miss it.

Do the math

* Mary Jo Kilroy, Democratic candidate for Ohio's 15th congressional district, is under attack from the far right wing GOPer, Steve Stivers. The Stivers campaign accuses Kilroy of representing unions and workers. Hmmm. What is wrong with someone getting support from people who work and support this community and this state? Does Stivers disrespect people who actually perform physical labor? Has anyone noticed that Stivers has received 52% of his campaign funds from PACs? (see Open Secrets)

Here are some specifics from Open Secrets:

Mary Jo Kilroy has received 30% of her campaign contributions from PACs.
Steve Stivers has received 52% of his campaign contribution from PACs.

Mary Jo Kilroy has received 67% of her campaign contributions from individuals.
Steve Stivers has received 48% of his campaign contributions from individuals.

Stivers has been spending too much time hanging out with his bank and oil buddies at country clubs and mansions. He must consider regular people like us just peasants.

* * * * *

Have you noticed John McCain's physical appearance recently? The furrows on his face look deeper and he looks pale and tired. If there is anything wrong with him, his people will let us know------------ > after the election.

***********

Looks like Republican Jon Husted wants to run for Ohio Secretary of State. Since Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, became Ohio Secretary of State, Republicans have jumped on her case at every turn. Brunner has worked hard to re-establish voter confidence in Ohio after the Republican voting debacles. Husted and the Ohio Republicans want to be able to count our election ballots just like they did under Kenneth Blackwell (and we know how badly that went). Do you need a reminder???? Here it is:
In 2004, the Ohio Secretary of State, a Republican, had 357,000 uncounted ballots in Ohio. The Bush margin of victory in 2004 in Ohio was 118,000. Do the math.

Less than 60 days until the election....

*** There are some updates on Ohio's 15th and 16th congressional districts from Real Clear Politics:

...Ohio 16 -- OPEN -- Regula (R) retiring: After 36 years in office, Rep. Ralph Regula's retirement could mean the end of Republican rule of the Canton-based district. While the seat leans Republican, the well-financed and highly-touted moderate state Sen. John Boccieri (D) is well-positioned against fellow state Sen. Kirk Schuring(R).

Ohio 15 -- OPEN -- Pryce (R) retiring: Mary Jo Kilroy (D) came within some 1,000 votes of defeating Rep. Deborah Pryce in 2006, who decided to not run for a ninth term this year. With Pryce's retirement and more than $1 million in the bank, Kilroy finds herself in good position against state Sen. Steve Stivers (R), though national Republicans boast of Stivers' skills as a candidate.....

>>> Do you know what your tax cut would be under a President Obama? Check out ObamaTaxCut for full information.


Barack Obama will cut taxes for over 95% of American families.
(even though more than half of American think he'll raise their taxes)

What's your Obama Tax cut? Let's find out!

Visit ObamaTaxCut to see what you'll get in an Obama administration.

____________________________

Senator Barack Obama sets the record straight about the 2nd Amendment.Chicago Tribune:

Barack Obama got a chance to go back to Scranton on Friday and talk about guns. And he made the most of it...

"There are rumors going around that ... you're going to take away our guns," said Joan O'Neil.
Obama said: "I believe in the 2nd Amendment, and if you are a law-abiding gun owner you have nothing to fear from an Obama administration."

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

On Sunday afternoon my husband and I had two Barack Obama volunteers at our front door. They were walking door to door to pass out information about Sen. Obama. If you haven't signed up yet to do your part for the Obama-Biden campaign, visit BarackObama.com to see how you can help.

Kilroy vs. Stivers

The Democratic candidate for the 15th congressional district, Mary Jo Kilroy, has worked hard to protect families, veterans, and the people of central Ohio. She has made it her business to make Franklin County a good place to work and raise a family.

Kilroy's Republican opponent, Steve Stivers, has been working hard to protect banks, mortgage companies, and payday loan companies. The Dispatch has some of the details on Stivers and the work he has done for his BFF's------ banks, mortgage companies, and payday lenders:

....As a member of the legislative panel that votes on major spending requests, Stivers approved three contracts in 2006 and 2007 worth a total of $174,000 to JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Stivers headed corporate lobbying for Banc One Corp., which was acquired by Chase in 2004, after Stivers had left the company to enter the state Senate. Stivers' financial disclosure forms for 2007 show that he had $2,600 to $8,000 worth of Chase stock and retirement holdings.....

