For the Love of Dayton offered an endorsement after watching the forum video that I uploaded. Of course, he’s much more familiar with me than the other candidates, since I’ve been putting my positions online for discussion now for the last 4+ years.

He’s honest about my odds against Turner in the fall- the one point that differentiates me from the other two candidates in toto (I acknowledge the odds- they don’t):

This is a valiant effort since, barring some unforeseen political calamity, the GOP will likely hold Turner’s seat in the fall. I’m a proud independent and disagree with Turner and Esrati on a host of issues, but after watching the Democratic candidates forum (uploaded to Youtube by Esrati) I am quite sure David Esrati is the best candidate for OH-3. He does a good job diagnosing the problems with our fair city’s/region’s/state’s/country’s bureaucratic elite from the Democratic side of the aisle (vote for him in the primary on July 13 if you are a Democrat).

He, like me, opposes the waste and war in Afghanistan. He, like me, thinks this:

“I’m pretty sure that if we keep electing the same people there will only be three kinds of people left in this country: the very poor, the very rich and those who work for the government.”

via For the Love of Dayton | love matters.

There are a few universal truths as far as I’m concerned- one of them is that there is never a perfect candidate for anyone (nor- should there be). Thinking people should always have some questions of their leaders- if not- you get dogma instead of democracy 99.5% of the time.

The Dayton Daily News Editorial board complained that “Mr. Esrati’s thinking continues to be hard to track.” Which is a good thing- if it were easy, I’d be just like every other mouthpiece they endorse. Free-thinking politicians are in very short supply in our country.

For the Love of Dayton also posted a video of a speech by Ron Paul set to music. Ever since I’ve been a youngster, my father has beat into me that our country has done a crap job of picking our “friends” overseas. We’ve propped up more two-bit dictators than I can list- and even created and helped sustain others by our boycotts or blacklists (Castro in Cuba or Hugo Chavez in Venezuela).

I’m posting the Ron Paul video- and stating for the record that I’m in complete agreement with everything he says (however, I wouldn’t use the “Christian” example- as I believe that humans treating others as humans has nothing to do with being Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Pagan etc.)

And no matter how green or naïve Mike Turner may try to paint me in the fall, I can tell you that he’s never met a defense contractor he doesn’t love, nor a country that he isn’t OK with selling arms to.

Eisenhower warned us in his farewell address about the “military industrial complex”- and I’m posting that video too. Because it seems as time goes on, we refuse to learn from history or admit our failures.

War, and war machines are not ever the solution to improving the human condition. If I truly believed that our foreign policy was dictated for the love of mankind- I’d not be wondering why we’ve ignored genocide in Darfur, Rwanda and the Congo.

If we truly wanted to spread democracy, it is best not done with a barrel of a gun, but with education, health care, modern infrastructure (like water systems, sewage systems) and things that improve the human condition.

Empires built with weapons of any kind, only last as long as the despots who wield them can- or can afford to continue wielding them. Of this, I believe that our country is very close to reaching its limits of sustaining our over-sized “investment” in global domination by strong arm, as opposed to a policy of open arms.

In the beginning and in the end, there is only one nation that will matter in the history books- the nation of man. It knows no national boundaries, has no single religion, no single ideology, no one way- except the human way. It is here, where the “Golden Rule” once again proves itself: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

It is time to put aside all “party politics” and look to create a sustainable future, not just for the United States, but all mankind. That is the only empire building I can support, and it is why I ask for your support.

peace.

The wise ones at the Dayton Daily News, the ones who endorse Mike Turner every time (even though they don’t agree with him), have chosen a 25-year-old college dropout who has “been involved in political causes for a long time” to go head-to-head with Turner for Congress.

Yes- the same people who endorsed Rhine McLin, want to send a lamb to a lions’ fight:

Joe Roberts also lists education as his top priority, seeking an “overhaul” of “the system.” He points to U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown as a role model, and expresses general support of the Democratic “platform.”

He is a political consultant, saying he has worked for such low-profile candidates as Stephanie Studebaker and Dr. Mark MacNealy (who each briefly put their names up to run against Rep. Turner). Dr. MacNealy is the fellow whose withdrawal resulted in this special election.

Mr. Roberts has been involved in political causes (immigration reform, Barack Obama, Israel) for a long time, or at least long for his age, 25.

And of course, they couldn’t resist trying to pigeon-hole me:

Mr. Esrati wants to be known not simply for running for election repeatedly, but for his blog, which he says fosters public discussion of issues and offers his views on them.

