The Buckeye Way
Corporate Money Loses In Ohio
Forward Ohio?
The 'American Awakening' that began in Madison, Wisconsin, and may have been some of the impetus behind the "Occupy" movement was missing one thing. They had yet to win a victory at the ballot box. The recall elections in Wisconsin were a 'moral victory' of sorts, but Labor and it's progressive allies lacked something absolute.
That victory may have come Wednesday in Ohio. That State's voter's resoundingly rejected a proposal similar to Wisconisin's union-busting laws. The defeat of the bill came despite large contributions from out-of-state interests, mostly corporations and corporate-fronted groups. Despite this defeat at the polls, the "%1" and it's allies are planning on a referendum to make Ohio a "Right To Work" state, along the lines of many of the Southern States.
That is for another hub, and likely that issue would suffer the same fate as Issue 2 did. But what can Democrats take from this victory.
For one, Labor can still be a force. Rather than "breaking the back" of labor, pro-"%1" governors in places like Wisconsin and Ohio have gotten labor to 'grow a spine', and build coalitions with other individuals and groups committed to econonmic justice.
Second, if people see an economic interest, they will vote for it. A lot of people in Ohio likley did see that if public employees had their rights denied, theirs could be next. Public employees are likely one of the last bastions of organized labor. Break them, and the road to 'USA Inc' becomes that much smoother.
But what to do with this knowledge? For one, turn the 'Jobs Bill' into a series of referendums of sorts. GOP opposition likely comes from some provision that threatens some corporate interest, when a piece is voted down, call them out on it. Mention that they've voted with that industry, or 'Corporate America'.
Second, throw something a bit meatier than a 'bone'. 'Card Check' a labor-backed effort to make it easier for workers to organize might be a nice gesture of good faith.
Finally, realize that the "Occupy" movement is at least a partial offshoot of this. Listen to some of their demands.
The 'Tea' might be wearing off the electorate, many of the folks who voted against Issue 2 may have voted FOR Kasich. They now see that they voted for the Koch Brother's, big banks, and the "%1". The next 12 months will see how well the Democrats can capitalize on this growing reality.
Ohio's Awakening
- In Ohio, a Win for Unions—That Just Preserves the Status Quo--The Nation
I am tired of being in a progressive movement that often starts with the strategy of “how little can we lose by?” It is a strategy that is 100 percent defense. . . It is time for us to go on offense and act boldly around our values and vision. . . - TruthOut--Ohio Labor Movement Defeats Anti-Union Bill and Its Wealthy Supporters | Truthout
In the end, the pro-SB 5 campaign failed to gain the same momentum as the repeal effort, which received massive support from thousands of tireless volunteers and middle-class donors. . . - Youngstown Vindicator--Mahoning Valley helps deep-six Issue 2
While state Issue 2 was soundly defeated statewide, the losses in Democratic-dominated Mahoning and Trumbull counties were greater. But in Mahoning County, 71.8 percent of voters rejected Issue 2, and 71.5 percent of voters voted against it. . .
