You Know Your State Is In Trouble When.....

Ohio, like many other states, is currently facing a budget crisis. I sincerely hope that other states have leadership that can handle their budget crisis in a just and thoughtful manner. Ohio doesn't, and it's very sad. I love my state. We have several nice cities, two large amusement parks, beautiful farm land (and I'm not referring to my back yard) , historic sites that include the underground railroad and Native American landmarks as well as European settlers history. I think that the Hocking Hills section of the state must be one of the most beautiful parts of the United States!

Which is part of why I am so sad that Ted Strickland, our Governor, obviously looks upon his role as Governor as stepping stone to greater things rather than looking at his role as Governor as a chance to serve the people who elected him. Even while this budget is causing panic and distress around the state, he has the audacity to post on his facebook page about his lovely morning spent "with Joe Biden, touring a solar factory and talking about how we can work together to revive manufacturing in Ohio."

So, the state is in a complete mess and Strickland's priority is to schmooze with the Vice President, for no other apparent reason than to schmooze. Anyone knows if you actually want to get something done, then you don't bother with the Vice President. He's just the trophy wife to the real thing. I'm sure they had a lovely morning talking about all the things they could "get done", somehow, someway.

In Honor of my beloved State of Ohio, I comprised a list to equip every citizen with red flags that they can use to know when it is time to SPEAK UP:

You know your state is in trouble when....

You know your state is in trouble when your Governor gives speeches on modernizing education then releases a proposed budget that slashes all funding to state libraries at 50%, only days before it is to be approved.

You know your state is in trouble when your Governor gives speeches on how our students should be performing better than students in countries such as Finland, and that education is the key to economic growth but doesn't bother to see that a big part of Finland's success is a strong library system.

You know your state is in trouble when you can't fully access the Governor's proposed budget until he deems it's necessary.

You know your state is in trouble when you phone all your legislators and Governor and can't find a grown up to talk to. (yes, this is true. They are all 'aides' and 'interns').

You know your state is in trouble when Your Governor has no problem posing for a "READ" poster for displays at your library to encourage reading, and then turns around and slashes funding for libraries 50%, after systematically decreasing (with help from his predecessor) the funding over 40% in the past 5 years.

You know your state is in trouble when the same "READ" poster reveals that your Governor gets his intellectual stimulation from reading James Michener novels.

You know your state is in trouble when your Governor does not see that free access to information is a foundation of a successful democracy and that slashing funding in such a irresponsible way is an attack on the civil rights of EVERY Ohioan.

Stop and think. Exactly why is he so blase about Ohioans having free access to information? Either he is really really ignorant, or he is very very devious. Either way, we are in trouble.

Call Governor Strickland and Voice your Concern over the proposed budget slashes! 614-466-3555

Don't forget to remind him that his re-election is coming up! It's what he really cares about anyway.

Call these members of the Ohio legislature as they are members of the Conference Committee that is currently going over the proposed budget:

Vernon Sykes

Phone: 614- 466-3100
Fax: 614-719-6944
district44@ohr.state.oh.us

Jay Goyal

Phone: 614-466-5802
Fax: 614-719-3973
district73@ohr.state.oh.us

Ron Amstutz

Phone: 614-466-1474
Fax: 614-719-0003
district03@ohr.state.oh.us

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES = FREE LIFETIME LEARNING = FREETHINKING CITIZENS