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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.
Scott Elliott is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He writes about education, city and suburban issues, politics, business, workforce and consumer issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > October > 03 > Entry
Editorial: Strickland right choice in tough times
2010 Election
Click here to read letters of endorsement for Gov. Ted Strickland and former Congressman John Kasich.
Gov. Ted Strickland has presided over the state in the worst possible times. Yet, he has pulled the state through a certified crisis as well as anyone could.
Hard as it is to imagine, other states’ economies and their governments are worse off than Ohio. In some cases, much worse.
That Ohio isn’t in a more desperate position is a credit to both the governor and the Republican legislative leadership that, for two of Mr. Strickland’s four years in office, worked to find some common ground.
John Kasich, the Republican challenger, is running on promises he can’t possibly keep, relying on rhetoric from a generic Republican playbook. He sees little good happening in Ohio, and his prescription for making things better is to cut taxes and loosen regulations on businesses.
If only governing were so simple.
The Strickland record
Ted Strickland got his job by handily defeating J. Kenneth Blackwell, another Republican who argued that high taxes are at the heart of Ohio’s problems. Though Mr. Kasich lamely claims otherwise, taxes have gone down — not up — on Gov. Strickland’s watch. (Mr. Kasich claims a delay in the final installment of five years of personal income tax cuts is a tax increase.)
Mr. Strickland does not get credit for that series of tax cuts (Republican Gov. Bob Taft set them in motion). But he has not tried to undo the significant tax reforms. He’s taken this position even as the changes are failing to bring in the revenue that was predicted.
In truth, he had no choice but to make do with the money he had, because raising taxes when the economy was tanking was politically impossible. But cutting spending for the mentally ill, for example, has not come easy to a Methodist minister and former prison psychologist.
Four years ago, Gov. Strickland said that if he did not find a way to ensure adequate funding for schools, he should be counted a failure. He has not found the answer; witness the myriad school levies that voters are still being asked to pass on the grounds that the state is raising standards and cutting their funding.
Gov. Strickland is right that all-day kindergarten, a longer school year and a more rigorous tenure process are good policies. However, the best that can be said about his plan to pay for the expensive changes he’s mandated is that he’s forcing school districts to make a choice:
They can either ask for more money from voters or confront the fact that they can’t keep funding generous and extensive step increases for their employees, pick up administrators’ share of their pension contributions, offer generous retirement and health-care packages and resist efforts to consolidate.
The governor has been right about big decisions that are important to the future of the state. He has supported building a train system linking Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati, using $400 million in federal money. Connecting Ohio’s urban corridors is something a modern state needs to do.
Gov. Strickland is not an ideologue. He’s steady and mature, not given to political or personal impetuousness. He’s also not charismatic or brilliant, but he has made hard choices smartly.
John Kasich’s pitch
Former Congressman John Kasich started out his campaign talking about eliminating Ohio’s income tax. Then he said it should be phased out over 10 years. Now he’s more vague.
He has, however, signed a “no new taxes” pledge. He’s just wrong to think he can manage a deficit that represents potentially a 15-percent shortfall without raising taxes on somebody. Even some Republicans say that would be impossible.
You could say that in a short span Mr. Kasich has grown, that not that long ago he was proposing to eliminate 40 percent of the state’s revenue. If backing off that shtick is progress, it’s not reassuring progress.
In other important areas, Mr. Kasich is proceeding as if he doesn’t know a lot about state government, as if its nuts and bolts are beneath him. Pressed for details about one of his proposals in a meeting with the Dayton Daily News editorial board, he said he doesn’t “trip over ant hills on the way to the pyramids.”
He’s critical of the worker’s compensation system, though he doesn’t say what’s wrong with it except rates are unpredictable.
He doesn’t want utilities to be forced to increase their use of alternative energy if doing so raises costs. But energy policy has to move in this direction, and not to insist on that is to ensure Ohio remains dependent on polluting fossil fuels.
Mr. Kasich, once a presidential aspirant, was during his time in Congress a leading figure in national budget negotiations. He says that experience will serve him well as governor.
But even allowing for the fact that this is a pitched campaign, he’s doing nothing to suggest that he would give Democrats the time of day, especially if the Ohio House and Senate both are controlled by Republicans.
