RobertPortman.com:
A recent study conducted by the Economic Policy Institute found that Ohio lost 91,800 jobs to China because of failed trade policies of Congressman Portman supported. More tha 17,000 jobs ere shipped out of Ohio in the one year Portman served as Bush's Trade Czar.
The U.S. Business and Industrial Council called Portman's nomination to the post a "slap in the face to the U.S. domestic manufacturing base."
If you want to know where your job went, check out this page at robertportman.com.
(Note: the website is a parody created by the Ohio Democratic Party.)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Foolish Republicans
The nice people at the Upper Arlington Progressive Action provide a ROFLOL moment in their description of a proposal by Steve Stivers, former bank lobbyist and current GOP candidate:
*** The Ohio Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from Republican fundraiser, Tom Noe. Once the darling of the Ohio Republican Party, Tom Noe was even a major fundraiser for the campaign of George W. Bush.
Toledo Blade:
...Noe is serving his second year of an 18-year sentence for his 2006 jury conviction on 29 charges of corruption, theft, money laundering, and tampering with records. The Toledo-based 6th District Court of Appeals upheld his convictions on Dec. 31, and Wednesday's high-court ruling leaves that decision intact....
...The Blade first reported in April, 2005 on Noe's $50 million state rare-coin investment deal, triggering a multiyear state probe that uncovered massive corruption in the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and led to charges against more than 20 public officials and money managers....
...Noe is incarcerated at Hocking Correctional Facility in southern Ohio. He had previously completed a federal sentence in his conviction of using others to launder illegal campaign contributions to the 2004 re-election campaign of President George W. Bush.
The Dispatch article had this about Noe:
From the Department of Colossally Stupid Ideas comes the Tea Party's quest to repeal the 17th Amendment, which provides for direct popular election of U.S. senators. And it has support from Republican candidate for the Ohio's 15th Congressional District, Steve Stivers.
Stivers said in a 9-12 Project questionnaire last year that he supported repealing the 17th Amendment. He reasserted that same position in a January 2010 interview with The Hill. And in a January news story, Stivers was receptive to the idea of repealing the amendment, calling it a states' rights issue....
What other extreme ideas does Steve Stivers have?*** The Ohio Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from Republican fundraiser, Tom Noe. Once the darling of the Ohio Republican Party, Tom Noe was even a major fundraiser for the campaign of George W. Bush.
Toledo Blade:
...Noe is serving his second year of an 18-year sentence for his 2006 jury conviction on 29 charges of corruption, theft, money laundering, and tampering with records. The Toledo-based 6th District Court of Appeals upheld his convictions on Dec. 31, and Wednesday's high-court ruling leaves that decision intact....
...The Blade first reported in April, 2005 on Noe's $50 million state rare-coin investment deal, triggering a multiyear state probe that uncovered massive corruption in the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and led to charges against more than 20 public officials and money managers....
...Noe is incarcerated at Hocking Correctional Facility in southern Ohio. He had previously completed a federal sentence in his conviction of using others to launder illegal campaign contributions to the 2004 re-election campaign of President George W. Bush.
The Dispatch article had this about Noe:
...The man convicted of stealing millions from a state fund he had invested in gold coins, Beanie Babies and memorabilia says he will take his case to a federal court....
....After Noe's initial appeal was denied by the 6th District Court of Appeals in Toledo, he asked the Ohio Supreme Court to hear his case based on 11 legal arguments, including that he couldn't get a fair trial in Toledo because of the intense media coverage of his case there.
Justices Maureen O'Connor and Judith Ann Lanzinger, who had taken campaign contributions from Noe in the past, removed themselves from the case. The remaining justices voted 5-0 not to hear the appeal on nine of the 11 issues....
Noe just keeps reminding people of the corrupt Ohio GOP. Thank you.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Stivers: 9 Items on His Eliminate and Repeal List
Republican candidate for Congress, Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, seems to be moving to the extreme right. When I talk to my neighbors, many think that these proposals are just plain insane. Is there any part of the U.S. government that Steve Stivers wants to keep?
On that infamous 912 survey Steve Stivers filled out, he wanted to "....eliminate the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy..."
It is getting more difficult to keep up with all of the things Stivers wants to repeal and eliminate. Here is a list of what Stivers wants to repeal/eliminate:
1. Repeal the health care reform bill
2. Repeal the 16th Amendment to the Constitution
3. Repeal the 17th Amendment to the Constitution
4. Eliminate the Department of Agriculture
5. Eliminate the Department of Education
6. Eliminate the Department of the Interior
7. Eliminate the Department of Housing of and Urban Development
8. Eliminate the Department of Transportation
9. Eliminate the Department of Energy
When you see these proposals in a list, it looks absolutely crazy. I think that we all have used or benefited from each of these various departments in one form or another. Here is a question for Stivers---- If we don't have a Dept. of Agriculture, how would our food get inspected?
I think that voters in Ohio's 15th district need to take a look at Stivers and reject his candidacy. With over 11,000 lobbyists ( Open Secrets) in Washington, DC in the first half of 2010, the last thing we need is another lobbyist----- especially a career bank lobbyist!
On that infamous 912 survey Steve Stivers filled out, he wanted to "....eliminate the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy..."
It is getting more difficult to keep up with all of the things Stivers wants to repeal and eliminate. Here is a list of what Stivers wants to repeal/eliminate:
1. Repeal the health care reform bill
2. Repeal the 16th Amendment to the Constitution
3. Repeal the 17th Amendment to the Constitution
4. Eliminate the Department of Agriculture
5. Eliminate the Department of Education
6. Eliminate the Department of the Interior
7. Eliminate the Department of Housing of and Urban Development
8. Eliminate the Department of Transportation
9. Eliminate the Department of Energy
When you see these proposals in a list, it looks absolutely crazy. I think that we all have used or benefited from each of these various departments in one form or another. Here is a question for Stivers---- If we don't have a Dept. of Agriculture, how would our food get inspected?
I think that voters in Ohio's 15th district need to take a look at Stivers and reject his candidacy. With over 11,000 lobbyists ( Open Secrets) in Washington, DC in the first half of 2010, the last thing we need is another lobbyist----- especially a career bank lobbyist!
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
The Charter School Disaster
Cincinnati.com is reporting that David Brennan, the owner of White Hat Management, refused to testify in front of a state hearing. White Hat is being sued by ten of its own charter schools. White Hat operates 31 charter schools in Ohio and has received over $400 million dollars from the state. Brennan is a big supporter of Ohio Republicans and has contributed approximately $1.5 million to those GOPers.
If you read my other site (http://stubbornliberal.blogspot.com), you are aware of my recent discussion with a teacher employed at a charter school:
The teacher told me that the school
had no windows in the classrooms,
no area for outside play,
no books,
and a principal that did not have the
If you read my other site (http://stubbornliberal.blogspot.com), you are aware of my recent discussion with a teacher employed at a charter school:
The teacher told me that the school
had no windows in the classrooms,
no area for outside play,
no books,
and a principal that did not have the
proper certification.
