By gotitbackwards

October 25, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this

Thanks for reinforcing my votes….I’ll Vote no on 1 , the Vets are treated extremely well now, going into further debt is not right.As a Veteran,I don’t see the need in such waste. I’ll Vote yes on issue 2.I’ll take Agri-business lobbyists any day over Animal rights wackos. I’ll Vote yes on issue 3. Keep the gambling money in Ohio and create jobs.

By not doubting

October 25, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this

When in doubt, just vote NO!

By John Moore

October 26, 2009 5:32 AM | Link to this

Thank you for a barometer of liberal voting. I’ve had quite enough from the Obama faithful demonstrating the failure of the latest marxist proposals and now at least i know where the liberal vote is going to sway. I agree with the other post: lets keep Ohio money in Ohio and I, too, would rather have the agri-business than another insulated liberal lobbyist group in state government. We conservatives will take back this nation from the liberal train wreck, slowly but surely.

By big government

October 26, 2009 6:34 AM | Link to this

i agree with the two commenters. the faster we instate a brand new, governor-appointed oversight board for agriculture, the better. and i, too, will stereotype those concerned for animal treatment as ‘wackos.’ as for casinos? why can’t we just have an amendment that is one sentence long: “Gambling shall be legal in the State of Ohio, governed by a Gaming Commission identical to that which governs Las Vegas.” …nah, too easy. let’s just put all this detail into the constitution, so that repealing it is impossible. besides, the 34,000 jobs it creates will TOTALLY be above minimum wage, right? …right?

By Lea

October 26, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this

Vets are treated extremely well? What alternate universe is this anyway? My husband is a vet who is sustaining subsequent damage due to the failure to properly treat his service-related nerve damage. And he can’t get counseling because they are “busy”. Yeah. I’ll vote Yes on 1.

By James

October 26, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this

I am a vet from the Persian Gulf war era. I do not need or want the state’s money. Why should the state fork over $200 million (plus interest) to people that VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE their COUNTRY? Vote NO on 1! As for Issue 2… The farmers’ intuition to head off the animal rights activists is right on. What is wrong with allowing them to police themselves? And Issue 3… Competition needs to happen! I don’t care if you want to gamble or if Ohio’s money “stays in Ohio”. I care about one group holding a monopoly. If gambling is so important, pressure the legislature to make it legal!!!

By Tom

October 26, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this

The DDN is in favor of raising taxes but makes a weak, weak argument against issue 3. Where do you gets your facts about how many jobs new casinos would create. So the DDN would rather see billions of dollars go to states like Indiana and West Virgia. Hard economic times call for new ideas and new revenues coming to the state. Maybe the DDN is content with the NCR’s leaving Ohio. Not suprising. Boy, how out of touch is the DDN becoming?

By nursescilla

October 26, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this

Just an animal rights group that is trying to turn America to vegitarians. So you want your meat prices to double and possibly start coming from overseas? Because that is what will happen.Vote Yes on Issue 2!

By Missy

October 26, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this

Columbus, Ohio – “Government report detailing political expenditures for Ohioans for Livestock Care (OLC), the pro-Issue 2 Political Action Committee (PAC) promoting the creation of the Livestock Care Standards Board, reveals that financial support for Issue 2 is overwhelmingly from corporate livestock interests. Large agribusiness trade associations, such as the Ohio Pork Producers Council, Ohio Poultry Association, and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, made large contributions to support Issue 2, and three out-of-state interests are among the largest overall donors. “ Did you read that? 3 OUT OF STATE interests are among the largest donors. VOTE NO on Issue 2.

By T Holdem

October 26, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this

I would LOVE gambling to come to the state. I’m all for it. What I’m not for is a Constitutional Amendment approving a MONOPOLY in order to get it. All you people for Issue 3 need to look BEYOND the fact that it will bring gambling and jobs and tax revenue to Ohio, and look at what it won’t bring: Competition and fairness. Community input on where the casinos are located. The casino operators have written this amendment, not our elected representatives. Finally, I believe the State Constitution is the highest law of our land (Ohio) only superseded by the U.S. Constitution. Is there any amendment in the U.S. Constitution that restricts the rights of others in favor of one group or otherwise creates a monopoly situation? NO there isn’t. So why should there be one in Ohio’s? The legislature should make gambling legal in the state through the revised code, or an amendment which simply states “Gambling shall be legal in the State of Ohio” should be passed. NOT ISSUE 3.

By Doc

October 26, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

So James was a vet from the Persian Gulf war “era”. Which means he wasn’t in country or in danger. I was and, yes; voluntarily. That being said, I’m still voting yes. If it was good enough for returning vets from WWII to Vietnam, why not us? Get over yourselves.

By Alice

October 26, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this

Thanks - I had already made up my mind on all these issues- YES on 1; NO on 2 and NO on 3. I support our vets, responsible farming and I want to protect and grow our communities - not watch them decline.

By Ben

October 26, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this

I still don’t think ammending the constitution is the correct way to implement these issues. I’m not opposed in principal to any of the issues, I’m opposed to the method of implementation. I will not vote for a constitutional ammendment for an issue that should be handled by statute.

