Editor, News-Register:

I am concerned that the real reason for Issue 1 in Ohio is being clouded by our legislature and various religious and business entities. The issue that will be put before Ohio voters is whether the process to amend the Ohio constitution should be altered to make it more difficult to make changes. Currently, the 50% plus 1 or majority rule is in place. If Issue 1 is passed this would be replaced with a 60% plus 1 super majority vote. This does away with the majority rule and would enact a minority rule over the majority.

It is not about abortions or gun control or any other item the legislature can dream up. Our representative, Ron Ferguson, says it will deter “special interest” groups and big labor from controlling the state and keep them at bay.

Mr. Ferguson and other legislators failed to mention that the yes vote is being funded by money from outside the state and “special interest” groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, The National Federation of Independent Businesses, Buckeye Firearms, Ohio Right to Life and the Ohio Farm Bureau to name a few. This is nothing more than a political power grab and an effort to silence the collective voices of Ohioans. It is an effort to give 40% of the people in Ohio the right to control the other 60%. The issue has been denounced by former Govs. John Kasich, Ted Strickland, Bob Taft and Dick Celeste.

The Ohio GOP passed legislation last year that said any summer voting was illegal because it came at a time when voting would be sparse and the cost would be too high. Yet, they will spend $20 million of taxpayer money to fund this boondoggle. The irony of this is that they are banking on the 50%+1 vote to get this issue passed then implement the 60% +1 vote to suit their agenda. They will then spend more money on a general election in November. Talk about a waste of taxpayer money!

I ask that voters look beyond the rhetoric and ask yourself do you want to be controlled by a minority, or should the majority rule as this country was based on.

Frank Papini

President, USW S.O.A.R. Chapter 23-9

St. Clairsville