Ted Strickland is not the perfect governor. But history will judge him as having been dealt a miserable hand and having been better than competent. He should be re-elected.
Permalink | Comments (57) | Post your comment | Categories: 2010 endorsements, Editorials, Ellen Belcher, Ohio government, Ohio politics
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By Jesse
October 3, 2010 12:34 AM | Link to this
WHAT STATE IS THE ‘DDN’ LIVING IN ??? The loss of major businesses and manufacturing is but the tip of a very dismal effort by the current leadership. Everyone understands this papers bias, but to put ‘lipstick on this pig’ is like bailing water on the Titanic …….
By jimmie
October 3, 2010 1:32 AM | Link to this
OMG- The most predictable of endorsements. Lefties like the DDN and Belcher and Gottlieb never change their spots - let alone their politics. The beauty of a DDN endorsement these days is that it means absolutely nothing. The rest of the world has the DDN in its rear-view mirror.
By Concerned
October 3, 2010 4:57 AM | Link to this
All you need to know. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkw7n9Qagu8&feature=player_embedded
By Amazed
October 3, 2010 6:10 AM | Link to this
Am endorsement by the DDN means nothing other than to show their political bias. Strickland is gone and most of the other Democrat office holders.
By Melody
October 3, 2010 7:08 AM | Link to this
Weak, weak, weak
By Joe
October 3, 2010 8:02 AM | Link to this
All I can say is, “Remember NCR! Nice job with that Strickland!”
By Paula
October 3, 2010 10:11 AM | Link to this
Go figure this paper would endorse the status quo by picking Strickland. That is so typical for Dayton. God forbid to have a thinker and a bold leader cor a change. Even in Cleveland, their Democratic paper, endorsed John Kasich understanding the need for new leadership. Good for the Plain Dealer and time for Dayton to get a new paper or better yet just read the PD.
By fearful
October 3, 2010 10:54 AM | Link to this
Its clear that Kasich is in favor of cutting state funding to municipalities. I’m against that, its not that I’m a socialist, its that type of policy erodes what you are trying to capture, business. If you cut funding to cities there goes your public safety forces (what city in the country has attracted business with a high crime rate???) also get ready for county and cit taxes to be raised. Dayton for example would start off the fiscal year $12 million in debt. Its just not urban cores, suburbs, rural villages, and towns would suffer too. I think Kasich who is obviously a banker (I was a banker too) is out of touch with reality. I also believe that neither party has a clue on how to fix the shrinking middle class. Its much easier for Democrats to give entitlements to the poor who otherwise would have nothing, as well as it is for Republicans to provide loopholes and tax-cuts to the rich. Just real quickly Kasich is also talking about hiring “experts” (his wall street buddies) to manage the state budget and receive incentives (bonuses) the amount of which would not be made public. Sound familiar? It should, typical wall street behaviors that got us into this quagmire of an economy in the first place. I’m an independent moderately so but I’ll have to go with Strickland I don’t like a lot of his policies or false promises, but I don’t believe the grass will be any greener with Kasich or that there will be any grass at all for that matter.
By bobby
October 3, 2010 11:14 AM | Link to this
Another shocking endorsement by the DDN. Could a Lee Fisher,with a similar lesser of the evils, endorsement, be next?
By Observation
October 3, 2010 11:31 AM | Link to this
Everyone of the posters who call you leftest over look the fact in the races in my district and county you have endorsed nothing but conservative Republicans. I thought they be crying about your “right wing agenda” :-)
By Dr Zap
October 3, 2010 12:14 PM | Link to this
What a surprise that the three stooges endorsed the buffoon Strickland - who is nothing but a lapdown for the buffoon president. I’m certain the Lee Fisher endorsement is next.
By remember twin valley
October 3, 2010 1:34 PM | Link to this
Strickland single-handedly gutted our mental and behavioral health system without regard to the patients and their families. The system is still broken and Strickland has done nothing to help the Dayton region on this issue. He lost my vote and hundreds of others who have been impacted by his heartlessness.