Where are our tax dollars going if the charter schools are unable to have the proper tools to educate?
Husted: How can you live so far out of your district?
Here is an interesting fact---- Jon Husted, Republican candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, has to travel 77 miles from his family home in Upper Arlington to the district he represents in Kettering. Husted can claim the house he owns in Kettering for voting purposes, because of a declaration by the Republican controlled Ohio Supreme Court. (Surprise! Surprise!) Husted doesn't reside in Kettering. His own testimony and utility bills provided to the Montgomery Co. Board of Elections, showed that his water usage was near zero (see ProgressOhio). If elected, Husted could question your residency. Don't you think there is something wrong with this?
***John Kasich proposed cutting student aid when he was in Congress in 1995.
New York Times:
...The potential reductions and possible elimination of programs would have a chilling effect on higher education, said university administrators. The added debt to loans would figure prominently in student decisions about advanced degrees and careers, they said, particularly in lower-paying fields that are critical to society, like social services....
Kasich just didn't seem to have the concerns for the struggles of college students and their families. How does he feel about this today? We know Kasich has proposed eliminating certain programs at state colleges if that program is taught at another school within the state. Since Kasich won't discuss his future plans, we have no idea what he'd cut education in the state.
**** Jon Husted, state senator representing Kettering even though he lives 99% of the time in Upper Arlington, has some very interesting rating by groups.
Operation Vote Smart has these scores for Husted---
On abortion and women's reproductive freedom, Husted has a solid "0"
On environmental issues, Husted has scores of 66, 50, 80, 0, 29, 29, 50
(We can conclude that he doesn't care about the environment.)
On Labor Husted scored a "0"
Husted, who seems to be best friends with the family associated with the largest charter school corporation in the state, is a big proponent of charter schools.
More later.....
***John Kasich proposed cutting student aid when he was in Congress in 1995.
New York Times:
....Other suggestions advanced by Mr. Kasich include the elimination of Federal aid programs managed by colleges, including the Perkins loan, the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and the work-study programs....
....Under Mr. Kasich's suggestions, an additional 23 grant programs in the Federal Department of Education, some of them covering higher education, would be eliminated. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the savings would be $1.1 billion over five years.......The potential reductions and possible elimination of programs would have a chilling effect on higher education, said university administrators. The added debt to loans would figure prominently in student decisions about advanced degrees and careers, they said, particularly in lower-paying fields that are critical to society, like social services....
Kasich just didn't seem to have the concerns for the struggles of college students and their families. How does he feel about this today? We know Kasich has proposed eliminating certain programs at state colleges if that program is taught at another school within the state. Since Kasich won't discuss his future plans, we have no idea what he'd cut education in the state.
**** Jon Husted, state senator representing Kettering even though he lives 99% of the time in Upper Arlington, has some very interesting rating by groups.
Operation Vote Smart has these scores for Husted---
On abortion and women's reproductive freedom, Husted has a solid "0"
On environmental issues, Husted has scores of 66, 50, 80, 0, 29, 29, 50
(We can conclude that he doesn't care about the environment.)
On Labor Husted scored a "0"
Husted, who seems to be best friends with the family associated with the largest charter school corporation in the state, is a big proponent of charter schools.
More later.....
Monday, June 07, 2010
Republican Problems
Will Republican state chair, Kevin Dewine, end the war within the Lucas County Republican Party? With the infighting going on since December, DeWine hopes to work fix things in Lucas County when he visits this week. (DeWine settled a near revolt a few weeks ago in the Franklin Co. GOP.) The Toledo Blade has the full story.
>>>> Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist and current Republican candidate, has more on his agenda besides trying to repeal the 16th and 17th Amendments and repeal the health care law. Now we see that Stivers has aligned himself with the American Action Network and Fred Malek (see Dispatch). Does that Fred Malek name sound familiar? It should.
According to an article published at Slate Malek was involved in the Nixon administration's goal to oust Jews serving within the government. For details and links to the transcripts, see Slate. You might also want to check out a Washington Post article about Malek.
If Stivers moves any more to the right, he'll go over the edge!!!!
>>>> Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist and current Republican candidate, has more on his agenda besides trying to repeal the 16th and 17th Amendments and repeal the health care law. Now we see that Stivers has aligned himself with the American Action Network and Fred Malek (see Dispatch). Does that Fred Malek name sound familiar? It should.
According to an article published at Slate Malek was involved in the Nixon administration's goal to oust Jews serving within the government. For details and links to the transcripts, see Slate. You might also want to check out a Washington Post article about Malek.
If Stivers moves any more to the right, he'll go over the edge!!!!
Tiberi
As the Republicans remain unable to create a positive agenda for everyday Americans, it appears that they will waste our time trying to repeal the health care reform law.
Insurance News net:
If you look over the highlights of Tiberi's proposal, they are the same cockamamie health talking points supported by Boehner and the Republicans months ago. This is nothing new --- just the same old broken, re-hashed, brainless crap the Republican tried earlier. This must have been a bill given to Tiberi by Boehner to pump up Tiberi's legislative list of sponsored and cosponsored bills. There are many people in Ohio's 12th district who will not be happy with Tiberi's proposal.
* Today is June 7th, 2010, and I'm just wondering...... Has Republican Steve Stivers suggested any additional Amendments to the Constitution that he'd like to repeal? Since Stivers has supported the repeal of the 16th and 17th Amendments, I'm sure he must have other Amendments he'd like to repeal.
Did you know that Steve Stivers, a former State Senator, supports insurance companies paying for Viagra but not birth control pills? (Steve Stivers is a former bank lobbyist.)
Insurance News net:
U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) announced his cosponsorship of a bill that would repeal the government takeover of health care and replace it with common sense solutions that would actually lower the cost of health care, expand access regardless of pre-existing conditions and keep Washington bureaucrats from making your health care decisions. The Reform Americans Can Afford Act (H.R.5424) was introduced by Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA), and is cosponsored by Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and other members of the House Republican leadership....
If you look over the highlights of Tiberi's proposal, they are the same cockamamie health talking points supported by Boehner and the Republicans months ago. This is nothing new --- just the same old broken, re-hashed, brainless crap the Republican tried earlier. This must have been a bill given to Tiberi by Boehner to pump up Tiberi's legislative list of sponsored and cosponsored bills. There are many people in Ohio's 12th district who will not be happy with Tiberi's proposal.
* Today is June 7th, 2010, and I'm just wondering...... Has Republican Steve Stivers suggested any additional Amendments to the Constitution that he'd like to repeal? Since Stivers has supported the repeal of the 16th and 17th Amendments, I'm sure he must have other Amendments he'd like to repeal.
Did you know that Steve Stivers, a former State Senator, supports insurance companies paying for Viagra but not birth control pills? (Steve Stivers is a former bank lobbyist.)
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Ad Nauseum
I cannot understand why John Kasich continues to give live interviews. He repeats the same talking points ad nauseum. I don't think people learn anything from the same old words and phrases.
