In the past few weeks we have been responding to the stunning circumstances of Governor John Kasich supporting one of the top elements of Obamacare. While we have a list of complaints about John Kasich’s either tepid or total lack of leadership in many areas (i.e. right-to-work, pension reform, voter integrity, local tax reform, the crony Jobs Ohio, etc.), we are deeply dismayed by the governor’s recent proposal to voluntarily expand Medicaid in Ohio.
- This expansion advances the federal government takeover of healthcare in our state.
- It puts even more of the state budget into the hands of the whim and will of the federal government.
- It forces disadvantaged Ohioans into a poorly performing and fraud ridden program.
- It relies on funds that are not “ours” but that come from the entitlement pipeline bankrupting our nation and immorally saddling future generations with debt.
- Adding insult to injury, not only is this a violation of every principle for which we stand, it is a slap in the face to the volunteers who dedicated countless hours collecting over 440,000 signatures for the Healthcare Freedom Amendment.
We are joined in our opposition to the governor’s Medicaid proposal by groups such as Cato, The Heritage Foundation, The Galen Institute, Opportunity Ohio, The Buckeye Institute, FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, and a plethora of Republican governors and legislators in other states, including Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
The purpose of this message, however, is to offer some positive words of encouragement and support. We extend our deepest regards and respects to those state reps that are feeling trapped in the middle of this fight. These reps should know that these circumstances are not of their making. We implore you to take courage! Our close watch of these events gives you an opportunity to shine and embrace the principles that motivated you to get involved with government service in the first place.
This is the moment to stand strong. The reps that do will have earned the right to our enthusiastic support in both the coming primary and general elections. We who make the phone calls, knock on doors, donate, and work at elections – are watching what is happening very closely. Instead of a risk, see this as an opportunity! Make us proud. Stand up to more government, debt, dependency, and cronyism. We will not soon forget that you did. We will have your back.
This can be one of Ohio’s finest hours. To the representatives that protect the freedom and prosperity of Ohioans, we will be with you all the way.
Yours in Liberty,
Ted Stevenot
President
Ohio Liberty Coalition
www.ohiolibertycoalition.org
“All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
Nice message, Ted, but I would now like to play “bad cop” to your “good cop.” Our Republican state reps and state senators need to understand that they will face primary opposition they next time they run if they act like Democrat-lite politicians. We already have one Democrat Party, we don’t need a second. They are doing a great job of ruining this country, they don’t need any help.
Can you list the representatives that support the People? WE are constantly letting them know our expectations to no avail.
It is time all incumbents meet stiff opposition in 2014. Support the People or leave. If you don’t know what your expected to do – ask more of the folks you are suppose to represent instead of relying on each other or lobbyists.
My sympathy is not with the legislators “caught in the middle” – their duty is to support the will of the majority of Ohioans who voted in 2010 to have nothing to do with the Affordable Care Act in Ohio. Now being the law of the land re: the Supreme court decision, does not relieve our elected Ohio officials from the duty of thwarting, whenever possible, this intrusion of federal government into Ohio’s business of caring for its poor.
Joining with Obama in the Medicaid expansion of socialized medicine is anything but free as you look three years into the future.
Scott Walker’s plan is better for Ohio. Those at 100% of the poverty level stay in Medicaid; those above that threshold get put into the exchange.
The Republican governors of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, South Dakota, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia have all refused to enact the PPACA Medicaid expansion in their states.
Governor Kasich has jumped the gun and caved to something the voters overwhelmingly had voted against in 2010. No, governor it is not too complicated for Ohio voters to understand what you have done. And, no to Mr. Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life, your opinion is wrong – nothing good comes to your cause or Ohio by putting trust in the moral conscience of this Obama administration.
Any expansion of the federal government into states’ responsibilities is detrimental to the Constitutional Republic on which our country was founded. Ohio can care for its poor and needy without further intrusion of “big brother”.
If you read the Supreme Court Opinion, the States are NOT required to expand Medicaid.