By @by to Ben

July 25, 2011 12:18 PM | Link to this

Where have WE been the last few years? You are still blaming Bush? Where have YOU been the last 3 years? Obama has been President, and it is under HIS watch that stimulus tax dollars were sent out of our county, under HIS watch that oil drilling and coal jobs were killed by his overregulation (with the help of Cass Sustein, regulatory Czar under OBAMA). It is under Obama’s watch that we are going to lose our good credit rating if Obama keeps CHANGING terms of agreed upon deals to raise the debt ceiling. It’s under Obama’s watch that the debt was increased from 10 to 14 TRILLION dollars. It’s under Obama’s leadership that the unemployment rate went up to 9.2%, 3 years after Obama became president. And if you want to go back to Bush’s term as president, it was the Democrats who started the mess with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, forcing banks to give out loans to people who could not pay them back. Bush tried to fight it, but the Democrats were in power so…you know the rest…and you are STILL blaming Bush? If you were “of color”, illegal or legal, or a prostitute or pimp, you could get government help (Obama’s ACORN—remember them? Obama was their lawyer, but he said he didn’t know they dealt so much with our tax dollars—Obama is such a liar!—And ACORN is still alive and well!) to buy a house with our tax payer substidies, with our tax money. After than, Obama took over car companies and put them out of business (remember when the dealers that had been around for decades had to go out of business because Obama told them they had to???), and then he bought GM, and then he sold it and left tax payers losing all of that money. Then Obama gave GE a free ride because they are in bed with him, and GE pays no taxes. You want to talk about reality? Bush didn’t close down auto plants and dealership, and Bush didn’t overregulate coal jobs and Bush didn’t refuse to issue oil drilling permits…that was OBAMA, not Bush. It was Obama that killed the jobs. Unemployment rate ROSE UNDER OBAMA, not Bush. Think about it before you vote next time. And don’t believe the media. George Soros paid for the main stream media so all you will hear is Obama propaganda. You can’t believe them because the media is paid for by a man, George Soros, who ruined other countries economies and is working on killing our dollar. He’s had Obama’s help, and the help of Unions. He’ll win if he gets voted in again as President. Don’t let Obama win. Fight for our Republic.

By Squirrellygirl

July 25, 2011 11:51 AM | Link to this

Sweetie, the rapture IS coming, but it will come when God is ready, not when false prophets try to make it come. Your lack of faith in God will not stop it. And I don’t have a fat wad of cash. I can only work when there are jobs out there, and I have to work to pay my bills and to survive. That is why I can see soooo very clearly that this administration has killed jobs, not created them…auto jobs, energy jobs, oil drilling and coal jobs. That’s right. The truth will set you free, and the truth will reveal your lies. The American people went to sleep, stopped voting, and when they woke up, and yes, they have woken up, Obama was president and we now have commies holding high government offices. Holder is trying terrorists in U.S. courts, illegal aliens are being encouraged by Obama because he wants their votes (illegal or legal doesn’t matter to him), and special interest groups are eating up our stimulus dollars. Obama has grown our deficit to over $14 trillion. Obama believes the Republicans will be blamed if the debt ceiling isn’t raised, so he ruins the “deal” by adding billions of dollars in revenues to the agreement, and wala…like magic, deal breaker! Then Obama gets on tv and whines like a baby that the Republicans won’t say “yes” to anything. You voted for him, you deserve what you get if we can’t stop him and his socialist madness. The worst president in U.S. history belongs to YOU!

By Originalthought(really?)

July 20, 2011 8:30 AM | Link to this

11 “free trade” agreements, the first being passed in 1988 have shipped our jobs away, with the blessings of “special interest groups” including, but not limited to, the big banks & chambers of commerce: source- Congressional Record(s). Not Bush, not Obama, not the Unions, not teachers, cops, firefighters or other citizens. You frogs WANT to be lied to. This is now the new “american way”, lie upon lie after lie after lie……one big “reality show”! This is the final stage of the fall of an empire…turning on Yourselves like back-biting DOGS, You have revealed yourselves & are furthering this decline & fall by Your words & deeds. There is NO going back! While true Patriots have served & died to preserve “freedom”, You continue to support the divide & conquer strategies, being led by Your soiled noses down the short path to RUIN. You really think You will be immune to the violence & sheer horror thats coming? You really think Your fat bank accounts will buy You out of decay & despair? The only solace that WILL be found, is when WE see the looks on Your pathetic faces…the disbelief…the look of REAL fear, when the whip comes down on You & Yours, NO rapture, NO harp music or heavenly feelings, only pain, desperation & hopeless stark reality. America- Conquered….coming soon to a neighborhood near You. Happy Days!!!!