He mentions Rep. Dennis Kucinich, of the Cleveland area, as a political role model. As a presidential candidate, Rep. Kucinich took positions to the left of then-Sen. Obama and everybody else.

Mr. Esrati’s thinking continues to be hard to track. At the editorial board meeting, he said he favored the Obama stimulus, but would oppose a second one on constitutional grounds. (He invoked the 10th Amendment and the commerce clause.) Given that the Constitution hasn’t changed, there’s a disconnect in his logic.

Known for a confrontational temperament, he is unsuited to public office, better suited to gadfly status.

The best choice is Mr. Roberts, though, like Mr. Fogle, he would be a better choice for a lower-level job.

via Editorial: Joe Roberts best Dem bet in 3rd District primary | A Matter of Opinion.

And, of course, they are welcome to their opinion.

But, they aren’t allowed to do it in secret anymore. I’ve had it with the high-handed treatment- so I recorded it for you to listen to. Why not? They had their recorders (2 of them) going.

You can listen and form your own opinion.

And- as a final note: If you believe in something, and keep trying to accomplish it, why would you be mocked for trying and failing? Thomas Edison, Michael Jordan and many other successful people will tell you- true winners don’t give up.

Guy Fogle looks like a politician. Joe Roberts sounds like a politician. And then, there’s me.

That’s my take from the screening by the Dayton Daily News editorial board of the three candidates for the special democratic primary for OH-3 which takes place on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.

The questions were softies- as if the editors felt sorry for us running to run against their favorite son, Mike Turner.. Martin Gottlieb had to explain what a “Blue dog” Democrat was to Guy. I had to explain what instant-runoff voting was to Martin. Roberts was waffling on what campaigns he’d worked on- and what he’d done.

When asked what elected official we’d compare ourselves to- Fogle said “Capps” and couldn’t even give her first name: I’m assuming Lois Capps of CA.

Roberts chose Sherrod Brown. And, of course, I picked the abrasive one- Dennis Kucinich – because he stands up for what he believes.

One change- Jim Barrett from WHIO radio was there and taped the whole thing. It would be great if he put the whole thing up as a podcast- so you can hear for yourself.

Ellen Belcher had a problem at first with Ice Bandit’s endorsement letter- but as I explained, you allow anonymous comments on your site galore- so why not the ol’ bandito’s.

I think she’s actually going to run it.

Of course, she still doesn’t understand why I’m running, nor measures my increased number of votes per dollar spent with each election as credible.

I’ll reserve my judgment on the other candidates for after the League of Women Voters forum this Wednesday night at Montgomery County Democratic HQ, 7:30 pm. I’ll run tape and have it on youtube for you as well.

In my last post we talked about the failings of “You Betcha, Belcher” and her crew at the Dayton Daily News editorial board. The competency of questioning and the actual accuracy of their statements border on  libel. But, that never stopped them from actually presenting information that would be useful- no, that would be up to the readers in the comments- that, of course is why Cox publishing pays Ellen the big bucks.

They slammed Virgil Vaduva in their endorsement editorial, and to some degree, probably rightfully so. Here is Vaduva’s response in their comments:

By Virgil Vaduva

April 13, 2010 3:42 PM | Link to this

I want to thank the DDN Editorial folks for meeting with me. But for the record, I would like to correct a few glaring and I hope, inadvertent errors: I do not live in Cedarville; I live in Xenia, I mentioned this several times during the interview. Dayton Development Coalition is involved in local backroom political deals which are highly questionable, and there is no evidence that DDC has brought in any jobs or has directly benefited Greene County; I mentioned this in the interview. Defending them is not something Alan Anderson should be proud of. I specifically mentioned during the interview that school district taxes are a big part of the “high taxes” problems in Greene County. Most SDs are run by Republicans, which illustrate my point, namely that Greene County Republicans have abandoned their principles of small government and low taxation. I mentioned this during the interview as well. I made the Children Services 2007-2009 budged public – I will let the readers decide and wonder why Dayton Daily News thinks this is an appropriate budget and how they can justify this unheard-of level of bureaucracy. Sincerely, Virgil Vaduva

via Editorial: Anderson is better Greene County pick | A Matter of Opinion.

Missing where Vaduva lives is a pretty basic journalism. Vaduva first came to my attention when he filed suit against Xenia for hiring the political consulting firm (lobbying firm) Avakian Consulting, to do “marketing of the community” with tax dollars- when it was really money to research a chance of a property tax increase. You’d think this would be mentioned in the editorial? Of course not.

