By daigoume

April 22, 2011 3:43 PM | Link to this

Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, I bookmarked it.

By johnnyboy

March 25, 2011 10:53 AM | Link to this

Lets not forget that Gov.Kasich,Sec. Husted,and Sen.Portman are heavily influenced and funded by a union that is the most wealthy and powerful in America-the Chamber of Commerce.

By MAC

March 24, 2011 2:41 PM | Link to this

I’m not a Union member nor do I have all the answers; frankly, I have a delimma w/ it all. And, even though I vote & believe in many GOP platforms, my roots (family background) is very middle class. That being said, I think U still over generalize the issue? IMO, the whole argument is setup incorrectly…big (Government, Unions, Money) have 2 B loving how the middle class pawns R putting 1 against the other while (many of them) continue 2 reep (MUCH) of the reward. U say the only way 2 correct the problem is this & that:…, but where is the waste being stopped…why not start there 1st instead of attacking the very people who can afford it least…diversion by Big Boys IMO & AVOIDING CLEANING UP THEIR OWN HOUSE.) I’ve also read that the Unions represent only 7% of population. Moreover, most of these folks only make 30 - 50K a yr. What U & others R suggesting is 2 cut that pay N 1/2 or by 1/3 & eliminate entitlements (benefits), yet most still want outstanding Firemen, Police & especially Teachers. U want very good services, but U don’t want 2 pay 4 it & many don’t want 2 pay benefits 2 many of those who R now disabled 2 some degree or another…many of these workers have 2 retire early N life due 2 demands/injuries occurred these jobs.

By Squirrellygirl

March 24, 2011 10:54 AM | Link to this

I agree that there are good and bad in religion, in unions members, even in our government representatives. I agree with you, Mac, that representatives need to have their benefits renegotiated, too. However, that is just a small part of the budget. The Department of Education has become ineffective and cost consuming. The schools have long been pushing a left wing agenda and have taken advantage of American taxpayers while at the same time reducing the quality of education for our children. The schools have concentrated on rewriting our history to make America look like it has been destroying our environment, stealing wealth from underdeveloped countries, and pushing their agenda that says capitalism does not work and is evil. There is much repetition in programs in education which results in a lot of waste. And the socialist agenda unfairly indoctrinates the impressionable youth. Where I have a problem with any religion or group is when they start interfering with our country’s safety. Although many Muslims have been silent, some agree that the U.S. should keep an eye on the Muslim Brotherhood who seek to take over and cleanse the world of other competing religions. They use terrorist techniques like beheadings. They can be found among the community organizations. The unions have joined the far left and the radical Islams in their attempts to overthrow our government. Economic terrorism is the union’s attempt to overthrow our government and turn us to socialism. It is a direct attack against capitalism and an attempt to manipulate our stockmarkets. This is an attack on our country’s security, and our AG Holder is asleep (or refraining from prosecuting people of color as well as the blatant exposed threat to our nation’s security by unions), as well as is Homeland Security. No one is at the wheel. Is this inattention to the union conspiracy intentional? How could it not be? Our freedoms must be protected against an ever increasingly growing government that has become more powerful than the people it is supposed to be representing. There are some people currently at the top of our government who are manipulating our laws in order to gain even more control of the American people. This can’t be allowed to continue. It is a direct assault on all Americans. I can’t imagine this environment, where our own government won’t prosecute those who are so out there and verbal and apparently not afraid to express exactly how they plan to go about overthrowing our government by causing intentional chaos in so many ways.

By MAC

March 24, 2011 9:26 AM | Link to this

No doubt, Beck has highlighted some very compelling info here. Nevertheless, I think you’re painting w/ too broad of a brush; ever Union is not the same nor do they all represent the exact same things. Do adjustments need 2 B made…yes! Are all unions & union members from the depths of Hell….I don’t think so! There’s a Baptist Church from Kansas? that protest and say some pretty nasty things @ Military member’s funerals, but I don’t think they represent the Majority of Baptist Churches in America. Likewise, there R radical Muslims, and there R many Muslims who live their lives & practice their faith w/out infringing on others. 5 Million in foreign aid to Libya N last 4 yrs…could that $$ B better spent N America, 4 Americans & by middle class Americans…I think so!!! What’s being cut from the top. How many retired Senators & Legislators R adjusting their retirement packages??

By Squirrellygirl

March 24, 2011 8:16 AM | Link to this

If you think that the unions aren’t committing economical terrorism, check this out (here’s is just a part of it): “…an audio of speakers at a leftwing gathering at Pace University in New York this past weekend during which a major labor union leader informed listeners of a coordinated effort to crash the stock market by encouraging their members at the grassroots level to stop paying their mortgages. Alarmed at the growing irrelevance of labor unions and ‘community organizers,’ union leader Stephen Lerner told the audience that the only alternative to accomplish the goals of unions and leftwing groups is to immediately crash the system by targeting Wall Street mortgage lenders such as J.P. Morgan/Chase. The lenders would once again be brought to the brink of collapse as they were in the summer of 2008, but this time the crisis would be the result of a deliberate attempt by the labor unions and the leftwing to bring down the American economic system by refusing to comply with the terms of their home mortgages. One of the participants at the forum was socialist anarchist Francis Fox Piven, who, along with professor Richard Cloward during the 1960s formulated a plan that became known as the ‘Cloward-Piven Strategy’ to bring about ‘social justice’ by deliberately overloading the American economic system to the point that it collapses under its weight. It is then that real ‘change’ can be accomplished.” Do you see now why Obama can’t be reelected, why it is so important not to vote for Democrats any time in the near future? Yahoo “SEIU” and go to blaze.com

