Ohio Democrats: Senate Bill 5 Fight Will Galvanize the Party This November
Northeast Ohio Democrats surveyed by Patch were unanimous in believing last year's Senate Bill 5 fight will help Barack Obama reclaim the White House.
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Northeast Ohio Democrats believe last year's fight over a Republican-led effort to clamp down on union rights will help Barack Obama reclaim the White House.
Patch's Democratic influencers agreed in a survey that the Senate Bill 5 fight, which culminated in a decisive victory for union interests in Ohio last year, will galvanize party members and help Obama's re-election fight in this crucial swing state.
Not one Democrat surveyed thought 2011's union fight would hurt Obama or the party in this year's election.
The Senate Bill 5 effort was led by Gov. John Kasich, a Republican rising star who took a major hit after having his signature initiative defeated in November 2011.
Democrats surveyed said Kasich's over-reaching helped organize Democrats, and that much of that organization is ready to fight for Obama.
"The actions of the Governor and certain members of the General Assembly came off as extreme and heavy-handed as was evidenced by the voter reaction," said one influencer surveyed.
One influence said that two groups, teachers and safety force employees, will likely be more engaged and active now after staving off the anti-union initiatives last year.
One influencer suggested that Senate Bill 5 was a precursor to this election's debates over economy inequality.
"Maybe people will realize that they have to vote in order to protect the middle class," the influence said.
What do you think? Do you think the Senate Bill 5 battle will help President Obama?
This is the latest installment of our Red/Bue Ohio series, in which we gather opinion and insight from influential local Democratic and Republican activists, party leaders and elected officials in Northeast Ohio.
Want to participate? If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in regular surveys that last only a few minutes, please e-mail Senior Regional Editor Jean Dubail at jean.dubail@patch.com.
Bruce
3:47 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
It's either welfare or unions. Obama is like an I-V to them. Give; Give; Give.
Welfare: Why work when it pays not to.
Unions: Collective bargaining destroyed business's as well as spirits. Teachers not caring about education after getting tenure; firefighters are a perfect example of screw the system and autoworkers going on unemployment for union substitues of 90%.
Wake up America
Mars
11:17 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Maybe you should pick up a history book and read up on how unions came to be. A little child labor, anyone? Maybe working in a coal mine and risking your life for a mere $3 a week? Anyone. Any takers? Soon we'll get to fight our way out of the same hole. Again. Why learn from history?
MZ
3:43 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Mary,
There is a difference between private and public sector unions. Public sector unions should be eliminated. Private unions served there purpose and accomplished largely accomplished their goals for safety, fair pay, etc...
I am fairly sure that OSHA, minimum wage, and media outrage will prevent us from the "same hole." I would prefer to be less of a slave to the tax man and prefer to stand on my own merits, therefore I will never join a union and have someone bargain for me.
Joe Bednar
4:37 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Bruce.....are you drunk? Collective bargaining destroyed business' and spirits? Yeah tell that to the people working 100 hours a week for no overtime or benefits. Obama or not, the union workers of America are on a witch hunt for selfish republican tools like John Kasich. People most likely like you and your tool friends. I'm glad Senate bill 5 came about - It gave me something to be angry about. And I love being angry.
Nome Importa
6:10 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I work as many as 80 hours a week, sometimes more. And I don't complain. I don't get overtime, and I have to purchase my own healthcare. Why do I do it? Because I know that there is not a single job out there that will pay me the amount of money that I need that would allow me to treat my family like they deserve. My wife is great and my kids are awesome. They deserve the best that I can provide for them. I avoid businesses that work with Unions because they inhibit and prevent me from being able to attain the income that I desire and that my family deserves.
For example: I want my kids to go to the best schools- (better education=better pay). In a Union Shop- I have to live where their "negotiated" wages allow me to live. If I earn $60k a year, I can live in a home in a school district that $60k a year allows me to afford. OR bust my butt, make as much as I can and live in a home in a school district that $150,000 can afford. Unions are not in MY best interest and promote stagnation in the economy. Bad for everyone
Unions are a stumbling block to the life I want to live, and I'm better off without them.
Bonnie Dolezal
5:01 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Seriously doubt that the issue of "redistricting" will draw more voters out. The public is concerned about jobs, and the economy and if they have a brain the current President and his unrestricted power. This issue is made for the Dem's it's all about them changing the rules again when they don't like the way the voters of Ohio spoke in 2010. Joe you are drunk! Glad you are angry!!
Earl Elevant
12:07 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
"Northeast Ohio Democrats surveyed by Patch were unanimous in believing last year's Senate Bill 5 fight will help Barack Obama reclaim the White House."
Absolutely. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Republicans screwed themselves over. They took a gamble and they lost--big time.
Joe Giles
6:32 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Hardly an objective source for a poll. Besides, the last couple of articles here have discussed how confused the democrats are
Buck98
10:37 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Hmmm....the results of Tuesday's election seem to say otherwise. You may have won the SB5 battle but will eventually lose the war. One of two things will happen... The state goes broke or the voters wise up. Your position is unsustainable... Give France a try.. they are looking at 75% Income Tax.
James Thomas
9:37 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Buck98,
We're wising up.
T. MATTERMAN
6:07 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
THE UNIONS WILL FIND IT HARD TO KEEP THERE JOBS AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION. THE MONEY IS JUST RUNNING OUT AND NO ALTERNATIVE IDEAS ON HOW TO COPE WITH THAT FACT. 2 OF 6 LEVIES PASSED THIS WEEK AND IT MAY BE MORE DISMALL IN NOVEMBER.
Mars
6:00 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
There, there, my friend. Their jobs.
tom m
9:11 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
if they would have made the issue just about the out of control teachers salaries / benefits it would have never been repealed, the teachers union hid behind the police and fire and made it all about them .... I think to be fair teachers should have the same pay/benefits as the police/firemen .... then the unions will be equal
MZ
4:31 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
There should be no unions for public servants of any kind. You can't sit at both sides of the table and effectively bargain in the public's best interest.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/the-case-against-public-sector-unions/
Joe Giles
7:48 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Where would Dems get funding?
MZ
9:00 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Joe, I guess they would have to approach the public with their cause and try to convince them of their positions. Historically this has been very difficult for Dems to accomplish, hence the back room deals, the reliance on BIG government, and the Chicago way of doing things.
Joe Giles
11:11 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
@ MZ
Exactly, democrats are bought and paid for by unions.
bob lang
10:29 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
don't understand the reasoning of the gentleman that claimed that unions forced him to send his kids to substandard schools. I belonged to a construction union for over 40 years and managed to send my kids to the Revere school system, considered one of the best in the region.