Statewide we have Issue 1 or “Marsy’s Law” on the surface looks like a victims rights law. Problem is, we already have almost all the parts of it on the books. It doesn’t need to be written into the constitution. When both prosecutors and public defenders are against it- you probably should be too. Vote NO on issue 1.
The issue that’s getting all the attention is Issue 2. It’s also a bullshit law, that probably shouldn’t be on the books. If we really cared about lowering drug prices or improving the delivery of health care, we’d have single payer and stop allowing hospitals to be duopolies with tax exempt status. And, we’d throw a bunch of them in prison for causing this country to have the most expensive health care in an “industrialized country.” But, here’s the thing- if drug companies are willing to spend $70 Million or more- to get you to vote no- do the opposite, just to give them the middle finger. It won’t save you any money- it won’t save the state any either- but, it will tell big pharma that the people are tired of being jerked around- $600 epi pens? Exactly. Vote YES on Issue 2.
Issue 3 is the Montgomery County Health and Human Services levy. Well, that’s actually a lie, it’s half of it, since they split it into two and staggered it. This is great for the campaign consultant they hire out of Cleveland to run their campaign – so we can give him lots of money- and waste it on campaign materials and all those ads (also good for local media outlets). But, here’s the thing, my mom is 89, and she depends on the services this levy provides, and so do a lot of other seniors. Sure, all of these quasi-public agencies could be run more efficiently and cheaper, but once again, we’re back to Single Payer Health Care or, real, efficient, well-run government in Montgomery County-and we don’t want to hold our breath waiting. It’s a lot of money, and we can’t advertise “move to Montgomery County if you want excellent care for you once you turn 65” – so, Vote YES on Issue 3.
Issue 4 is the Sinclair levy- the big part, 3.2 mils. They added a second levy 2 years ago for about a single mil. I didn’t have time to really organize resistance. I’m a big believer in affordable public education and think Sinclair is generally a good thing, however, Dr. Steven Johnson has a god complex- and can’t stop growing Sinclair and spending money. He’s extended services into branch campuses in Greene, Preble and even Warren Counties- none of which pay a dime in property tax. Hey Dr. Steve- go get tax levies passed in Warren, Preble and Greene first, before you ask us to keep paying for your grandiose plans of world domination. We’ve paid for 52 years in Montgomery County- at least those of us who haven’t been given tax abatement (80% of downtown properties and companies like GE and Emerson and Midmark). So, this November 7, vote NO on Issue 4 and help Keep Sinclair Fair [1].
There are other issues in various Montgomery County communities- and I can’t cover them all. These are the County wide ones.
You don’t have to agree with me, you don’t have to like what I say and you don’t even have to read Esrati.com- but, I know how many people do… you aren’t alone, and me, Google and the NSA are watching.
Thanks, Dave. This is helpful. I know you can’t, as you say, “cover them all.” But your opinion is valuable, and some of us are interested in your stand on a whole host of ballot items. I live in Kettering, for example, and am therefore a bit less interested in Dayton issues and races. But we all still have to make voting decisions; and the available “voters’ guides” are, well, basically worthless. You’re pretty much all we’ve got on a whole range of subjects. And the more engaged of your followers know when to listen to you and when not. In the past we could also all navigate the positions of the Dayton Daily News when they did endorsements, which could be helpful in a similar fashion. But now, you’re it. Keep up the good work.
Hi John- thanks for that. I got a lot of flack on the school board endorsements- which were much harder.
I’ve never been a fan of endorsements by media- but, here I am doing the same thing. The difference is, I actually try to justify mine- and rationally explain them.
I wish I could cover all the local issues- but, that’s just not possible.
The trick for me, Dave, is if you know the source of an endorsement you’ll know when to even go the other way (a kind of anti-endorsement). The problem now is finding ANY source of rational opinion and information. Rational people should know what to do: Don’t be a patsy, take in all the information you can (including endorsements) and make your own call. For that, your help is indispensable. Those of us who follow you know how to dissect your arguments. If I disagree, I can handle that. Again, thanks for all that you do.
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