The editorial focused on which candidate would suck up most to the Dayton Development Coalition- an organization already well known for handing out no-bid contracts to congressman Turner’s wife for the pathetic “Get Midwest” branding campaign that had insane cost overruns.

And while Vaduva’s opponent talks about wanting to make sure Greene county gets high speed internet access- he doesn’t sound like the highest bandwidth candidate either. Maybe this is a race where the editorial should say- “we wouldn’t endorse either for anything.” Yet, they do say Vaduva is “pleasant” and think he should be running for some “legislative seat” while at the same time claiming he says taxes “are a “violent means” of taking people’s property.”

The reality is, there probably will be a democrat facing these two (a useful news item that’s missing from the editorial) that almost has to be a better alternative (we would hope). Or, if you think about it- since the Greene Commission is a three person board- how bad can it be to have one elected free-thinker/alternative thinker? In Europe having third, fourth and fifth party voices never seems to get in the way of having something happen- why is it so feared here? He can’t pass a thing on his own- without getting at least one other vote.

However, the most interesting part of the DDN editorial- is something posted in the comments on the letters of support: a link to a site claiming to unmask the real Virgil. Posted by “Dan”

Learn all about Virgil Vaduva:
http://cedarvilleheart.blogspot.com

6:12 PM, 4/13/2010

Interesting stuff, but not any more legitimate than the Dayton Daily News editorial info.

This is why candidate blogs, straight from the horses mouth, are so critical in online reputation and policy positions. You’ll find enough stuff on my site to form an opinion, one way or another about me (although it might take you a while to read through it all). Why isn’t this a basic requirement for all candidates? And while Vaduva has his own site (or sites as the Cedarvilleheart site claims) – why can’t we see a video of the DDN endorsement meeting- or listen in on a podcast from it? What does the DDN have to hide?

I made every attempt to post candidates nights to YouTube- to provide access for all. Why aren’t other candidates doing the same?

Shouldn’t voters be able to make up their minds based on the actual words of the candidates- instead of through the “Belcher filter”?

Straight up- I’m no fan of any members of the Dayton Daily News Editorial board (past or present). After at least 6 or 7 sessions with them (who’s counting anyways) I can tell you, I’ve faced tougher, more insightful questions from school kids.

Ellen Belcher took some of her valuable time and editorial space a few weeks ago to lament on her tough job of screening people for you- so you won’t have to engage your brain:

One task we on the editorial page take seriously is making judgments about people who run for office. Maybe that sounds arrogant. But think about it: How many people have time to make it their job to look into the qualifications and backgrounds of the individuals who decide our tax rates, make our laws and even send people to jail for life?

Do you have time to do that?

Voting requires a certain amount of homework if you’re serious about making informed choices. I’ve made decisions about whom not to vote for based on commercials. But I can’t think of a 30-second spot that has sold me on somebody.

via Ellen Belcher: Us vetting candidates might help you make choices | A Matter of Opinion.

Once again, the Dayton Daily News clearly states that they don’t think you are smart enough to think for yourself- or do the research. Of course, doing the research is incredibly hard using their attempt at “journalism” because of, well, time for the bullet list:

• The newspaper search tool on their site makes it impossible to do any kind of research on past articles.
• The content they now publish online and offline don’t match- so it’s really hard for you to quote their quotes- to establish positions of these candidates when push comes to shove.
• The articles themselves have shrunk in length, and often have to include more background than actual story to make sense- so that you don’t get enough information to make a good decision.
• Often times political coverage isn’t “Fair” or “Balanced” or even objective- often editorializing- like the accomplishments of Gary Leitzell as Mayor in his first 100 days.
• The comments, which can often provide additional information- opinion, or insight are unreliable at best (to be valid, or to remain online) thanks to their haphazard management. The 500 word limit tied to “no html” policies limit public discourse on the matters.

As to the actual information the editorial board cares about- the main ones almost always come down to:

1. Who is endorsing you?
2. How much money did you raise?

Integrity or ideas be damned. We’ll never see the DDN endorse a maverick, firebrand, or someone who doesn’t color inside the lines- because the editorial board isn’t to be trusted with crayons yet. Their analysis and opinions seem to be rooted in what is safe, trusted, conservative and reads more like a call from central casting for a non-descript actor to put in a position to play a role.

