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Ohio: Unions, Uterus' and Unequality
Author: Raine    Date: 03/03/2011 15:53:59

While a nation watches what is happening in Wisconsin, we should not forget what is happening in Ohio. It's not just that they are trying to strip public employees from the right to collective bargaining, they are attempting to take away the right to strike. Sadly it may already be too late.
While national attention has focused for weeks on a similar battle in Wisconsin, the vote, by 17-16 in Ohio's Republican-controlled Senate, virtually ensured that the Buckeye State will become the first to strip collective-bargaining rights from public employees as states grapple with recent gaping budget deficits.

The move is especially significant because Ohio is larger than Wisconsin, and like its fellow Midwestern state, is both a stronghold of public-sector labor unions and a swing state politically.

The bill now goes to the House, where the Republicans have a 59-40 majority. If approved, as expected, it will move for signature to Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who supports the bill.
Andrew Sullivan points out something else :
In Ohio's legislation to curtail public sector union collective bargaining rights - just passed by the Senate - the following passage exists:
Sec. 3101.01 of S.B. 5: ... A marriage may only be entered into by one man and one woman. Any marriage between persons of the same sex is against the strong public policy of this state. Any marriage between persons of the same sex shall have no legal force or effect in this state and, if attempted to be entered into in this state, is void ab initio and shall not be recognized by this state. The recognition or extension by the state of the specific statutory benefits of a legal marriage to non-marital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is against the strong public policy of this state. Any public act, record or judicial proceeding of this state, as defined in section 9.82 of the Revised Code, that extends the specific statutory benefits of legal marriage to non-marital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is void.
in an update, Sullivan also notes:
... this language merely reiterates the Ohio Revised Code since the Ohio Constitution was amended by ballot initiative in November 2004 to define marriage to be between a man and a woman. Its purpose in the bill is to strip out the benefits that would be affected by collective bargaining.
So in an effort to balance the budget, the Ohio GOP wants to make sure the 'Gays' don't ever EVER receive equal protection.

In other Ohio news, This was posted in the comments of yesterday's blog, it bears reposting again.
"For the first time in a committee hearing, legislators will be able to see and hear the beating heart of a baby in the womb--just like the ones the Heartbeat Bill will protect," Janet (Folger) Porter, President of the group Faith2Action, said in a release.

In February, Ohio state Rep. Lynn Wachtmann ® introduced a piece of legislation that would forbid abortions in any case in which the fetus had a detectable heartbeat, a development that can come as early as 18 days into a pregnancy.
It turns out, it wasn't one fetus, it was two:
Two young mothers were given ultrasounds in a packed room at the Statehouse as part of a House committee meeting Wednesday. The heartbeat of a fetus at 15 weeks gestation was easily detected. The heartbeat in a fetus of nine weeks gestation was difficult to detect.
I'd call this horrific stunt a failure. Not to mention it was really nice that the testimony showed sensitivity and care.

http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/local_news/stories/2011/03/02/02-heartbeatx300.jpg

Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said the presentation turned the hearing into a "circus."

"I have to hand it to our opponents on this: They're really good at getting attention," she said, "but they're really not good at paying attention to the needs of Ohio women."
This is what the Tea Party - enabled and in collusion with the GOP - along with the radical right have wrought upon a great state -- and our nation. Unless people wake up, and VOTE it will only get worse. I have said it a millions times, and I will continue to say it again: ELECTIONS MATTER.

After all of this, I have but one question. Has the GOP helped to create any jobs in Ohio? In the nation? Thus far, it remains to be seen. One thing I know:

My fetus is not hiring, There are no jobs to be had there. Although it no longer has collective bargaining rights , it stands in solidarity with union workers, with those that seek equality, those that fight for a living wage. Every parent should be a willing parent and every child should be a wanted child.

We are all in this together -- it's all connected. United we stand, divided we fall.

and
Raine

Bonus Click From TRMS: Janet Folger Porter , the Faith2Action president that led the fetal charge in the Ohio legislature was also
co-chaired Mike Huckabee's Faith and Family Values coalition in 2007.

ADDING: She also organized the Values Voter Debate that year, which featured a gospel choir singing "Why Should God Bless America?" From the Way, Way Back Machine, the pre-TRMS Rachel Maddow brings the tape.




 

9 comments (Latest Comment: 03/03/2011 23:00:44 by Raine)
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