In a recent interview done at Fox Toledo, an example of Kasich's talking points mantra is on the channel's website. I forced myself to watch the interview in hopes that Kasich would say something new. Trust me--- Kasich is like a broken record. He still didn't answer how he'd make up the money from the state budget if he cuts the income tax.
Kasich continues to talk about Florida, Tennessee, and Texas. However, he fails to tell Ohioans that these three states have some very high sales taxes and high unemployment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rates for April 2010 were--- Texas 8.3%, Tennessee 10.5%, and Florida 12.0%. (Ohio's unemployment rate for April 2010 was 10.9%.)
The recession in Ohio was created by the Wall Street mess and the Bush economy. Ted Strickland didn't cause the recession. The recession and job losses might have gotten worse because of the way Rob Portman sold off all our jobs to China.
In a recent interview done at Fox Toledo, an example of Kasich's talking points mantra is on the channel's website. I forced myself to watch the interview in hopes that Kasich would say something new. Trust me--- Kasich is like a broken record. He still didn't answer how he'd make up the money from the state budget if he cuts the income tax.
Kasich continues to talk about Florida, Tennessee, and Texas. However, he fails to tell Ohioans that these three states have some very high sales taxes and high unemployment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rates for April 2010 were--- Texas 8.3%, Tennessee 10.5%, and Florida 12.0%. (Ohio's unemployment rate for April 2010 was 10.9%.)
The recession in Ohio was created by the Wall Street mess and the Bush economy. Ted Strickland didn't cause the recession. The recession and job losses might have gotten worse because of the way Rob Portman sold off all our jobs to China.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Is this what Kasich has planned for Ohio????
Just in case you were wondering how far right John Kasich has gone, you only need to see the headline from Grover Norquist's website:
John Kasich Signs the Taxpayer Protection Pledge
What does this mean? It appears that John Kasich has aligned himself with Grover Norquist. You remember how Grover Norquist convinced the people of Colorado Springs to cut taxes. Here is what happened, as told by Seminal@Firedoglake.com:
For those who don’t live in Colorado or don’t follow the whole “Tax Payers Bill of Rights” (TABOR) movement I need to set the stage a little bit. There is a this very conservative fellow by the name of Douglas Bruce. Old Dougie is more than a bit of a nutter about taxes. He and Grover Norquist have the same idea,namely, that the government never spends money well and should always be starved of all the money possible, at every turn
TABOR being passed, first in Colorado Springs, then state-wide in Colorado. One of the provisions of TABOR is that tax revenue cannot be increased except by the popular vote of the people, beyond the rate of inflation plus the rate of population growth. Beyond that limit the State or the City has to return any revenue they have collected.....
What has happened in Colorado Springs since the passage of TABOR?
Here is a list I've summarized from the Denver Post ----
- Loss of firefighters, police officers, special investigator units are gone
- Parks will no longer be maintained
- Closing of recreation centers, pools, no street repaving
- Cuts in bus service, dimming of street lights, etc.
Other articles indicate that funding has been cut in education (teacher layoffs, larger classes, elimination of programs/classes) and some libraries and museums have been closed.
Is this what Kasich has planned for Ohio? Now that Kasich has aligned himself with Grover Norquist, a Governor Kasich will destroy Ohio. Kasich would conduct a slash and burn of state government, and cut funding for education, cities, counties, police/fire, prisons, and libraries.
Friday Afternoon
* President Obama has sent the first bill to BP for the cleanup. BP has to pay $69 million dollars to the federal government by July 1st. He will be sending other bills to BP in the future as the clean up continues.
**** From Bruce Fine, "We Still Didn't Start the Fire" on You Tube:
*** The NY Times:
Employers added 431,000 nonfarm jobs nationwide in May, the biggest increase in a single month in a decade, the Labor Department said Friday.....
*** NetJets is hiring in Columbus, according to the Dispatch. Visit the NetJets career site.
*** Coda Automotive will be hiring 1,000 for their new electric battery to be built in Columbus.
*** Plunderbund noticed that John Kasich was not available during the Memorial Day holiday to honor our vets? What is the deal?
*** How many people have embraced Republican Steve Stivers and his ideas to repeal the 16th and 17th Amendments and the Health Care Reform Law??? Anyone?
**** From Bruce Fine, "We Still Didn't Start the Fire" on You Tube:
*** The NY Times:
Employers added 431,000 nonfarm jobs nationwide in May, the biggest increase in a single month in a decade, the Labor Department said Friday.....
*** NetJets is hiring in Columbus, according to the Dispatch. Visit the NetJets career site.
*** Coda Automotive will be hiring 1,000 for their new electric battery to be built in Columbus.
*** Plunderbund noticed that John Kasich was not available during the Memorial Day holiday to honor our vets? What is the deal?
*** How many people have embraced Republican Steve Stivers and his ideas to repeal the 16th and 17th Amendments and the Health Care Reform Law??? Anyone?
Be there!
**** Saturday, June 5th is the big kick off day for Democrats!!! Join us! For a location near you, visit
HERE and check out the site closest to you. We need you. We can't let the Wall Streeters take over our state!
>>> Tax breaks for green projects are in the future for Ohio. (DaytonDailyNews)
>>>>Ross County Democrats have voiced their opposition to the Kasich tax plan.
Lancaster Eagle Gazette:
>>> There seems to be a little problem with the largest charter school owner in the state of Ohio, White Hat Management. As you may know, White Hat Management has the distinction of being a mega-contributor to Republican candidates and the Ohio Republican Party.
From an editorial in the Plain Dealer----Cleveland.com:
The courts will decide the merits of a lawsuit filed by 10 dissident charter school boards against White Hat Management, a for-profit charter school company based in Akron. The suit alleges White Hat has unconstitutional control over the boards.
But the dispute already offers an unsettling glimpse into a system that gave $636 million to about 320 charter schools last year but is ripe for waste, fraud and abuse....
...James Stubbs, a board member of Cleveland's Hope Academy, says White Hat used its influence to prod legislators to pass a law diluting the power of charter school boards and making it nearly impossible for them to terminate contracts with an operator like White Hat....
Here is the Dispatch's take:
HERE and check out the site closest to you. We need you. We can't let the Wall Streeters take over our state!
>>> Tax breaks for green projects are in the future for Ohio. (DaytonDailyNews)
>>>>Ross County Democrats have voiced their opposition to the Kasich tax plan.
Lancaster Eagle Gazette:
...Byers was joined by Ross County Auditor Steve Neal and Chillicothe Auditor Tom Spetnagel, both fellow Democrats.
Neal said if the state income tax were to be repealed, Ross County would lose a $1.2 million for its local government fund....
That is a lot of money to lose!
>>> There seems to be a little problem with the largest charter school owner in the state of Ohio, White Hat Management. As you may know, White Hat Management has the distinction of being a mega-contributor to Republican candidates and the Ohio Republican Party.
From an editorial in the Plain Dealer----Cleveland.com:
The courts will decide the merits of a lawsuit filed by 10 dissident charter school boards against White Hat Management, a for-profit charter school company based in Akron. The suit alleges White Hat has unconstitutional control over the boards.