By fiscal conservative
October 3, 2010 3:42 PM | Link to this
What everybody needs to realize is it is not Democrat verses Republican. It’s about socialism verses a free society where everybody pays their own way. I’m not against helping people but most of our politicians are going for broke. It’s only a matter of time before they start pushing new taxes to pay for it. Personally I don’t like either candidate but look at how many times people pushing socialism have come to Ohio to campaign for Strickland. I think Obama, Biden, and other top Democrats have visited Ohio more than any other state in this election. Need I say more!
By No Surprise
October 3, 2010 4:20 PM | Link to this
Well, imagine my shock when I opened the paper and saw that the Dayton Daily Bird Cage Liner endorsed Strickland. The Dayton Daily Democrat has never met a tax levy or socialist democrat that they would/could not endorse. What a joke. Only reason I take this rag is for the coupons. If it EVER gets to the point that I can’t make money on the coupons vs. the subscription price, this is the first thing to go. It is more like reading a copy of Mad Magazine than any type of newspaper.
By No Surprise
October 3, 2010 4:21 PM | Link to this
Well, imagine my shock when I opened the paper and saw that the Dayton Daily Bird Cage Liner endorsed Strickland. The Dayton Daily Democrat has never met a tax levy or socialist democrat that they would/could not endorse. What a joke. Only reason I take this rag is for the coupons. If it EVER gets to the point that I can’t make money on the coupons vs. the subscription price, this is the first thing to go. It is more like reading a copy of Mad Magazine than any type of newspaper.
By Skeptic
October 3, 2010 4:23 PM | Link to this
The DDN is right. Strickland may be flawed but the challenger has failed to make any convincing or rational case. The answer, no matter who is in charge, will be a combination of new cuts and new taxes. Otherwise, this state will be a disaster zone in no time. PS. Anyone who throws the word ‘socialist’ around clearly doesn’t know what it actually means. Give me a break and lay off the Faux News.
By Joseph Dittmer,PhD
October 3, 2010 4:35 PM | Link to this
Mr. Strickland has been adequate. Given the disasterous situation in Ohio, the best that could be done was done. I am not entralled with him but in comparison with Mr. Kasick, I’d rather have adequate than add another disaster to the one we already have. Doing away with the income tax is just one of the kooky ideas being spread by him, the Tea Party and other Republican candidates this year. If we want a state that has no protections for workers at all,has no regard for the’least of my breathren’ and does even less for them, we will have a state no one of conscience would want to live in…
By uncle jj
October 3, 2010 5:49 PM | Link to this
You can stop calling and asking why we are no longer subscribing to the Dayton Daily News. THIS is the reason. You’re idiots - and worse than just regular idiots, or even liberal idiots, you are BIASED liberal idiots. Maybe it you will be among the additional 400,00 jobs lost under the second term of Strickland. Dayton Daily News hearts Ted Strickland. How sweet.
By Tracey
October 3, 2010 5:52 PM | Link to this
Ted Strickland has worked overtime to try to deal with the mess Bob Taft left him. Under the Republican Governor Taft I can’t remember my taxes going down ever! They cut programs and added taxes elsewhere. Hope Taft promoted literacy as Bob Taft cut the libraries budgets. They encouraged and funded charter schools…most are bankrupt and many millions of dollars disappeared into thin air. I truly believe Gov. Strickland is working on behalf of Ohio. Not in the Bob Ney style and Bob Taft style. Remember in November.
By Tracey
October 3, 2010 5:53 PM | Link to this
Ted Strickland has worked overtime to try to deal with the mess Bob Taft left him. Under the Republican Governor Taft I can’t remember my taxes going down ever! They cut programs and added taxes elsewhere. Hope Taft promoted literacy as Bob Taft cut the libraries budgets. They encouraged and funded charter schools…most are bankrupt and many millions of dollars disappeared into thin air. I truly believe Gov. Strickland is working on behalf of Ohio. Not in the Bob Ney style and Bob Taft style. Remember in November.
