Issue 1, the state constitutional amendment proposed by the Ohio Legislature which would raise the threshold for passage of a referendum to amend the Ohio Constitution from 50% +1 to 60%, appears to be headed for an ignominious defeat on August 8.
I'm really not sure about this one, to be honest. I think that changing a constitution should have a high bar so political parties, or even referendums, can't change it as a simple balance of power shifts. The US requires a 2/3 majority - even Ukraine does, though it also says "the free development, use and protection of Russian, and other languages of national minorities of Ukraine, is guaranteed."
Laws at 50%? Sure - there's a change you can get something done. But I'm not so sure about a constitution that's so easy to change as it's supposed to be the guiding principles and law.
I'm a democrat. I believe in democracy in the workplace and at the ballot box. Sure, minority rights can still be protected, but in this day and age when a tiny minority rules both our government and our economic system, I'll advocate for appointing officeholders by lot before defending anything resembling a filibuster.
Don't knock appointing officeholders, and judges for that matter, by lot. It worked for the Athenians better than anything else they tried. And it sure as it's hot in Texas would work better than what we've got now.
I just voted early a couple of days ago. So glad to hear that Issue 1 is going down. I'm tired of these groups trying to make democracy even more impossible than it already is. Power to the people!
I hadn't seen any "Vote Yes" signs until recently, but it's too late. Most people have heard the reasoning of voting no and I think the billionaires are going to lose this time. Hooray!
Good work for Ohio, OB... Now, all you need is an amendment that says that Ohioians are entitled to clean air and water for generations to come. But, even if you do, it will be severely tested.
Oh, I think it will take more than an amendment to do that. Does the Pittsburgh press even mention East Palestine? They're doing their level best to ignore it in Cleveland, but people still talk about it.
Too many people drive over or under too many railroad tracks or bridges that are in an obvious state of disrepair to forget the danger of derailing trains and the poisons they carry.
You're right, OB. It will take more than an amendment that was actually a well-written one known as PA's Environmental Amendment (Article I, Sec. 27). The occasional local press comes through on East Palestine, but they are greenwashing this and they don't mention that the EPA who took over a month to even test for the derivatives of blowing up vinyl chloride in Norfolk's "controlled burn", has found residual dioxin. They want to wait until people start showing all kinds of cancers. Meanwhile, the infrastructure here sucks the lead weenie. Norfolk has a railroad yard right here that could derail in Monroeville, PA.
Hi everyone, hope all is well! Recent events in the U.S./World have been trying…
Once upon a time, here in California, land of the fruits, nuts and liberals (choke, choke! The latter is a total myth), 8 years ago we had a state vote (memory serves) over seventy percent voted “YES” to end daylight savings time. It may have had a purpose at one time, now it is a pain in the butt. But to this day, it continues, and California Citizens are the butt of another joke. In all the brew ha ha, we were told the state needed to ask the Feds if it was okay to do so. Here is the real joke, nobody bothered to ask.
In school, we were taught, the National and State Constitution were a living, breathing document which can change for the betterment of society. Well, since the lifetime of a K through 12 textbook is now 25 years plus, many of those books can be replaced with George Orwell's book, Animal Farm. Orwell's book is older and wiser than any Pearson or McGraw Hill publication.
As for the protection of the minority rights, that is just a euphemism for the protection of the few who have the rest of society by the short hairs.
I really hope this amendment, yes or no, does work out for Ohio.
I'm really not sure about this one, to be honest. I think that changing a constitution should have a high bar so political parties, or even referendums, can't change it as a simple balance of power shifts. The US requires a 2/3 majority - even Ukraine does, though it also says "the free development, use and protection of Russian, and other languages of national minorities of Ukraine, is guaranteed."
Laws at 50%? Sure - there's a change you can get something done. But I'm not so sure about a constitution that's so easy to change as it's supposed to be the guiding principles and law.
I'm a democrat. I believe in democracy in the workplace and at the ballot box. Sure, minority rights can still be protected, but in this day and age when a tiny minority rules both our government and our economic system, I'll advocate for appointing officeholders by lot before defending anything resembling a filibuster.
Don't knock appointing officeholders, and judges for that matter, by lot. It worked for the Athenians better than anything else they tried. And it sure as it's hot in Texas would work better than what we've got now.
I just voted early a couple of days ago. So glad to hear that Issue 1 is going down. I'm tired of these groups trying to make democracy even more impossible than it already is. Power to the people!
I was there this month and encouraged by all the Vote NO signs! ✊🏽
I hadn't seen any "Vote Yes" signs until recently, but it's too late. Most people have heard the reasoning of voting no and I think the billionaires are going to lose this time. Hooray!
This is great news! I have been following this, and I say this as I listen to “We’re a Winner” by The Impressions!
Good work for Ohio, OB... Now, all you need is an amendment that says that Ohioians are entitled to clean air and water for generations to come. But, even if you do, it will be severely tested.
Oh, I think it will take more than an amendment to do that. Does the Pittsburgh press even mention East Palestine? They're doing their level best to ignore it in Cleveland, but people still talk about it.
Too many people drive over or under too many railroad tracks or bridges that are in an obvious state of disrepair to forget the danger of derailing trains and the poisons they carry.
You're right, OB. It will take more than an amendment that was actually a well-written one known as PA's Environmental Amendment (Article I, Sec. 27). The occasional local press comes through on East Palestine, but they are greenwashing this and they don't mention that the EPA who took over a month to even test for the derivatives of blowing up vinyl chloride in Norfolk's "controlled burn", has found residual dioxin. They want to wait until people start showing all kinds of cancers. Meanwhile, the infrastructure here sucks the lead weenie. Norfolk has a railroad yard right here that could derail in Monroeville, PA.
Norfolk Southern trains clatter down rusting tracks less than a mile from our house several times a day. I hear them.
Guess it's just the sounds of kleptocracy.
Hi everyone, hope all is well! Recent events in the U.S./World have been trying…
Once upon a time, here in California, land of the fruits, nuts and liberals (choke, choke! The latter is a total myth), 8 years ago we had a state vote (memory serves) over seventy percent voted “YES” to end daylight savings time. It may have had a purpose at one time, now it is a pain in the butt. But to this day, it continues, and California Citizens are the butt of another joke. In all the brew ha ha, we were told the state needed to ask the Feds if it was okay to do so. Here is the real joke, nobody bothered to ask.
In school, we were taught, the National and State Constitution were a living, breathing document which can change for the betterment of society. Well, since the lifetime of a K through 12 textbook is now 25 years plus, many of those books can be replaced with George Orwell's book, Animal Farm. Orwell's book is older and wiser than any Pearson or McGraw Hill publication.
As for the protection of the minority rights, that is just a euphemism for the protection of the few who have the rest of society by the short hairs.
I really hope this amendment, yes or no, does work out for Ohio.
Though I don’t hold much with voting now,you can bet I turned out for this.It is a completely undemocratic move.