By Davidss2

October 26, 2009 9:19 PM | Link to this

It finally happened. Thomas Suddes’ column changed my mind on issue 3. I will be voting “No” because it’s overblown in promises and benefits only the big guys who then have complete control of gambling in Ohio. ——————————What is needed is for DDN to get state legislators to state that they will effect gambling legislation to control it and benefit the coffers of Ohio IF Issue 3 fails. If Seth Morgan said he would push for legislation to set it up, then that would change a lot of votes to NO.—————I’m No on Issue 1. Let Jon Husted promise them bonuses again to buy votes while we can’t even afford to run schools. I’m voting No. ——————————-I am voting YES on Issue 2 to keep the radicals out of our lives. I grew up on a farm and animals are animals; they are not people or children. PETA is in the same league with Cap and Trade (Tax) bill for me; send them away.

By fun

October 27, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry, what? “the days are long gone when casinos can attract out-of-state money” -really, did they just say that? What about just keeping the Argosy, Belle Terre, Rising Sun money IN Ohio - wouldn’t that be a net win? If Ohio has no casinos, that money is going out in torrents - how about just keeping some of that in state?

By scooby do

October 27, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

Is not all this tea bagging rightwing Obama hating about increase in government? Then you turn around and want to vote for more government on issue 2. Do not want increase government but will vote for increase government. That makes perfect sense, no wonder the rightwing is in such downward spiral.

By nlmadog

October 27, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

DDN just can not help themselves,I am glad I cast the right votes on the issues NO on 1&2 yes to 3 …also no all tax levies Library and parks..time to rethink services ,nothing will change if we continue to renew or pass leveys to maintain. My paycheck is not going up and Metro parks can cut alot of waste if prodded by loss of revenue

By Alice

October 27, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this

“If Ohio has no casinos, that money is going out in torrents…” I keep hearing about all the money that Michigan and Indiana are rolling in as an argument for casinos - have any of these people checked out their state budgets lately? There’s a lot of money to be made in casinos - for the people that own them that don’t even live here.

By Concerned Vet

October 27, 2009 8:06 PM | Link to this

nursescilla - the meat is already coming from out of state, they just use the word “local” misleadingly. Obviously, any meat raised in Ohio is “local,” before it gets shipped out-of-state; unless you buy meat from your neighbor, you’re probably eating California burgers. Also, I have yet to see any proposed legislation that would ban meat anywhere in the country, so if you could back up the chicken little “ahhh, they want us to be vegetarians!” claim, I’d appreciate it.

By Disgusted.

October 27, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this

Wow, Dayton is full of more ridiculous people than I realized - no wonder it’s failing. I agree with the author. Yes on One, No on 2 and 3. Our vets are treated horrible - just look around you. Animal rights activists aren’t all wacko’s - who wants a board that internally controlled and can “govern themselves” sounds absurd to me. And three, I would vote yes if there weren’t so many sneeky little quirps to it. Make the bill properly with no stipulations, and I’ll vote yes. As for the idiot who said no to all levies… really? No library or park help? YES to saving libraries and parks. Thank goodness for both!

By Disgusted.

October 27, 2009 9:39 PM | Link to this

Wow, Dayton is full of more ridiculous people than I realized - no wonder it’s failing. I agree with the author. Yes on One, No on 2 and 3. Our vets are treated horrible - just look around you. Animal rights activists aren’t all wacko’s - who wants a board that internally controlled and can “govern themselves” sounds absurd to me. And three, I would vote yes if there weren’t so many sneeky little quirps to it. Make the bill properly with no stipulations, and I’ll vote yes. As for the idiot who said no to all levies… really? No library or park help? YES to saving libraries and parks. Thank goodness for both!

By Yes on 2

October 28, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

Concerned Vet for your information Ohio is the second largest egg producer in the United States so it is pretty safe to say that when you eat an egg or buy one from the grocery store you are getting an Ohio egg. I guess you would rather them be shipped in from Mexico. Because we all know that their food safety standards exceed ours. Issue 2 is about protecting the farmers right to produce meat here in Ohio. Maybe you need to do a little more research on the animal rights group looking to put an initiative on the ballot next year if Issue 2 does not pass. Any group that has a employees saying that “nothing is more important than promoting veganism,”Paul Shapiro, HSUS. “My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture. J.P. Goodwin, senior management HSUS a former member of the Animal Liberation Front. Sure sounds like a group who wants us all to become vegetarians. Vote Yes on 2.

By Rita

October 28, 2009 11:17 PM | Link to this

You people make me laugh. Who is going to come your house and demand you give up your meat and then say now you are a vegan. You know all of these comments about wackos,PETA,HSUSare starting to make me wonder where you all come from. Get over it!!!!

By Ellie

October 29, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this

Rita they are not going to come to your house and tell you what to do, but they are trying to eliminate livestock agriculture, by attempting to put strict inflexible rules and regulations on livestock farmers . Sure would be hard to eat meat if we did not have farmers producing it. You laugh now, but you will not be laughing when you are paying $6 for a dozen eggs because you helped put Ohio farmers out of business.