Even when the election of a candidate should have zero tangible outcome on a 5 person body- they will always opt for the closest to “tried and true.” Or what worked before, should continue to work- without ever defining what “work” should “achieve.”

In fact, we ask too little of our candidates, and expect less. That a candidate can even be considered serious without an active blog or social media connection to constituents should be an automatic ding.

Accepting large donations from lobbyists from out of town- should be another- but, alas, I’m wandering now.

Here is the Dayton Grassroots Daily Show discussion- which meanders, as only Greg can, on the subject: Enjoy:

Last night I engaged in spiteful, unfounded and plain mean yellow journalism- by reporting that the Dayton Daily News editorial board was getting the axe:

it looks like we won’t have to listen to the editorial board of Ellen Belcher, Martin Gottlieb and Scott Elliott anymore.

via Sayonara Editorial board: Cox cuts the brain dead.

If you watch Fox news, you should be used to this kind of BS. It’s not my style, nor my desire to spread mis-truths or libel people doing their job (however, when they don’t do their job- and they are receiving public funds- look out).

I wish I could say that my intentions were fully for the common good and not just me gloating on my soapbox, but, after years of getting treated like shit by Ms. Belcher and Mr. Gottlieb- I let my guard down and let them have a taste of their own medicine. It was stupid.

That all being said, there should never be a monopoly on editorial opinion. That’s part of the reason this site exists, and even if my readership is still a fraction of theirs, it doesn’t make my positions necessarily less worthy of consideration- it just gives the community the ability to have a semi-informed conversation about the two or more sides to every story.

That’s the part that’s been missing from their endorsement articles- without opposition candidates, we don’t have a reason to even hold elections. Because I or Gary Leitzell decided to throw our hats into the ring doesn’t mean we don’t have the credentials to run- or win (we met the requirements for turning in 500 signatures on petitions correctly filled out) it means that citizens have a choice. For a democracy to exist- we must have contested races for each seat- just as we have to celebrate and support opposing views. The Dayton Daily News editorial board has mocked challengers, questioned if there are worthy candidates still living in the city (note: none of the editorial board writers vote in Dayton) and generally, scared people away from running with their overly crappy assessments of challengers (and half- hearted “endorsements” of incumbents at times).

So, even though I question the value that they add to the paper daily, I’m happy to announce that we’ll still have their misguided mojo to banter about on this site and others for at least the near future. Yep, getting rid of the local editorials would be a “strangely bad” idea, even for a dying industry.

Commentator Jeffery was entirely right about the need for local opinion pieces, even if we do have to suffer these columnists uninspired prose. But, you shouldn’t ever see unfounded crap on this site- or plain reckless attacks again. Hopefully, I’ll have learned from this mistake.

My apologies.

We’ve yet to see a real debate between the candidates for Mayor. However, as someone who has watched them go through their paces, night after night, the difference becomes clear: one is a professional politician going through her coached responses (heartfelt as they may be) and the other is someone with a passion for innovating. They have traveled very different paths through life, one very safe- and the other, more carefree.

But, the thing that becomes increasingly clear- is that one is able to change course, to adapt, to think on his feet and take chances. His well measured response to the Dayton Daily News endorsement of the status-quo is an indication of his superior leadership skills- read the whole text on Gary Leitzell’s site, but here is my favorite part:

The incumbent mayor has 20 years of political experience and because of this, she is better qualified to lead the city? Let me state this. You can have all the experience in the world. It does not mean that you are good at your “job.” After all, experience is just a term we give to our mistakes. If quality of one’s work sets a standard for experience, I excel. I have the cumulative experience of a rich and rewarding life over the last 20 years. Not one year of political experience 20 times. How Dayton is marketed by our “leader in tough times” is clearly reflected in how she markets herself. Look around you and count the number of green/white/black signs you see on vacant lots or abandoned properties. Quality marketing? After November 3rd I hope the DDN is willing to hire the incumbent mayor to market their paper for 4 years since they feel she is the “Best” choice in this election and my feeling is that she will need a job.

via Dayton Mayor: Setting the record straight. Gary Leitzell responds to the DDN editorial endorsement..

Should Gary lose, and I win (both long shots by standard political standards) I would have no problems working with Mayor McLin. At one time, we were much closer friends.

I hope to have video from 2 candidates nights up by end of today (video compression for YouTube can be very quirky on long videos). We have another candidates’ night tonight: Linden Heights Community Council Candidates Night

I have no right to tell you who to vote for- but, I believe it is my mission in life to help keep you better informed, and thinking.