But the dispute already offers an unsettling glimpse into a system that gave $636 million to about 320 charter schools last year but is ripe for waste, fraud and abuse....
...James Stubbs, a board member of Cleveland's Hope Academy, says White Hat used its influence to prod legislators to pass a law diluting the power of charter school boards and making it nearly impossible for them to terminate contracts with an operator like White Hat....
Here is the Dispatch's take:
....Committee Chairman Stephen Dyer, D-Green, said the lawsuit filed by several charter schools managed by White Hat raises concerns about state law regarding charter-school operations and relationships among school governing boards, the management companies that operate them and the sponsors responsible for oversight.
"The purpose of the hearing is to fix problems highlighted in the lawsuit," said Dyer, who yesterday recessed the committee until Brennan or a representative agrees to testify....
....The schools say White Hat refuses to provide an accounting of how the funds are spent and, if they terminate the contract, state law allows a school's governing body to be ousted and all of its property seized by the management company...
The Ohio Republicans continue to give hundreds of millions of dollars to these charter schools who seem to be failing to educate our children. It is time to stop pouring money into White Hat and the other charter schools.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Kasich's "Special Interests" Do Not Include YOU
* Mother Jones has an article about John Kasich's own "special interests" and his ties to NatCity and UBS:
...National City Corp (a.k.a. NatCity), was a giant subprime lender and Kasich's third largest donor during his second term in Congress (1999-2000). As the Cleveland-based company imploded in 2008, it announced plans to cut 15 percent of its workforce (about 4,000 jobs) before being bought by PNC Bank with the help of several billion dollars in taxpayer assistance.
We can agree that Strickland's special interests are unions, teachers, college students, and regular men and women. That is okay with me. Kasich's special interest club includes bankers, those who created the subprime mess, and drug companies. It is clear to see that Strickland is more interested in people, and Kasich is more concerned with banks, corporations, and their millionaires.
*** With the casinos under construction in the state, Ohio's Republicans are trying to remove preferences for diversity and a demand for using Ohio companies. Are Ohio Republicans trying to kill jobs for Ohioans and Ohio businesses?????
Dispatch:
...National City Corp (a.k.a. NatCity), was a giant subprime lender and Kasich's third largest donor during his second term in Congress (1999-2000). As the Cleveland-based company imploded in 2008, it announced plans to cut 15 percent of its workforce (about 4,000 jobs) before being bought by PNC Bank with the help of several billion dollars in taxpayer assistance.
The PNC acquisition led to more cuts, as the Pittsburgh-based bank didn't need another headquarters in Cleveland. Kasich blames Strickland for those lost jobs, but the truth is more complicated. While in Congress, Kasich voted for "Foreclosure" Phil Gramm's Commodity Futures Modernization Act, a bill that helped make possible the explosion of "synthetic CDOs," credit default swaps, and the subprime mortgage market in general. (UBS, the giant Swiss bank that later hired Gramm, was Kasich's number-one donor in 2000.) Big banks like NatCity and UBS supported the CFMA because it allowed them to get more involved with the then-lucrative subprime mortgage market. By 2006, NatCity was almost entirely focused on subprime lending. By late 2008, one of Cleveland's oldest institutions was no more.
The point is that all this talk about "taking on special interests" is silly. In his ad, Kasich says "you can't be in a position where somebody's your buddy so that you give them something special." But unless campaigns are publicly funded (or funded by very small contributions from individuals), you can never know for sure that a donation isn't influencing a politician's decisions. If NatCity and UBS hadn't given Kasich all that money, he might still have voted for the CFMA. Or maybe he wouldn't have. We don't really know. What we do know is that donors aren't stupid. Unions give Strickland money because they think he'll do right by them and their members. And bankers and pharmaceutical companies give Kasich money because they believe he'll deliver for them....We can agree that Strickland's special interests are unions, teachers, college students, and regular men and women. That is okay with me. Kasich's special interest club includes bankers, those who created the subprime mess, and drug companies. It is clear to see that Strickland is more interested in people, and Kasich is more concerned with banks, corporations, and their millionaires.
*** With the casinos under construction in the state, Ohio's Republicans are trying to remove preferences for diversity and a demand for using Ohio companies. Are Ohio Republicans trying to kill jobs for Ohioans and Ohio businesses?????
Dispatch:
State legislators might miss a constitutionally required deadline to pass rules for Ohio's future casinos because of a dispute over diversity requirements for casino employees and contractors, the Legislative Black Caucus warned yesterday.
Last week, the House, which is controlled by Democrats, passed casino rules that require the gambling operators to submit plans every year that outline how they would ensure diversity in their work forces, construction crews and professional contractors. The Republican-led Senate did not include such a requirement.....
.....Senate Republicans have said they don't want to clutter the casino rules with extraneous provisions. In addition to omitting the diversity requirements, Senate Republicans also left out a Democrat-backed provision requiring casino operators to give preference to Ohio-based contractors...
Can you believe that....
...Senate Republicans have said they don't want to clutter the casino rules with extraneous provisions????
These Ohio Republicans in the State Senate don't want to promote diversity or give jobs to Ohio companies??????? Are they nuts? You might want to let the Republicans in the Ohio Senate hear from you by contacting them through the Ohio Republican Senate Caucus website.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
How timely!
OMG! John "Lehman Brothers" Kasich, the man who made the introductions for the Ohio pension plans so they would invest with the now bankrupt Lehman Brothers, has a new book. Can you guess the title? I'll give you a hint Plunderbund's blog title says it all:
"John Kasich's Conversion to Ken Blackwell 2.0 is Complete"
Kasich has written a book called, "Every Other Monday" ---- about his bible study group. Unfortunately, people who really know him have set up a website called NotKasich:
We used to support John Kasich before we learned that John does not practice what he preaches. John Kasich is running for Governor of Ohio and, as you too will learn, is not fit to be Governor of our state as he has been revealed as a mere "silent bystander" with a serious lack of "courage" who "stands for nothing" in regard to the safety, upbringing, and dignity of children and for protecting consumers.
This website is definitely a piece that should be read. You can skip the latest Kasich book.
* Here is just a reminder about how Kasich's Lehman Brothers hurt Ohioans ----- Dispatch:
....According to state records, the Lehman holdings of OPERS declined in value from $441.4 million in 2007 to $73.3 million at the end of 2008. The police and fire fund had 14 separate investments managed by Lehman Brothers that declined in value from the purchase price of $14.3million to $2.4 million in 2008...
We used to support John Kasich before we learned that John does not practice what he preaches. John Kasich is running for Governor of Ohio and, as you too will learn, is not fit to be Governor of our state as he has been revealed as a mere "silent bystander" with a serious lack of "courage" who "stands for nothing" in regard to the safety, upbringing, and dignity of children and for protecting consumers.
Along with thousands of others, John and his family were betrayed by Worthington Christian Schools (WCS), the private "Christian" school where the administrators got caught while committing serious crimes against the students and parents....
....When a person refuses to hold accountable those who conspire to deceive and defraud him, that is cowardly. However, when a father cowers down to those who deliberately put his very own children at "risk", that father takes on the role of a silent bystander, and that father is clearly a silent, easily manipulated, and cowardly bystander who is a poor example to his very own children and obviously stands for nothing....