By Squirrellygirl

March 24, 2011 8:09 AM | Link to this

Go to blaze.com to hear straight from Lerner, union leader, how they plan to sabotage our banks and our stockmarket, economical terrorism, folks! This is what we’ve been trying to tell you about what the unions are up to! Lerner mentioned Chase Bank and gives dates (May), but it’s already started. Lerner said if 10% of home owners aren’t currently able to make mortgage payments to Chase, and then just doubling that, another 10% purposefully refuse to pay their mortgages (they can still stay in their houses for another year without paying) they can collapse the whole system, overwhelm the banks, manipulate the stockmarkets and cause the crash. This is what the unions and far left radicals are trying to do. Go to blaze.com and listen to the recording. You’ll never vote Democratic again once you hear what they are up to.

By MAC

March 22, 2011 2:37 PM | Link to this

Leavns411, I think U once again show there R many type of unions & not just the sterotypical “thug” type so often portrayed in this debate. I’ve never belong 2 one, but I realize there R good & bad in just about every area of life. My Mom worked @ Delco/Delphi over 30 years & our family desperately needed all the benefits her job gave us. Trust me, we were not rich. My parents never owned a new home, car, furniture or appliances; we bought a lot of used things 2 get by. I know 4 a fact my Mom (QC control/lead) went 2 the union many times over numerous Foreman who was pressuring her to push “bad” parts thru the line. GM lost a lot of their market share due to poor quality of their product & polices…something many don’t want 2 hear…only want 2 blame union when clearly many GM execs were raking it in hand over fist while pushing a poor quality product & destroying the company!

By Squirrellygirl

March 22, 2011 1:36 PM | Link to this

Adam, these “faith leaders” have nothing to do with the real church of God. These are people who teach Muslim Brotherhood type teachings and just like Obama claimed to be saved by Rev Wright’s hateful anti white anti-American language, collective salvation (vs. individual salvation where you confess your sins and acknowledge Jesus is the Only Son of God). These “churches” teach that America is evil, that capitalism doesn’t work, they misrepresent that Jesus endorsed forced redistribution of wealth, that America got wealthy from ripping off poor countries and that we owe them (anti-colonialism), that the police in America are corrupt (self avowed communist Van Jones’ provides curriculum for NY students with internet links to unfairly manipulate our children), that Americans are destroying our environment by all the energy we are consuming, and that we should look more like third world underdeveloped countries. One difference in these beliefs is that salvation through Jesus was opened up to all people, no matter what race, color, creed you come from; however, Muslim Brother radical Islam will cut you head off if you try to leave their religion or refuse it. This is the same group that is trying to take over Egypt and the other countries surrounding Israel.

By Squirrellygirl

March 22, 2011 1:22 PM | Link to this

“Obama adheres to the Saul Alinksy Rules for Radicals method of politics, which teaches the dark art of destroying political adversaries. However, that text reveals only one front in the radical left’s war against America. The Cloward/Piven Strategy is another method employed by the radical Left to create and manage crisis. This strategy explains Rahm Emanuel’s ominous statement, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” The Cloward/Piven Strategy is named after Columbia University sociologists Richard Andrew Cloward and Frances Fox Piven. Their goal is to overthrow capitalism by overwhelming the government bureaucracy with entitlement demands. The created crisis provides the impetus to bring about radical political change. According to Discover the Networks.org: Rather than placating the poor with government hand-outs, wrote Cloward and Piven, activists should work to sabotage and destroy the welfare system; the collapse of the welfare state would ignite a political and financial crisis that would rock the nation… [Emphasis added.] Making an already weak economy even worse is the intent of the Cloward/Piven Strategy. It is imperative that we view the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan’s spending on items like food stamps, jobless benefits, and health care through this end goal. This strategy explains why the Democrat plan to “stimulate” the economy involves massive deficit spending projects. It includes billions for ACORN and its subgroups such as SHOP and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Expanding the S-Chip Program through deficit spending in a supposed effort to “save the children” only makes a faltering economy worse. If Congress were to allow a robust economy, parents would be able to provide for their children themselves by earning and keeping more of their own money. Democrats, quick to not waste a crisis, would consider that a lost opportunity. The Cato Institute reports that the plan will harm a faltering economy, intentionally causing increased job losses leading to increased demands for the aforementioned programs. Even the jobs to be created are set apart to render social justice, not economic revival. Robert Reich believes new infrastructure jobs should not go to white construction workers. Meanwhile, workers at Microsoft, IBM, Texas Instruments, and the retail market find themselves experiencing the life of the welfare poor. If highly educated and trained workers continue to lose jobs and business falters as a whole, where will these jobless workers go? Could this be construed as revolutionary social reorganization that puts the underachiever above the achiever? Where is the future economic strength when jobless professionals collect welfare and unemployment while dreaming of a minimum wage job? For whites, there’s not even the hope of a good paying construction job. Because these programs are financed with deficit spending, the effect of the Cloward/Piven Strategy becomes doubly destructive. Talk about a perfect storm! The Democrat stimulus plan is a mechanism whose goal is the destruction of the traditional American way of life. It is bitter irony that the American taxpayer will actually fund the destruction of his own ability to live according to the values of our Founding Documents. It is not alarmist to identify this situation as a coup d’etat. As the flow of money from the top of the economy dries up, job losses and mortgage busts will mount exponentially. The Democrat stimulus plan provides for welfare expansion but not for a robust economy that creates high paying jobs. Is this what Obama means when he warns, “It’s going to get worse before it gets better?” If we are not bailing out corporate America so they can regain profitability, we must conclude Obama is working toward another end goal. Recognizing these attack methods reveals the only logical response — an unwavering wall of ‘No!’” Add to this Obama’s foot on the oil/gas industry, the coal industry, the nuclear industry…and you will see that it all fits into his agenda very nicely, a plan where America is dependent on foreign oil and continues to filter the American dollar outside our country. No backups, for only 1 oil drilling permit has been issued since Obama “lifted” the moratorium on oil drilling in our gulf and Alaskan waters. Oh yeah, it was in the new that Obama issued a permit to Brazil to drill in our waters… Obama has changed the way of life in America. Continued loss of jobs, government mandated switchbox covers for your home outlets (patent owned by Fannie Mae), and no way will windmills replace the other energy sources that Obama is cleansing America from. We are beginning to look like a third world country.