By No more free rides

July 19, 2011 11:13 PM | Link to this

3%. That’s the percentage of Ohio workers in the public sector. Is it the position of “We Are Ohio” that 97% of the workers should not only pay public sector workers entire salary, but also pay for their retirement, as well as their health benefits when private sector employees get no such consideration? Sure, if someone is hired under a contract then that contract should be honored. By the same token contracts can be renegotiated and one can either accept it or not. Evidently, those in favor of repeal want to help in driving the state towards bankruptcy. I know I can’t operate my household budget the way the state runs theirs. When more money than usual is going out then there reductions in other areas. SB5 is getting us on the road to that end. Thank goodness I’ll get to vote NO if it gets on the ballot.

By No more free rides

July 19, 2011 11:13 PM | Link to this

3%. That’s the percentage of Ohio workers in the public sector. Is it the position of “We Are Ohio” that 97% of the workers should not only pay public sector workers entire salary, but also pay for their retirement, as well as their health benefits when private sector employees get no such consideration? Sure, if someone is hired under a contract then that contract should be honored. By the same token contracts can be renegotiated and one can either accept it or not. Evidently, those in favor of repeal want to help in driving the state towards bankruptcy. I know I can’t operate my household budget the way the state runs theirs. When more money than usual is going out then there reductions in other areas. SB5 is getting us on the road to that end. Thank goodness I’ll get to vote NO if it gets on the ballot.

By no more handouts

July 19, 2011 11:10 PM | Link to this

3%. That’s the percentage of Ohio workers in the public sector. Is it the position of “We Are Ohio” that 97% of the workers should not only pay public sector workers entire salary, but also pay for their retirement, as well as their health benefits when private sector employees get no such consideration? Sure, if someone is hired under a contract then that contract should be honored. By the same token contracts can be renegotiated and one can either accept it or not. Evidently, those in favor of repeal want to help in driving the state towards bankruptcy. I know I can’t operate my household budget the way the state runs theirs. When more money than usual is going out then there reductions in other areas. SB5 is getting us on the road to that end. Thank goodness I’ll get to vote NO if it gets on the ballot.

By To Ben

July 19, 2011 6:02 PM | Link to this

You can blame the job losses on G.W. Bush…it’s a documented fact. Where have you been living for the past few years?

By NAD

July 19, 2011 5:58 PM | Link to this

When did teaching go from a calling to being a debate on salary and benefits? Certainly with the amount of required education you should make a fair living doing what you love or feel called to do. But every soul that is blessed to be working during this difficult economy is being asked to do more for less. I see the sacrifices associates are making sometimes working two or more jobs to make ends meet and still falling behind on basic living expenses.Times have changed and I don’t know if we ever will be back to a comfortable lifestyle that we have enjoyed in the past. But I do know and feel the frustration of my fellow Americans who see politicians deciding their fate. What ever side of the debate you are taking fight with all you have inside you and we will all prevail.

By KC

July 19, 2011 5:38 PM | Link to this

Now that we have it on the ballot “Kasuck” wants to change how we can vote. If you can’t beat them, change the rules. Ex. Bush, Kasuck and all those other Rep. Gov. trying to make a name for themselves.

By Bianca

July 19, 2011 5:19 PM | Link to this

Still wishing the private sector workers would take the time to actually listen to the public sector workers. We’ve not gotten a raise in years. Our health insurance has tripled. We’ve already agreed to no raises for at least 3 more years. We put 10% of our checks into our retirement. That’s manditory. This is all BEFORE your SB5 is in effect. What do you want from us??? WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH YOU!!!

By new teacher

July 19, 2011 4:03 PM | Link to this

I am a fairly new teacher and I haven’t had a raise in three years. I am barely getting by as I pay back college loans and work towards my master degree that the state REQUIRES us to get…..if the state requires me to go back and continue my education in order to keep my license active then I will expect a raise. I am spending money out of my own pocket in order to keep my job! One grad level class at local universities around Dayton cost upwards of $1400 a class. And we’re suppose to just take the lumps? I don’t see other professions requiring people to go back to school like educators have to.

By Ben

July 19, 2011 3:18 PM | Link to this

rachel - Get a clue. Kasich has already done more for this state than Strickland did in 4 years. All Strickland did was lose 400,000 jobs.

By dumbo

July 19, 2011 2:57 PM | Link to this

Every time we have this discussion, non-union folks want to talk about the cushy union jobs. My union job has not had a raise in 3 years, medical costs more, and my pension sucks. If I don’t do my job I can be fired, we just don’t sit around doing nothing for something. so it’s time for people just to shut the he** up because you really don’t know!!

By Gary

July 19, 2011 2:10 PM | Link to this

The reforms in SB-5 are long overdue. It is a shame that valuable resources will be expended by both sides in making their cases to OH voters. One small point: Will a yes vote be to repeal SB-5, or adopt it? I suggest that many voters will be confused on this.

By Ry

July 19, 2011 1:52 PM | Link to this

If I could make $50,000 for 3/4 of the year with automatic pay raises and a great pension I would. Instead I work for myself, make $55,000 for an entire year, have to save for every bit of my retirement, and have to pay for my own medical insurance. The only raise I get is if I find more business by working harder. Not everything can be fair. Why do we work for countless Americans on welfare who have the ability to perform tasks? Take your lumps with the rest of us.