This website is definitely a piece that should be read. You can skip the latest Kasich book.
* Here is just a reminder about how Kasich's Lehman Brothers hurt Ohioans ----- Dispatch:
....According to state records, the Lehman holdings of OPERS declined in value from $441.4 million in 2007 to $73.3 million at the end of 2008. The police and fire fund had 14 separate investments managed by Lehman Brothers that declined in value from the purchase price of $14.3million to $2.4 million in 2008...
Steve Stivers--- "Repeal the 16th too!"
Did you know that Republican Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, wanted to repeal the 16th and the 17th Amendments to the Constitution?
Most central Ohio voters already know that Stivers wants to repeal the 17th Amendment, the right of citizens to directly vote for their U.S. Senators. I have found additional information that shows that Stivers also would like to repeal the 16th Amendment.
In a survey (912Survey-Stivers ) posted at Central Ohio 912 Project (http://www.meetup.com/The-Central-Ohio-912-Meetup-Group/files/)
Stivers answered the following question:
...How do you think you would vote on this legislation or amendment?
1) Elimination of the progressive income tax -replace it with a flat income tax or a national sales tax (with repeal of the 16th amendment to the Constitution)
Stivers checked: Support
Wow. How many other Amendments would Stivers like to repeal?
Most central Ohio voters already know that Stivers wants to repeal the 17th Amendment, the right of citizens to directly vote for their U.S. Senators. I have found additional information that shows that Stivers also would like to repeal the 16th Amendment.
In a survey (912Survey-Stivers ) posted at Central Ohio 912 Project (http://www.meetup.com/The-Central-Ohio-912-Meetup-Group/files/)
Stivers answered the following question:
...How do you think you would vote on this legislation or amendment?
1) Elimination of the progressive income tax -replace it with a flat income tax or a national sales tax (with repeal of the 16th amendment to the Constitution)
Stivers checked: Support
Wow. How many other Amendments would Stivers like to repeal?
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Stivers and Kasich
The Washington Monthly has an article about the Tea Party demand for the repeal of the 17th Amendment:
>>>> If you haven't read Plunderbund yet, get over there immediately!
John "Lehman Brothers" Kasich still thinks that businesses should regulate themselves. Sounds crazy, doesn't it???
Over the last year or so, the evidence that the Tea Partiers' agenda can be pretty far out there has been overwhelming. What you may not have heard, however, is that this same far-right crowd is especially incensed about the existence of the 17th Amendment -- the constitutional provision that empowers the electorate to choose their own senators, rather than state legislatures doing it, as the Constitution originally mandated.....
...Around the country, Tea Party affiliates and some candidates have been pressing for repeal -- though there also has been a lot of hasty backtracking by politicians once the voters realized the implications. In Idaho, two candidates in last month's Republican primary for the First District House seat said they favored repeal, including the winner, Raul Labrador. Steve Stivers, the Republican candidate in an Ohio Congressional race, said he wanted to repeal the amendment, until his Democratic opponent, Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, made an issue of it, after which he seemed to back off....
When Steve Stivers embraced the Tea Party's goal to repeal the 17th Amendment, voters in central Ohio took notice. Why would Stivers want to take away our right to vote for our own U.S. Senators? Isn't that taking away our freedoms?>>>> If you haven't read Plunderbund yet, get over there immediately!
John "Lehman Brothers" Kasich still thinks that businesses should regulate themselves. Sounds crazy, doesn't it???
Kasich vs. Teachers
I've heard that if John "Lehman Brothers" Kasich, wins the election for Governor of Ohio, at least 11,000 state employees will be fired.
- When John Kasich talks about getting rid of special interests, is he talking about removing the influence of lobbyists from insurance, banking, the right wing Chamber of Commerce, mining, charter school owners, and oil companies? No. Kasich seems to dislike and fear public school teachers and issues involving education. In an effort to take away the power of the little old school teacher, Kasich wants to sell off the public schools, stop funding public education, and give everything over to his pals in the charter school companies.
There are some key differences between Kasich and Gov. Ted Strickland. Strickland has always been a supporter of public school children, teachers, higher education, etc. Unfortunately, Kasich's support of education has been less evident.
OEA has this on Kasich's education record:
...Kasich voted against Ohio’s public schools, educators and students.
In Congress, John Kasich was no friend of public schools. He consistently voted against smaller class sizes and against repairing or improving school buildings. He proposed budgets that would have cut funding to Head Start and eliminated the U.S. Department of Education...
(U.S. House of Representatives, 1995–1999; Columbus Dispatch, 3/17/93; Washington Post, 5/11/95)
John Kasich was Managing Director of Investment Banking at Wall Street firm Lehman Brothers from 2001 through 2008. While Kasich was Managing Director, Lehman Brothers invested heavily in risky sub-prime mortgages that led to their collapse. Lehman Brothers’ failure sent our financial system into free-fall, causing millions of Ohioans to lose their jobs, their retirement savings and their homes. Kasich made over $600,000 in salary and bonuses in 2008, while Ohio’s public pension funds lost $480 million in investments managed by Lehman Brothers...
John Kasich, Jon Husted, and the rest of the Republicans, want to sell off public schools to the owners of charter school corporation who have so generously donated to GOP candidates. Will the Republicans sell off the public school assets to charter school owners to pay back and reward their campaign donors?
* >>> The New York Times has more about those candidates who have proposed the repeal of the 17th Amendment. Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist and current Republican congressional candidate, is mentioned in the article:
...Steve Stivers, the Republican candidate in an Ohio Congressional race, said he wanted to repeal the amendment, until his Democratic opponent, Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, made an issue of it, after which he seemed to back off....
Note the use of the words, "...he seemed to back off..." It doesn't say he definitely was against it. Does that mean that, if elected, Stivers might still try to repeal the 17th Amendment????
* The Murray Energy PAC (THE mining company that had the deaths with the mining collapse in West Virginia), just l-o-v-e-s Ohio Republicans!!!! A quick search of the campaign finance section of the Ohio Secretary of State's website, shows that Murray Energy PAC, continues to contribute to individual Ohio County Republican Parties, Mike DeWine, John Kasich, Jon Husted, Josh Mandel, Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee, etc. I guess we can assume that the Ohio Republicans vote in a manner that the Murray Energy PAC appreciates.
***** The desperate Republicans have a website, America Speaking Out, that encourages people to give them ideas. The ideas written by GOP sheeple are hilarious. This is an example of how out of touch the Republicans have become in the 21st century. The GOP cannot attract young people, women, African-Americans, Latinos, immigrants, the highly-educated, American workers, etc. The GOP stands for Grouchy Old (white) People. (Yes, I know that I might be considered an old person at 59.) I'd never consider myself grouchy, or a fan of Palin, Boehner, Limbaugh, McCain, DeWine, Kasich, Husted, Yost, and the rest of the backward-thinking, Republicans.
Are Republicans unable to think and be creative? Apparently.
