Derek Merrin speaker defeat has Ohio GOP acting like kids
The ‘Chosen One’ loss. Get over it.
So let me see if I have this straight. Ohio’s Republican state representatives who, thanks in large part to unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts, currently hold a 65 to 32 majority in a state that is basically split 55% Republican, 45% Democrat.
They also have a Republican governor who consistently rubber stamps their bills. As a result, they have been able to achieve almost all their party goals (limiting access to abortions, making it harder to vote, restricting LGBTQ rights, etc.).
Despite receiving almost their entire wish list, they are upset because some of their fellow Republicans dared to break ranks and worked across the aisle to elect a speaker who was not their Chosen One, calling it “absurd” and “disgusting.”
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Mind you, the new Republican speaker is not exactly a liberal. He was in favor of overturning Roe vs. Wade, sponsored a bill banning transgender girls from female sports and voted in favor of making it harder for people to vote. But some Republicans are upset, nonetheless.
It reminds me of a petulant child who got everything he asked for on his Christmas list but peers out from behind the overflowing pile of gifts and complains that one of his new toy trucks was the wrong shade of red.
Steve Kretzer, Upper Arlington
How ironic
The Jan. 9 article “Ohio BUILDS initiative makes impact” is supremely ironic, praising Gov. Mike DeWine for helping Southeastern Ohioans given that all 12 Republican U.S. House members (DeWine’s party, in case you don’t know) voted against the American Rescue Plan.
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That included Reps. Steve Stivers, Brad Wenstrup, Bill Johnson, Bob Gibbs, Troy Balderson, David Joyce, Anthony Gonzales and Steve Chabot.
The latter at least getting some small dot of justice by being thrown out of office by voters in the Cincinnati area after his quote, “when they actually understand what’s in the (bill), I think they’re going to turn against it.”
Uh, not so much, former Rep. Chabot.
Maybe for once the GOP’s continual stance to harm its own voters was too much, and the voters choked on it?
Some small hope.
David Pritchard, Columbus
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Ohio GOP puts guns over people
I applaud the gun control glass is 20% full sentiment of Jennifer Logan’s Jan. 8 letter (“Decade later, fear of gun violence hangs over us”) about states that have done something to reduce the soaring gun violence in our country.
What sickens me is the glass is 80% empty representing states that have done nothing or even worse loosened gun control like Ohio.
The GOP (guns over people) has made sure it is easier to buy, keep, carry concealed, and use guns than ever before.
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DeWine almost teared up over the Dayton shooting but then he and the GOP took money and direction from the NRA (no responsibility accepted) to endanger all of us.
What will it take this party of liars and power seekers who want to rule instead of govern to do the right thing?
Stephen Johnson, Columbus
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