Consistent Inconsistency

There are two salient items about this column you should know. First, this piece is somewhat of a collaborative effort because I raised the topic during my Wednesday radio show (11/9/2011), and several folks chimed in with their valuable observations. Second, I’m submitting this piece in the middle of my constitutional restoration series because of its timely application for the task we have before us. Today’s column is titled “Consistent Inconsistency,” and examines the recent votes in Ohio on two very important statewide issues. Issue 2 was a measure to repeal SB 5 which radically altered the relationship between public sector workers in Ohio and their various political subdivisions and school districts. It had massive union support---both public and private sector—for repeal….a “No” vote was necessary to NOT IMPLEMENT the original legislation. Issue 3 was a citizen-generated proposed state constitutional amendment forbidding the federal government from requiring an individual mandate for healthcare coverage in Ohio. In essence, it was a re-affirmation of the 10^th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. It had the added benefit of providing some measure of courage and backbone for state legislators who have been historically reluctant to challenge the federal government.

At first blush it would seem that the two issues are similar in many ways. Both appear to be a slap at larger, more costly government, and each would seem to reinstate an element of citizen control over critical aspects of their lives. So why did Issue 2 fail by a 61-39% margin while Issue 3 passed by 66-34%? The state public sector reforms were soundly defeated, and the anti-federal attempt to mandate individual health insurance coverage and premiums was passed overwhelmingly. There are probably some unemployed psychologists who could offer a number of explanations for the supposed schizophrenic behavior of the Ohio voters, but they would probably be too complex, meaningless or downright goofy.

The majority of our callers and I agree that the seemingly disparate votes were amazingly consistent. In both cases the voters rejected big government over-reaching. The federal example is starkly clear. The state legislation had a number of strategic and tactical flaws that led to its resounding clobbering. The comprehensive omnibus nature of SB 5 obviously incurred the wrath of public sector employees, but it also bred an element of distrust among the general electorate. Large overly-broad bills that impact multiple sections of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) activate the suspicions of voters whose confidence in their governments’ leadership and integrity has been severely eroded. Big thunderous and radical change from either the federal government or the state government especially when consolidated in a single piece of complicated legislation arouses the “wary detectors” in many citizens. There are some aspects of the public employees’ relative positions with their communities that many people might desire to alter, but the massive complexity of the bill stoked the ire of every public employee union, their families and their friends. The firefighters and police should have been omitted from this bill so that the national and state union organizations would not have “public safety” as an issue. Their lying threats in their advertising foreshadowed the actual outcome that will occur as a result of Issue 2’s failure. Local governments will continue to have minimal flexibility in their negotiations with their employees. Binding arbitration requirements and non-invested arbitrators will force unworkable contracts on the communities … forcing them to sever or layoff critical personnel.

Voter ignorance, however, may not have been the primary reason for the failure of Issue 2 while Issue 3 was sailing easily into passage. Two major issues, each with a “let’s regain control” component actually had similar outcomes despite the nearly mirror difference in voter approval. To this observer there appeared to be some voter discernment being exercised on Election Day…..and the nearly endless early-voting period that preceded it. From a practical and strategic point of view I suspect the voters may have selected the wrong option on Issue 2, but I believe that I understand why they did so. The massive expenditure of union millions, the importation of union workers from out of state, and the union emphasis on early voting to minimize the impact of pro-Issue 2 advertising on voters all contributed to the margin of victory. With a mere 350,000 public employees in Ohio and the overall union percentage of the work force lower than 15%, those stratagems cannot account for all of the 61% “No” votes particularly in the context of the massive approval for Issue 3. It seems to have been a somewhat calculated discerned decision. In both issues the people of Ohio rejected big government solutions.

It seems rather frivolous to be discussing political decision-making on a day that is set-aside to honor those who have nobly served our nation. Their commitment and sacrifices have preserved our opportunities for deciding how we shall be governed. May those of you who have worn the uniform of our nation with honor and dedication please note that we thank you and wish for you the greatest of blessings. We salute you.

Comment:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tue. & Wed., 6-7:00pm, 1370 WSPD, Toledo.  www.wspd.com

Littlestuff Weekender-10-8-2011

As the nine announced candidates are vying to secure the GOP presidential nomination, various states are jockeying for early primaries. So far it seems the primary season will get underway right after the New Year which means that about three months remain before the selection process begins in earnest. Polling and straw polls will lose their significance as the voters in their respective states trudge to the polls and select their favorite. The condensed primary schedule places a premium on money raising for the candidates because the opportunities for retail face-to-face campaigning have been minimized so mass media buys, direct mail and robo-calls become critical.

There are times when the gullibility and cluelessness of my fellow citizens drives me to despair. Now is one of those times. The President and his “pass the bill” mantra has become tiresome because we know that: 1) it represents a huge tax increase during a recession; 2) it is “stimulus II” which subsidizes public employees for one year; 3) it funnels piles of money to unions who will, in turn, contribute to Obama’s campaign; and 4) he doesn’t expect it to pass and wants to “blame” Republicans for not creating jobs. Yet, some people will “buy” his theme despite the clear evidence provided by Harry Reid’s failure to move the bill.

