How I'm voting on the statewide issues

Issue 1: NO, this does not belong in our state's Constitution, which is a long term document. This issue deals with a temporary situation. When the temporary situation is over, the amendment will still be in the Constitution. Our state's Constitution should be for long term guidance, not short term desires.. Also, Ohio can't afford to go $200,000,000 in debt, no matter how noble the cause.

Issue 2: Reluctantly YES. reluctantly because the need for such an amendment is stupid. However, the lilly livered animal worshipers will spend and spend until they make us all meat free. The main problems I have with this Issue is: If it's really to circumvent a threatened "humane" society push for another ballot initiative to really make it difficult to farm in Ohio......why give the "humane" society a seat on this board at all? The "humane" society is about as un-Ohioan as they come. We shouldn't codify their existence in our Constitution. You see why I said reluctantly.

Issue 3: NO, we do not need further / expanded gambling in Ohio. There are many reasons one should oppose this social leach of a vice. The most recent example of the corrosiveness of gambling is watching our Governor. He was once 100% against gambling...very recently. However, the empty promise of millions of dollars from gambling to fund the state government has made our use to be devout anti-gambling Governor start rolling the dice with our future. One of the only things I agreed with Mr. Strickland with was this issue, until he did an about face. It's a sad thing to behold.

Here's a link with the ballot language and the (official) pros / cons of each initiative

Why is the FOP endorsing and campaigning for gambling?

Here's a report from NBC4i.com. Looks like there is at least one reporter in the state that still can ask questions.....even though he got no answers.

Why is the FOP actively supporting gambling in Ohio? Surely there's more to it than the increase dues from more police officers that will be needed to combat the organized crime element of gambling.

There has to be more to their support that just that.

Voinovich right on gambling

And I do believe he would raise taxes rather than agree to more gambling. Even though, that is not the right answer either. Just cut spending! It's amazing how afraid our governors are of a mob of middle aged librarians when it comes to budget cuts.

Voinovich speaks out against gambling plans

Sunday, September 6, 2009 7:20 AM

Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, ripped both proposals to expand gambling in Ohio last week as an "attack on families." Voinovich made his comments as the Ohio Roundtable, a conservative policy group, announced a lawsuit to block Gov. Ted Strickland's plans for video slot machines at horse tracks.

Voinovich said at the event that the slots plan and a November ballot issue to permit full-blown casinos in Ohio's four largest cities would suck money out of the pockets of vulnerable people.

Voinovich said the fourcasino plan is the handiwork of "greedy vultures" from other states. The Republican former governor was not as harsh toward Strickland, a Democrat, but sounded personally betrayed as he recalled how Strickland stood with Voinovich and other gambling opponents against a slotmachine proposal in 2006.

"Based on his past comments, he knows that this is not in the best interest of Ohio's families," Voinovich said.
Strickland says that the state needs the $933 million in expected revenue from the video lottery terminals at the racetracks to head off massive cuts to education and social services.

Voinovich recalled that he faced similar budget problems, albeit less severe, when he took office in 1991. He noted that he cut the state budget four times and raised taxes, and would do so again in Strickland's position.

"I would have raised taxes," he said.

Strickland attorney: Voters not entitled to slot machine referendum

That's debatable.

Dispatch story here.

One thing is for sure, however, voters will vote on Snake-eyes Ted Strickland.

I don't think voters will take kindly to being lied to about Ted's real intentions. Telling us all along that he is against balancing the budget (against increased gambling period) with the gambling vice. Then doing an about face on the issue.

This is Strickland's "read my lips" moment that he won't be able to hide from.

Ohio credit rating could drop again

Dispatch story

The short sightedness of the Strickland administration is staggering.

Now we will pay more to service our debt. Yes, the debt that politicians are addicted to with your tax money.

"The lower a state's credit rating, the more expensive it becomes to borrow money to finance a variety of infrastructure projects."

"Moody's analysts noted that Ohio has a strong history of reducing spending to respond to economic challenges but said the state is increasingly using one-time cash solutions to fill continuing budget obligations."

Which makes one wonder what happens the next time we have to deal with the budget again. Will there be massive spending cuts or massive tax increases (driving more people to Florida and Texas).

My guess is, if the dems are in control, there will be massive tax increases. We all saw how frightened Strickland became when little old librarians got mad at him. He will continue to try to make Ohio into Las Vegas.

If the GOP is running the state government, who knows? If it's the old low tax, low spending GOP we'll be in good shape. If it's Bob Taft's GOP.....well I'm not going there, it's too nice of a day to get mad.