By Tracey
October 3, 2010 5:53 PM | Link to this
Ted Strickland has worked overtime to try to deal with the mess Bob Taft left him. Under the Republican Governor Taft I can’t remember my taxes going down ever! They cut programs and added taxes elsewhere. Hope Taft promoted literacy as Bob Taft cut the libraries budgets. They encouraged and funded charter schools…most are bankrupt and many millions of dollars disappeared into thin air. I truly believe Gov. Strickland is working on behalf of Ohio. Not in the Bob Ney style and Bob Taft style. Remember in November.
By Tracey
October 3, 2010 5:54 PM | Link to this
Ted Strickland has worked overtime to try to deal with the mess Bob Taft left him. Under the Republican Governor Taft I can’t remember my taxes going down ever! They cut programs and added taxes elsewhere. Hope Taft promoted literacy as Bob Taft cut the libraries budgets. They encouraged and funded charter schools…most are bankrupt and many millions of dollars disappeared into thin air. I truly believe Gov. Strickland is working on behalf of Ohio. Not in the Bob Ney style and Bob Taft style. Remember in November.
By Tracey
October 3, 2010 5:55 PM | Link to this
Ted Strickland has worked overtime to try to deal with the mess Bob Taft left him. Under the Republican Governor Taft I can’t remember my taxes going down ever! They cut programs and added taxes elsewhere. Hope Taft promoted literacy as Bob Taft cut the libraries budgets. They encouraged and funded charter schools…most are bankrupt and many millions of dollars disappeared into thin air. I truly believe Gov. Strickland is working on behalf of Ohio. Not in the Bob Ney style and Bob Taft style. Remember in November.
By Tracey
October 3, 2010 5:56 PM | Link to this
Ted Strickland has worked overtime to try to deal with the mess Bob Taft left him. Under the Republican Governor Taft I can’t remember my taxes going down ever! They cut programs and added taxes elsewhere. Hope Taft promoted literacy as Bob Taft cut the libraries budgets. They encouraged and funded charter schools…most are bankrupt and many millions of dollars disappeared into thin air. I truly believe Gov. Strickland is working on behalf of Ohio. Not in the Bob Ney style and Bob Taft style but in an honest and forthright manner. Remember in November.
By Tracey
October 3, 2010 5:57 PM | Link to this
Ted Strickland has worked overtime to try to deal with the mess Bob Taft left him. Under the Republican Governor Taft I can’t remember my taxes going down ever! They cut programs and added taxes elsewhere. Hope Taft promoted literacy as Bob Taft cut the libraries budgets. They encouraged and funded charter schools…most are bankrupt and many millions of dollars disappeared into thin air. I truly believe Gov. Strickland is working on behalf of Ohio. Not in the Bob Ney style and Bob Taft style but in an honest and forthright manner. Remember in November.
By wrt
October 3, 2010 5:58 PM | Link to this
Why does anyone care what 3 editorial writers think? What have these people done in their lives? They’ve made their profession not by doing anything themselves, but rather commenting upon what others are doing. How courageous! Check the three photos on the page - those who have ascended to the position of commentary at a failing newspaper in a failing industry. To Beclher, Gottleib, and Elliot - enjoy your perch these next four years, after your endorsement is ignored, and people with actual courage will take on the problems of this state.
By bobby
October 3, 2010 6:04 PM | Link to this
Dr. Dittmer, When one describes a politician’s public service as “adequate”, it invokes memories of Lillith describing Frasier’s lovemaking…Adequate, but not memorable….Tracey, How do you really feel?
By bobby
October 3, 2010 6:11 PM | Link to this
wrt, The editorial staff also thought Joe What’s his name?, would be the best candidate to run against Mike Turner.
By Steve
October 3, 2010 6:52 PM | Link to this
An endorsement by the DDN of another failed politician and incompetent Democrat. How refreshing! This is just another reason why I don’t subscribe to your rag of a newspaper. And it should come as no surprise that the old print media such as the once proud family of Cox newspapers is loosing readership out the wah-zoo.
By Stephen
October 3, 2010 7:13 PM | Link to this
Kasich just looks evil. He reminds me of Dick Cheney, always has the creepy evil look in his eyes. Not trustworthy. He might be the anti Christ. IF you ve seen the Omen then you know Damien. This is him all grown up.