The “brilliant minds” at the Dayton Daily News editorial board once again came out against gambling, which is the right thing to do if it’s a constitutional amendment that guarantees a monopoly to the people who wrote the bill:

It is a constitutional amendment that would allow one casino in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. The proposal was written by and for the very developers who would own the casinos, down to the details of what tax rates they’d pay.

Wouldn’t you love to decide your own taxes?

Not shockingly, the deal is sweet. The casinos would pay 33 percent of gross revenue in taxes. Pennsylvania’s rate is 55 percent; Illinois’ is 50 percent; Indiana’s, 35 percent; Michigan’s is 19 percent.

The casinos would also pay one-time $50 million license fees, but other states have charged $250 million to $500 million.

The self-dealing isn’t just brazen; it’s shameless.

Two outfits stand to gain under the amendment:

Penn National Gaming and Dan Gilbert, who owns the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In other states, gaming businesses have had to compete by submitting bids to operate casinos. Penn National’s and Mr. Gilbert’s plan is to award themselves a monopoly and skip any competition.

via Editorial: Issue 3 is a stacked deck; casinos set own taxes | A Matter of Opinion.

What the chuckleheads missed is that it also bans any kind of gambling at fish frys to support your church.

Require that casino gaming be conducted only by authorized casino operators o f these four casino facilities or by licensed management companies retained by such casino operators.

via http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/upload/ballotboard/2009/3-text.pdf

The amendment is so specific that it actually turns real estate parcels into part of the State Constitution- with the sites for each casino listed. It makes our collection rates tied to surrounding states as well- which is like saying if your neighbor sells his house, you have to. And just like the Wayne and Wyoming Kroger deal, there is no requirement for performance by the Casino operators- they aren’t required to build any of the casinos at all- and if they don’t, no money comes to us, and no one else can build a casino in Ohio.

So, even though the Dayton Daily News editorial board actually got it right- they didn’t warn you of the real dangers lurking in this incredibly bad deal for Ohio citizens. Of course, these are the idiots who also endorsed keeping the same people on the Dayton City Commission even though they’ve failed you miserably.

I urge you to tell all your friends, vote no on Issue 3 because it’s not just bad, it’s a “strangely bad” idea- and the DDN editors didn’t even scratch the surface of why.

Thanks to PizzaBill for tipping me off to this. Stop in and buy a pizza from him for teeing this up for me.

I had high hopes after leaving the latest meeting with the Dayton Daily News editorial board- thinking that they would be as thoroughly disappointed  as I was with the incumbents’ flat and meaningless answers, and deer-in-the-headlights responses to questions about large campaign donations, and either not endorse, or choose change over the same old, same old.

But, I should have known. Don’t go into meetings like this without a recording for all to hear, so you won’t see your words twisted and minor points sensationalized.

That may be the last invite to appear before the kings and queens of the Cox round table in this town, as their sister paper, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, has now vowed no longer to preach their editorial opinion by endorsing in races. It may just be another cost-cutting move, or it may mark a true change in the way “newspapers” have started to realize their job is to inform, not to take sides:

After listening carefully to readers and thinking deeply about the modern role of a newspaper in elections, the AJC Editorial Board is taking a new approach to election coverage, beginning with this November’s elections.

Going forward, our board will use its unique position to work for readers in pursuing with candidates the issues that are critical to the future of our community. The board will provide readers with clear, concise information about candidates’ positions and records. The AJC will no longer endorse political candidates….

We have heard from readers — and we agree — that you don’t need us to tell you how to vote. What readers tell us they need is information on who the candidates are, what they have done and what they want to do in the new job….

Since the early days, U.S. newspapers have put their stamp of approval — or disapproval — on political candidates during election seasons. It’s a system that goes back to days when cities had many newspapers, each with very clear political agendas….

That world has changed, steadily and more rapidly in recent years. We see our role now as providing you with information to help you make decisions — and not trying to make them for you….

We are using the newspaper voice — through the weekly editorials — to push for progress in our community. That initiative, “Atlanta Forward,” examines key issues facing the Atlanta metro area and the state of Georgia.

via To Our Readers: AJC takes new approach on election  | ajc.com.

For years I’ve railed against the practices of the Montgomery County Democratic Party and its behind-closed-door screening committee- that always asks “If you aren’t endorsed, will you still run?” I’ve said that these people, often appointed by politicians and labor leaders, shouldn’t be the kings in choosing who should and who shouldn’t run- that’s what primaries are for.