- When John Kasich talks about getting rid of special interests, is he talking about removing the influence of lobbyists from insurance, banking, the right wing Chamber of Commerce, mining, charter school owners, and oil companies? No. Kasich seems to dislike and fear public school teachers and issues involving education. In an effort to take away the power of the little old school teacher, Kasich wants to sell off the public schools, stop funding public education, and give everything over to his pals in the charter school companies.
There are some key differences between Kasich and Gov. Ted Strickland. Strickland has always been a supporter of public school children, teachers, higher education, etc. Unfortunately, Kasich's support of education has been less evident.
OEA has this on Kasich's education record:
...Kasich voted against Ohio’s public schools, educators and students.
In Congress, John Kasich was no friend of public schools. He consistently voted against smaller class sizes and against repairing or improving school buildings. He proposed budgets that would have cut funding to Head Start and eliminated the U.S. Department of Education...
(U.S. House of Representatives, 1995–1999; Columbus Dispatch, 3/17/93; Washington Post, 5/11/95)
...Kasich voted against student loans and higher education.
Kasich failed to stand up for Ohio’s students when he voted against making student loans affordable and accessible, against grants and scholarships for financially disadvantaged students, and against tax breaks on college tuition.
(U.S. House of Representatives, 1995–2000)
John Kasich was Managing Director of Investment Banking at Wall Street firm Lehman Brothers from 2001 through 2008. While Kasich was Managing Director, Lehman Brothers invested heavily in risky sub-prime mortgages that led to their collapse. Lehman Brothers’ failure sent our financial system into free-fall, causing millions of Ohioans to lose their jobs, their retirement savings and their homes. Kasich made over $600,000 in salary and bonuses in 2008, while Ohio’s public pension funds lost $480 million in investments managed by Lehman Brothers...
John Kasich, Jon Husted, and the rest of the Republicans, want to sell off public schools to the owners of charter school corporation who have so generously donated to GOP candidates. Will the Republicans sell off the public school assets to charter school owners to pay back and reward their campaign donors?
* >>> The New York Times has more about those candidates who have proposed the repeal of the 17th Amendment. Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist and current Republican congressional candidate, is mentioned in the article:
...Steve Stivers, the Republican candidate in an Ohio Congressional race, said he wanted to repeal the amendment, until his Democratic opponent, Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, made an issue of it, after which he seemed to back off....
Note the use of the words, "...he seemed to back off..." It doesn't say he definitely was against it. Does that mean that, if elected, Stivers might still try to repeal the 17th Amendment????
* The Murray Energy PAC (THE mining company that had the deaths with the mining collapse in West Virginia), just l-o-v-e-s Ohio Republicans!!!! A quick search of the campaign finance section of the Ohio Secretary of State's website, shows that Murray Energy PAC, continues to contribute to individual Ohio County Republican Parties, Mike DeWine, John Kasich, Jon Husted, Josh Mandel, Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee, etc. I guess we can assume that the Ohio Republicans vote in a manner that the Murray Energy PAC appreciates.
***** The desperate Republicans have a website, America Speaking Out, that encourages people to give them ideas. The ideas written by GOP sheeple are hilarious. This is an example of how out of touch the Republicans have become in the 21st century. The GOP cannot attract young people, women, African-Americans, Latinos, immigrants, the highly-educated, American workers, etc. The GOP stands for Grouchy Old (white) People. (Yes, I know that I might be considered an old person at 59.) I'd never consider myself grouchy, or a fan of Palin, Boehner, Limbaugh, McCain, DeWine, Kasich, Husted, Yost, and the rest of the backward-thinking, Republicans.
Are Republicans unable to think and be creative? Apparently.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
2010 or 2008: What should we believe from Stivers?
* Republican candidate, Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist, often states that he wants to repeal the health care reform law. Do you remember what Stivers said in a televised debate on 9/17/2008? Here is the transcript below----
Project Vote Smart:
>> I'M DOLORES FROM COLUMBUS. WHAT ARE BASIC NON PARTISAN SOLUTIONS THAT YOU WOULD SUPPORT TO BREAK THE GRIDLOCK AND MAKE HEALTHCARE FOR AFFORDABLE?
>> AND WE BEGIN WITH MR. STIVERS.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT HEALTHCARE AFFORD ABILITY IS A IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THIS ECONOMY. PEOPLE ARE FACING VERY DIFFICULT CHOICES BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSIVE COSTS OF HEALTHCARE. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO FOCUS ON INNOVATION AND TRY TO FOCUS ON COST SAVINGS. I BELIEVE THERE ARE ANSWERS WE CAN FIND IF WE WORK TOGETHER. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE WE SHOULD ALLOW OUR SENIORS TO GET CHEAPER DRUGS FROM CANADA, TO SHOP IN CANADA IF THEY WANT, BUY THEM ON-LINE, IF THEY CAN FIND SAVER CHEAP DRUGS. I DISAGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS IN CONGRESS ABOUT THAT. I THINK IT'S A WAY TO BRING COST SAVINGS TO THE SYSTEM. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD ALLOW SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE JUST A FEW EMPLOYEES TO BAND TOGETHER TO GET THE BUYING POWER OF LARGER BUSINESSES SO THEY GET MORE AFFORDABLE INSURANCE RATES. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THINGS LIKE WHAT GOVERNOR STICKLAND TALKS ABOUT, INSURANCE EXCHANGE, MAKING INSURANCE MORE PORTABLE. WHEN YOU LOSE A JOB YOU SHOULDN'T LOSE HEALTHCARE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO DEAL WITH ISSUES OF HIGH RISK POOLS. 37 STATES HAVE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO DO THAT. CONGRESS NEEDS TO ENCOURAGE THE OTHER STATES INCLUDING OHIO, WE HAVE WORKED ON ONE BUT IT'S NOT DONE. WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE. PEOPLE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS SHOULD NOT LOSE INSURANCE. I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON COST SAVINGS AND LEGAL REFORM. WE'RE PAYING $500 BILLION A YEAR TO ATTORNEYS INSTEAD OF DOCTORS IN HEALTHCARE.
Readers should note a few things---
1. Strickland was misspelled in the original text.
2. Stivers said he agreed with Gov. Strickland.
3. Stivers supports people keeping their insurance even though they migh have pre-existing conditions.
4. There are other words misspelled or improperly used in the transcript.
Should voters believe the Steve Stivers of 2010 or 2008?
**** Stivers voted against this Mortgage Lending Bill on 5/24/06----
Votesmart:
Expands the application of the Consumer Sales Practices Act to include certain consumer transactions in connection with a residential mortgage. Generally prohibits the appraisal of real estate for a mortgage loan without state certification or licensure. Prohibits any person from corrupting or improperly influencing the independent judgment of a real estate appraiser with respect to the value of the dwelling offered as security for a mortgage loan. Requires that a national criminal background check be conducted on all applicants for a real estate appraiser certificate or license, a mortgage broker certificate of registration, or a loan officer license.
Let me repeat---STIVERS VOTED AGAINST THIS bill that protects consumers!!!!
