Happy Birthday to the City of Pride

200 years ago today, the State Legislature of Ohio, much to the dismay of Chillicothe and Zanesville (my birthplace) created a new city to be the State Capitol and Columbus was born.

Columbus doesn’t have mountains; in fact it’s hard to find a hill. There is no Ocean front. No mighty rivers like the Hudson or the Mississippi, though smaller scenic ones we have. The weather there isn’t the best nor the worst. But the thing Columbus has that no city in the world can beat, is the pride of its citizens.

Nothing pleases a Columbusite more then to show off his City. Years ago when a business visitor pointed toward the skyline and asked, is that Cincinnati or Cleveland over there? I grinned with pride and said, that is the downtown of Columbus, Ohio’s largest city.

Visitors to Columbus sometimes chuckle at the little tours locals invariably give them, showing them downtown, campus, the short north, german village, and don’t forget the Santa Maria, and we miss showing them the first Wendy’s.

Have you ever heard a local talk about the city of firsts? The first branch bank, first drive thru, first supermarket among a long list of them. How about the fast food capital, home of Wendy’s, White Castle, US headquarters of Tim Horton’s, and so many that have come and gone. (Remember the home of the whirling satellite?)

Whatever you do don’t get us started on the Corporate Headquarters based in our city. We will brag loudly about Volkswagen of America, The Limited, Aberchrombie and Fitch, Bob Evans, Nationwide Insurance, and AEP among so many others.

You know what is fun is taking a frequent shopper to one of our malls. They may not be the biggest but boy do we have everything. I recall showing a visitor Easton once. Just as we drove down the little European like street in front of the theater, she exclaimed, “now this is a mall”

Yes those from other places may mock our pride sometimes. They will never understand the awe some of us felt when we walked into the newly restored Palace Theater in 1980, the euphoria that waved over us when Buster Douglas upset Mike Tyson, the joy we felt when we walked into Nationwide Arena the first time and heard, “Welcome to the NHL, Columbus,” the broad smiles on our faces seeing Jack Hanna representing our Zoo so well on Letterman, or the tears that well up in our eyes simply seeing two lines of drummers silently lead a band out onto the field.

They may chuckle all they want, we will not change. Our pride is real, it is deep and it is never ending. Yes we love our City and we proudly shout out:

HAPPY 200TH COLUMBUS!!

Ohio in True Peril

Only 4 years have passed since the days of total RepubLIEcan rule in the State of Ohio. Yet Ohioans clearly forgot about the mess that created for our state. Indictments, convictions, election fraud, massive tuition increases at our state colleges and universities, million dollar rest areas, state funds stolen by a Republican operative while laundering money illegally to Republican campaigns. We even had a Governor that was convicted of illegally taking gifts and remained in office. Yes in 4 short years Ohioans clearly have forgotten the frustration, anger, embarrassment and damage RepubLIEcan rule did to our state because much to the disbelief of people that actually pay attention, the voters just put the Foxes in charge of the hen house once again.
Every state wide elected official is now a RepubLIEcan, The state house is totally under RepubLIEcan control, and even the state Supreme Court is entirely Republican. What were Ohioans thinking? Was it competence of the individual candidates? Clearly not.

We have replaced an experienced Governor who managed to balance the state’s budget in a horrible economic climate and unlike most states without raising taxes, cutting education, teachers, firefighters, police and other services citizens depend on our state for. He even froze tuition at the state colleges and universities. His replacement? A man who got rich working for THE Company whose greed, and lack of business ethics, led to a bankruptcy that was the very spark that triggered the recession. Caught in that mess was Ohio retirees who saw their pensions stolen by this company. This man who has already made it clear he plans to cut education, who doesn’t feel every school even needs a principal, is cutting jobs in manufacturing and construction by cancelling much needed state infrastructure improvements. This man will cost the jobs of many middle class workers in state offices, police, fire, education, yet he plans to develop a board of his rich donors and pay them unlimited unreported bonuses.
We went from a competent, effective State Treasurer who put in many developments to improve efficiency and cut costs, to a man who has no financial experience, who has been nothing but a professional politician his entire career, who the Federal election commission and every major newspaper in the state has called a liar.

