* We've got a busy day ahead in central Ohio today! Former President Bill Clinton will be in Columbus supporting the re-election of Democrat, Gov. Ted Strickland. Clinton and Strickland will appear at a major rally this afternoon, just before Strickland takes on Republican candidate, John Kasich, a former investment banker and managing director at Lehman Brothers, the bankrupt Wall Street firm. The rules on time limits for responding to questions have been explained, but Kasich, who likes to drone on, and on, and on, and on, and on, might have some difficulty stopping his talking.
The debate will be live at 8pm on 10tv WBNS and on stations around the state.
*** Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy has been busy in the U.S. House of Representatives trying to help improve the lives of her constituents. Meanwhile, her Republican opponent, Steve Stivers, spent a good portion of his professional career protecting banks from those pesky regulations, and consumer protection laws. Stivers was called a "top" bank lobbyist by the Columbus Dispatch, and continued to protect banks, bankers, their profits, and their bonuses by frequently defending them while he was a state senator.
The choice in Ohio's 15th district seems obvious. If you want someone representing you that cares about you, has your concerns about your family, future, and health, you'll vote for Mary Jo Kilroy. However, if you like banks to be in control of your destiny, enjoy corporations taking advantage of average citizens, and want the fat cats of the utility companies to tear down environmental laws, you'll support former bank lobbyist, Steve Stivers. Stivers has courted the entire financial industry with fundraisers in DC, with lobbyists, and at country clubs. Boehner has taken Stivers on as his protege and has encouraged campaign. (Scary!)
Kilroy has survived many attacks from the right. The right wing Republicans, and their Tea Party friends have called her names, talked about her hair styles, and even organized an anti-health care protest outside her Columbus office where a disabled man was attacked. (This protest against Kilroy was organized by those corporations that continue to sponsor the tea partiers= commonly called "astroturfing.")Those on the right are clearly out of touch with the everyday concerns of the average Ohioan. Those of us who live in Ohio's 15th congressional district are concerned with providing for our families, getting medical help when needed, helping our elderly parents survive on their Social Security and Medicare, being able to pay for the college tuition of our children, have jobs in safe environments, enjoy fair pay for fair work, and maybe saving a few dollars for our retirement.
If you really want corporate fat cats, bankers, and lobbyists controlling your life, you'll vote Republican. However, if you want people who understand you and will work for your needs, you'll vote for every Democrat. The Republicans are offering a return to the failed policies of the Bush era. The Democrats are providing a foundation for a better future. Which side will you choose?