Have we gone too far or not far enough...Senate Bill 5?

The elections of November 2010 certainly demonstrated that a majority of Americans, as well as a majority of Ohioans voted for change in government. It seemed that voters frustrated with the direction government had taken used the ballot to make changes. Ohio reversed its course voting out many Democrats holding office in favor of Republican representatives. Republicans swept all of the elected state offices, as well as retaking the House of Representatives and increasing their majority in the Senate.

Did the voters send a mandate to government demanding that conservative ideals be established? Yes, I believe that to a significant degree voters were demanding a more conservative approach to governance. However, as much as it seems that a conservative mandate was demanded, I believe the stronger message sent was that voters wanted government to become less complex, more approachable, more transparent and more accountable to the people.

Now that the Republicans are in office – even though they have held office for only a few short weeks – has government really changed or does it remain the same…business as usual? Let’s look at Governor John Kasich. He brings discredit to himself and the office of governor by demeaning a police officer. He calls the officer an idiot and rails against him telling a large audience how rude the officer treated him. However, the actual evidence unequivocally demonstrates that Governor Kasich lied about the entire event, and for what purpose? Obviously, he was trying to make a political point before the audience he was addressing at the expense of a police officer, who did his job professionally and appropriately. Thus, Governor Kasich is a liar and has shown that he cannot be trusted.

Governor Kasich, before officially taking office, declares that he will not move to the Governor’s Mansion. Why? His reason involves the educational situation involving his daughters. He doesn’t want to remove his daughters from the private school they are attending. His decision has cost the tax payers thousands of dollars, because tax payer dollars must be used to install security systems at the Governor’s private residence in Genoa Township. Even more tax dollars are being spent maintaining the security force staffed by Ohio Highway Patrol officers guarding the private residence, as well as the cost associated with maintaining the Governor’s Mansion in Bexley, Ohio. No savings there for the citizens paying taxes and no reduction of the 8 billion dollar budget deficit. His decision clearly demonstrates his lack of confidence in the public education system, as well as his penchant for elitism.

The next debacle involving Governor Kasich concerns his staff and the appointment of department directors. He has raised the salaries significantly of his personal staff, well exceeding the salaries paid to the staff employed by the previous administration. He drones on about how he must pay higher wages to attract better qualified people to take appointed positions in government. He appoints Tom Charles the director of public safety. Mr. Charles has been in state government his entire working career, going from the Ohio Highway Patrol to appointed offices as inspector general and now director of public safety. Governor Kasich declared that Mr. Charles was the best man for the job, even after he was challenged over the fact that the appointment may create a conflict of interest involving Mr. Charles’ wife and son who are with the Ohio Highway Patrol. Again, his response demonstrated a dictatorial attitude and elitism…I am the governor and I will do what I want to do.

Now the issue of Senate Bill 5 rears its ugly head. This bill addresses the collective bargaining law for pubic employees…mind you not just state public employees, but all public employees working for any public entity in the state. Governor Kasich wants to abolish collective bargaining, not just modify or change aspects of the current law. He wants to pass legislation that would effectively remove the employment rights of the public employee and increase the power of government in this arena. He has set a course to accomplish this endeavor without regard to the impact it will have, both short and long term not only on the public employee, but on the state, the citizens and the economy. He refuses to listen, to negotiate and demands quick action by the state legislature. His approach is dictatorial and mean spirited. He has demonized the public employee by placing partial blame for the economic woes in the state on them. He is using, what he perceives as a mandate of those who elected him, to hammer through SB5.

As a former public employee, as a retiree, as an employee in the private sector, as a person with conservative ideals and as a tax payer I am appalled by the actions of Governor Kasich. I am embarrassed to admit that I supported his candidacy and that I voted for him, not because I thought he was such a great guy, but because I thought that he would bring about the kind of change in state government that was needed. I was wrong and I freely admit my mistake.

If the conservative ideals I cherish are to be sustained by government, the citizens must hold our elected officials accountable. Fellow conservatives must cling to the idea of smaller less intrusive government; one that is completely transparent; one that is completely accountable; one that governs with compassion and understanding; one that continually demonstrates fiscal responsibility; one that is willing to sacrifice itself for the sake of the citizen; and one that demonstrates the principles of honesty, integrity and morality. Since Governor Kasich has failed miserably, it is now up to the other Republican officer holders to redeem state government and march to the drum beat pounded out by the citizens of Ohio, and not to march locked step with the Governor.

