Sanity In Ohio

+++

The losses in Virginia and Soprano-Land were a bit disappointing, but the good people of Ohio knew their business. While supporting a bonds package to help bring jobs to Ohio, voters rejected a package of Democrat attempts to subvert the election process.

The group calling itself “Reform Ohio Now” was essentially a Liberal Stalking Horse, attempting to radically alter the process in Ohio, following the 2004 election. Four issues were set before the voters, ostensibly to improve the process, but in fact they would have taken much from the public, and put it into the hands of a few elitists. The text of the actual amendments can be found here.

Issue 2 was a measure to expand absentee voting, which sounds good on its face, but this would allow voting by mail. That’s right, not only no photo ID or confirmation that the voter was eligible to vote, but no confirmation at all that the voter even existed! Also, the measure would not have required any reason to be given for voting by mail, and provided absolutely no protection or security against fraud. 63% of Ohioans decided they didn’t want to help people commit voter fraud.

Issue 3 would have lowered limits on political donations not only from individuals, but also from PACs (which exist specifically to fund campaigns), “donor action committees”, or even from local, state, or national political parties. Essentially, this would have prevented competitive campaigning by anyone but the rich and the pre-financed, creating an absurd advantage for incumbents. This went down in flames as well.

Issue 4 would have removed redistricting power from elected officials, and put it instead into the hands of a five-member appointed commission. This is plainly contrary to the spirit of all existing constitutions, both Ohio’s and that of the United States. It also raises the obvious question of who and what would influence men who were not accountable for their decisions, but held the power to decide representation before the elections could even be scheduled. A full 70% of Ohio voters decided they wanted elected officials to be making those choices.

And finally, Issue 5 would have further usurped power from elected officials, turning over the administration of elections to that same appointed commission, answerable only to their personal agenda. I don’t know about you, but the idea that the rules, boundaries, procedures, and review of elections being controlled by a few unelected men who don’t answer to anybody, just screams ‘Politburo’ to me. And 70% of Ohio’s voters thought the same.

Given the balance between Republicans and Democrats in Ohio, the decisive measure of the vote indicates that Ohioans, both on the Left and on the Right, prefer Sanity.