A Message of Hope

As I began traveling door to door for the Barack Obama campaign, meeting Americans who were undercut by our country’s failed economic policies, I realized how important it was that Obama’s proposals be implemented to give these people a chance to achieve the American Dream. Unfortunately, during the course of this election and sadly even after its conclusion, the editorial pages of The Courier have reflected the divisive and often false opinions existing in our city.

Instead of listening to Senator John McCain properly denounce unfounded rumors about Barack Obama being a Muslim, many in Findlay refused to believe. Many also refuse to believe that Democrats want to reduce the number of abortions because when Senator Obama released a plan to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies in the United States, many of my fellow Pro-Life Obama supporters were considered “baby killers” by those in Findlay.

Then, little was said about John McCain’s plan to tax employer based health care as income and to comparatively insure 11.2 million fewer Americans; while Barack Obama’s proposal to lower the cost of health care premiums, with a provision allowing citizens to keep their current plans and doctors was equivocated to socialism.

And, while comprehensive reports indicated that not only would John McCain’s tax plan leave working middle class Findlay-ites paying more in taxes than under Obama’s plan, but eventually everyone would have to pay for the estimated 5.6 trillion more dollars John McCain’s economic plan (compared to Obama’s) would add to the national debt; opinions in Findlay stated that Obama would raise their taxes when his plan effectively reduced taxes for a majority of them.

Furthermore, the idea that “Barack Obama does not support Israel” is simply false. I recently attended the AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Summit in Chicago where Barack Obama’s foreign policy advisor received a standing ovation from the most Pro-Israel audience you could imagine.

Let’s learn from our encounter with the Washington Post and construct opinions based on facts. And finally, let’s hope that President Obama will end the divisive partisanship evidenced in this paper’s recent opinions and reach across the aisle to serve a plurality of interests and restore our image as a world leader.

Stephen J. Kostyo

The New Ohio Economy - Green

As the State of Ohio continues to lose its once great business and skilled manufacturing base, little has been proposed by our leading politicos about directing Ohio toward the future. I suggest that we address this future by taking a leadership role in “green” economic initiatives and manufacturing. This can be accomplished on a local and state level by calling upon and supporting existing Ohio businesses to engage in a coordinated establishment for the production of “green energy” components. These components can be utilized throughout the United States and exported for greater environmental stewardship.

It may be suggested that a business capable of fabricating vehicle parts and accessories may readily be re-tooled for the production of components for wind turbines, solar panel grids or harness wave energies. Equally, a manufacturer of wiring harness for vehicles or aeronautic use may well adapt to wiring harnesses for other efficient energy conversions. Certainly these tasks will take the efforts of many people who will require a level of skill and pay beyond that of minimum wage. The addition of skilled workers and infusion of long term capital will substantially advance our local or state economies.

Reference can be made to fundamental economic models that demonstrate when there is an increase in technology such as a more reliable and less expensive form of energy, the relative wealth of the effected community increases; wages increase and often there is an increase in employment. Try to think of Findlay, Ohio in the days of the natural gas boom around 1885. The discovery of natural gas deposits let to national marketing efforts advertising free gass with business leaders trying to "boom" the town. It may be noted that during such times overall business productivity increases causing either an increase in building capital and an increase of skilled workers into the community. This is a business model that we should welcome because the benefits are plentiful and the investment gives the prospect for a profitable return to our community.

I suggest that the State of Ohio can use funds collected from its businesses to create the future for business in our state, namely: the approximate 15 Billion Dollar residual Workers’ Compensation Fund. While made less by a lack of earnings on rare coins, off-shore hedge funds and disastrous economic failures of the present administration, significant funds remain that can be loaned to manufacturers to re-tool and build the factories where the components of green energy around the world can find their home in northwestern Ohio.

Many of our families, parents or grandparents work the ground to support and provide security for their families. We too can we begin to create the foundation for the next green economy. It is time that we begin to build the industrial and manufacturing base that will support the individuals, families, our communities and our state with the economic and political security necessary to preserve and continue the freedoms we enjoy. Now, if we could just find a few politicos with the vision and fortitude to open this path, I believe we can build our future from the ground up through adaptation and innovation. It is time to re-vitalize Ohio.

Efficient City and County Government

On the evening of September 24, 2008, George W. Bush stated the United States economy is in “a serious financial crisis.” To this he added “America could slip into a financial panic . . . More banks could fail, including some in your community. The stock market could drop even more . . . . And if you own a business or a farm, you would find it harder and more expensive to get credit. More businesses would close their doors, and millions of American could lose their jobs.” [President’s Address to Nation, 9:01 PM EST September 24, 2008].

On September 25, 2008, Washington Mutual (WaMu), the nation’s largest savings and loan was seized by federal regulators and brokered in an emergency sale to JPMorgan Chase. This is the biggest bank failure in the history of the world and a big wrench into the gears of free market economic theory.

