To be successful in politics, you need to have mastered several key skills. You must be a talented orator in order to express your vision of the future to your supporters; you must be charismatic and yet approachable, so that voters will rally to your side in allegiance with their leader and ...
Here’s an easy lesson for rising political hopefuls to draw from Francesca Hong’s failed bid to be Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee: Don’t demonize Thanksgiving. Hong, a chef, state legislator and Democratic socialist, was the clear front-runner in the Democratic primary race until a social media comment she posted six years ago, now deleted, turned up, in the way that old tweets often do to embarrass political candidates. You didn’t have to be a right-winger to slap your forehead, shake your head and condemn cheap shots at a holiday long cherished by countless ...
Ohioans paying attention to national reports and rankings of the state are on a bit of a roller coaster ride lately. Hot on the heels of CNBC naming the state the best in the country for business, U.S. News and World Report says it’s actually one of the worst in the country for everything else. According to a report by WCMH-TV, Ohio is doing better than only West Virginia and Michigan among its neighbors, and is ranked 42nd overall in the country in a survey that looked at education (29th), health care (36th), economy (38th), infrastructure (31st), opportunity (a bright spot at ...
Ever since I was in Congress there was a group of people that wanted some form of universal healthcare. It would include one healthcare provider through the federal government, which they frequently refer to as “Medicare for all.” However, there is a huge difference between Medicare, which is for the elderly and disabled in contrast to Medicaid, which is for the indigent and their children. Working Americans contribute by paying into Medicare, while Medicaid is paid by the federal government. Essentially healthcare for Medicaid individuals is free. You simply cannot combine the two ...
Recent violent storms across Ohio have provided a reminder about just how much we take for granted our local farmers. Many were hit by another round of storms last week that destroyed this year’s harvests. According to a report by WCMH-TV, Tuesday’s weather events were the worst in central Ohio since the 2012 derecho windstorm. States of emergency have been declared in Perry and Muskingum counties. Those storms did not just produce winds and rain that damaged or destroyed crops, they also took out structures ranging from barns to farm stands. Just a couple of weeks ago in ...
I often get asked for my advice on how to vote. I’m the first to concede these requests come from a very niche slice of the electorate — that tiny remnant of people who know who I am, value my opinion and share my exasperation with both parties. I am going to answer the question. But first let me explain why I don’t like it. I think too many pundits on the left and right fall into the habit of confusing or conflating the fortunes of a party with that of their philosophy. Many come by this tendency honestly. As the parties have polarized ideologically, it’s a natural ...
