Ohio Set to Vote on Ending Public Union Rights

[RamboLiberal]

Source: NY Times

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Senate is expected on Thursday to consider a revised version of a bill to end collective bargaining for public-sector workers, and union members gathering outside the Statehouse here Tuesday morning said they were bracing for the worst.

“This is going to get passed and people will sit back and say, ‘What happened?’ ” said Mark Horton, a retired firefighter who is treasurer of the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters. “Once it’s done, there’s no putting the genie back in the bottle.”

Unlike similar legislation in Wisconsin, which exempts police officers and firefighters, the Ohio bill includes them — and is controversial for that reason.

But Republicans say the legislation that seeks to eliminate long-held union prerogatives are part of broader austerity measures intended to reduce crippling budget deficits, of which public employee pensions have played a growing role.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/us/02states.html?_r=1&hp

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Actions have consequences...

And now people are going to find out just how big a consequence Kasich really is.

My heart goes out to my friends and family in Ohio...

[defendandprotect]

4. Did these people actually vote for him -- or is this GOP computers?

[Deep13]

13. Ironically, the previous SoS (D) cleaned up much of the mess.

They voted for change. They didn't vote for this shit.

[defendandprotect]

16. How could they think that rw would bring acceptable change?

No computer questions -- odd results?

[Deep13]

36. I have no idea how anyone can think that.

Yet they have obviously bought into the small goverment Randian crap.

[we can do it]

14. That's What I Wonder

[LisaM]

7. How about contacting them?

I plan to contact my friend in Ohio and let her know to place a few calls NOW.

If you do have friends and family in Ohio, you need to get in touch with them and spur them to action.

[fatbuckel]

10. I`m in Ohio...these people are sheep,generally. Just standing in the corral,waiting to die.

[defendandprotect]

17. What's the biggest problem, if I may ask ...

Is it being naive about government/politicians?

Is it computer voting?

Is it lifelong trust in America and her government?

Is it belief in war -- 9/11? MIC?

Or anything else you might like to add -- religion?

[lfairban]

18. Runs the gamit

A lot of Ohioans are Republican for family historical reasons. Their parents voted for them and told them why they souldn't support Democrats. People in rural areas are likely to be Rs, and most people around them are too. In cities it gets more mixed up.

Sometimes it is the "family values" thing, which doesn't exactly make sense to us, but it does to them. There was a thread about why the Amish were voting for Bush even though they are anti-war. It explained alot.

[defendandprotect]

23. Omg ... "the Amish voted for Bush even tho they were anti-war" ... !!!

Now I have a headache!!

Well -- maybe someday their fingers will slip when they're searching for

something on the internet and they'll discover something isn't quite right!!

'Til then -- fingers crossed!!


:)

[we can do it]

21. Laziness, Stupidity, Religion, Watch Too Much Faux News

think that covers it

[defendandprotect]

24. Presume never much union representation there?

And, perhaps, no attack on public education/teachers there yet?

Or, do they favor Charter/Religious schools?

Well -- somewhere things have to begin turning around -- Wisconsin looks like it!

[lfairban]

27. Unions are represented

My mother was in a union, Ohio Educational Association as were most of the people I saw at today's rally by the stickers they were wearing.

I was in OCSEA, for government workers since I worked for the State.

My father wasn't, but then ministers don't have unions, only denominations.

[defendandprotect]

29. What I was trying to get at was % of unionizaiton -- -

Nationally, the highest we ever got with unions was 39% --

attacks over decades -- including using Mafia -- has now brought it

below 7% nationally --

Relative to that, how unionized was Ohio -- and have they been able to

resist the attacks? What are their numbers now?

[we can do it]

32. In Some Areas, I Notice a Lot of Petty Jealousy and Lack of Critical Thinking

(i.e. sheeple) the type who equate themselves with the billionaires because they buy lottery tickets (and drive 1990 ford tauruses) - oh yeah forgot their freaky preacher calls on them to hand over their cash, and let him think for them....dems support gays and killin' babies don't cha know so ya gotta be a rethug.........

[we can do it]

33. Will Be On the Phone Again Today and Emailing

some members the senate are supposed to be on the fence. I will post their contact info if I can find it.

[maxsolomon]

2. strike.

i'm sure it's illegal and all, but who is going to arrest the striking police?

[nolabear]

8. It's what Gandhi would do. Takes huge courage and deep commitment but I agree it's the thing to do.

[lfairban]

3. Related:

Ohio Senate panel to revise collective bargaining bill amid protests, Democrats' complaints:


http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9LMJ9KO0

[annabanana]

5. Could the Dems scarper and quash a quorum?

Or is the majority too large for that in Ohio?

[Historic NY]

6. Keep electing Republican majorities....

[LiberalFighter]

9. Aren't there consequences related to Ohio's budget?

Wasn't there something about federal monies to any state are cut if states eliminate labor union rights?

[Deep13]

11. My LTTE

Dear Editor:

Collective bargaining is related to freedom of speech and assembly and is a fundamental human right. The state cannot take it away simply because it is inconvenient. If those who have done well during this economy paid their fair share in taxes, Columbus would not be in this mess. Instead of punishing those who serve us because they receive a few extra perks, we ought to be raising standards for private sector workers. For example, an increase in minimum wage will also increase income and sales taxes. Proposals to eliminate estate taxes prove Republicans don't care about saving money, but only about shutting down unions who support Democrats. Public employees have given up much during the past few years and are willing to compromise now. There is no reason to steal their voices too.

[Enthusiast]

38. But the GOP controls the media.

That is their wild card.

[Deep13]

41. The local paper will print it...

for all the damned good it will do.

