It is interesting that the Communications Workers of America union has endorsed Debbie Phillips as their state representative in the 92nd district, even before CWA officials were aware if there was an opponent. They have not yet seen and certainly have not yet examined the challenger. The union has chosen someone without knowing the facts.
Yet, Debbie Phillips has introduced new spending bills for redundant programs that will have to be paid for by Ohio's working families. This is the person who voted to withhold the tax cut designed to bring relief for Ohio's working families so that she could prop up unsustainable spending. This is the person whose base of supporters fought the power plant that would have brought union jobs and tax relief to the working families of Meigs County, Ohio, which has been hard hit by unemployment.
Her new opponent, Mike Hunter, by contrast has been a member of two unions, served as union steward, participated in the writing of a labor contract and has worked at least part-time since the age of 12. As a former member of the (railroad) Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way, he understands just how hard some people have to work to make ends meet. His father and brother, longtime Teamsters, and grandfather, who worked in the steel industry, are all part of his history.
Mike Hunter has pledged to help stop the unsustainable spending that has plagued Columbus lawmakers and led to last year's $851 million shortfall (and the looming $2 billion to $7 billion shortfall that is coming this year). He knows that jobs are not created by government, but by people who can move - move to low tax states like Alabama and Texas to start their businesses and create jobs. He knows that every time Ohio raises taxes so the government can spend more money, working families and seniors on fixed incomes suffer, and that businesses choose other places to move their factories. It seems to me that it is no accident that GM selected Indiana for its new truck plant a few years ago, and then later closed the Moraine assembly plant.
CWA should reconsider its endorsement.
Pete Couladis is chairman of the Athens County Republican Party.
4 Opinion