Here in Ohio we have less than a month until we vote on three statewide issues. Issue 1 changes the maximum age for running for judge in the state courts from 70 to 75. Issue 2 deals with the legislative effort to repeal mandatory collective bargaining/binding arbitration for public employees and local governments and school boards (SB 5). Opponents of repeal got the measure qualified for a referendum so the citizens of Ohio can address the issue. A “Yes” vote allows the changes the General Assembly passed, and a “No” would repeal the new legislation.

Issue 3 is the “Healthcare Freedom Amendment” that allows Ohioans and Ohio to “opt out” of the individual mandate imposed by Obamacare. This issue is a grassroots attempt to enforce the 10^th Amendment since the State Legislature has exhibited neither the inclination nor the will to challenge another federal government over reach. A “yes” vote would signal the feds to put their usurpation of individual freedom of choice right where the sun never shines. A “no” vote is a ringing endorsement of Big Brother and the Nanny State. It is difficult to assess what the turnout may be since our “early voting” period has begun, and the progressives/socialists/statists have mastered the art of gaming the system.

Today is the “Day of Atonement” for the Children of Israel. It’s a very special and sacred time for reconnecting and restoring one’s relationship with G_d.

For those of you who are Christian or secular….78 shopping days until Christmas.

“Occupy” (fill in the blank) will not be covered in today’s column because to this point they don’t have large enough numbers to “occupy” phone booths and porta potties.  

We have a big weekend planned with much driving across and around western Ohio. Enjoy your weekend. Cherish your loved ones. Always stand for liberty.

Comment:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tue. and Wed., 6-7:00pm, 1370 WSPD, Toledo  www.wspd.com

Littlestuff Weekender-10-1-2011

Here we are in October, and in many respects it resembles Groundhog Day. President Obama has apparently proposed extremely higher tax increases and additional spending to be used to bolster his re-election, but the GOP House and the Harry Reid-led Senate act as if they’re indifferent. Meanwhile our beloved leader is traveling around the country speaking to everyone who will listen and asking them to help him “pass this bill.” The ironies are amazing: he rarely produces a bill, but relies on rhetoric, and speculation runs high that he really doesn’t want this one to pass so he can blame the GOP for their inaction and failure to help the unemployed. This view has credence because of the huge tax increases that he is proposing. He knows that the Republicans will not go along with such a blatant skimming of the private sector while our economy languishes in the doldrums.

The GOP presidential sweepstakes has hit numerous speed bumps and potholes as it follows its tortuous path. One can witness the diversity of federalism (and the necessity for aggressive 10^th Amendment action) as various states conduct their straw polls, and as Republican debates become more frequent. Each state seems to have differing preferences and different order of finishing for the candidates. The question is: do those differences reflect the base’s desires or the strength of candidate’s organizations?

Here in Ohio what would be a routine local election day in November has become rather heated and important with three (3) statewide issues on the ballot. Issue 1 would extend state judges age limits to 75 (currently 70) for running for office or re-election (the people yawn). Issue 2 is an attempt to repeal Senate Bill 5 which was enacted to allow more freedom for local governments and school boards when negotiating with their employees. In the early ‘80’s Ohio adopted “collective bargaining and binding arbitration” standards for the various locales. Since that time many local units have been mired into fiscal bogs as they scramble to fund escalating pension and health benefits. A favorable (Yes) vote on the issue would continue to allow local governments to bargain, but wouldn’t force them to do so and wouldn’t require binding arbitration.

The third issue, Issue 3, The Healthcare Freedom Amendment, would in essence exempt Ohio from the monstrosity of Obamacare. The underlying premise of the issue is that no one in Ohio can be forced to purchase health insurance. The individual mandate is the precursor to national healthcare, and Issue 3 attempts to preempt the federal government’s overreach. As Obamacare moves to the Supreme Court, this issue may prove to be mostly symbolic, but it is absolutely necessary as a statement to reinforce individual rights and state supremacy. If our state legislatures were not so firmly attached to the federal teat, they would have been doing their jobs by resisting federal encroachment into our lives for the past several decades. Too bad so many of them are career politicians who love the expansion of government power at all levels, and many of them lusted for congressional seats so they weren’t about to undermine federal power.

Buckeye voters have five weeks to decide the future direction of the state and send a message to the General Assembly to stop playing footsie with the Feds and protect Ohio’s sovereignty. The campaigning on both sides of Issues 2 and 3 will be intense, but citizens must choose between a corrupt and bankrupt Nanny-state and a glimmer of hope for freedom and self-determination in Ohio. As Arte Johnson used to say…..”Very interesting.”

There is another big issue for folks in the Buckeye State that is rocketing down the pike as Democrats seek to wrest control of the redistricting/reapportionment processes from the huge GOP majority in the General Assembly. In addition they are challenging recently-passed legislation that alters some election laws in the state. All three branches of government plus one are now heavily engaged in the political aspects of how our nation and our states are governed. The legislative bodies, the administrations, the courts and now the people via referendum are all engaged in a mighty battle for the heart and soul of our future. Personally, I pray that we have a future as our nation resembles Greece on bankrupt steroids more and more every day.

Have a great weekend. Programming note: On Wednesday I’ll be sitting in for Brian Wilson from 3:00-6:00pm on 1370 WSPD so my 6-7:00pm show will not be on that day.  

Comment:  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Tue. & Wed., 6-7:00pm, 1370 WSPD, Toledo  www.wspd.com