Now that they blatantly stole an election, lied about it, gloated over it, claimed it all went smoothly and got away with it – it’s no wonder they decided democracy isn’t important to the people of Ohio.
Substitute House Bill 1 was passed by a lame duck session of the Ohio General Assembly in an emergency “Special Session” just before the Christmas/holiday break without adequate notice or opportunity for the public and media to thoroughly understand its contents and impact. For the first time in nearly a century, the bill legalizes direct contributions from business corporations to certain political activities, including pro-corporate political ads.
No, that won’t influence Ohio lawmakers’ decisions if they win. Not now that the bill increases contribution limits 400% from $2500 to $10,000 for wealthy individuals and business corporations to political candidates of their choice.
Corporations were never intended by Ohio’s founders to have political rights. For decades after statehood, corporations were closely controlled and rigidly defined by “we the people” through laws, constitutions, and court cases. In 1908, the Ohio General Assembly passed legislation “to prevent the corruption of elections and political parties by corporations” by barring any corporation from directly or indirectly giving any money or property to any political organization party or candidate.
The original bill’s intent (14 pages) was to expand disclosure of political contributions – and this is needed. The final bill (139 pages) contained many anti-democratic provisions.
There is a statewide referendum petition drive to repeal Ohio Substitute House Bill 1. The deadline is March 20 and petitioners need 185,000 valid signatures. The petitioners want to “protect your voting rights from assault by corporate dollars” and have some important points:
Corporations already possess political powers and rights to be heard by public officials to shape legislation, and to influence elections. Why do they need more power and rights?
The rights, powers and votes of citizens without money (working people, those without adequate health care, the poor) are already politically weak. How does increasing the rights and powers of corporations politically help these citizens?
The disclosure provisions of this bill could have passed on their own. Coupling them with the legalization of direct corporate contributions for political purposes is an assault on what’s left of democracy in Ohio.
To sign or obtain petitions, contact: Rady Anada at rady.ananda@sbcglobal.net or the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committe at 330-253-7151.
Substitute House Bill 1 was passed by a lame duck session of the Ohio General Assembly in an emergency “Special Session” just before the Christmas/holiday break without adequate notice or opportunity for the public and media to thoroughly understand its contents and impact. For the first time in nearly a century, the bill legalizes direct contributions from business corporations to certain political activities, including pro-corporate political ads.
No, that won’t influence Ohio lawmakers’ decisions if they win. Not now that the bill increases contribution limits 400% from $2500 to $10,000 for wealthy individuals and business corporations to political candidates of their choice.
Corporations were never intended by Ohio’s founders to have political rights. For decades after statehood, corporations were closely controlled and rigidly defined by “we the people” through laws, constitutions, and court cases. In 1908, the Ohio General Assembly passed legislation “to prevent the corruption of elections and political parties by corporations” by barring any corporation from directly or indirectly giving any money or property to any political organization party or candidate.
The original bill’s intent (14 pages) was to expand disclosure of political contributions – and this is needed. The final bill (139 pages) contained many anti-democratic provisions.
There is a statewide referendum petition drive to repeal Ohio Substitute House Bill 1. The deadline is March 20 and petitioners need 185,000 valid signatures. The petitioners want to “protect your voting rights from assault by corporate dollars” and have some important points:
To sign or obtain petitions, contact: Rady Anada at rady.ananda@sbcglobal.net or the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committe at 330-253-7151.