Did not know Ohio had passed HB 1, it is outrageous. Petition.

[madfloridian]

I find this alarming, and I have not been aware. Here is a summary, and a petition to sign.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/006026.html
The right-wing's idea of election reform...
Marian Harris is a Meetup host in Columbus, Ohio.

It was a dark and stormy night... one of the last of the legislative session—and the Republican majority, in the dark of night, passed House Bill 1 on Dec. 17th, 2004. It was signed into law by Gov. Taft. There were no public hearings.

In the light of day, it proved to be not election reform but an effort to stifle the Democratic Party and the people who care about justice, fairness and progressive values. The law quadrupled the amount of political contributions to individuals, political parties and PACs. And if you're 8 years old or older, you can now contribute up to $10,000 (it used to be $2500) per election. How many 8 year olds do you know with $10,000?

HB1 also permits corporate contributions—but guess what it limits? You're right—the amount labor unions can donate to political parties.

When this was spelled out to our Central Ohio DFA Meetup in February by Dave Kolbe, Political Director of the Ohio AFL-CIO, our 80 DFA'ers were incensed. Dave invited folks to sign petitions and take petitions to get signed—well when the meeting was over he was inundated. People were crowded around the table and we couldn't get them signed up fast enough. Dave was blown away—he said at most meetings he had to beg people to take one petition. Here, folks were asking for 2, 5 and even 20 petitions.

Dave was so impressed with the enthusiasm of our folks that he made contact with DFA in Vermont and the petition drive was adopted by DFA—see how things can work from the grassroots up?

Some conference calls, some emails and Meetups all over Ohio are now involved with getting the 200,000 signatures needed to get this on the ballot. Our Central Ohio steering committee members are calling the many people from Central Ohio who signed up on the DFA website and are getting a very positive response—we're encouraging them to come to Meetup and pick up petitions—those that can't are being mailed petitions.

All you Ohioans out there—please sign DFA's online pledge at www.democracyforamerica.com/ohio and then attend next week's Meetup to find out more about how to get involved.

http://petition.democracyforamerica.com/page/petition/ohio
—Marian Harris

[Wilms]

1. Done. And nominated to get the word out. n/t

[Liberty Belle]

2. Kick! What scum. Good for DFA for shining the light of day

on this dark treachery by the GOP.

[madfloridian]

3. And maybe post in other forums here and elsewhere.

I must be clueless, but I am shocked at this. I also am proud of DFA. I think they are going to really target election problems.

[electropop]

8. We need a good sound bite term for the opposite of reform...

Ohio DFAers are going to be referring frequently to the bill, and it needs a simple and nasty label.

"The Campaign Deform Bill?"

"The Anti-Voter Act?"

"The Fat Cat Bill?"

"The Unfairness Act?"

"The Midnight Bill?"

[Liberty Belle]

9. The Vote-Cheaters Bill? The Tot-Tycoons Campaign Funding Bill?

[Wilms]

10. Republicans: "Buy the Rule of Law" n/t

[Wilms]

4. kick n/t

[babsbunny]

5. I'm in Columbus

and not surprised. Taft could have did something good for Ohio. Doesn't he care what History books will say?

[ohtransplant]

6. I'm near Columbus.

and I haven't seen this in the news. Surprise, surprise...

[trogdor]

7. Not many 8 year olds with money...

...but plenty of fundy whackos with lots of kids for people to funnel money through.