Then there is the Secretary of State, where we had a very competent, experienced elections attorney in that office, which cleaned up the fraud and even the appearance of it in our elections. She is being replaced by a man who lied about his residence to stay in office as a State Senator, who is going to be running our elections even though he has publically stated that he “can’t break the law, he makes the law, he can change the law” Are you kidding me?

How bad can it get, how bad will it get? The problem is not only is there almost nothing that can be done about it, we won’t even know about it. Since every state official is beholden to the party apparatus, who is going to investigate things. Even the Supreme Court is part of the gang. Perhaps the media will call them out? Who? The clearly RepubLIEcan supporting Dispatch Media group and the Wolfe family? Not a chance. WSYX and Fox 28 owned by RepubLIEcan ultra Conservative Sinclair Media group?
If we are lucky the Plain Dealer will get the word out, but don’t count on it.

Yes Ohio your memory is short, you did not take the responsibility of voting seriously by getting the facts about who these men are. So when your kid can’t afford college, when your property taxes go up to just maintain the basics at your local school. When you have to pay outrageous fees for state services, when state parks decline, roads deteriorate. While your medical costs go up to pay for all those that are losing their Medicaid to get basic health services at the Emergency rooms, while your local taxes go up to replace all the cuts in state funding just to maintain fire and police departments. Meanwhile under the guise of “privatization” you see the rich donors get massive state contracts and get richer and richer. Remember how you voted November 2nd and thus who to blame.

Voinovich: Going to a Party more Important then your Health Care.

The Senate has been working hard on a compromise Health Care Bill. Ohioans overwhelming want health care reform. A Harvard study has shown 14,000 Americans lose their insurance every single day, 1998 go bankrupt and 123 die. Senator Voinovich will not only not vote to even allow the health care reform bill to go to debate Saturday, he won't even be there.

Whats more important? A party in Cleveland with his old Mayoral Staff.

This is more of a slap in the face to Ohioans then voting no.

Senator if your done representing Ohioans perhaps you should resign now and let a replacement be named that will show up for one of the most important votes in decades.

Call Senator Voinovich to let him now how you feel. 202-370-7861

Calling out a Traitor

Treason: –noun
1. the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
2. a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or to one's state.
3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.

Fact: President Barack Obama was elected President of the United States in a landslide.

Fact: In a vast majority of Congressional Districts and a Majority of States, the voters removed Republicans from office and replaced with Democrats.

Fact: A vast majority of Americans want Health Care Reform

Fact: A majority of Americans want a public option.

With all these facts some leaders in our nation are moving forward based on what the majority of voters in the United States clearly want.

So what can those in the minority in public opinion do? In a peaceful democracy, they continue to express their opinions, write their representatives and demonstrate peaceably if they choose.

What is not legal in this country is to threaten violence, overthrow of the Government for which Americans have fought and died for 2 centuries.

It is not legal to incite people to violence. Or to advocate rebellion against our government. It is in fact the very definition of Un-American, it is treason.

Treason as evidenced by this quote:

"We are in the middle of a modern-day political rebellion in America."

Was this a quote from Benedict Arnold, a Confederate sympathiser before the civil war, or Lee Harvey Oswald? No this was a quote from the current Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, John Boehner.

Boehner a man who took the following oath of office: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. "

By encouraging rebellion against the Government of the United States, John Boehner has violated his oath of office and has committed treason. He should resign or be removed from office immediately.

Brunner gets an A+

In 2004 the election process in Ohio was a sick joke after years of partisan manipulation to disenfranchise and manipulate the vote by Ken Blackwell. Jennifer Brunner has has worked hard and fought for the voters of Ohio and the results on election day show clearly she has succeeded.

Leading up to the election, she fought to make sure county boards of elections did their job to set up procedures and have the equipment necessary to make elections run as they should. For weeks she fought partisan attacks and court challenges that had one purpose to deny voters their right to vote.

Then came election day. Despite record turnout reports from all over the state reported few long lines, with the longest wait times in the neighborhood of one hour. Early voting helped with this as well as having sufficient machines and organization to handle each and every voting location smoothly.

