Trending
DEAR EDITOR:
In the spring of 2022, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman publicly stated when referencing the supermajority in the General Assembly, "We can kinda do whatever we want." Huffman's take underscores the problematic nature of gerrymandering in Ohio and its toxicity for representative government in Ohio.
Lord Acton is credited with the saying "Power doesn't corrupt, absolute power corrupts." How apropos for describing Ohio's political and electoral climate. Think otherwise? Then reflect upon the $60 million ECOT scandal where ECOT fleeced taxpayers with fraudulent student attendance, or the scandalous bribes from First Energy via H.B. 6 resulting in a convicted Ohio House speaker and a scandalous stench that has tainted the office of the governor and lieutenant governor. One wouldn't be wrong in viewing Ohio as a corrupt state.
Currently, politicians choose their voters rather than voters choosing their politicians. This is antithetical to the construct of a republic. Citizens are the masters of their domain, not the power hungry pols who love Columbus so dearly that they couldn't fathom life outside the trappings of the capital.
Historically, Ohio was a battleground state, a purple state with multicultural urban centers and diverse suburbs, coupled with salt of the earth people in productive rural areas creating a tapestry of Americana.
However, politicians focus more on self-preservation rather than creating competitive elections where we have majority rule and respect for the rights of the minority, a key ingredient to a healthy and functioning representative democracy. The result has been a diminished voice for hundreds of thousands of Ohio citizens.
This self-preservation has made most districts electorally uncompetitive. In fact, the only competition typically occurs in the primary where candidates fear being out-radicalized within their own party, which pushes primary candidates to the fringe of their party in order to secure the nomination.
Moreover, individuals fearing the loss of power will do anything to preserve the mechanism that keeps them controlling the levers of government. They will do everything to confuse and trick voters into voting no on Issue One. The governor's early August presser promoting Ohio adopt the Iowa plan for redistricting is exhibit one. It's an unviable alternative that gives final authority over redistricting to the Legislature. In mid-August, the Ohio Ballot Board purposefully manipulated the ballot language to intentionally confuse voters. Until the election, we are likely to be told how Issue 1 will turn Ohio into California, or how it will radicalize the state by allowing outsiders to promote the progressive liberalization of Ohio. Ohio voters should not be fooled by their deceptive tactics. We should shun these claims, as they only come from those who sense the end is near to their control over Ohio's political machinations.
Regardless of your political persuasion, Issue 1 is about restoring competition to elections and holding politicians accountable. Truly competitive elections ensure citizens get a government that works for all people.
I'm a YES on Issue One. YES to restoring balance, and YES to reining in the power of politicians who have come to believe they can do anything they want without recourse. Ohio voters should consider doing the same. Don't be fooled Ohio. Vote YES for Citizens Not Politicians!
A.J. CALDERONE
Bristolville