By Adam

March 22, 2011 1:05 PM | Link to this

Pat Robertson, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson are amoung the jesus freaks in this country.

By Adam

March 22, 2011 1:00 PM | Link to this

These faith leaders need to keep their mouths shut. They lack credibility. They want to shove their family value garbage and jesus trash down out throats. If they continue, then the churchs need to lose their tax exempt status.

By Paul1

March 22, 2011 12:56 PM | Link to this

Unions keep proving over and over that the’re nothing but bullies and thugs. They will sabatoge a company to the point of bankruptcy to get it unionized. SEIU is doing it right now with a foodservice company that doesn’t want to be unionized. This is standard operating procedure for unions. Obama needs to talk to the unions about bullying. They wrote the book. Most Americans, most taxpayers are Not Unionized, fortunately.

By Paul1

March 22, 2011 12:56 PM | Link to this

Unions keep proving over and over that the’re nothing but bullies and thugs. They will sabatoge a company to the point of bankruptcy to get it unionized. SEIU is doing it right now with a foodservice company that doesn’t want to be unionized. This is standard operating procedure for unions. Obama needs to talk to the unions about bullying. They wrote the book. Most Americans, most taxpayers are Not Unionized, fortunately.

By Levans411

March 22, 2011 11:33 AM | Link to this

Sorry, I’m not sure you have your facts right. The union I belonged to for 20 years was democratic- we elected board members to represent us, politicians went through a screening process by members before we voted to give them contributions,even raises in dues were voted on by ALL members. The real issue here is that unions support pro-worker candidates. Sometimes those are Republicans, but often not. That should be the question-why are we electing politicians who are more concerned about big business than small businesses and the middle and working class in America? Big business has shown us that they are willing to gut our economy if it brings them more profit, as in the case of the sub-prime loan crisis. Unions help support democracy because they build and support a middle-class. Without that, there is no democracy.

By MAC

March 22, 2011 11:22 AM | Link to this

Squirrellygirl, that’s your most reasonable post I’ve seen. However, I don’t think Unions R in business 2 destroy business, America or our way of life; like most businesses, they’re trying 2 make money for themselves & do it “hiding” behind the workers they “represent.” I think most of us realize something has 2 change; rules of doing business/unions need to B adjusted. It’s the way GOP is going about it that ticks me off and believe it or not, I’m a GOP voter. When either party R in the busniess of stealing workers rights, pensions & benefits they’ve worked & paid for, there needs 2 B an uproar & protest. Overall, I think the public in general (the ones voting in 2012) would respect GOP a lot more and continue to vote/support them if their approach was a lot more civil & measured. I’m affraid it’s 2 late for that @ this point.

By Squirrellygirl

March 22, 2011 10:01 AM | Link to this

I don’t hate any civil servants. I also don’t blame them for making their agreements, no matter how good (or bad) those agreements are. I blame the unions whose intent has always been to destroy our economy. Their initial intent is to take as much money as possible. They “invest” this money in political campaigns in America and outside of our country. They don’t check first with their union members to make sure they all agree. Then they cry for more money. I’m not saying every public employee is in a union. I’m saying the ones that are may be tied into agreements that our government won’t be able to fulfill. Whether or not people are layed off depends upon whether some of these deals can be renegotiated so that comparable contributions can be paid in for their benefits. IMO policemen and firemen should be given better hc insurance than the teachers because their line of work entails physical duty.