Sacred Music and Saint Joseph's Cathedral

In the August 1, 2010, Catholic Times publication, an article appeared under the heading “A quick note from: Office of Liturgy”. The article titled: The Cathedral Church, The Center of Our Diocesan Liturgical Life, astutely identified the cathedral as the site of the bishop’s throne…for Columbus, that of Bishop Frederick Campbell. The article went on to talk about the importance of the sacred music and how it is an intrinsic part of the liturgy, which I certainly agree with and support from the perspective of worshiping God. A further explanation is offered regarding the necessity of preserving the sacred music and the requirement to have “well-trained” musicians. This is the point where I begin to differ with the article and find that the presentation of the music in the liturgy becomes heresy.

Saint Joseph’s Cathedral hires non-Catholic musicians for its choir. If music in such an important part of the liturgy and part of the believer’s worship intended to honor and glorify God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, how can having musicians that may not or do not share our beliefs be permitted to be members of the choir? It is not my intention to judge anyone, but paying non-believing musicians to perform sacred music merely for producing the quality of music the choir director deems appropriate, rather than for the true purpose of the glorification of God our Father and Jesus Christ our Savior, is truly heresy. There is no more perfect music presented for the Lord’s ears to hear than that offered by true believers lifting up their voices for His glory and honor.

The last paragraph of the article states, “It is in places like the Cathedral that we receive the divine anointing of which Isaiah speaks.” The paragraph ends with, “Without good liturgy, the source and summit of our lives (which of necessity includes great music and great music making), this committed proclamation of the gospel of love and service will simply not take place” is misleading, nay, a heresy itself. Music is not intended to uplift the believer, but to honor, praise and glorify God…and even our greatest efforts, no matter how hard we might try, fall well short of perfection. Finally, spreading the message of salvation and the sacrifice of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ really has nothing to do with singing, for if it did, most believers would fail miserably at spreading the word.

And finally, I would like to offer two thoughts: 1) might it be possible that some of the non-Catholic, non-believing participants hired as musicians for the Saint Joseph’s Cathedral Choir are supports and promoters of abortion and other blasphemies that dishonor our God, our Lord Jesus and our faith? Maybe, a cursory glance at the bumper stickers on their cars will give you your answer; and 2) is our Lord Jesus Christ not the most important part of the liturgy and if so, why has Saint Joseph’s Cathedral relegated Him to a little nook off of and away from the Sanctuary, where the paint is peeling?

President Barack Hussein Obama, where is your outrage?

Lest we forget...

Dear Mr. President,

As an American, as a military veteran and as a retired police officer I remain angry, no outraged over the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001, perpetrated against America and its citizens, by Islamic extremists. The terrorists involved in the attacks, were not fighting for a righteous cause, nor defending themselves against a regime aimed at creating Colonialism through the domination and occupation of their country(s), but rather, they were attempting to invoke upon America their will, based on their ideology, theology and way of life and their perception of the evil “infidel”. Their dastardly and unprovoked attacks, which cost thousands of lives was a statement of hate.

Yesterday, we Americans honored those brave men and women who, sixty-eight years ago, sacrificed and died on December 7, 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 8, 1941, delivered his speech to Congress and the American people. As part of that speech he stated, “I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.” His speech concluded with this statement and plea to the Almighty, “With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God.” And these words were from a fellow socialist leaning Democrat, yet his anger, nay his outrage was evident. You certainly have not carried on with that same determination, resolve or tradition.

Mr. President, by your very direction and with support of your attorney general, Eric Holder have single handedly circumvented, not only historic military justice, but the justice system of the United States of America, by ordering the trials of the 9/11 terrorist to be held within the U.S. District Court system. These terrorists are not criminals, but enemy combatants, extremists bent on the destruction of America. You have, by your direction, given these terrorists, these undeserving inhumane pieces of flesh the same rights that Americans have fought so valiantly for over so many years to preserve. These terrorists gave Americans no quarter (mercy), and yet you have deemed it appropriate to grant them quarter. Mr. President, are you not an American? Mr. President, where is your patriotism? Mr. President, where is you anger? Mr. President, where is your OUTRAGE!

Sincerely,
Immaddog
An American, a Patriot who has compassion for those who are left and seeks justice for those who were lost.