By Lynn
October 3, 2010 7:29 PM | Link to this
Stephen, thank you for making my decision simple. I won’t pay attention to a candidiate’s positions on the issues. I’ll just look into his/her eyes and vote for the one who doesn’t look “creepy” and/or “evil.” Stephen, I hope your post is a joke. If it isn’t, you’re not smart enough to vote.
By Steve
October 3, 2010 7:48 PM | Link to this
Stephen thought he was watching his TV monitor without realizing he was gazing into the mirror.
By Steve
October 3, 2010 7:49 PM | Link to this
Stephen thought he was watching his TV monitor without realizing he was gazing into the mirror.
By Gomer Pyle
October 3, 2010 9:16 PM | Link to this
The DDN endorses Gov Strickland - surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
By Independent Voter
October 3, 2010 10:28 PM | Link to this
Kasich loss millions of dollars for Ohio pensions when he worked for bankrupt Lehmans. Kasich did not get the job for Ohio pensions and let those workers down. Kasich is just a whaffling pessimist with no substance.
By True Story
October 3, 2010 10:34 PM | Link to this
No such thing as a Pro-Jobs Republican. Unless you consider a temp job with no benifits a real job.
By Steve
October 3, 2010 10:51 PM | Link to this
by true story, Right. And the Dems have done such a wonderful job since taking control of Congress in ‘07 when unemployment stood at 4.7% and now it is hovering around 10%. Now that’s progress! Next time, think about changing your moniker to “BY-BY TRUE STORY.”
By Jim from Dayton
October 4, 2010 5:44 AM | Link to this
I’m a life-long Republican. However, Mr. Kasich and his ilk (e.g. Portman) don’t impress me at all. I’m voting for Strickland and Fisher.
By Champsummers
October 4, 2010 9:31 AM | Link to this
Once again the Dayton Daily News sticks it’s head in the sand, ignores the facts, and endorses the Democrats. What has Uncle Ted done to deserve re-election. We are now number 46 in the nation for competitiveness for business. We are losing jobs to other States not overseas. We are $8 billion in debt with an additional $300 plus million for ObamaCare that Ted supports. Taxes have increased not decreased. No wonder you are losing readers with insane decisions like this.
By Yahoo
October 4, 2010 9:47 AM | Link to this
You can always tell when someone is lying when they start off with..”I am a lfe long… BUT this time I am voting…” Sure Jim, right….uh huh
By Concerned Ohioan
October 4, 2010 10:00 AM | Link to this
I’d rather pay higher taxes to get Better schools, Healthcare for ALL, 21st century jobs in Ohio, and TOTAL support for wounded veterans, the sick, senior citizens and those in need. Republicans, stop being the party of “G.M.F.U.=Got Mine, F.U.”….
By bobby
October 4, 2010 11:14 AM | Link to this
@Concerned Ohioan, The state of Ohio carries 68.9 billion in long term liabilities and debt. In 2010 it will spend 13.8 billion on education and 14.7 billion on Medicaid…In 2000 approximately 10% of Ohioans were covered by Medicaid.In 2010 Medicaid provides insurance to 20% of Ohioans. Medicaid is the largest portion of spending in the state budget. The state would have had a 8.4 billion dollar hole in the last two year budget without federal stimulus dollars….You’d rather pay higher taxes? Don’t worry, you will, without anyone getting any more benefits and regardless which party is in control.
By Mike R
October 4, 2010 11:48 AM | Link to this
Not surprised at all the DDN blindly endorsed Strickland. As true ideologues that’s what Ellen, Marty, et.al are supposed to do at this paper. On the other hand, Cleveland’s Plain Dealer actually reviewed and studied the issues facing the State going foward. The PD goes into great detail explaining their findings and subsequent edorsement of Kaisch. The PD did what a real editorial staff does…they put some thought into their decision.
By Summer Kelley
October 4, 2010 2:05 PM | Link to this
Not at all surprising that they would endorse Strickland. They’re just keeping their heads buried in the sand and pretending that there isn’t a serious problem with our elected officials—with Strickland being the ringleader. Also not surprised that Ellen Belcher would play a role in a maneuver like this. I spoke to her once on the phone and she was probably the rudest person I’ve ever talked to in my life. No wonder someone as unprofessional as Belcher would support someone as unreliable and flighty as Strickland.