The bottom line is clear. Our elections ran smoothly, efficiently and without any controversy. Voters can have confidence that their vote will count in Ohio once again.

Good job Jennifer Brunner.

This is Our Time, This is Our Moment

It has been hard for me to find the words to write today. So many emotions have overtaken me in the last 24 hours. Yesterday as I worked in a get out the vote office, there was confidence that this time would be different. Then I felt fear, do we have enough volunteers are we knocking on enough doors, is something going wrong at the polls. Exhaustion as I wondered if the day would ever be over.

Then as we were packing up the office and the very first polls closed, I was afraid to watch the television. Could something go wrong?.

Then as I was driving to the Pickerington Campaign for Change office, I heard on the radio NPR calling Pennsylvania for Obama. For the first time I felt absolute joy. I jumped up and down in my car seat. My cell phone rang. A volunteer who was behind me in her car saw me jumping asking me what happened, "why are you jumping up and down?" I told her, I heard her scream of joy.

I arrived at the office. About 50 of us that had worked together for months, making calls, knocking on doors, organizing, meeting, and so many things had gathered. A room full of people that didn't know each other 2 months ago. People of all ages, races, different neighborhoods, different jobs, we sat there together in the dark our eyes glued to the images coming in from MSNBC. People all with so much hope, yet still there was this twinge of fear, or was it disbelief.

Then they called Ohio for Obama. The room erupted. We were all on our feet, screaming yelling, hugging each other, and crying. What we all had worked for was happening. Next, dozens of us were outside all on our cell phones, calling our loved ones, our friends, our family, sharing the incredible moment.

We then watched and waited to see the election called nationally for Barack. More cheers, more hugs, more handshakes. We watched McCain's speech. Then Barack came out in Chicago. The room was silent once again as we listened to every word. Tears flowed, smiles were broad. Such incredible happiness of being part of history.

Barack Obama not only won an election. He did indeed lead a movement. He brought not only our group in Pickerington together for a common purpose, but he did this in towns, villages and neighborhoods throughout this country. He got us to believe again. He got us to hope.

I will never forget the people that I worked with the last few months. The young campaign staffers, who's drive and determination kept us all going, and working harder, sometimes more then we planned on doing. The ladies who were in that office every day doing whatever was needed. Making calls, cleaning, feeding us, keeping our spirits up. The hundreds of people I walked neighborhoods with, knocked on doors with, made phone calls beside.

The people that spent their Tuesday, to do whatever it took on election day. The people that walked 2 or 3 shifts for hours knocking on doors. The others that stood at the polls watching and counting and informing, including a 17 year old senior in high school who started her day at 6 am at our meeting place and spent the majority of the next 13 hours at a polling location.

We believed that this election was going to be different. We believed that we could do something to bring the change our country needed. We believed that if we worked hard enough, we could be part of electing Barack Obama President of the United States. What we believed came to be.

Thank you Barack Obama. Thank you to my new friends and neighbors. Thank you to my loved ones and family who put up with me not being around much the last few months. Thank you Ohio and thank you America.

Way 2 Go, Moveon.org

Moveon.org has a reputation fairly or not for being the "pit bull" of the left. They have been known for their more controversial commercials and position pieces over the last several elections.

This election I am noticing something different. For one they have closed their 527 and not running as controversial ads that I have seen.

But whats more important is they are having a very positive and visible impact on this campaign.

They are bringing out the volunteers in big numbers to help get the all important grass roots efforts accomplished.

I personally have received a number of calls from them, and this weekend moveon recruited volunteers were very evident at the campaign office I have been helping out at, in Pickerington Ohio.

Keep up the good work moveon.org.

Vote Yes on Ohio Issue 6

Everything can be done in excess and be harmful. Spending too much time blogging, eating a lot of fast food, sleeping all the time, and yes alcohol consumption. Gambling like anything can indeed be harmful to those that over do it. Yet many enjoy gambling now and then and doing it for fun without harm to themselves or anyone else.