Why shouldn’t the same logic apply to newspapers? There is no recording of the editorial board meeting (although there easily could have been)- and the four members, Ellen Belcher, Martin Gottlieb, Scott Eliott and Kevin Reilly are no more qualified to pick winners and losers than the party insiders.

There may be no more damning statement from the last editorial than this:

“That’s partly because a lot of people  who might put together a strong candidacy have left for the suburbs.”

Isn’t that what the Dayton Daily News did when it first built its printing facility in Warren County and then moved its offices closer to Oakwood?

And although the newspaper still claims a wall between its journalistic side and the business side, Cox Ohio, owner of Channel 7, WHIO Radio, K-99 and the Dayton Daily News, will profit from ads run with the dirty money that Nan Whaley has accepted, where quotes from the editorial are almost sure to appear.

I believe in open, honest discussion of the issues. It’s a main part of my candidacy, promising to open the doors of the secret illegal meetings of the Dayton City Commission to you. It’s why I’m the one publishing the campaign finance reports, and providing video of candidates’ nights, and I’m the one allowing you to comment- and have a discussion. It’s my job to represent your interests, and that’s why I invest my time keeping this discussion open.

I tip my hat to the Atlanta Journal Constitution for its transformation.

In Dayton, it’s up to you to either rally against the powers that have been, and help change win this November Third, or, let us continue on the same tired path we’ve been on.

Your thoughts?

I could write a long post about the editorial board interview, I took three pages of notes. Probably more than the editorial board. We also had reporter Joanne Huist Smith, and Assistant Metro Editor Anthony Shoemaker in the room- and a photographer for a bit.

Most of the questions came from Martin Gottleib and Ellen Belcher. Scott Elliott (with 2 “t”s -sorry Scott) only asked me how handing over the airport as a beginning of regionalism to a regional responsibility was a good idea. None of them seemed convinced that regionalism involves common sense- but, that’s another story.

Nan was visibly shaking through most of it. Joey sounded as if the pilot light was out. There was no energy- and no ideas discussed. Nan spent a lot of time talking about tearing things down. Joey talked about good financial management. Neither could point to any real accomplishments other than as Nan put it “we’re good at managing bad.” Truer words probably have not been spoken.

Neither Nan or Joey would say anything other than they have open minds toward regionalism. When asked when the City would go online with the regional 911 dispatch, neither had a clue. Their only effort toward regionalism, and they couldn’t answer the question.

Nan said she thought the priority board system was a mess- and that she paid more heed to neighborhood presidents, but had no plan for an alternative.

Joey spoke about his advocacy of youth programs and the hiring of a “Youth Director” and the “youth council”- however, this is kind of pathetic after 8 years in office.

They both defended the illegal work sessions as perfectly OK- and that there was no need to hold these meetings at the charter specified legal meeting. On this issue alone, the paper should rip them to shreds, but won’t.

I can’t say how many times Nan talked about tearing things down, but it had to be almost every other line. Her best was that she would continue to “attack the war on blight.” Uh, did you mean, uh, nevermind…

Martin asked to point out what cities were doing things right, to compare Dayton to others. I spoke about Portland Oregon’s smart government that started fighting sprawl long ago, and unigov. Nan and Joey said we’re in better shape than Toledo.

When asked what they tell developers coming to town as a recruitment speech, both struggled- but Joey finally came up with short commutes, the arts, sports (UD hoops and the Dragons) our “underutilized” river- and talked about how we don’t applaud ourselves enough. Me- I’ve got lots of posts talking about this- including the one that Dan Foley quoted when getting sworn in.

But, the best part was when Martin asked who we’d rather serve with. I jumped in and started since we already knew what they’d say. I questioned Nan’s $5,500 donation, her political party hackism, her focus on tearing down- and that I’d have to pick Joey over her. Joey was nice enough to acknowledge our friendship and our ability to have spirited debate, but toed the party line. Martin seemed surprised by the donation- and asked Nan who gave her the money. She said “Kitt Cooper” but almost made it as if she barely knew him- she “thought” he owned a demolition company, “Vance” something- and that his son lived on the West side of Dayton, but, she’d only met him once. Hmmmmm.

One other nugget. Apparently, Tim Riordan as interim City Manager was suggested by current assistant City Manager Stan Early to Matt Joseph  and Nan over lunch. Considering neither of them have been around long enough to have known Tim Riordan was interesting enough. The part about their “great city manager” not being able to groom a successor, was a point lost on the editorial board.