By Jim from Dayton
October 4, 2010 2:27 PM | Link to this
Let’s see now … voted for Nixon, Ford, Anderson, Bush I, Dole, Bush II … the Tafts (for senator and governor), etc., sounds pretty Republican, no, Herr Yahoo? I refuse, however, to vote for “voodoo” economics of the kind that Kasich and Portman are parlaying this year.
By Mike R
October 4, 2010 3:32 PM | Link to this
Voodoo economics is what is happening right now, not what Kasich or Portman are proposing. No candidate (Rep or Dem) has articulated a good plan for getting us out of this mess. Lots of finger pointing, from both sides of the aisle, but not much else. Kasich and Portman do believe in lower taxes and that has created a moral problem for some. After all, whose money is it anyway?? As far as Ellen saying some states are far worse off…Not really. Total debt levels are bigger, but when looked through the prism of total debt vs. the state’s GDP Ohio is now the 4th worst. Our debt levels are now near 60% of GDP. If we were in the Euro Zone there would be talk of kicking us out! Ohio has a net-out migration…meaning our debt vs GDP will only get worse until somebody comes along with a pro-business attitude in the state capitol. Strickland has had 4 years to prove to us he has that attitude…he hasn’t shown that inclination.
By davidss2
October 4, 2010 9:14 PM | Link to this
Strickland looks like the sneaky kid in school who tried to stab you in the back when you weren’t looking. He’s not smart enough to know you’re onto him; he thinks he’s got you fooled. - - - - - - - - - Strickland said if he didn’t fix the school funding he would be a FAILURE. He hasn’t fixed it. The Plain Dealer is RIGHT. Vote Kasick.
By Mark W
October 5, 2010 4:08 AM | Link to this
Interesting reading the comments here. Lots of disagreement with the Strickland endorsement expressed, but little in the way of counterpoints to the DDN’s argument against Kasich. What are the arguments in favor of Kasich?
By Exactly Mark W
October 5, 2010 7:18 AM | Link to this
All you have to do is ask for the republican alternative and you get this….<(cricket…cricket…. etc.>)
By Ward
October 5, 2010 8:50 AM | Link to this
Not surprising, the DDN is NOT endorsing Gov. Strickland based on his record. WHAT RECORD??????Question for DDN: Strickland made some campaign promises about jobs and adequate funding for the public schools; how has he kept up those promises? I guess when you live in fantasy land and have a blind eye to liberals who share your views, you make and endorsement for Status Quo. That’s not getting it done. Even the Plain Dealer agrees.
By For the Record Books
October 5, 2010 10:59 AM | Link to this
Ward, Strickland has a long record. Under his leadership the state has lost nearly 400,000 jobs. The deficit is the largest it has ever been—over $8 Billion. In fact, at the start of Strickland’s 2nd year in office (Jan. 2008) the deficit was $1.9 Billion. For reference, in 2005 the state had a $1+ Billion surplus. Tuitions at state schools have sky rocketed since he’s been in office—All well above the rate of inflation. Now, in fairness to Strickland, things were’t all that rosey back in 2007. He knew full well while campaigning what he was getting into. He got the job he wanted and has failed. Since he and Fisher have been in Office DHL has left…Clinton county now has an unemployment rate near 17%. NCR left state. Our production of coal has dropped—hurting southeast counties, but we still get nearly 90% of our electricity from coal-fired plants. Strickland backed over farmers with a tractor in June when he and the OFB signed a bill handing oversight of livestock producers to a radical HSUS. That’s a $2.8 Billion industry that will be looking to move to more fertile grounds in the coming years. In August he signed another closed door agreement with the HSUS that basically nullifies Proposition 2 on last year’s Nov. ballot where more than 3 million Ohioans voted. Prop 2 passed by an almost 2-1 ratio, but Strickand ignored the wishes of the people and sat down and negotiated a deal with a known terrorist. He initiated a $774 Million Hospital Tax, but goes around blaming other people for higher hospital costs. He more than doubled the bed tax at nursing homes…And his record continues. Since Obama took office Obama has visited the Buckeye State 10 times…More than any state other than when he goes home to Illinois. Strickland has been with Obama 90% of his visits to Ohio…That’s a record for any governor to be with Obama!