So – on September 25, 2008, our visionary Commissioners found an infamous date to impose two “emergency” sales taxes on the citizens of Hancock County. County politicos cannot wait for new offices. And it must be stressed that a token part of the sales tax increase may go to flood mitigation. In what some may described as a “smart move” is revealed a – government first – mentality that places buildings before people. Those who question Commissioner vision are challenged to obtain and review audits. The pretense of an audit begs the question of actual leadership.

Perhaps it is time of for our county and city leaders to consider consolidating overlapping city and county departments to provide more cost effective and efficient services to the citizens of Findlay and Hancock County. It may be suggested that for far too long Ohio citizens have paid a tax premium to maintain an antiquated and redundant system of townships, villages, municipal corporations and county governments. It is possible to preserve the identity of political subdivisions without duplicating cost inefficiencies entailed in the preservation of overlapping departments and service providers.

The good people of our townships, villages, cities and county deserve an efficient delivery of services to preserve their roads, infrastructure and human service needs. It is possible to consolidate and save tax dollars while making consolidated departments more linear in service to citizens. The point is not that government should be run like a business. The point is that the way government is run is the business of people not the preservation of inefficient divisions that redundantly hinder the delivery of services to people.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

The nature of our government established in The United States Constitution is always important and relevant. Of equal note is the fact that the form of government established by our Founders is and was truly remarkable.

I wish to suggest that our Constitution establishes a federal democratic republic. We enjoy an indivisible union of 50 sovereign states. We enjoy a democracy for the reason that people govern themselves. It is representative in that people choose elected officials by free and secret ballot. And of course, it is a republic because the government derives its power and legitimacy from the people governed, not a monarchy.

If we were to retrace the path of our founders, it might be discovered they understood the concept of “polis” or political things from the Greek city-state form of social organization. In the Platonic dialogues around 365 B.C. and Aristotle at about 322 B.C., Greek philosophers examined the conditions for people to take a rational and critical view of the relation between individual and collective society. Aristotle sought to inject “man” as a species of animal that possesses intelligence as found in collaborative groups to become a political animal. In the “polis” Aristotle insisted on political virtue and man-made laws that make up a constitution for the polis by using the word “politeia” which is the same word that Plato used in the title of his dialogue called the Republic.

In the course of that examination Aristotle and other philosophers noted that in the Greek city-states examined deliberations took place in face-to-face discussions among the people “demos.” Man-made laws “politeia” applied in city-states not ruled by monarchs. A republic, interchangeable with “politeia,” became a state where the people “demos” directly impact their government. Through man-made laws “politeia” the people “demos” ruled “kratos” themselves. Hence, people “demos” ruled “kratos” political organization “politeia” can be viewed as a demos + kratos (democratic) politeia (republic).

Our founders enjoyed the great virtue of classical studies that included Greek, Latin, Machiavelli’s The Prince, Grotius’ Law of War and Peace, Hobbes Leviathan, Locke’s Of Civil Government and some - The Bible. It is unfortunate that our Founders did not have the benefit of The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Julia Ward Howe 1861) or the Pledge of Allegiance (Francis Bellamy 1892) as their guide in 1787. Still, I have great faith that they realized what they were doing. Quod Erat Demonstrandum.

We the People - Tax Time Again

Our founders chose the words “We the People . . .” to establish the foundation of our democratic republic. The word “we” refers equally to all people. Our founders believed that all government begins and remains with the people.

“We the People” are the foundation of government. Without this, those we elected would hold some power above us as the people governed. American Independence was declared and the American Revolution was fought to forever end the subjugation of people to the government. When any part of our government presumes a voice superior to the people governed, “we the people” have the obligation to raise our voices. This is called – Democracy.

It is proper to question the decisions of our elected few to use a sales tax increase to fund prospective budget shortfalls and buildings when the Labor Department reports 605,000 jobs lost in 2008 with serious losses in manufacturing, housing, finance and other economic sectors. At this time of record foreclosures, consumers may not be buying much when challenged to cope with increased costs for housing, food and gasoline. This is particularly true for many families, farmers and our seniors on fixed incomes. Yet our county government must be immune.

At a time of declining sales, a sales tax increase for buildings is unlikely to inspire a counter-cyclical increase in spending. More it is a distraction from focusing on the essentials necessary to serve the people of Findlay, Hancock County and those who live within the Blanchard River watershed. A tax cannot be accepted as a substitute for long term leadership.

Flood mitigation is a priority for the people of our community. The preservation of services is also essential. There are no easy solutions. There are responsible steps we can take as a community. I believe we must use these challenges to become a better, more unified community where we use our very best attributes to invite increased sales and revenues in Hancock County, Ohio.

I believe that we – the Findlay/Hancock County community - must so assemble and present our resources – including the lowest sales tax rates in Ohio – to make the City of Findlay and the wonderful villages in our County as the place where the people of our state come to shop - for less. Why not? This will increase sales tax revenues while keeping our taxes low. It depends on where “We the People” fit into the plan of democracy as viewed by our local politicos.