I quoted Steve Jobs: “A people hire A people. B people hire C people.” Martin asked for clarification about what grade I was giving the commission- Joey answered a “B”- but, the reality is that’s giving them credit.

Their lack of vision, ideas, an ability to separate themselves from each other only said that neither were worth a vote or an endorsement since you’ll end up with one by default. But, that’s just my opinion on the sit-down. We’ll have to wait for the Editorial board to rule from their throne.

Call it scorched earth, call it stupid, but, writing this post before meeting up with the Dayton Daily News editorial board questioning the writer’s intelligence is what I do. I want people to think, to analyze, to look at things with more than the same old thinking. Martin Gottlieb at the Dayton Daily News, a publication that literally makes everything about black and white:

Mayor Rhine McLin is being challenged by Southeast Priority Board Chairman Gary Leitzell.

So the question arises: can a first-time candidate — known in certain circles, but lacking a public reputation — who is endorsed by the Republican Party beat an incumbent Democratic mayor in a hugely Democratic city at a time when there’s a lot of public dissatisfaction with the state of things?…

One cannot honestly discuss Turner’s victory without mentioning race. He did not make a racial appeal, but he won almost exclusively on the basis of white votes, including some liberals…..

So Leitzell has less time, tougher demographics and apparently limited money. (At the last deadline for filing his financial report, he had raised so little he didn’t have to report the amount.)…

Whether he’s a good candidate has yet to emerge. As to the issues, he sometimes seems to have the perspective of a community activist, complaining about the city’s unresponsiveness to citizens and businesses. But that sounds like what challengers always say.

via Martin Gottlieb: Can Leitzell pull off a Turner | A Matter of Opinion.

If you read Martin’s post- the keys to getting elected are simple: be black, endorsed by the Democratic Party and raise lots of money. The only way you lose if you are like that- is to embarrass yourself enough publicly that the newspaper can’t ignore it (and they are willing to overlook a lot).

When it comes to if someone is a good candidate- one has to wonder what that means to Gottlieb. First, he ignores that the City Commission is five equal votes, and the Mayor’s position is mostly ceremonial if done right. Second, he doesn’t really identify what he considers as qualifications- other than the being black, dem and flush with cash. Matt Joseph and Nan Whaley had zero qualifications other than being backed by the party with no real opposition. Some would say they still don’t have any.

Rhine got into the Statehouse because her Daddy was there. If she was just any mortician running for Mayor- would Gottlieb question her qualifications (other than the all important three?).
Gary Leitzell is as good a candidate as any- in fact, that’s what this country was founded by- citizens who were fed up with unresponsive government.

About the only thing Martin does get right- is that we have been hurt by not having primaries. However, I can state as a candidate in the primary he waxes poetic over- the Dixon/Turner, that the standards of scrutiny at the Board of Elections in those days was much more lax. I can also look back to that race as the last inexpensive (comparatively) race for Mayor. The real solution we need to look at is to have a race for three seats one year, two seats in year three- and the candidate with the most votes- in either election- is Mayor. That way we don’t cast off so many good candidates who lose close elections.

Me, I’m just fed up with small minded columnists who get a soapbox but say almost nothing of value.

Today, the Dayton Daily News editorial board finally agreed with a position I’ve staked out as one of the primary threats to our society: Corporate welfare.

It’s a stunning turnabout for a company that has never met a tax break they didn’t wholeheartedly endorse. The ones for Reynolds & Reynolds, Relizon, Workflow One etc- were all great by their reporting. Bill Pardue and his QBase reality distortion field- where governments should not only fund his startup, but then hire his firm- hailed as innovative. And, then the NCR debacle, where our Ohio politicians hadn’t talked enough about how we should drop our drawers to the almighty Bill Nuti and his extortion machine.

If you look at todays paper, their hypocrisy is evident, where they rail against the tax break, but fail to hang Congressman Turner for his willingness to sell out to NCR as long as they are a Dayton business.

They take the tax break system apart gently, as a ruse to give money to big companies for promises written on paper as useless as yesterdays news-

One way of looking at the NCR deal is that the employees who have to move will actually be the ones financing the cost of wooing the company. That’s because almost $80 million of the $100 milllion-plus incentive package that Georgia put up represents state income taxes that will be deducted from employees’ checks over five years, but that NCR will get to keep.

Like most states today, Georgia isn’t just sitting on $80 million that it’s aching to give away. Yet, it didn’t have to put up much cold cash to get NCR. Rather, it’s temporarily foregoing income tax money it would have been due.