....Stivers spoke out against stricter regulation of the mortgage-lending industry in early 2006 and was one of three state senators to vote against a bill that year that imposed new requirements on the lending industry.

Kilroy's allies say Chase is a major culprit in home foreclosures in central Ohio, having filed liens on 686 Franklin County homes in 2006.....

If you are looking for real change in Washington, DC, we must send Kilroy to Congress. The last thing Washington needs is another corporate lobbyist like Stivers.

If You Live In Ohio....

...you can look up your voting information: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/voterquery.aspx?page=361
or check with your county Board of Elections (http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/boeDirectory.aspx) to make sure you are registered to vote. Since there are some people trying to block your right to vote (we know who they are), you must be certain that you are indeed registered. Check now to avoid a problem.

Do you want to find a local Barack Obama volunteer office? If you live in Ohio, see this page---> http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/ohhome or this page >>>>> http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/ohoffices for the location and telephone numbers of local offices.

Want to see what your tax cut will be under a President Obama administration? Visit ObamaTaxCut.com to check it out.

Working For Change, One Day at a Time

If you live in central Ohio, make sure that you make a sincere effort to help out on the Obama campaign. Call (614) 436-0936 to see how you can volunteer. Right now you can do something from home. Write a check for the Obama campaign, order some Obama gear, get a bumper sticker, talk to your neighbors about the campaign for change, start a blog, make a sign and put it up in your yard/dorm room, etc. Do something!

*You might be shocked to hear about the racism coming from the Republican side. Here are a few items that I found:

The L.A. Progressive has a story about the racist talk coming from Sarah Palin. (LINK)
The Hill reports that Georgia Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland called Sen. Obama "uppity." (LINK)

* Do you know how many times John McCain talked about veterans' issues during his acceptance speech? Zero times. Mr. McCain has forgotten about veterans issues. Now McCain wants to ration veterans' medical benefits. As long as he got his full coverage, he wants to restrict today's vets.

* You know how the media talked about how some Hillary Clinton supporters were going to support McCain? Well, apparently after McCain's running mate opened her mouth, that all changed. Obama is supported by 99.9% of Hillary Clinton's backers. Women have worked hard for many issues over the years, and we won't back down. Since McCain and Palin do not support equal pay for equal work, women voters are flocking to the Democratic side.

* Last night the movie DAVE, starring Kevin Kline, was on TV. Here is a quote I found from the movie that could really sum up McCain's economic views:

....He thinks this country is

fine and we should go about doing business as usual.....

John and Cindy McCain have 7 houses are are completely out of touch with everyday things like buying food and filling the gas tank. They think everything is fine. They think that the policies of George W. Bush are fine and they support continuing them.

* I found the Harriet Tubman quote that Sen. Hillary Clinton read at the end of her speech at the Democratic National Convention:

"....If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going.

If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste

of freedom, keep going....."

Don't stop working for Obama-Biden.

What are YOU going to do about it?

The big speeches have been made. The confetti and balloons have been cleaned up from the floor. Now it is time to get to work to elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States!

YOU have the capacity to make it happen. YOU can turn your enthusiasm for Obama-Biden into some real campaign work on their behalf. Volunteers are needed for door-to-door canvassing in local neighborhoods and phone banks. Here in the Worthington Area, there is a special office called the Ohio Campaign for Change where volunteers are needed to help get Barack Obama elected.

OHIO CAMPAIGN FOR CHANGE
6066 Huntley Road (just North of 161 and west of I-71)
Telephone: (614) 436-0936

Look for the Obama signs on the windows and the friendly faces inside. All are welcomed to participate in this very special campaign. You'll be able to tell your friends, children, and grandchildren that you actually worked on Barack Obama's campaign.

Here is one final tidbit to get you moving:

In the general election of 2004, Bush won Ohio by just 118,000 votes. However,
the past Republican Ohio Secretary of State, left 357,000 uncounted votes in Ohio.
Do you need to see it again?
There were 357,000 uncounted votes in Ohio in 2004.