The government has no more business regulating this activity then regulating the amount of Pepsi one drinks. People who enjoy gambling will find a way to do so, either out of state, through the many loopholes that already exist (charity, lottery, bingo etc.) or they will do it illegally.

Issue 6 will not create any more gambling addicts then already exist. It will just change how and where they do it.

Gambling is seen as immoral by some. Since when is it ok, especially with Democrats, that the Government legislate morality. I think lies are immoral lets make that illegal all the time.

Voting No on Issue 6 will assure the States of Indiana, West Virginia along with illegal operators of gambling establishments will get all of the profits from the Ohio gamblers that go there. Ohio gets nothing.

Gambling is a recreational business there should not be a restriction against it. Vote Yes on 6. This issue allows one casino period, it doesn't turn Ohio into Atlantic City by any means. It brings in tax revenue, jobs and tourism. All things this state needs in this economy.

Vote No on Ohio Issue 5

The payday lending bill that was passed by the state legislature is unnecessary and based on the following myths:

People are being victimized: Victim how? Every Payday Lending clearly displays the fee for the cash advance on signs all over the wall. The Customer signs an agreement and they acknowledge that they understand the fee upfront. There is no way a borrower can say they didn’t know the fee.

391% interest rate: Using annualized interest rate for what is the vast majority of time a two-week loan is disingenuous. The reality is the average is that a customer pays $15 per 100 for a two-week advance. Period. No one pays 361% interest. They pay 15 dollars no more no less. Compare this to the unexplained fees of the credit card companies that can turn a $500 debt to thousands in months.

A cycle of debt: These are two-week loans period. Can people find a way around the rules and use multiple payday lenders to extend the debt. Yes. Are they being stupid in doing so? Yes. But they are no victims. The vast majority of payday lending customers are not frequent customers.

36% interest rate is reasonable: These companies give these short-term loans without credit check. Their default rate is high. Such a limit on interest rates would result in losing money on every transaction. Thus would put an entire industry out of business.

There are too many Pay Day Lending Companies: Myth. Quite clearly there is a need for them or they would not survive. Most people that use these agencies have no other choice then writing bad checks. Lets see, $15 fee per $100 or $50 overdraft fee and possible criminal charges. Seems to me the payday loan is a much better choice.

This Payday lending bill in Ohio is another attempt to protect people who first of all are not complaining, and second of all do not need protecting. It eliminates the one choice many citizens have to obtain short term funds in an emergency.

There are plenty of victims from fraudulent and shady financial practices. However those are not in the payroll lending industry, they are with banks, finance companies, credit card companies and mortgage companies. It is time the Ohio General Assembly look at real problems rather then creating victims

Vote No on Issue 5.

Enough is Enough!

I will not stay quiet while I watch the very basis of our democracy attacked by people wrapping themselves in flags and calling themselves patriots.

I will not stay silent as the Ohio Secretary of State, who is a very capable experienced and knowledgeable public servant, receives death threats, unmarked boxes with powder shipped to them, and cyberhacking of their web site, trying to interfere with our electoral process.

What has made our country unique was that we change leaders peaceably. A rare occurrence in the majority of the nations of the world. This is what has made our country great, it is what has made us the envy of many in the world. And to see this violence, threats and anger being stoked is putting our nation at risk.

Shame on you Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage and all those of you that are spewing hate on the air waves. Shame on you people at rallies that scream words like "terrorist, kill him, socialist."

Shame on you John McCain and Sarah Palin who not only allow this to go on but to stoke this anger yourselves. Using the words "socialist" and "paling around with terrorists" are despicable. I used to believe you were a man of honor John McCain, it is quite clear you no longer are.

Shame on those who are attacking those groups that are bringing more Americans into the electoral process with false claims of fraud with not so hidden racism under the surface.

You are not patriots, you do not put "country first," you are instead traitors. Traitor: a person who commits treason by betraying his or her country. Yes John McCain and Sarah Palin and the right wing nut jobs on the radio on Fox News you are indeed traitors. You are responsible for turning our nations peaceful election process into a violent one. Every death threat, every response by bomb squads, every violent act on your behalf you are responsible for.

