*** Here is a dumb quote from Kasich (Pomeroy Daily Sentinel):
“I want this state to be great again.”
Duh! Does he think he is the only person in the state that wants Ohio to be restored to a vibrant
state? Gov. Ted Strickland wants the same thing, but there is one difference in the way that
Strickland will rebuild Ohio--- by repairing the economy of Ohio for all the people, not just the
wealthy.
Kasich, on the other hand, will give tax breaks for the rich on the backs of budget cuts
in agencies that serve the poor and elderly, children in public schools, selling off public land, etc.,
etc., etc. An analysis of Kasich's budget by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (5/19/98)
had this:
...Among the most striking features of the Kasich budget plan are its disproportionate cuts in
programs for low-income families and its focus on reducing support for low-income working families
and individuals and those seeking to leave public assistance for work.
Programs targeted on low-income families and individuals make up only 23 percent of all mandatory program expenditures but would bear 42 percent of the mandatory program reductions outlined in the Kasich budget document.(1) These programs would bear nearly twice their proportionate share of the plan's mandatory program reductions.....
If elected, Kasich would make his cuts, but at what cost to real working people, children, the elderly,
and the poor. The cuts would be made without compassion and without thinking about the true results.
* When John Kasich was a member of the House of Representatives, he pushed for major cuts
in the way college students access student loans, grants, and other student aid. College students
at Ohio State, and other colleges in Ohio, have to ask themselves if past behavior is a predictor
of what a person would do in the future. Given what we know about Kasich's actions to cut
college student aid, what would he do as Ohio Governor? Gov. Ted Strickland has been able
to keep tuition down in the state (unlike what is going on in California).
NY Times: (2/15/95)
about $9 billion a year subsidizing the Federal Family Education Loan program, including some
Stafford loans, Supplemental Loans for Students and Parent Loans for Undergraduate
Students). The Government pays the interest while borrowers are still in college.
But Representative John R. Kasich, Republican of Ohio, the chairman of the House Budget
Committee, has proposed ending the subsidy by adding the interest to the loan balance.
Clinton said yesterday that removing the interest subsidy would amount to "the biggest cut in
student financial aid in the history of the United States."
According to the article, Kasich also wanted to cut other grants, loans, student aid, and work
study programs.
Eight Antioch College students were arrested in Columbus after being sprayed with pepper gas
Saturday at a protest against Republican-proposed cuts in student financial aid. About 75 Antioch
students, members of a campus group called Student Aid Action, took part in what began as an informational protest outside the offices of U.S. Rep. John Kasich , said student Karali Pitzele, who
was answering the SAA hotline at the school. Kasich , R-Columbus, is chairman of the House Budget Committee.... ....students are trying to educate the public about proposed cuts in the
Republican-backed Contract With America.
According to articles in the Dispatch (Saturday, April 3, 1999-retrieved from Newsbank) and
the Dayton Daily News (Tuesday, April 6, 1999-Newsbank), Columbus had to pay to settle a suit
with the arrested students because they were sprayed with mace and arrested during a peaceful protest.
It took four years for the case to make it to the settlement table.
*Kasich wants Ohio voters to believe everything he says about changing things in Ohio.
Depending on the day, Kasich is either for or against cutting the state income tax. City/township
leaders, school administrators, teachers, and citizens are questioning how they would survive without
state aid. What is Kasich willing to cut in order to give rich people more of their income by cutting the
state income tax? How many schools have to close, prisoners freed from state prisons, state workers
fired, etc., etc., so that John Kasich can save some wealthy contributors from paying taxes???
**** Republican Steve Stivers will have a fundraiser with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
this weekend. How do the Ohio Righties feel about Stivers appearing
with pro-choice Arnold?
>>>> Have you visited Jon Husted's campaign website? (Look for the link on your own.) I have been
there. :( The thing I find most amazing is that Husted seems to have taken 99.9% of his website to talk
about his biography, his awards and accomplishments, and other ego-driven material. There is
absolutely no information on his issues or what he plans to do if he wins election. I think Husted
should re-title his website and call it- "All About Me!!!"