Beware of State Issue 3

Beware of State Issue 3
EDITOR:
Next Tuesday, Ohioans will be asked to consider five statewide ballot initiatives. The best of these five can be called flawed, while the rest are flat-out destructive. I particularly wish to warn the voters about State Issue 3.
This issue would severely limit the amount of money an individual could contribute to a single candidate, while creating a brand-new loophole especially for labor unions. We are told by supporters that this will "level the playing field" and "make politicians more accountable." 'Fraid not.
As an activist in an alternative party, I can tell you from bitter experience that limitations on campaign spending hurt independent and alternative candidates, and benefit the "usual gang of idiots" who get re-elected every cycle. This is so because the political in-crowd has the long donor lists, receives the best access to the mass media, and can afford the professionals to work the phones for donations and to do the complicated paperwork that compliance with these regulations requires.
In addition, the new loophole for unions is very dangerous, even to the rank-and-file union member who works in private industry. The only sector of organized labor that has experienced real growth over the last two decades has been public employees. This tells me that a special exemption for unions guarantees that government workers' unions will ante up big bucks for the candidates who will promise to be most favorable in the next round of contract negotiations -- without regard to what it does to your taxes.
JOHN FOCKLER, Jr.
Executive Committee member
Libertarian Party of Ohio
Struthers
Common sense reform
EDITOR:
The citizens of the state of Ohio can take a big step forward Tuesday by voting for state issues 2,3,4 and 5. These issues will lead to real and common sense reforms to Ohio politics.
These past few years Ohio has suffered from scandals and corruption that have eroded the confidence of the electorate. By voting yes on these issues we will help restore faith and trust in the voting process. How could anyone be against a measure to make voting easier which is what issue 2 will do? Issue 3 will reduce the amount of money that can be given to a candidate by an individual. With the Tom Noe scandal fresh in our minds this will make the politicians increase their accountability to all contributors, not just the large ones. Issue 4 will stop politicians from drawing political districts based on retainment of power. Districts will be drawn so as to make races more competitive which will lead to better accountability to the voters. Issue 5 will give the election process better accountability by taking it out of partisan hands.
We will not have Ken Blackwell running the election process as well as running the Bush re-election campaign. These issues have bipartisan support. Take a look at the people who oppose these reforms, that should give you a good idea why they deserve your support.
THOMAS P. LAMB, President
South County Democrats
Youngstown
Who bankrolls the debt?
EDITOR:
Does anyone know where these billions of dollars that President Bush is constantly asking for is coming from? Just what I thought. Most people don't know. Most of the money is coming from China. China is buying our bonds. Do you think one day China will say "OK, we own you?"
I truly believe if business owners love our country, they should keep their business in the USA. How much money does a person need to live and forget about the stockbrokers or holders getting richer. Please people, read your newspaper and watch your TV news so you know what is going on in our world today.
T.L. WERTZ
Canfield
Be responsible; vote yes
EDITOR:
I am a daughter of a generation who has been duped by not one, but two "educational governors."
I am a sister who holds sacred the sacrifices of women before me who fought diligently so that I may have a voice in democracy.
I am a wife of an autoworker faced with the reality that we are the transitional generation caught between the end of industrialization and the age of technology.
I am a proud mother of five boys who belong to a community of children that deserve a public education which is not inferior, but rather supersedes the one that was afforded to me and my peers.
I am privileged to stand united with a growing number of individuals who respect their civil liberties and prioritize their responsibility in securing the futures of our youth.
I am "somebody."
One of many willing to do "something" about it.
Having freedom does not give entitlements; instead, it demands responsibility from all to ensure we keep that very freedom.
Vote yes for Southeast Local Schools.
AMY JO LONG, levy chair
Southeast Local School District
Newton Falls
Struthers at crossroads
EDITOR:
As a life-long member of this community, property owner and a former 12-year member of the board of education with some insight I have become concerned about some attitudes and erroneous information concerning the Struthers school levy.
Tuesday's vote is a very critical juncture for the future of the entire community.
I have heard various comments, including, "let it go down, we'll clean it up and vote it in next time" or "I don't like certain administrators or board members" or "they should have laid off top administrators, not lower employees" or "they" got into this, let "them" get out of it," or "there are 8-12 teachers sitting without classes."
Actually, reductions of state funding have been a major source of the problem.
The hard truth is that if this levy goes down it is not just going to "punish" certain individuals. The state will mandate that 23 teachers will be laid off. The quality of education will drop drastically.
In the last several years we have gained, state of the art, new school buildings and increased levels of "effective rating" of education quality to rival Poland, Lowellville and other neighbors. With a levy failure those gains will be lost. The buildings will be a hollow shell with minimal education.
Many parents will opt to send their children to private schools or "better schools" with open enrollment. (At this time Struthers attracts those students) State funding will decrease even further with the decrease in student population.
Please vote for the levy and for the future of our children and our community.
DAN BECKER
Struthers