Republicans are Threatened By Democracy

As we watch all of the demonization of ACRON for registering voters, the lawsuits attempted against same day voting, the complaints about early voting, the attempts to disenfranchise voters with caging, one thing is clear, the Republicans must hate Democracy.

For years it has been an embarrassment that the model for democracy to the world has such low voter turnouts. Yet whenever there are grass roots efforts to increase the turnout the Republicans panic and fight it every step of the way.

Republicans don't want democracy, they want control. As long as we have a Democratic Secretary of State that has done great things to improve the reliability and efficiency in Ohio's elections, they will try to vilify her. As long as groups are successful at registering new voters, they will try to claim fraud, as long as it is made easier to vote, they will fight to make it harder.

Republicans may wrap themselves in the flag but when it comes down to the basic tenant of democracy they are opposed to it whole heartedly.

An Open Letter to Senators Voinovich and Brown

Dear Senators,

The hate speech and the rhetoric by the McCain campaign questioning the character of another United States Senator is sickening. It is a black mark on the reputation and the history of the United States Senate.

Campaigning is one thing, but this has gone way over any line of integrity and morality.

I demand that you and others in the United States Senate make a statement publicly and to the McCain campaign that this is not acceptable.

Joseph A. Ritchey Jr.

Contact George Voinovich

Contact Senator Brown

Is there a reverse Bradley effect?

There has been a lot of talk by the media about "The Bradley Effect" which as I understand it is named after Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles. This is a theory that there is evidence that some are not comfortable telling pollsters they are voting against an African-American so they don't appear racist.

Now based on my own experiences talking to voters, friends and family in central and southeast Ohio, I don't doubt there may be some of that going on, but I am also noticing something else, what I call a reverse Bradley effect. This is that there are a number of people that feel Barack Obama is the best candidate and intend to vote for him, but don't want anyone to know it. Like there is some irrational fear of their friends and neighbors reactions. One example I heard from someone that once told me that Barack is the best of the two, didn't want a yard sign because he said, "I'm not a Democrat."

There has been for a long time this cultural belief that being successful goes with being a republican. In business meetings and in the suburbs it is seemingly the thing to do to be part of the in crowd. Democrats often when discussions of politics come up are very quiet about their own beliefs in these circles to avoid confrontation. This is even more evident this time in the suburban white community since this time there is an African American candidate running.

So my belief based completely on anecdotal evidence is that there are a significant number of Obama supporters that are being secretive about it. Does this offset the traditional Bradley effect? I guess we will find out on November 4th.

Lincoln Chafee in Pickerington

I had the opportunity to attend a Town Hall sponsored by the Pickerington Ohio Campaign for Change with former Senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. Senator Chafee was a Republican Senator then turned Independent and is now a supporter of Barack Obama. Senator Chafee was introduced by a former Republican county chairman in Michigan that now is an Obama supporter living in Pickerington.

Chafee spoke about his conservative values in regards to fiscal policies, involving our troops in quagmires, and environmental policies. He pointed at that with the support of McCain and the far right wing of the Republican party these conservative values have been lost.

The Senator talked of his disappointments in the Bush administration, primarily Bush's campaign promises of working across the isle and having a non arrogant foreign policy. When the reality is Bush has done quite the opposite and McCain has made it clear he would be even more arrogant on foreign policy.

Chafee said that being an independent now he had the opportunity to choose a candidate in this election based on the men themselves not just based on party loyalty. He said he researched, read both of Barack Obama's books, read the policies of both and found that for him the clear choice for our country's future was Barack Obama.

He spoke of how the world is waiting for Americans to choose a man like Barack Obama, to show them that the years of the Bush administration were not what America is about but in fact the real America is one of reaching out and diplomacy and moral values and actions around the world.

A rather emotional moment occurred when a couple that are immigrants from Liberia expressed their thanks to Senator Chafee for his support and his voice to help stop the genocide in their home country.

Not Just Numbers

Vote Early for Barack Obama and Sharen Neuhardt!

Neuhardtforcongress.com

How's Obama doing in Southeast Ohio?