By Stephen Lahanas
October 6, 2010 8:54 AM | Link to this
Someone in the comments said and I quote: “A Free Society where everyone pays their own way.” That is the fundamental contradiction in terms associated with the New, Newer Right. Their vision for America is a nation of unequal rights determined by wealth. In history, such societies existed before - they were referred to as Aristocracies - we had a revolution to rid ourselves of one in 1776. What these folks can’t stand is Democracy and shared community values where people help each other. The New, Newer Right is building a system - a philosophy founded on cruelty and suffering.
By CMrosko
October 6, 2010 11:09 AM | Link to this
Kasich’s main reason for electing him as Ohio’s governor over Ted Strickland is disingenuous, underhanded and opportunistic at best. When Strickland stepped up to become Ohio’s governor in 2007 the nation was beginning a slide into one of the greatest national economic collapses in modern American history. All major economists say that it will take years for the nation to climb out of this economic mess. Now Kasich is telling Ohioans that it’s Ted Strickland’s fault that Ohio saw net job losses from 2007 to 2010 and that because of this Strickland failed Ohioans and they should now elect Kasich as Ohio’s governor instead. Ohioans are supposed to ignore the facts that Ohio was already bleeding jobs BEFORE he was elected for his first term as Ohio’s governor in 07. Ohioans are supposed to ignore the facts that Kasich’s main governing principle of less government regulation of industries, allowing more self regulation of financial markets and increased exporting of American manufacturing to foreign countries are largely some of the main elements that drove the entire nation into this current record breaking economic crisis. Kasich voted for NAFTA while serving in the House of Representatives in 1993 and he voted for normalizing trade relations with China in 2000. While serving in congress at that same time Strickland voted against both measures mainly because he was concerned about American job losses to overseas corporations. It doesn’t take a genius to figure which of the two has shown to have better instincts and is more motivated toward working for the best interest of a MAJORITY of Ohioans. It’s not just a coincidence that John Kasich was handed a lucrative job on Wall Street with Lehman Brothers after leaving Congress in 2001. Such cushy, big money career paybacks are all too common among those who deal up special corporate favors while they serve “the people” in Washington. Kasich has talked about privatizing some of Ohio’s assets, such as the Ohio turnpike and some State parks. While Ohio has been weakened by this national economic downturn Ohioans are now supposed elect Kasich to come in and allow him to begin selling off Ohio’s long time common assets to the highest bidder be they American or foreign.
By Perspective
October 6, 2010 3:08 PM | Link to this
I think the BIG question is why is the DDN endorsing any politician? They must be quite full of themselves to think that anyone cares who they endorse.I don’t want and endorsement of someone in my paper I want FACTS! Lay out the facts on all of them and let us THE PEOPLE decide who we think is best instead of you telling who you think is best.I don’t want to form my opinion based on someone else’s,it’s really not my opinion then.
By paul
October 7, 2010 5:22 PM | Link to this
If Kasich was Governor instead of Strickland, we’d still have NCR in Dayton. Between Strickland and what’s-her-face-former mayor, they lost NCR, they took NCR for granted, only calling them when they wanted a donation. vote Kasich unless you want more businesses to leave Ohio.
By Max
October 8, 2010 4:57 AM | Link to this
“Ted Strickland is not the perfect governor. But history will judge him as having been dealt a miserable hand and having been better than competent.”….Well, if the writers of history come to that conclusion it will be when the drug laws change legalizing crack….Taking an overworn ‘blame Bush’ position doesn’t fly any more. He wasn’t supposed to be playing poker with the state’s welfare. He was supposed to be the dealer and the house, not the player. Perhaps that’s the only thing that seperates him from Kasich and that will probably be enough to carry Kasich to the mansion.
By paul
October 11, 2010 12:47 AM | Link to this
Here’s a test: if NCR was still in Dayton, who would you rather see “negotatiating” to keep NCR here? Strickland or Kasich? I can’t imagine Kasich letting NCR move out of state; Kasich is a businessman and I’m positive he would have figured out a way to keep NCR here.