One can argue that any time a state gives a tax break, all state residents end up footing the bill in one way or another. But when a tax break is so precisely tied to what a company’s employees owe the state, it easy to see how they might think they’re the ones really putting up the cash…

The national trend of tying tax breaks to what workers owe the state is a tidy way for states to make sure that companies receiving incentives really are producing the jobs they’ve promised to create. It’s hard to cheat if a business tax credit is linked directly to the state taxes a company is withholding from its employees.

via Editorial: Employees to pay taxes to NCR | A Matter of Opinion.

So the real question is, if this is such a good idea, why not allow every business that is on the brink of tossing in the towel, just keep their State income taxes too? What? Only if you are a corporation, who pays your CEO $2000 an hour?

That’s the way our politicians have rolled… our country straight into the shitter.

It’s time for a complete and total end to all tax breaks, except those granted by the Federal Government to support initiatives to make our country more competitive or healthier. Tax credits for clean renewable energy, for job training, for preventive health care, walk-to-work programs, true research and development, child care, I’m sure I’m missing a few…

It’s time to level the playing field for all and end this insanity.

Thank you Dayton Daily News editorial board for finally seeing the light.

And, does this mean I can ask to keep my employees State income taxes too? Or don’t I pay enough politicians off to play that game?

I went to see “Milk” at the Neon movies for the 5pm show.

I highly recommend it as a primer for grassroots activism, and a brief history of the insane anti-gay/protection of marriage movement. From IMDB:

The story of California’s first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, a San Francisco supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.

via Milk (2008).

After we took our seats, we listened as a woman was saving 4 seats behind us- and was a little rude about it. Soon, Martin Gottlieb walks in with a cherry red Kangol cap, and then soon after, Ellen Belcher.  I said hi to Martin before the show and Ellen gave me holiday wishes on her way out.

While Ohio jumped on the “protection of marriage” train in 2004- which helped propel GWB to his second term, this kind of stupidity traces back to the early 70’s with former orange juice “spokeswoman” Anita Bryant. Looking back forty years, and we still are struggling with having the State try to make rules about what goes on between consenting adults behind closed doors.

Harvey Milk wasn’t afraid to be gay, risk his life, or sit quietly by while his civil rights were being taken away. However, as Dan White says in the movie- “You have an issue” to Milk- and White couldn’t find an issue to own. When Milk needed a second issue- he went after dog poop- a stunt and a distraction- just to play politics.

That part scared me. Looking at the Presidential election- we still see a “single theme” can trump all kinds of rhetoric. Obama used “Change” and stuck with it- only to be elected and bring in a cabinet of people who have lived inside the system so long they think change is only measured by number of seats the ruling party holds.

Are we such shallow people that single issues are all that matters?

I also started reconsidering my feelings about Commissioner Joey Williams- who I consider a friend and the only member of the Dayton City Commission who has any real credibility on the commission. His abstention on the gay rights ordinance last year was reprehensible. Is that issue enough to vote him off the Commission?

Joey and I had a long talk after his vote- he explained his position to me, off the record, however, once elected, should you really be afraid to explain publicly your reasoning?

I’ve never been impressed with the Dayton Daily News editorial boards questions- or their reasoning behind endorsements. I’ve also never seen them admit they were wrong. I’ll be interested to see what they write about “Milk” and if they will hold Williams or Lovelace accountable for their non-votes/votes against the gay rights ordinance.

I’m also wondering if the editorial board understand that the Internet has changed the political landscape yet. In today’s DDN Belcher was amazed at her recent discovery of podcasts on the iPod. (for the record Ellen- American Public Radio’s Marketplace is my top choice). There is no longer an excuse for a candidate to NOT have answers to all positions on a site- where there can be no confusion about why they did what they did.

I’ve got at least a 4 year jump on any local politician/candidate with ideas and positions on issues- in print, by my own hand. When it comes to the next editorial board Q&A there isn’t anything they could ask that I haven’t covered here- making seeing them pretty pointless.

Their typical endorsement is never about ideas- but of supposed “qualifications” based on some kind of system they believe breeds leadership. Most of the time, that means being a pawn of a local political party. Maybe after seeing “Milk” they will understand that it’s time to examine issues- maybe even more than one- and make their choices based on ideas- instead of some sort of checklist.

Harvey Milk wouldn’t have gotten their endorsement- and maybe they should be thinking about why not?