Saturday, October 31, 2009
Issue 2 was oversold
EDITOR:
Even when I disagree with Vindicator editorials, they are at least usually fair and evenhanded. Therefore, I was stunned at the one sided presentation of Issue 2. The Oct. 7 editorial completely deleted all of the reasons that the League of Women Voters, Humane Society of the United States, food safety advocates, and most major newspapers in Ohio urge a no vote on Issue 2.
The supporters of Issue 2 have done a masterful job of making it appear as though Issue 2 is to protect animals. Issue 2 is not about providing decent care for animals, it is about making sure big agribusiness in Ohio keeps already weak animal protection laws weak so nobody dares to try to improve animal care. (Ohio currently has weaker humane laws than Mississippi.) It would create a so-called Standards Board that would be stacked against fair and reasonable treatment of animals, would make it more difficult to pass humane laws in Ohio, make it more difficult to stop puppy mills, would change the Ohio Constitution, and is an attempt to silence anyone who dares to believe that cats, dogs, and farm animals should be treated more humanely.
Supporters of Issue 2 claim that it is a bunch of vegetarians, crazy liberals and out of state interests opposing Issue 2. Well, I am not a vegetarian (and have the high cholesterol and big gut to prove it) have been a registered voter in Ohio for over 20 years, and am a lifelong Republican. But, right is right, and wrong is wrong, and Issue 2 is wrong for animal care, wrong for food safety, and wrong for Ohio.
Most farmers in Ohio already treat their animals pretty well and those farmers have absolutely nothing to worry about from the Legislature passing laws to improve animal and food quality standards. Big agribusiness has come up with this scheme known as Issue 2 to scare farmers into believing their animals will have to live a life of luxury if Issue 2 does not pass. The “radical agenda” that they want to stop from happening in Ohio? The notion that a farm animal should be able to stand up, turn around, and lay down in a pen before being taken to slaughter. And, the radicals would prefer those same animals be able to do this without having to lay in their own feces.
The Vindicator claims that the so- called standards board would have members who would be “advocates for animals.” Correct. One out of 10 members would be from a humane organization. Much is made that a veterinarian would be on the board. So what? Just because a person is a veterinarian does not mean he or she is necessarily a good and decent person. Most are, of course, but just like any other profession, some would sell their soul to the devil.
If you have the least bit of decency in your soul and any compassion for the care of animals, vote no on Issue 2.
MATT DITCHEY
Youngstown
Support Issue 2
EDITOR:
I would like to thank The Vindicator for its support on Issue 2.
I would also like to urge everyone to vote yes for Issue 2. It’s a shame that laws need to be created to protect us from outside minority interests, who want to do away with animal agriculture. So why not have someone who knows about agriculture help review the current standards and update them with any needed changes.
I have heard from many people about their concerns on how the board will work. Legislators I have talked with say the board will be structured much like the other boards that are already formed under the state constitution. Each board member would have a three-year term. The beginning terms would be staggered. This would not be a salary position, but a voluntary one reimbursed for expenses. This way when a new governor is elected there will not be a total change in the board right away. The expert people who are chosen for the board will most likely be recommended by industry leaders such as the pork, dairy and poultry producers. Corn and soybean growers are among some of the others that may also have input. They will have to be approved by the legislators.
Other states are looking at what we do here in Ohio with Issue 2. We will be the first state to stand up against the minority interests. When Issue 2 passes they will try to model their state programs after ours. Let’s set the standard for the nation by voting yes on Issue 2.
DOUG MARTIG
Berlin Center
Correction
The signer of a Friday letter supporting passage of the Liberty School District levy was incorrectly identified as the board treasurer. The writer, Frank Gorsuch, is treasurer of the Building a Future committee, which is promoting passage of the levy.