Call (614) 436-0936 to see how you can help Senator Obama!

More Republican Elites!!!!!!

Those Republicans certainly have a lot of money to spend.
Here are some estimates on the costs of the outfits of Cindy McCain and Laura Bush from Vanity Fair:

Laura Bush
Oscar de la Renta suit: $2,500
Stuart Weitzman heels: $325
Pearl stud earrings: $600–$1,500
Total: Between $3,425 and $4,325

Cindy McCain
Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000–$25,000
Shoes, designer unknown: $600
Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100

By the way, it is 2:15pm EDT and the breaking news is that NASDAQ, the S&P, NYSE, the DOW are all having huge losses. According to Reuters, U.S. firms cut 33,000 jobs in August. It is apparent that the Bush and McCain families are completely out of touch with the plight of working Americans. Can we honestly afford four more years of the same Bush economic policies?

Republican Elites

* I'm so sick of the Republicans saying they represent all the people of this country. According to the Toledo Blade, the Ohio delegation at the Republican convention has only 3 African-Americans. NJ.com reports that the New Jersey delegation has no African-American delegates.

* While you are sitting in your home trying to figure out how you are going to put gas in your car, the Ohio Republican delegates at their convention "..... snacked on smoked salmon and drank martinis poured over an ice sculpture while cruising the Mississippi River. On Monday, they nibbled on mini lamb chops and dipped cherries in chocolate fountain as a jazz band played at the historic Landmark Center in downtown
St. Paul...... " (Dayton Daily News).

* I've thought of a great bumper sticker:

I Can't Afford to Vote for a Bank Lobbyist for Congress---

Just Say No to Stivers

Wednesday's News...

This Week Community Newspaper:

Barack Obama's presidential campaign rolled into Dublin last Saturday and was greeted by an overflow crowd that trumpeted its support by waving American flags and pro-Obama signs, and stomping feet on metal bleachers during speeches.

The Obama campaign estimated 19,000 people, thousands more than anticipated, packed Dublin Coffman High School's stadium to hear Obama, running mate Joe Biden and other prominent Democrats.....

....Obama proposed taking tax breaks away from companies that ship jobs overseas and giving a tax break to 95 percent of Americans....

People in central Ohio are still enthusiastically talking about Obama's appearance. Many people signed up to volunteer for the campaign.


>>>Obama is coming back to Ohio!!!!!! Cleveland.com:
....Obama plans to discuss women and the economy during a stop Wednesday morning in New Philadelphia, then attend a barbecue in Dillonvale, a village of less than 1,000 people located just a few miles from the Ohio River....

....While Ohio's unemployment rate reached 7.2 percent in July, the highest level in more than 15 years, it was 7.6 percent in Jefferson County.

Voters there could respond to Obama's plans to cut taxes for middle income Americans and invest in new energy sources, like windmills and biofuels, Cassell said.....

Obama will not concede any area of the country. He has a 50 state strategy with a strong volunteer base in each state.

**** President Bush declared that McCain is "the man we need." (LA Times) That in itself should scare the living daylights out of you. Do you really care what Bush thinks? Would you take his advice on anything?
I know I wouldn't.

Why Women Support Kilroy

Women voters support Mary Jo Kilroy, Democratic candidate for Ohio's 15th district, in greater numbers than her Republican opponent. Kilroy's work has always been to promote Franklin County and to make it a better place for all the people who live here. Kilroy cares about families, children and their futures.

Steve Stivers, Republican candidate, has worked hard as a bank lobbyist. He makes no apologies for his continuing support for the rights of banks, big insurance, and big oil. Here is another little tidbit about Stivers from Politicker:

State Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Columbus) is being criticized for giving $7 million in "taxypayer giveaways" and loans to a payday lender by the Franklin County Democratic Party.

The party said this handout to Buckeye Check Cashing was one of Stivers' first acts as a member of the State Controlling Board. The party cites an AP story saying the company had already been given millions in state incentives to cut its federal tax burden. "Stivers now states he is against the industry," the party's press release said.....

If you like the way things are in central Ohio, then you'll support Stivers. If you think we can do better, you'll vote for Kilroy.