| Today is election day -- Have you voted on these important issues? |
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| Written by Jeff Garvas | |
| Tuesday, 08 November 2005 | |
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If you have not voted today, please take the time to get to your polling place and cast your vote today. While there are many local candidates that deserve your support, there are five statewide ballot issues that will directly impact Ohioans for years to come. Ohioans For Concealed Carry feels that all five issues should be defeated and we encourage you to vote against all five issues. Since the election is now over... (Click 'READ MORE' to continue) If not defeated today, Issue 1 will allow the State of Ohio to rack up debt, allowing the government to incur up to $1.35 billion in additional debt to fund financial assistance for research and development. The problem, aside from the high cost, is that there is no guarantee any new jobs created by this research would stay in Ohio. There is also $240 million left over from previous bonds issued that is still available to spend. New funds cannot be spent until the old ones are exhausted. At the current rate, the debt incurred today would not be spent until 2009. If not defeated today, Issue 2 will redefine absentee voting in the Ohio Constitution, making it possible to vote twice and have ballots "thrown out" when duplicates are identified. While presented as a solution to making it easier to vote without actually visiting a polling place, the measure is dangerous to the future of fair elections and does not belong in the Ohio Constitution. If not defeated today, Issue 3 will severely change campaign finances laws, and would embolden labor unions when it comes to political contributions. This issue caters to organizations that want to finance the candidates that support issue three, while making it less likely that those people opposed to it would be able to fairly compete. If not defeated today, Issue 4 will create another government commission to redistrict the State of Ohio. Proponents claim it will "make politicians more competitive", yet sample maps being suggested imply that a district could consist of communities hours apart. We strongly urge you to see this for what it is: Disgruntled candidates seeking a means to change the landscape because they can't win elections otherwise. If not defeated today, Issue 5 creates another government board to "oversee" elections. An elected official who answers to the electorate better serves Ohioans. Like issue four, this issue is best described as political revenge. Left-wing extremists feel that Secretary of State Ken Blackwell had some "role" in the State of Ohio's results in George Bush's win of the State of Ohio during his second run for the presidency. Although Ken Blackwell is term limited, some Democrats want to strip the office of the Secretary of State of his or her authority as the person in charge of elections. We strongly urge you to vote against this measure based on the premise in which it is proposed and the fact that citizens are better served by an elected official than an appointed and faceless commission or board. If you are not familiar with these issues or why we have taken these positions, we strongly encourage you to read this brief story on our website: Issues 1-5, What Do They Really Mean for Ohio? Issue 1 - NO Issue 2 - NO Issue 3 - NO Issue 4 - NO Issue 5 - NO Ohioans For Concealed Carry and the Ohioans For Concealed Carry PAC have endorsed the following candidates in various local races: Columbus City Council: Phil Harmon (R) Northfield Center Township: Paul G. Buescher (Party Affiliation Unknown) Elyria City Council: Paul Blevins (R) Elyria Municipal Court Clerk: Anne-Marie Blevins (R) Bay Village City Mayor: Bruce Cobbeldick (R) |