Kasich and Stivers: Against Working People

The Columbus Dispatch had an article today on the race for Ohio governor. Here is a sampling from the Dispatch:

....During a speech before Ashtabula County Republicans in March 2009, Kasich talked about the need to "break the back of organized labor in the schools," according to the Ashtabula Star Beacon. He did not back away from that quote last week, saying as he pushes ideas to change schools he has often clashed with teachers unions, who have "smeared my record and distorted it."

   Kasich, who is backed by business groups, also opposes paying prevailing wages on state-funded construction projects. And as part of a sweeping review of state laws and regulations, he wants to reexamine the 1983 law that gave public employees in Ohio the right to collective bargaining, arbitration and strike (except for safety forces)..... 


.....The governor would maintain birthright citizenship for children born here to illegal immigrants. Kasich, a former Fox News commentator, has been a longtime supporter of amending the Constitution to end the automatic right....

On the right of gay couples to adopt, Kasich said,  ".... I don't have a firm position on that."

Really?  Kasich voted YES on banning adoption by gays in Washington, DC, according to Ontheissues:

Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC.

Vote on an amendment banning adoptions in District of Columbia by gays or other individuals who are not related by blood or marriage. Reference: Amendment introduced by Largent, R-OK; Bill HR 2587 ; vote number 1999-346 on Jul 29, 1999   

How is it possible that Kasich has no position on gay adoptions when he clearly had a position in 1999?  Did he change his mind or would he vote the same way today? All of Kasich's plans demonstrate his desire to bring us back to the days when workers had to submit to the will of the boss. In essence, Kasich wants workers to give up their rights and privileges so that he can wipe out unions and collective bargaining.  I guess he wants us all to have a workplace where fair pay for fair work isn't honored, safety/health regulations are forgotten, workers cannot claim discrimination or complain about an unfair policy, and overtime pay, days off, vacation, and other benefits would be gone.  Don't you think that Kasich's bizarre attacks against workers show an unhealthy hatred of the average worker?  Why does Kasich have such an unholy hatred of public school teachers?  Is there anyone in the media that has the courage to ask Kasich some meaningful questions?

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 Republican congressional candidate, Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, has a record in the Ohio Senate that he might not want to brag about to voters.  DCCC in 2008:


..."Not only does Steve Stivers need to account for his past as a lobbyist for the banking industry, who consistently fought for less banking regulation, eliminating oversight and contributing to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, he also needs to answer why he continuously refuses to stand up for Ohio children and families," said Ryan Rudominer, Midwest Regional Press Secretary for the DCCC. "Unfortunately for Central Ohio families, in 2006, former lobbyist turned politician Steve Stivers voted to weaken child abuse legislation, including making it easier for sex offenders to avoid punishment by reducing the period of time allowed to prosecute a sex crime in civil court."
In the face of Republican leadership, Stivers could not even stand up for legislation he previously supported.  The Senate unanimously approved tough legislation to protect children from sexual abuse. The Ohio House subsequently gutted some of the bill's strongest provisions.  Senate Democrats and Republican Patricia Clancy said no to the House changes, but Stivers decided to side with the Republican Party instead of Ohio families. [SB 17, 3/29/06] 

During the summer, Stivers came under fire for failing to close a loophole in legislation he co-authored which was supposed to mandate background checks at camps to protect our children [SB 259, 8/5/04]. The law required the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to monitor "child day camps" but made no reference to residential camps. Stivers has repeatedly said he would try to close the loophole, but three years later has still failed to do so. [The Associated Press, 7/23/08] 

Steve Stivers is being supported by people and PACs associated with the financial sector.  Why should we be concerned?  Stivers has gotten his campaign funds from groups that are opposed to health and safety regulations, opposed to banking regulations, opposed to fair practices in the insurance industry, and groups opposed to laws that would protect the environment.

OpenSecrets:

Steve Stivers (R)

Industry	Total
Leadership PACs	$92,410
Lawyers/Law Firms	$77,920
Commercial Banks	$70,550 *
Insurance	$64,400 *
Health Professionals	$64,000
Electric Utilities	$59,200 *
Retired	$57,361
Real Estate	$44,530
Securities & Investment	$33,350 *
Mining	$31,749 *
Candidate Committees	$30,500
Misc Finance	$29,025 *
General Contractors	$28,900
Food & Beverage	$28,600
Oil & Gas	$28,350 *
Retail Sales	$26,500
Lobbyists	$24,450 *
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products	$23,300
Hospitals/Nursing Homes	$22,658
Republican/Conservative	$22,150

 Incredible list, isn't it?????

If you are looking for a candidate who will work to end regulations and safety measures, Stivers is your man.

If you want someone in Washington, DC who cares about the working people, cares about families, promotes and protects the health and safety of workers on the job, protects consumers against unscrupulous banks and insurance and financial firms, and has been recognized for her outstanding support to protect the environment - Mary Jo Kilroy needs and deserves your vote.