Akron Beacon Journal Slams Kasich Economic Development Plans in Editorial
The headline pretty much says it all (emphasis mine below):
Kasich cudgeled the current operation of the department as ''tired'' and ''worn out,'' promising: ''The days of trying to connect with business leaders through bureaucrats are over.'' Actually, the department has been improved in recent years.
The television ads blame Ted Strickland and Lee Fisher for losing 400,000 jobs. (Are Kasich and Rob Portman suggesting they would have avoided the harsh recession?) As the director of development, Fisher crafted a strategic plan for the state's role in economic development. It has brought greater focus and initiative to the effort. Implementation hasn't been easy in a sour economy.
The Kasich plan calls for a ''fast, flexible and responsive'' operation. Akron knows what he means. In recent years, the department has displayed all three traits in helping the city retain two indispensable corporate citizens, Bridgestone and Goodyear.
That said, the idea of privatization shouldn't be dismissed. The concept can work to improve government performance or meet a critical priority. The trick is applying well the idea in the right circumstances. Thus, Kasich must describe more fully what he intends. He must overcome suspicions that his thinking is more ideological than practical, more playing to anger about government than solving a problem. Ohioans and others have learned in recent years that the private sector hardly is infallible.
First of all VAG (Value Added Guy), BSB does not moderate comments. Any registered user may post. We'll take them down if it's spam or otherwise inappropriate.
They're all liars, eh? That's your response? Well, then, its incumbent upon us to elect people who aren't liars, isn't it? And if the system has to change to make that happen, so be it. Personally, I'd love to throw out our current system in favor of a parliamentary democracy with proportional representation, but it'll never happen, because the GOPers could not compete on a level playing field.
Personally, I don't believe all politicians are liars for a second. I know many elected officials who are good people. It's just that campaigns are often painted black and white, while reality is a thousand shades of grey, and the electorate has neither the comprehension ability nor attention span to understand it all. So it tends to get simplified. Is that lying? I don't think so, but YMMV.
Have you ever read the Constitution? A Constitutional convention for proposing amendments will be called if two-thirds of state legislatures ask for it, and any amendments proposed at said convention will be adopted if approved by three-quarters of the state legislatures. It is possible to change our government completely outside of Washington. It's all right there in Article V for your reading pleasure.
And, yes, the GOPers could not compete if there was proportional representation. Well, if we did have a parliamentary democracy the GOP would like split into three parties -- the Jesus party, the Big Business party, and the Liberterian party.
If you read the entire comment, you'll see I said GOPers can't compete IF there was proportional representation instead of this first-past-the-post system we inherited from England. Proportional representation would negate the gerrymandering of congressional districts. It is my contention that without that gerrymandering, the GOP would never be able to have a majority in Congress, because the majority of Americans live in cities, where government is not some big boogey-man but the folks who pick up your trash, pave the roads, plow the snow, maintain the parks, etc.
Right now, VAG, polls show both parties to be relatively unpopular, (the GOP still more unpopular BTW) and there is an upsurge in third-party candidates like Charlie Crist throughout the country. Right now in the Cuyahoga County Executive's race there are several strong independent candidates, one of whom appears to be leading the pack.
Besides, I thought Tea Party people like yourself were looking for a revolution. As long as the Electoral College exists, we will continue to have this two-party system that people like yourself seem to be so fed up with. Unless you mean revolution in the literal sense, Article V is your best bet.
Is if you could make an argument without hurling personal insults. That would be fantastic.
Wow, VAG, aren't you a barrel of optimism and patriotism these days? Seriously, man, go outside and get some sunshine. Take a vacation.
And, by the way, I have no problem expressing independent thoughts, thank you very much.
The intent of the comment was not to argue about patriotism but to be funny. Seriously man, you're fulfilling every stereotype I've ever had of conservatives being people with big sticks up their ass. Lighten up, would ya? We're here (at least I'm here) to have fun.