By Originalthought (really?)

March 22, 2011 7:30 AM | Link to this

Throughout the centuries, as societies are DIVIDED & CONQUERED, it is ALWAYS the FELLOW CITIZENS turning on their own….from the TOP DOWN to the little LEMMINGS who buy into the PROPAGANDA…& show their TRUE COLORS…starting with the YELLOW STRIPE down their backs…THESE are the TREASONOUS TURNCOATS who clamor the LOUDEST & MOST OFTEN…REPEATING WHAT THEY ARE TOLD…SO welcome to THE MACHINE..THE STATES of UNITED CORPORATE AMERICA

By MAC

March 21, 2011 10:06 PM | Link to this

What’s really sad is how so many middle class folks R attacking each other. Fat Cats/Politicians have to pleased…we R fighting among ourselves when we should be focusing on why folks @ the top aren’t offering any concessions & doing a better job eliminating waste. Again, it’s much 2 easy for politicians to attack avg folks instead of going after all the waste & over spending @ top.

By moose

March 21, 2011 9:30 PM | Link to this

Well, it is VERY apparent to me that ‘Apparently Not Enough Education’ apparently equates Marx’s famous (infamous?) book with communism in our society. It’s still a capitalistic country, and it does help to know what a real ‘community’ does, like at least try to be fair to others around us. But let’s just be completely ‘private sector’ here in America, especially Dayton, Ohio. We all know that evry single boss and corporate head will treat every one of his (her?) employees right and fair. They will pay them with fair wages. They will all love the Lord. They will all provide FMLA (wait, that was a governmental policy, done by, OMG, political leaders). And we all know that privatized, corporate officers NEVER cheat on their wives. The man is the head of the home anyway. That’s fair, right?

By Politicians are evil

March 21, 2011 7:23 PM | Link to this

I am Union Firefighter. We have to negotiate with a Board of Trustees that endorses theft, builds a castle to house themselves in, and denies EVERY line of duty injury filed by us. We, the firefighter union, have had to grieve to get FMLA, Workers Comp, and appropriate application of sick time. We have never lost a grievance. If you are unaware, grievance mediators are mutually selected, disinterested third party people. This is why we have a union. We work for politicians. Do you know how to tell when a politician is lying? Their mouth is moving……

By Onion Organizer

March 21, 2011 7:05 PM | Link to this

The poor and immoral games and work ethics of public and federal unions kinda negates this middlemen to God factor, doesn’t it. -been there, have the t-shirt

By public employee

March 21, 2011 6:15 PM | Link to this

I am a Public Employee that is not unionized,I don’t get top of the line benefits or pay. I don’t think it’s fair to consider me the same as unionized workers.

By Actual Educated Person

March 21, 2011 5:41 PM | Link to this

By had enough—“were”? Do you mean “where”? I bet you were not an English major. Phoney-not only are you shallow, you lack education.

By dhampton100

March 21, 2011 5:39 PM | Link to this

Looks like it finally dawned on these preachers that less money to their members mean less money in the offering plates. Say what you want but certainly are not stupid.

By Apparently Not Enough Education

March 21, 2011 5:19 PM | Link to this

Had enough, you claim to have a masters? Not in history hopefully. In the communist manifesto, Marx laid out several precepts that would be required to usher in a communist society. Of those precepts, one involved the organization of labor and one involved free public education. Public teachers unions combine both of these precepts. Of course, the idea of ushering in a communist society probably doesn’t offend you.

By moose

March 21, 2011 4:31 PM | Link to this

Can you see these ‘private’ workers working in a school? Can you see them driving a bus of schoolchildren? can you see them doinga lot of the jobs that publis workers are doing? Actually, I can, because that is where we get our workers for these public jobs-from our communities. However, if they haven’t been working these kinds of jobs YET they feel that they should be in charge of them as ‘taxpayers’, I will say that they probably could not a)manage a classroom or a busload of children, or b)fix their children’s meals at school, or c) clean their children’s schools, etc., etc., etc. No, THESE ‘public’ workers make WAY too much money. Honestly, the critics of unions for public workers are ignorant bullies. And they probably, for a large part of this group, are the home-schoolers. Oh, and the private schoolers

By jimmie

March 21, 2011 4:21 PM | Link to this

What is a “faith leader”? Kind of like Jim Jones?

By had enough

March 21, 2011 4:14 PM | Link to this

@ Dagwood. Really, you have an education? Is that were you learned to resort to name calling (“union thug”), learned when to use “there” versus “their” and make assumptions that anyone without formal education is unworthy of receiving a good salary. Did your education include any history courses? Do you remember hearing about the The Greatest Generation? You know, all those drop outs and high school educated people who saved us from tyranny and then built the greatest country on earth. Never mind, I have decided not to argue with an idiot. I know how it makes me look. By the way, I too have a formal education (Masters), but choose not to judge others on shallow criteria. I prefer to judge others by their actions and behavior. Not every public employee fits the image you have, just as I am sure not all Engineers fit the image I have of you.