Project Vote Smart:
>> I'M DOLORES FROM COLUMBUS. WHAT ARE BASIC NON PARTISAN SOLUTIONS THAT YOU WOULD SUPPORT TO BREAK THE GRIDLOCK AND MAKE HEALTHCARE FOR AFFORDABLE?
>> AND WE BEGIN WITH MR. STIVERS.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT HEALTHCARE AFFORD ABILITY IS A IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THIS ECONOMY. PEOPLE ARE FACING VERY DIFFICULT CHOICES BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSIVE COSTS OF HEALTHCARE. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO FOCUS ON INNOVATION AND TRY TO FOCUS ON COST SAVINGS. I BELIEVE THERE ARE ANSWERS WE CAN FIND IF WE WORK TOGETHER. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE WE SHOULD ALLOW OUR SENIORS TO GET CHEAPER DRUGS FROM CANADA, TO SHOP IN CANADA IF THEY WANT, BUY THEM ON-LINE, IF THEY CAN FIND SAVER CHEAP DRUGS. I DISAGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS IN CONGRESS ABOUT THAT. I THINK IT'S A WAY TO BRING COST SAVINGS TO THE SYSTEM. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD ALLOW SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE JUST A FEW EMPLOYEES TO BAND TOGETHER TO GET THE BUYING POWER OF LARGER BUSINESSES SO THEY GET MORE AFFORDABLE INSURANCE RATES. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THINGS LIKE WHAT GOVERNOR STICKLAND TALKS ABOUT, INSURANCE EXCHANGE, MAKING INSURANCE MORE PORTABLE. WHEN YOU LOSE A JOB YOU SHOULDN'T LOSE HEALTHCARE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO DEAL WITH ISSUES OF HIGH RISK POOLS. 37 STATES HAVE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO DO THAT. CONGRESS NEEDS TO ENCOURAGE THE OTHER STATES INCLUDING OHIO, WE HAVE WORKED ON ONE BUT IT'S NOT DONE. WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE. PEOPLE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS SHOULD NOT LOSE INSURANCE. I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON COST SAVINGS AND LEGAL REFORM. WE'RE PAYING $500 BILLION A YEAR TO ATTORNEYS INSTEAD OF DOCTORS IN HEALTHCARE.
Readers should note a few things---
1. Strickland was misspelled in the original text.
2. Stivers said he agreed with Gov. Strickland.
3. Stivers supports people keeping their insurance even though they migh have pre-existing conditions.
4. There are other words misspelled or improperly used in the transcript.
Should voters believe the Steve Stivers of 2010 or 2008?
**** Stivers voted against this Mortgage Lending Bill on 5/24/06----
Votesmart:
Official Synopsis:
Expands the application of the Consumer Sales Practices Act to include certain consumer transactions in connection with a residential mortgage. Generally prohibits the appraisal of real estate for a mortgage loan without state certification or licensure. Prohibits any person from corrupting or improperly influencing the independent judgment of a real estate appraiser with respect to the value of the dwelling offered as security for a mortgage loan. Requires that a national criminal background check be conducted on all applicants for a real estate appraiser certificate or license, a mortgage broker certificate of registration, or a loan officer license.
Let me repeat---STIVERS VOTED AGAINST THIS bill that protects consumers!!!!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Stivers Needs to Do Some Reading
Steve Stivers, former bank lobbyist and current candidate for Congress, claims that Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15th-Democrat) has done nothing while serving in Congress. Obviously, Stivers has not read Kilroy's record in Congress.
According to records at the Library of Congress, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy has sponsored 18 bills and
cosponsored 274 bills (see cosponsored bills at Library of Congress). Of the bills Kilroy has sponsored, many pertain to small business, workers, students, investments, schools, saving energy, small business lending program, etc., etc., etc.
Why is Stivers complaining? Does he feel bad that Kilroy has done nothing to protect bankers' bonuses/profits?
>>>>>Here is a small sampling of the record of Ohio Republicans in Congress:
* Rep. John Boehner (OH-8th), Republican leader, has sponsored 13 bills.
* Rep. Bob Latta(OH-5th) has sponsored 20 bills, most of which are for "...expressing the sense of the House..." and one for putting Reagan's face on coins (Did you know that 75% of Americans are against this idea?). Latta needs to spend more time writing legislation that helps people, instead of adding more worthless fluff to his Twitter page.
* Rep. Steve Austria (OH-7th) has sponsored 3 bills. Three! What the heck is he doing?
* Rep. Pat Tiberi (OH-12th) has sponsored 7 bills, of which a majority either commemorate or honor someone/group/event. This guy has been in Congress for many years and this is the best he can do? Where is the leadership?
* Rep. Steve LaTourette (OH-14) has sponsored 10 bills during this Congress, despite the fact that he has been in Congress for many years.
* Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH-2) has sponsored 4 bills during this Congress. Four?
Rep. Kilroy has sponsored more bills than many of the Ohio Republicans in the House. She has clearly taken a leadership role in sponsoring bills to help real people, real students and families, the unemployed, small business, and communities. Unfortunately, the Ohio Republicans have not provided any leadership, ideas, or legislation to help regular people. As a matter of fact, by voting NO on many bills, they've refused to help our country move forward.
Before Mr. Steve "Repeal the 17th Amendment" Stivers starts attacking Mary Jo Kilroy, he should look at the members of his own party for their dismal records.
According to records at the Library of Congress, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy has sponsored 18 bills and
cosponsored 274 bills (see cosponsored bills at Library of Congress). Of the bills Kilroy has sponsored, many pertain to small business, workers, students, investments, schools, saving energy, small business lending program, etc., etc., etc.
Why is Stivers complaining? Does he feel bad that Kilroy has done nothing to protect bankers' bonuses/profits?
>>>>>Here is a small sampling of the record of Ohio Republicans in Congress:
* Rep. John Boehner (OH-8th), Republican leader, has sponsored 13 bills.
* Rep. Bob Latta(OH-5th) has sponsored 20 bills, most of which are for "...expressing the sense of the House..." and one for putting Reagan's face on coins (Did you know that 75% of Americans are against this idea?). Latta needs to spend more time writing legislation that helps people, instead of adding more worthless fluff to his Twitter page.
* Rep. Steve Austria (OH-7th) has sponsored 3 bills. Three! What the heck is he doing?
* Rep. Pat Tiberi (OH-12th) has sponsored 7 bills, of which a majority either commemorate or honor someone/group/event. This guy has been in Congress for many years and this is the best he can do? Where is the leadership?
* Rep. Steve LaTourette (OH-14) has sponsored 10 bills during this Congress, despite the fact that he has been in Congress for many years.
* Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH-2) has sponsored 4 bills during this Congress. Four?
Rep. Kilroy has sponsored more bills than many of the Ohio Republicans in the House. She has clearly taken a leadership role in sponsoring bills to help real people, real students and families, the unemployed, small business, and communities. Unfortunately, the Ohio Republicans have not provided any leadership, ideas, or legislation to help regular people. As a matter of fact, by voting NO on many bills, they've refused to help our country move forward.