Conventional wisdom is that Southeast Ohio is a tough area for Obama to garner much support. Imagine my surprise when I saw this on Blue Ave. in the north end of Zanesville yesterday. This is a primary road where the high school is located.



This is just one block of this street that had several blocks of yard after yard with Obama signs. I counted at least 25 Obama signs in a 3 block area. I saw one McCain sign.

Pickerington Obama Office Packed House for Debate

I watched the debate at the Pickerington Obama Headquarters tonight with a packed house of supporters. All the chairs will filled as were our stomachs with all the food brought in by the supporters for the night. Also in attendance was Karl K. Stalter who is the candidate for Fairfield County Commissioner as well as the Campaign Manager, Media Consultant and Finance Director for the Neuhardt for Congress Campaign.

There were a lot of laughs at many of McCain's factually challenged statements, as well as cheers at some of Obama's great points made throughout the debate. Overall this group left with a lot of smiles on their faces and with even more energy to hit the streets this weekend for Obama.

900+ in Ohio are "Fired Up and Ready to Go"

Today on the campus of The Ohio State University 900 plus campaign leaders from all areas of Ohio spent the day at an organizing convention put on by Barack Obama's Ohio Campaign for Change. These were paid staffers, Volunteer Neighborhood Team Leaders and Coordinators in attendance. This event is unprecedented in Ohio Political history for so many campaign leaders to spend their entire day to travel to Columbus from every county in this state not to attend a rally but to have a nuts and bolts organization and training meeting.

Governor Ted Strickland addressed the group with his exciting brand of motivation, but articulated clearly the importance of this campaign especially in Ohio. The rest of the day was nuts and bolts planning, organizing and idea sharing.

What was most remarkable was the wide range of demographics of the leaders that will be hitting the streets and organizing their neighborhoods. The included many religions, all races, ages from young teens to in their 60's and older. Union members, business owners, veterans, teachers, students and stay at home mothers.

The size and motivation of this core group is a clear indication that this campaign will be different in Ohio. Every county, every neighborhood, city, rural, traditionally blue or red will have organized teams knocking on doors.

One topic that hit me personally was the need for us "Internet" supporters, those that email and blog furiously expressing our opinions and ranting on various issues, to get off the net, and to get our shoes on the ground in our neighborhoods.

I am not discounting the value of blogging by any means. But I am also quite aware that blogs don't register voters, nor do they get people to the polls on election day. Most that read political blogs are already politically aware and active, its the ones that don't that will make or break this election.

So I urge all of you, blog away, continue your good work on the net. But put on those comfy shoes, put on your Obama button, get to some events and start talking to your neighbors. There are over 50 Obama campaign offices in Ohio, if you haven't been to one yet, get your feets moving and get to one.

America has lost a great leader

We have lost Stephanie Tubbs Jones tonight. She was both a strong advocate for the voters in her district in NorthEast Ohio but for voters over all. The thing about her that has always impressed me the most was her fortitude. She always stood strong for the people and issues she believed in regardless of pressure or criticism or political disavantage that it may have caused her.

She stood strong with her support for Hillary Clinton despite termendous pressure in the African-American Community. The most impressive action to me was her standing up and challenging the certification of the electors from Ohio after the 2004 Presidential Elections. Despite everyone throwing in the towel, including John Kerry himself, Ms. Tubbs Jones stood up and challenged the certification in Congress something that had only occured once before in the history of the United States.
She showed she stood for the voters of Ohio and America that day in a way no one else has.

She was a great leader for Ohio and America and she will be sorely missed.

My prayers and thanks go out to her friends and family.

Pickerington for Obama Office Opens

Tonight the Pickerington for Obama Campaign Headquarters opened in the northwest Fairfield County suburb near Columbus. An enthusiastic group of local supporters helped Shawn from the Obama staff opened the doors and started getting the place ready for the next few months of intense work in this area.

The "every state, every county, every community" strategy is evident not only by the opening of this office but the incredible organization and plans for the campaign ahead.

The office is located at 155 E Columbus, Suite 190 in olde towne Pickerington. It will have signage up soon. All Obama supporters are welcome to stop in, say hello, meet Shawn and the volunteers in the area and find out how to get involved.