By proud public employee

March 21, 2011 3:46 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, no-one is listening. Not all public employees are unionized. I am a non-union public employee. I am an educated, hard-worker. I am not a thug, and I have never supported Hitler. I do not live in a bubble. In fact, I’ve spent my time as a waitress, cashier, hauling livestock feed, and many other manual labor jobs. I also currently work a part-time job after I work a full-day in my county job. And, this is all by choice. I am an average, everyday person. I am probably your next-door neighbor. Our children probably play together. Yet, you think I am a horrible person because I work for our government—at a low rate of pay—by choice!! Every cruel, hate-based comment you make only hurts your neighbors. Not all of us are unionized!! I’m done with this conversation.

By MAC

March 21, 2011 3:42 PM | Link to this

Paul, talk about your own little bubble. Fire Fighters, Police & certainly teachers understand how the world works…where do U think all the reality TV show topics come from…it’s the dysfunctional things people in these career fields deal w/ everyday! Point is, the religious leaders R trying to create unity instead of dividing, attacking & bickering that’s going on here and in many of our states right now. In contrast, look how Japanese R behaving w/ chaos all around them. As I’ve mentioned in other threads on this topic, GOP has picked the wrong fight. They’re making same mistake Obuma made trying to jam their polices down our throats before they lose their precious power. Instead, they should B identifying waste & moving in a logical & sensible way to correct it @ the top, in the middle & @ bottom of society; I think MOST of us could respect & go along w/ that?

By Paul

March 21, 2011 3:20 PM | Link to this

Public employees live in their own little “bubble”. The vast majority of taxpayers and Americans are Not unionized, don’t need a union and don’t want a union. But the public employees are like protected little children, they don’t know how things work in the real world and they seem very backward, timid and unsure of themselves. I think the Unions have really indoctrinated these public employees to the point that they don’t think they’re capable of anything without the union to protect them. This is like slavery!

By Judi wants a cracker

March 21, 2011 3:05 PM | Link to this

Judi, with her daily Fox News references. Same #*%$, different day…..You can’t even muster the brains to spout the liberal talking points… Fox New, Fox News, Koch Bros, Fox News…awk! awk!

By MAC

March 21, 2011 2:58 PM | Link to this

R U Kidding, I actually think U have some very good pts, but I doubt we’d have a better society / quality of life if we followed thru w/ your plan? If U think about it, many jobs R a form of welfare. Again, I site the over-padded Govt contract 2 private firms 2 keep them in business as 1 huge waste of tax dollars. Likewise, if I weren’t making my avg US salary in my Govt job & didn’t have VA benefits, I wouldn’t have bought a house, visit Lowes 2 make home improvements, purchased an above ground pool from your store, supported youth sports leagues w/ contributions or dined @ your local Applebees last night either. I certainly wouldn’t B paying as much N Taxes, but most certainly would B looking & qualified 4 some form of public assistance. Think about it! Have any of U every heard of the Wal-Mart factor…how they drag the standard of living down in their community…that seems 2 B where we’re going?

By judi

March 21, 2011 2:52 PM | Link to this

NULL: you must be a troll, because there were no “thugs”…these were educated,teachers, unemployed college graduates, police, fireman, college students, and now seniors. Typical FOX talking points are all you can spout.

By JUDI

March 21, 2011 2:49 PM | Link to this

Squirrelygirl and RUKidding: all you ever do is spout hateful right wing talking points. The GOP and the KOCH Brothers are doing MUCH more than union busting. You need to dig a little deeper and get the facts. PUBLIC workers work just as hard as private ones, and without the unions there would be no minimum wage, overtime, benefits, weekend….all those things you take for granted. this “private sector” vs Public sector” is just another form of class warfare they are trying to create as a diversion….while they screw this country royally.

By null

March 21, 2011 2:46 PM | Link to this

My property taxes pay these thugs wages after watching how they act and seeing Hitler represent them I will never vote for anykind of levy that’s my choice!

By MAC

March 21, 2011 2:36 PM | Link to this

Proud Public: Well Said; especially your pt on doing more w/ less! Can’t tell U how many times I heard that in my career. My wife (BS in Accounting & Finance w/ honors she’ll have U know) has a GS accounting job w/ Air Force. Of course, we had to extend our lovely assignment in Turkey (2.5 yrs away from family & friends) to get her foot in the GS door. She works her @$$ many times accomplishing 2 - 3 peoples work 4 the pay she receives & has earned every penny! Exactly right on comp time: she earns it, but has no time 2 take it! I forgot 2 mention we were N Turkey during 1st Kaddafi bombing (which created terrorist threats around our base) beef from UK doesn’t allow us to give blood (hope nothing else comes from it) and Chernobyl accident. I can’t say for sure Chernobyl gave me cancer, but I came back from Turkey w/ cancer nevertheless which was cut out & treated w/ radiation. Yea, we public employees have it so easy it’s just swell.

By Ben

March 21, 2011 2:31 PM | Link to this

What’s Faith got to do with it?