By al

July 19, 2011 1:15 PM | Link to this

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A major credit ratings agency says Ohio’s outlook has improved from “negative” to “stable” due to progress balancing the budget and a modest economic recovery that has steadied revenues. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services also cites stabilization of the state’s unemployment rate and spending growth. The agency had given the state its negative rating in 2009. S&P continues to give a high long-term rating to Ohio bonds. Among other assets, it says the state has a diverse economic base, moderate debt levels and a track record of successfully responding to lower revenues. The higher a state’s credit rating, the less expensive it becomes to borrow money to finance roads and other projects. In a statement, Gov. John Kasich calls the improvement “a real show of confidence in the positive things we’re doing.”

By smoke&mirrors

July 19, 2011 1:15 PM | Link to this

If it fails ohio will lose the jobs it has. Unions have about 12% of people now. They stillwaste money and protect the guilty.My union never did a me any good when I belonged to OPBA.

By Teach

July 19, 2011 1:03 PM | Link to this

@ Joe: Unlike the business sector, as teachers, our product is a living thing. For that matter, not even an adult. Therefore, our raise is suppose to be baised on how a kid does on a test? One of the biggest factors how a student does in school is their home life. What if they have a bad home life? We don’t get a raise because their parents could care less about their grades? That’s not fair for teachers. We have no control over their home life. There are other factors than just what we do in the classroom that contribute to how a student does in school and on high stake tests (OAA). I’m going to throw another wrench in this topic. What about those teachers who are not tested (PE, art, music, technology). Is the state going to create a test for all these subjects and spend millions of dollars? No. What about those teachers who teach gifted kids versus special education teachers? Is that fair? A lot of questions being raised and I don’t see Kasich answering them. What about administrators? How will they be evaluated? Ono average admins make 2-2.5x what a teacher makes. They better have some new evaluation process for them if we have to adopt one. You also mention how “we” get paid more than others. I have a master degree and six years experience and I haven’t even broke the $50,000 mark yet. I bet I could make in the private sector. I went into this field knowing I would not make a lot of money, but I would have good benefits. Where as others went into the private sector knowing they would get paid better, but not have good benefits. It’s a choice we all took. Don’t knock me for going down the education path. Education is the profession that leads to all other professions. If it wasn’t for educators you wouldn’t have educated people in the work place today!

By Scott

July 19, 2011 12:22 PM | Link to this

Is Steven Meyer in charge of who is welcome in America? I think he should leave.

By rachel

July 19, 2011 12:17 PM | Link to this

Kasich is not bringing back Ohio. He has his own agenda backed by the Koch brothers. Don’t be fooled people. This can’t bring back Ohio, it’s on the ballot in November. so all these months the Kasich has done nothing for jobs. and drilling in state parks? what other policies do we now need to worry about? BTW, I heard a REP senator say he has never met a more arrogant person than Kasich. So glad I didn’t vote for him. can’t wait to vote him out. and don’t forget, he won by a very slim margin … all this rhetoric and people really think Ohio is on the road to change? Really?

By Joe

July 19, 2011 12:10 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait to vote no also. This is just amazing how these people think they should always get paid more when others take pay cuts. I wish congress, the senate and president would take a pay cut as well as all federal employees. I bet that helps with the deficit. Also people who are against don’t understand SB5. One of the things is that teachers get paid by performance. This done by the priciple of the school. so basically its make these people do their jobs instead of just taking a pay check.

By mc

July 19, 2011 11:52 AM | Link to this

I was a signature collector. I am proud to have been a small part of democracy in action and look forward to casting my vote for repeal. Balancing the budget does not justify all of Kasuck’s draconian measures.

By Steven Meyer

July 19, 2011 11:48 AM | Link to this

I and many others welcome the opportunity to support keeping SB 5! Our govenor is bringing Ohio back and doing his part to defeat organized socialism. If you want socialism and organized labor controling state government or communism, move elsewhere. You are not wanted in America! Steven Meyer

By Joanie

July 19, 2011 11:46 AM | Link to this

I just sent Kasuck an email commending him for his remarks on “Morning Joe.” But he does plenty of other things, like wanting to shorten the school year and attacking public employees, that earn him the name Kasuck. We need to have some priorities that are above money and protecting our children’s future should be one of them.

By teach

July 19, 2011 11:12 AM | Link to this

Great news! Can’t wait to vote “No” on this issue in November.

By Ounce of Credit for Gov K?

July 19, 2011 10:55 AM | Link to this

Was this reported by the DDN? … … … … … . . S&P Ratings Services upgraded Ohio’s debt rating from “negative” to “stable” after Gov. John Kasich signed a new budget. The ratings agency says this will essentially balance the state’s finances for the next two years. S&P also said Ohio is experiencing a modest economic recovery which has stabilized revenue, the Dayton Business Journal reported. In making the upgrade, the agency also assigned a “AA+” long-term rating to Ohio’s $416.75 million general obligation bonds. “After a significant decline through the recession, Ohio’s economy is steadily recovering,” according to S&P’s statement issued Friday.