[Major Hogwash]

12. Impeach that fucker Kasich!!

For breaking his oath of office!

[we can do it]

15. It Won't Happen The Thugs Control House and Senate. We Are Fucked

[kjackson227]

19. Isn't it ironic that Libya is gaining freedom/democracy...

and we're slowly losing ours ~SIGH~.

[Bill McBlueState]

20. yes, for some reason,

Even though workers in Ohio are under the exact same attack as workers in Wisconsin, and even though workers in Ohio have been protesting at the statehouse for two weeks, Wisconsin's getting all the attention. :shrug:

[we can do it]

22. Wisconsin Is About a Week Ahead. Don't Think MSM Wants People To Know

[defendandprotect]

25. Tell them to ask for Pizza -- that might do it--!

[Vinee]

31. I think they're picking their battles.

Given the way that Strickland was defeated in 2010, it seems quite obvious that Ohio is going to fire Sherrod Brown in 2012 and vote against Obama. That puts the Republicans 1 senator closer to controlling the senate and 18 EVs closer to the Whitehouse. Democrats can not afford to lose Wisconsin and Ohio so they're drawing a line in Wisconsin and defending it.

[we can do it]

34. WTF Do You Mean? It WAs a Narrow Margin, and Questionable

low voter turnout they said, I don't trust the machines.

[Vinee]

37. wtf do you mean?

Strickland won with 60% of 3.9 million votes in 2006
He lost with 47% of 3.8 million votes in 2010.
That's over half a million Ohioans that radically changed course despite nonstop support from Obama and the democratic party. It's hard to spin that as marginal or a result of low voter turnout or anything but the writing on the wall as far as 2012 goes. Of course, there's plenty of time between now and then. I'm really not sure how this SB5 plays out in 2012. It could go either way. I think it's going to be pivotal one way or the other depending on what the economy looks like on election day.

[Enthusiast]

39. Voters that go Republican

are voting against their own best interests every time and on every issue. I'm just saying.

[lfairban]

26. Pictures of todays rally at the Ohio Statehouse . . .

. . . are in this thread in the Ohio forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=172x26904

[lonestarnot]

28. How much dumber than dogshit can people be?

Pretty much it looks like. Fuck 'em let 'em work for some peanuts.

[we can do it]

35. Great Attitude- Fuck The Unions and Dems Because We Have Idiots Here

I'm sure your area is devoid of ANY stooopdity....

[lonestarnot]

40. Get out there and beat your drum! You are the one who said fuck the unions. That was an asshole

comment btw. I fight their stupidity daily, but there is only so much one can do about stupid.

[we can do it]

42. Read For Comprehension, That Was a Reply To Your IDIOT REPLY

remember this one? How much dumber than dogshit can people be?
Pretty much it looks like. Fuck 'em let 'em work for some peanuts.

I AM PRO-UNION without question

[lonestarnot]

45. Then get out there on the fucking rooftop and preach it! Convince those dumber than dogshit people

what they are about to lose unless they've already lost it. And I still believe an asshole post is an asshole post, and they don't come any more union than me!

[annabanana]

30. Kicking, because this vote may come TODAY.

I have heard rumors of crowds at the courthouse.. Is there a cellphone link? Anyone streaming?

(damn liberal media, mutter mutter mutter)

[nalnn]

43. If I understand correctly

My state of MS does not allow collective bargaining among public servant unions in any case. Never has AFAIK. If anyone wants to correct me on this please do.

[Deep13]

44. My email to my state senator

Dear Sen. Larry Obhof:

Collective bargaining is related to freedom of speech and assembly and is a fundamental human right. The state cannot take it away simply because it is inconvenient. People have a right to organize and they have a right not to come to work if they don't like the terms. One cannot simply order people to go to work under penalty of law and still claim to be for either limited government or personal freedom. Public employees have given up much during the past few years and are willing to compromise now. There is no reason to steal their voices too.

If those who have done well during this economy paid their fair share in taxes, Columbus would not be in this mess. Our budget crisis and the perceived need to eat our seed corn by cutting education and social services is an entirely voluntary predicament. Somehow you folks in government have convinced yourselves that you no longer have the power to increase revenue. Well, the State has that power and if you care at all about the future of Ohio or America you will use it. Government spending is not the problem. Without it we would be in worse economic shape that your contributors have put us in.

Proposals to eliminate estate taxes prove Republicans don't care about saving money, but only about shutting down unions who generally support Democrats and, more importantly, oppose corporate greed. That is the real issue here and judging by the letter after your name, I have to assume you are in on it. After Citizens United, the only substantial funding sources available for non-right-wing candidates are unions and especially public unions. The corporations and their puppet groups like American Crossroads have so much money to pump into electoral politics that eveyone else has been driven into irrelevancy. Even an NRA endorsement meant nothing in 2010. This is an effort to end any real electoral challenges to right wing Republicans. (I can't say "conservative" because conservative means supporting the status quo. The Republican party now is far more radical than that.)

Instead of punishing those who serve us because they receive a few extra perks, we ought to be raising standards for private sector workers. Why don't employees of small businesses and corporations get holidays off, pensions, better wages, vacations or health insurance? Instead of tearing down the one area of the economy where ordinary folks still have rights, use them as a goal for the private sector. For example, an increase in minimum wage will also increase income and sales taxes and will put money presently being horded by corporations back into the economy.

In short, SB 5 is unnecessary, unfair and Unamerican.

[sadinohio]

46. Ohio

Half of us didn't even vote for this guy & now he is stealing from us & having a garage sale with the loot. How can we stop him from ruining everything public in Ohio?