By R U Kidding Me

March 21, 2011 2:31 PM | Link to this

DB you don’t get it. Most of the public employees lack the drive, motivation, intelligence to get an education. We the public far overpay many of you who work in the public sector. Unionized public employees are paid only what their union thug leaders can extort via briabary of the elected liberal democratic officials with whom they negotiate their contracts with. Unions donate to liberal dems who intern screw the public by grossly overpaying the union membership. Quit your union job, start your own business and find out how much society really values your skill, time, talents, experience and edcuation. Most unionized govt workers couldn’t pull down minimum wage in the private sector.

By Doug

March 21, 2011 2:22 PM | Link to this

sgirl this didn’t have full republican support there are 23 republicans in the senate 6 voted against. I guess these religious leaders are bipartisan.

By MAC

March 21, 2011 2:19 PM | Link to this

Exactly DB! I have a BS in 2ndary edu. & an AS in information systems. It didn’t improve my military pay, my retirement pay or my Govt. job pay now. I actually brought more home while N military because housing & food allowance were non taxable. They should have paid me more while @ WPAFB 2 live in Page Manor (Manure) housing! Pt / problem is, only 50% of US population pays any tax at all. Fat Cats @ top R usually gifted tax breaks because (in theory) many own business & provide jobs. Of course many don’t provide any jobs, yet still receive tax breaks. If we were all honest & did what was best for country, this would stop & only those who actually create jobs would get the tax break. Of course, it’s a lot easier to pick at/on the middle class & unions than pi$$ off 1 of your campaign contributors which is why the loop hole continues! 2 B fair, I do realize the rich pay approx 40% in taxes & I think that’s fair & enough!

By Sam

March 21, 2011 2:12 PM | Link to this

I think everyone is missing the point here on the unions. If you get rid of the unions you now bring in the lawyers. What’s worse a union or a lawyer? If I’m a 65 year old, minority, or name you protected class and get terminated post union I imdiately go to a lawyer and file a wrongfull termination suit against the school district. In the union days that stuff is written into the contract and there was no recourse. If it’s in your contract you can be non-renewed. Now everyone will sue about everthing. Sally got a raise and I didn’t, Mary was laid off beause she was old, Joe was laid off because he was black. Get ready lawyers it’s extortion time!!

By Paul

March 21, 2011 1:52 PM | Link to this

Maybe we need to demand that these “faith leaders” churches START Paying Taxes? Otherwise, they have no business telling taxpayers how they should feel about paying public employee salary/benefit/pension that are better than their own. Its appalling that they’d get involved in this. Hey, preachers, if you’re so “concerned” WHY DON’T YOU START PAYING TAXES AND HELPING US OUT ???

By Squirrellygirl

March 21, 2011 1:43 PM | Link to this

Public workers would do better and be better off without the unions interference. The unions forced auto makers out of business. Now they are trying to strongarm American taxpayers and they are using a league of fake “church leaders” who don’t even believe in God’s Word to endorse these unions. These unions want to force all workers to join them and their leader has threatened that “he knows where you live!” These unions have no place in the public work system where tax payers are paying the public workers’ salaries and benefits. These fake churches should lose their tax exempt status for pushing their politics and the unions which are in bed with Obama and the Democratic party.

By To the DUMMIES

March 21, 2011 1:24 PM | Link to this

I wish all those making comments here would investigate the facts you are arguing before you stick your foot in your mouth. Dummies are folks who write or speak to hear themselves but don’t have a clue about the issues they are arguing. If you can’t get along with the public workers and the unions…THEN JOIN THEM!!!!

By Squirrellygirl

March 21, 2011 1:08 PM | Link to this

Obama said that the unions worked for him to get elected. Because of that, I would call the unions politically motivated because of just that one thing. So…if the unions are politically driven for just the Democratic party, then why is this league of churches and their leaders allowed to push their political views about these unions and still keep their tax exempt status? I don’t think they legally can. Is there anyone who has the authority and the will to check into this? The tax payers would like them to lose their tax exempt status. These “faith” leaders don’t represent the Living God’s church, just their own anti-colonial biggoted anti-white views, and their “collective salvation” teachings are worthy of damnation. Remember Obama’s preacher for 30 years, Rev Wright: “GD America…”—that doesn’t sound like any church I’VE ever attended. It preaches anti-colonialism, and that America is responsible for stealing wealth from other underdeveloped countries, and that America is destroying our environment because of our technology, and that we should become more like the 3rd world countries, lose our jobs and our cars, etc. and be less dependent on energy sources like oil, nuclear, coal, etc. Of course, windmills will never make up for all of that energy we aren’t allowed to use by Obama and his socialist followers, this league of churches that preaches forced redistribution of wealth. Sounds like politics to me. Sounds like these leaders are pushing their political views…!!!!

By DB

March 21, 2011 1:04 PM | Link to this

@dagwood, “There is not worker, union or non union that deserves to get paid more then what there education level is”. This has to be one of the most ignorant statements I’ve read during this whole debate. According to this logic police, fire and military personnel without masters degrees should be paid minimum wage. I guess risking ones life has no value to you. Typical desk jockey.