Before Mr. Steve "Repeal the 17th Amendment" Stivers starts attacking Mary Jo Kilroy, he should look at the members of his own party for their dismal records.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
How do you feel about it?
* If your job was sent overseas to China, thank Republican candidate, Rob Portman!
Cleveland.com:
...In 2005, Bush -- with Portman as his trade adviser -- refused to impose quotas when Chinese imports of steel pipe were flooding this country. The U.S. International Trade Commission, a quasi-judicial body, had recommended the quotas.
* Ohio taxpayers must be diligent to make sure that our school districts do not buy any of the revisionist books from Texas. Those new guidelines and curriculum sound beyond bizarre. Capecodtoday has just a few of the items from the Texas right-leaning education program:
...The Texas schoolbooks will now inform students that Joseph R. McCarthy was justified in the blacklisting and red baiting actions he took in the early 1950's, the dark era that commonly bears his surname and which generally is understood to have been antithetical to a democracy. Students will be taught that because, after the collapse of Russia, documents indicated there were Russian spies in America, Sen. McCarthy should be exonerated and his fascistic approach forgiven.
***With casino gambling coming to Ohio, rules are being hammered out in Columbus.
WKYC.com:
Ohio's House and Senate agree that the state's new casinos should not give away free drinks, allow smoking or let anyone under 21 inside to gamble....
....The House, which is controlled by Democrats, wants the casinos' $200 million in state license fees to go toward urban worker training programs.
Cleveland.com:
...In 2005, Bush -- with Portman as his trade adviser -- refused to impose quotas when Chinese imports of steel pipe were flooding this country. The U.S. International Trade Commission, a quasi-judicial body, had recommended the quotas.
Bush said that it wasn't in this country's economic interests to penalize the Chinese. Users of steel pipe, among others, had wanted the steady supply to continue. The case involved steel pipe used for plumbing and fence posts, as opposed to the steel pipe that V&M makes for the oil and energy industry....
....China then kept shipping its circular welded pipe, sometimes with subsidies from the Chinese government, and American steel makers laid off workers in plants around northern Ohio. The American steel industry lost a reported $150 million in profits from 2005 to 2007....
Bush and Portman helped Chinese steelworkers keep their jobs instead of American steelworkers. How do you feel about that? Should Portman be rewarded for losing American jobs and destroying the steel industry in Ohio?
* Ohio taxpayers must be diligent to make sure that our school districts do not buy any of the revisionist books from Texas. Those new guidelines and curriculum sound beyond bizarre. Capecodtoday has just a few of the items from the Texas right-leaning education program:
...The Texas schoolbooks will now inform students that Joseph R. McCarthy was justified in the blacklisting and red baiting actions he took in the early 1950's, the dark era that commonly bears his surname and which generally is understood to have been antithetical to a democracy. Students will be taught that because, after the collapse of Russia, documents indicated there were Russian spies in America, Sen. McCarthy should be exonerated and his fascistic approach forgiven.
American history of the 1950's and 1960's will also be revised to diminish the importance of the civil rights and the anti-war movements. Martin Luther King will share space on the new pages with the Black Panthers, and the word capitalism will be replaced with the term ‘free enterprise system.'
Moving forward to even more recent history, the 5 million revised textbooks will emphasize the presidency of Ronald Reagan as the herald of a positive, conservative revolution, and in the same vein the books will canonize such figures as Jerry Falwell, the radio and TV evangelist who founded the ‘Moral Majority' crusade and who is credited with the ascension of the New Christian Right as a political force....
Trust me, there is even more scary stuff in the article. When your school district offers the public the right to view possible new textbooks for adoption, please make a point to go to those meetings, and actually READ the sections of the books that cover the areas mentioned above. The last thing we want is to have our school children poisoned with the re-written history designed by the right wingers of Texas. The students in Texas are being brainwashed with the conservative philosophy/propaganda of ill-informed, deniers of history. Stand up for our Ohio school children to learn the historical truth, not the new-fangled, revisionist history from Texas.
***With casino gambling coming to Ohio, rules are being hammered out in Columbus.
WKYC.com:
Ohio's House and Senate agree that the state's new casinos should not give away free drinks, allow smoking or let anyone under 21 inside to gamble....
....The House, which is controlled by Democrats, wants the casinos' $200 million in state license fees to go toward urban worker training programs.
The Republican-led Senate bill does not have that provision but, unlike the House measure, it would allow the casinos to extend lines of credit to patrons of no more than $500...
Which part of these competing bills sounds better to you?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Really.
* Ohioans must realize by now that while the American economy was tanking and their portfolio/retirement funds were tanking, Lehman Brothers was still handing out massive bonuses to its employees, including managing director, John Kasich. It is fair to say that while your assets were depleted, Kasich and the Lehman directors filled their pockets with what looks like unwarranted bonuses.
Stronger Ohio has a political ad that addresses these facts: http://www.strongerohio.org/video.html
>> Additional facts from Building a Stronger Ohio includes:
**** Violent crime is down, according to a new report by the FBI as posted at ABC News:
Stronger Ohio has a political ad that addresses these facts: http://www.strongerohio.org/video.html
>> Additional facts from Building a Stronger Ohio includes:
...Lehman Brothers hid toxic loans from regulators and gave out more than 16 billion dollars in bonuses while John Kasich was a Managing Director.
- Report: Lehman's finances misrepresented: Executives accused of using 'misleading' accounting trick (The Washington Post, March 13, 2010)
- In his statement, Waxman said, "These were lucrative years for Lehman's executives and Mr. Fuld. Lehman paid out over $16 billion in bonuses.” (The Washington Post, October 6, 2008)
**** Violent crime is down, according to a new report by the FBI as posted at ABC News:
_______________________
* Don't you wonder if Republican candidate for Congress, Steve Stivers, a former bank lobbyist,
still supports the oil companies as he did in the past? You Tube
Stivers, who once agreed that global warming was a scientific fact, now says it doesn't exist. This guy has more flip-flops than a shoe store.
By the way, Stivers is doing a great job of pulling in big, big, political contributions see (FEC.gov)
from oil company PACs, insurance PACs, coal PACs, lobbyists, and those bank PACs. Of course, Stivers is against any regulations on all these types of companies. Really.
***** The right wing Columbus Dispatch is keeping up its tradition by continuing to smear Democrats. Why don't they just change the paper's name to the Columbus Republican? Really.
*** Why have the Republicans declared war on Hispanics and Latinos?
still supports the oil companies as he did in the past? You Tube
Stivers, who once agreed that global warming was a scientific fact, now says it doesn't exist. This guy has more flip-flops than a shoe store.
By the way, Stivers is doing a great job of pulling in big, big, political contributions see (FEC.gov)
from oil company PACs, insurance PACs, coal PACs, lobbyists, and those bank PACs. Of course, Stivers is against any regulations on all these types of companies. Really.
***** The right wing Columbus Dispatch is keeping up its tradition by continuing to smear Democrats. Why don't they just change the paper's name to the Columbus Republican? Really.
*** Why have the Republicans declared war on Hispanics and Latinos?
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