During the campaign for Ohio governor, Republican John Kasich made a point of attacking unions, especially teachers unions.
Dispatch (September 26, 2010):
....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).....
Even today's Columbus Dispatch, seems to be turning up the heat between Kasich and the unions. With Kasich serving as the sweetheart of businesses, bankers, and right wing Fox News, it is no wonder that he seems to be paying back their support with his anti-union campaign.
Is all this talk against unions just another way of the wealthy to deny working class Ohioans the ability to support themselves and their families? You betcha! If Kasich, the Republicans, and their big business supporters successfully overturn laws on collective bargaining, strikes, and arbitration, will that open the floodgates to change other laws about worker safety and protections? What other laws are in the crosshairs of Kasich and the white men of the Ohio Republican Party?
Kasich, who has become increasingly more aloof as he has become wealthier, has made it a habit of blaming the state's problems on unions. Is this another example of Kasich's myopic views on issues? Are Ohioans going to face a governor who has one opinion and is unwilling to hear the voices of the opposition? Will Kasich continue to get angrier at any contradictory opinions? Will he just shut out opposing views out of the conversation? Will the Columbus Dispatch continue to support Kasich's views and refrain from giving us a balance of opinions?
I'm just one little old lady in central Ohio. I think that Kasich has underestimated the fact that more people voted against him than for him. He thinks that he won a mandate, but he is wrong. Ohioans want and demand answers and we won't sit by and let Kasich, the white Republicans, and wealthy business owners run over us and deny us our rights.