By Squirrellygirl

March 21, 2011 12:54 PM | Link to this

To Skeptic: who endorses unions, Skeptic? Is it the Republican party? No. It is the Democratic party? Yes, yes it is. The Democratic party, along with their Leader, Obama, is in bed with the unions. So…should any church leader that is endorsing a particular candidate or party, like the Democratic party, for endorsing the union, which the Democratic party is in bed with, should that church lose it’s tax exempt status? Yes, I think it should. You see, God’s church doesn’t preach collective salvation, and neither does it endorse any political candidates; however, this league of churches does endorse unions, and this is a polarizing subject, and is a very political one. I suggest that these churches be investigated and that their tax exempt status be made null. They should be paying taxes if they are endorsing only the Democratic party and those to whom they are in bed with, the unions. Why is that so hard for these so-called churches to understand?

By proud public employee

March 21, 2011 12:48 PM | Link to this

I want to clear up a few misconceptions that a great deal of Ohioans have about public employees. I’ll use myself as an example to illustrate that public employees are not different than the private sector workforce. We are struggling just like you. 1. I am a local government county employee. Local gov’t employees are governed by state law. Any law that affects state employees also affects local gov’t employees—even if they are not unionized. 2. I am not a member of any bargaining unit. My office is not unionized 3. I earn approximately $13, 000 less per year working in the public sector than I would at a similar position in the private sector 4. I have not had a pay increase—raise—since 2008 5. I agreed to a pay decrease in 2009 in order keep working 6. I pay a portion my health insurance premium 7. I contribute a portion of my pay to PERS 8. I do not receive overtime pay. If I work overtime I must take comp time. However, budget cut-backs have reduced the size of our staff to well below the needs to operate the office, so there are no dates available to take the comp-time I have earned. I chose the public sector and accept the limitations. However, I wish those who believe that we are overpaid and do not work hard would realize that not all government employees receive the outlandish benefits and perks we hear about on the news. Why pick on the very workforce that keeps the government functioning? It doesn’t make sense. Actually, many of you have most likely talked to me or my coworkers when you have called my county office and have been pleased with our service. I won’t apologize for serving the community I love—but, I won’t do it for free either!

By oldtimer

March 21, 2011 12:43 PM | Link to this

Michael: The IRS rules is that churches and other tax exempt organizations may not speak out against or support political candidates, but they are allowed to speak out for and against issues and causes. As such they legally can oppose Senate Bill 5.

By Squirrellygirl

March 21, 2011 12:38 PM | Link to this

Do these churches that these “faith leaders” represent pay taxes? If not, why are they getting in the middle of politics? I have to say that I don’t think that these “faith leaders” represent all of the churches. I think they should read their Bibles so that they don’t mess up and tell people they need to be “collectively saved”—it ain’t in the Bible, folks! Nowhere, and neither are socialism or forced redistribution of wealth endorsed. I think that these “faith leaders” may be a bit confused. I thought they weren’t allowed to preach politics. Aren’t they supposed to pay taxes if they are politically driven? I don’t think these churches should get away with not paying their taxes.

By Dagwood

March 21, 2011 12:37 PM | Link to this

Had enough, you have the typical union thug mentality. Unions are the reason companies close there doors. Do you actually think that you should be making 27 bucks an hour for just having a high school education? Do you think you are entitled to free health care and free pension plan. I have an Engineering degree and I see first hand what the unions have done to the manufacturing sector. Unions were needed at one time, however they have outlived there usefulness in today’s society.

By MAC

March 21, 2011 12:36 PM | Link to this

DITTOS, Danielle, Had Enough & MRA. Everyone had a choice 2 make. I started under-grad in teaching. After student teaching, I went 2 military. I completed my 20 + years, laced w/ family separation, deployments, low pay & a schedule that made it practically impossible to complete additional education or have a normal family life. In short, I fulfilled my contract, yet GOVT & now private sector poke, pull & try 2 take back every benefit I & other public workers honestly earned! I chose to serve when a lot of others wouldn’t even consider it and now many want to erode & take away my/our benefits because they’re having a tough time and I/we finally caught up w/ a few of them. Absolutely makes me sick! You rolled the dice; U didn’t want a tough military life or feared the dangers of Fire fighting, police work or the mind numbing challenge of trying to teach in today’s screwed up classrooms. We faced the challenges and worked these tough jobs in exchange for the contracted/promised security these jobs offered and now many in the private sector want to whine because they didn’t have the gumption or vision to do likewise.

By MAC

March 21, 2011 12:34 PM | Link to this

DITTOS, Danielle, Had Enough & MRA. Everyone had a choice 2 make. I started under-grad in teaching. After student teaching, I went 2 military. I completed my 20 + years, laced w/ family separation, deployments, low pay & a schedule that made it practically impossible to complete additional education or have a normal family life. In short, I fulfilled my contract, yet GOVT & now private sector poke, pull & try 2 take back every benefit I & other public workers honestly earned! I chose to serve when a lot of others wouldn’t even consider it and now many want to erode & take away my/our benefits because they’re having a tough time and I/we finally caught up w/ a few of them. Absolutely makes me sick! You rolled the dice; U didn’t want a tough military life or feared the dangers of Fire fighting, police work or the mind numbing challenge of trying to teach in today’s screwed up classrooms. We faced the challenges and worked these tough jobs in exchange for the contracted/promised security these jobs offered and now many in the private sector want to whine because they didn’t have the gumption or vision to do likewise.