Ohio Deserves Better From Candidates

It is time we held political campaigns to principles consistent with our interests as the voting public. That is what we should expect of ourselves, but

Now, we know better. Through tactics xeroxed out of Karl Rove’s playbook, we have reminded ourselves that real politics is played upon the fears, prejudices, and the latent bigotry that shadows our past and threatens to condemn our future. On March 4, 2008, far too many Ohio votes were based on a politic of fear at 3 am; jobs lost through NAFTA and the fiction of executive leadership. We somehow mistake the direction of our fears and faults as the direction of leadership. In this, we are uncomfortably reminded that what is necessary to succeed politically is to call upon the perverse propensities of a negative campaign. In the aftermath, voters are left used rather than energized and renewed in a unity of patriotic vision. Of course, candidates move on.

There remains a part of our voting consciousness that derives pleasure in the toxic spew of politicos who may carelessly poison the great wellspring of a new generation inspired after years of irresponsible divisiveness. It is all too apparent that some politicians will do nearly anything to win a nomination even if an attack made now may be redirected more destructively in the fall. Ohio voters are challenged to find one meaningfully addressed issue in the wake of the all the appearances, speeches and challenges for substance that filled primary campaigns in the state. We lost the great ideals and optimism many once found in the 2008 Presidential campaigns. Once again, we have stripped away the thin veil of innocence held at the forefront of campaigns to revealed the truth that we are no more than what we may aspire to be and while we do, we can be made less by words. We are made less when reminded that we are at times the people we would wish not to be.

Is it not fair to ask who may have lost in the divisive attacks that so repulse parts of the electorate that they chose to vote against rather than for a candidate. We are promised that each and every one of us must now plan to be exposed to a “fuller vetting process.” Perhaps we in the electorate have been vetted enough and it is time to separate leadership from division, direction rather than destruction and vision from vetting. Must we now expect candidates to follow principles of attack as a substitute for political leadership. Politics without a continuous focus on solving issues becomes distorted into a stark reminder that dividing voters means victory. The politicos move on, promises are made and left without substance, and the voting electorate is left divided. We learn that politicos promise much, attack what is promised and solve nothing.

Perhaps we will have leadership again, the kind of leadership that seeks more actual jobs in Ohio not words that remind us of jobs lost; control of utility rate increases rather than the mere recognition of increased costs; support for our teachers and better education for our children; proposals for meaningful legislation to address the mounting tragedy of home foreclosures or programs that establish additional grants of funds to assure warmth for those who face ever harsher winter weather without heat. Is it possible to remember now whether these issues were addressed? Perhaps fear adds a level of warmth to a child of unemployed parents shivering without heat in a home subject to foreclosure. Perhaps we again need a leadership that can direct a unified political party and assist the legislature to focus on serving the people of this state rather than use them for the prurient purposes of political pandering. Perhaps we now need leaders less smeared by the remnants of divisive words silently endorsed with a healing brought by reaching out to others with open hands focused on service.

We must rise above the words and divisive manipulation of political candidates. We must rise above the threat of our own fears to live meaningful lives in service to our families, our communities and our country. It is shameful that we have to endure the message of our politicians and it is us who must now rise above it. Perhaps there is a thought that we will all just forget and consider politics as usual as – politics as usual. I chose to hope for a light in each of us that calls us to a higher aspiration. Would we not all be better people for it?

Stephen Kostyo - Obama Campaign Work

Senator Barack Obama first inspired me, like many others, through his genuine charisma and great vision for the future of our country. This motivated me to study his policies and plans for our future. I enthusiastically saw the vision of what we can do for our country through his leadership. I then volunteered to help with his campaign in South Carolina over my winter break from college. While in South Carolina, other Obama volunteers, who included people of every nationality, creed and economic background, welcomed me and we became a great team.

At the Charleston Obama office, people volunteered themselves creating an energetic force of unity and purpose. The office included a very religious woman making phone calls from the front; a man who had flown in from Germany sealing envelopes for mailings; a young black man telling others about what brought him to volunteer; an old white man who came in at first to make a financial contribution; and a young French woman who spoke very little English was making posters. All as a blend of unity asking others to join in supporting Barack Obama’s Campaign.

While walking through Charleston handing out Obama campaign literature, I encountered a group of four older men on a rather run down street corner who stopped me and made sure they signed supporter cards. At the same time, they shared with me the stories of their family roots. On the other end of the scale, was a wealthy family with a long history of military service to our country and who took in volunteers like me with warm hospitality. All to support their friend, Barack Obama.

Now at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, I am part of the next chapter of the Obama Campaign. We have registered record numbers of students to vote in the primary on March 4, many have already voted. I am a witness to the fact that Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign is more than “just words.” For me and many, many others, it is a new and strong awakening of our American Spirit. I invite you to join me on March 4 to restore our American values by voting for Barack Obama. Yes We Can!