Comments on: Strickland & Fisher oppose Issue 4 – Sick Days

By: bobthedad

bobthedad — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:47:17 +0000

Runner, your statement about this being designed to get the Obama vote out seems plausible, especially since the idea so bad even the governor is coming out against it. Are there ballot initiatives in other swing states designed to do the same thing, and/or initiatives designed to counteract this one to get the McCain vote out?

By: toledojim

toledojim — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:38:46 +0000

I’m sure the unions are disappointed in their bought-and-paid-for governor.

By: runner

runner — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:00:24 +0000

This is a ballot initiative designed to get the Obama vote out. It is heavily sponsored by the Service Employees Union and meant to appeal to a certain demographic. And because of that appeal it strikes me as racist. Because it will be against the law for companies to “change” their sick pay policies after this might pass, companies right now are changing their sick pay policies so no one gets an extra seven days. No company will take a chance on this passing.

By: Ben Keeler

Ben Keeler — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:43:38 +0000

Tim, agreed. We cant know the reasons they opposed it, but just be happy they did.

By: Tim Higgins

Tim Higgins — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:58:55 +0000

Regardless of the reasons for Gov Strickland and Lt Gov Fisher to oppose this initiative, we should all be grateful that they have. This will ultimately have to be decided by the voters however. We can only hope that they will reach the same reasoned conclusion.

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:46:34 +0000

I don’t get paid sick days, at work. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. It would be nice if I got paid time off, but I don’t think my employer should be forced into giving it to me. I think it’s a good move of the Governor to not support this issue.

By: Tracker

Tracker — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:06:59 +0000

This is another piece of terrible legislation just like the minimum wage law that passed a couple of years ago. Anyone that has ever studied economics knows that minimum wage laws of any kind only shift demand for labor down and hence depress job growth.

Our law is even worse as it automatically raises minimum wage with inflation forever… it is like having an automatic job destroyer in Ohio that turns on every time this law kicks in. Every couple years this stupid law pushes minimum wage up for unions and job growth declines, just like a machine. You have got to love our “job friendly” state we live in.

Wages and benefits cannot be forced out of small businesses. Rather small businesses have to grow and as a result of this growth offer better pay and benefits to attract quality workers that will help them grow to the next level. Simple economics, too bad the unions don’t understand this. Until they do they will see union jobs continue to fade away and their membership ranks shrink. The forces of economics are more powerful than a union card and in a global economy this is even more true.

By: Voice of Reason

Voice of Reason — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:45:10 +0000

With all due respect Tina, saving a sick day for for time off on a sunny day is abuse of the benefit. If people are already doing that, imagine how much abuse will happen when sick days are mandated and your employer has government restricting its control of the abuse.

The governor and legislature had a chance to kill this issue months ago and decided to let it slide past them. Their opposition to this initiative at this late hour rings hollow and will have little chance of helping businesses. When this passes and further damage is done to our already suffering economy, be sure to remember who pulled the trigger. You, the unions and governor Strickland.

By: Tina

Tina — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:55:18 +0000

Not really sure how I feel about this. I can say that I come to work sick and save a beautiful sunny day to use a sick day. Hand santizers and soap and water and covering your mouth when you cough works.

By: Voice of Reason

Voice of Reason — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:50:53 +0000

The Gov said, “During that campaign, we call upon both sides to avoid portraying Ohio as unfriendly to business and economic development.”

Apparently this is the best the gov can come up with to placate his union supporters. He knows how awful this initiative is, and the reality is that anyone interested in fighting this mandate will have to describe the negative impact it will have on our state. That description will make us look bad to businesses interested in moving to Ohio or considering leaving Ohio. But what’s worse, describing the potential negative impact, or letting it pass and dealing with the real negative impact? I say the opposition should get out there and shout from the rooftops to defeat this thing.

If you support this initiative, please describe how you think the postivies outweigh the nagatives.