By dagwood

March 21, 2011 12:29 PM | Link to this

Had enough! You spew the typical union garbage. I have a degree in Engineering and I have a great job. If the union came into the company I work for it they would bankrupt the company. There is not worker, union or non union that deserves to get paid more then what there education level is and welcome to the real world of paying a little for your benefits. The unions helped to bankrupt GM and Chrysler, and now they are bankrupting the states.

By MAC

March 21, 2011 12:05 PM | Link to this

Everyone has right 2 Free Speech; I don’t have problem w/ church leaders representing the middle class & trying to build unity instead of attacking it like GOP is doing now. What I find interesting is cry-baby attitudes of the so called “private” workers who would scream bloody murder if “we” told them how much they could charge (ie. no more than 1K for a CAT Scan) ect. So much for less Govt & so called Freedom! Yet, they never complain about the “FAT” government contract (waste of our tax dollars) that helps their company. Likewise, interesting how legislators (good ol boys) haven’t agreed 2 cut their wages & benefits package & how Gov (buddy) was very neutral on issue. Why not clean up illegal immigration (wastes American education, welfare & health care funds) foreign aid, tort reform, “private” companies who take all protection of US, but put HQ off shore to avoid taxes, ect. ect., because it’s a whole lot easier 2 attack the middle class than their palm greasing buddies who R stealing us blind just like the so called UNIONS Thugs. Gov / GOP sure talk a good game; wonder when they’ll take / CUT a little off the top?

By sense

March 21, 2011 12:01 PM | Link to this

Thank You “had enough” 100% agreed

By null

March 21, 2011 12:00 PM | Link to this

Thank You “had enough” 100% agreed

By MRA

March 21, 2011 11:59 AM | Link to this

Do you realize that if this law passes in OH 1)class sizes are going way up 2) you wont be able to get halfway decent teachers for that pay 3)struggling students services will decline GREATLY 4)This bill will lower teachers pay to $20k yr starting from the “huge” $31k yr that they now make. 5)That the children of the teachers in OH will all be eligable for free lunches (unless the other parent makes a great salary) this fact alone will keep us in paying more money to assist in paying for all of the lunches.

By Faith Leaders My.....

March 21, 2011 11:59 AM | Link to this

I guess these “faith leaders” are of the same cloth as Raleigh Tramell, another shining example of what passes as both faith or leader in a dismal community like Dayton.

By Faith Leaders My.....

March 21, 2011 11:59 AM | Link to this

I guess these “faith leaders” are of the same cloth as Raleigh Tramell, another shining example of what passes as both faith or leader in a dismal community like Dayton.

By Danielle

March 21, 2011 11:57 AM | Link to this

Why does it always sound to me like there are little people without educations hoping to make everyone else come down to their level? Whats with the hate for civil servants anyway? Grow up and stop trying to pull everyone DOWN to your level….

By chuckles

March 21, 2011 11:52 AM | Link to this

I have said for many years start TAXING these churches.

By had enough

March 21, 2011 11:45 AM | Link to this

@ Oh Puhleez, Why should we go elsewhere because we don’t like the way we are being treated? If you’re jealous over the money and benefits we recieve why don’t you change careers? Better yet, why not iniate steps to unionize your workplace and fight for improved wages and benefits? We all made career choices - some good and some bad. Get off your #$$ and do something to better yourself instead of trying to bring others down to your level of self imposed misery brought on by your career choice.

By Skeptic

March 21, 2011 11:29 AM | Link to this

Just to correct the ignorant comments, non-profit and faith organizations can speak out on public interest issues. They are only prohibited from endorsing candidates. Get educated before commenting, please.

By null

March 21, 2011 11:27 AM | Link to this

Unions should represent oppressed workers- do you mean our government is an opressive employer? and just who are these ‘faith leaders’? name names please

By Love Dayton

March 21, 2011 11:21 AM | Link to this

I concur. Enough with the “faith leaders” leading ANY political movement or trying to influence their congregations. Investigate their tax records and revoke their tax-exempt status!!

By Oh Puhleez

March 21, 2011 11:20 AM | Link to this

“Faith leaders”? You mean like the “Reverend” Al Sharpton or the “Reverend” Jesse Jackson? So were supposed to believe now that the Bible is now on the side of the unions? Here’s the deal: If you don’t like the deal you are being offered, go work somewhere else. If enough people go work somewhere else, the taxpayers will have to sweeten the deal. Until that happens, the unions should consider themselves overpaid and overcompensated.

By Michael

March 21, 2011 11:18 AM | Link to this

Faith leaders coalition being political again? By law your organizations do not pay taxes and cannot by law have political motivations. If you want to be political, stop hiding behind the name of a church and be exposed for what you are!

By TolertatingOthers

March 21, 2011 11:15 AM | Link to this

If Senate Bill 5 passes, it will “create unity in Ohio” as public employees will now be in the same boat as all other employees who are non-public workers. Welcome to our world folks!