By null

October 30, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

You people who are for issue 2 clearly have no concern about treating animals humanely. Issue 2 has nothing to do with PETA or “wackos”. Any person with a smidgen of kindess doesn’t want to see animals confined to the point where they can’t even turn around. Agribusiness wrote Issue 2 and they put profits over simple decency.

By bigger picture

October 30, 2009 9:01 PM | Link to this

No on issue 2, yes on 4 and 40 We need to think about the bigger here in Ohio. If you vote yes to issue 2, you are supporting factory farming and cruel practices. That hurts the environment AND the person who eats a severely stressed animal(e.g. stress causes cancer). Why do we have to be so cruel about it? Yes to parks and libraries…how else will we attract businesses and families here? Plus the libraries help jobless people by providing classes, resume workshops, interviewing books, computers. We need to invest in Ohio, and especially in Dayton. This is no time to be cheap.

By bigger picture

October 30, 2009 9:05 PM | Link to this

NO to issue 2, yes on 4 and 40 We need to think about the bigger picture here in Ohio. If you vote yes to issue 2, you are supporting factory farming and cruel practices. That hurts Ohio’s environment AND the person who eats a severely stressed animal(e.g. stress causes cancer). Why do we have to be so cruel about it? Yes to parks and libraries…how else will we attract businesses and families here? Plus the libraries help jobless people by providing classes, resume workshops, interviewing books, computers. We need to invest in Ohio, and especially in Dayton. We’re all hurting financially but we cannot be cheap now.

By strickland phoned me!

October 30, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this

when you receive a phone call from Ted Strickland telling you to vote yes for Issue 2…you know you need to do the opposite!If it were the right thing to do he would do it without us having to vote on it.

By Rita

November 1, 2009 10:20 PM | Link to this

ellie, No kidding they aren’t going to come into your house. I am an Animal Activist, Council Woman,member of the Sierra Club and the OESA and obviously a bit more knowledgable about this stuff that you. I don’t care about the eggs because if I want them I will buy them when I need them. THE BIG AGGRICULTURE wants to PUSH OUT THE FAMILY FARM AND PUT IN MORE FACTORY FARMS!!!!!!! Do you know what those are? I didn’t think so. Go and buy your cheap meat, dairy,chicken and the eggs and let me know when you get sick hon.There are so many people like you out there who think just alike. Open your mind and learn about how the Factory Farms have the manure ponds run off into your wells so you can’t drink your own water, have fish kills and NO ONE in the State of Ohio Agriculture Department do a damn thing about it. So don’t you correct me until you know what you are talking about and have to have your water brought in and not be able to eat the fish in your own lake. If Issue 2 doesn’t pass we will be back next year bigger than ever! Don’t talk about things you don’t know about just because you have a friend of a friend who knows a farmer. That doesn’t make you an expert on how animals. Have you ever seen all of the animals crowded into small spaces to live on cement floors all of their lives and when you get a downer animal they just throw it in with the others and feed it to you! Where do you think ecoli and the other food deseases come from? You have a short time to think about this but I truly doubt it you will ever change your mind even if you saw how it all worked in a Factory Farm.

By Stacy Law

November 2, 2009 12:58 AM | Link to this

Getting signatures and fighting for a cause is the American Way. This editorial is precisely the same thing. It is perspective seeking to influence voters. In fact, the DDN actually gets PAID to do this, whereas the special interests have to PAY and WORK to get their issue on the ballot. Ultimately, voters decide. This exposes a difference between Democrats and Republicans/Libertarians. Democrats, like the DDN, see themselves as eclectic and insightful, and anyone else wanting to work within the democratic process in a way that disrupts their eclectic power are anathema to them. On Issue 2, for example, the DDN is implicitly endorsing other ideological special interests.

By montgomery county farmer

November 2, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this

I can’t even believe people are scared vegans are going to make everyone vegan. What is the percentage of people who are vegan? maybe 1%? And you are scared??Come on…..get real. And besides if PETA wants to put something on the ballot about farm regulations I want to be able to VOTE myself. Issue 2 takes away our VOTE. Vote NO on 2. By the way, I’m a farmer, just one who hasn’t been duped into believing this nonsense put out by huge Agri-business. I want to vote on future regulation, not put it in the hands of a POLITICALLY appointed board and if you are a consumer or producer who likes the democratic process you should vote NO as well.

By Lar- ar

November 2, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this

When in doubt on a constitutional ammendment - vote no. Ammendments prevent future ballot initiavives. Vote no on Issue #2

By Steve

November 3, 2009 9:24 PM | Link to this

I think it is interesting that people are framing Issue 2 as a “big mega farm” push because I don’t know a farmer in Darke, Mercer, or Shelby county against it. My family raises chickens and will certainly lose our source of income if ballot initiatives such as those passed in California are passed in Ohio. I don’t want people not familiar with farming telling me what is “right” or “wrong”. Rita’s comments about how farmers put downed animals into your food is absurd. These “scare” tactics are the same as those brought up during the Caly ballot initiative…bringing up isolated incidences and trying to convince folks that it is common place. I realize the voting is over…but I felt obligated to reply. This issue is not about “big” farmer and “small” farmer but a method to protect our livelihood.