Water Cooler Conversations

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

This past Saturday a young man stopped at our house to encourage support for a candidate running for the State legislature. The name of the candidate is unimportant as is his party affiliation.  What is important is the conversation that I had with the young man at our doorstep.

The conversation went something like this:

Volunteer:  ”Good afternoon sir.  I am a volunteer who is going door to door encouraging people to consider (name) for State office.”

Pat: “Thank you for stopping by…can I ask you why you are supporting (name)”

Volunteer: “Sure.  He lives in Mentor and he is a really good guy.  I really like what he believes in.”

Pat: “Can I ask you a few questions about your candidate?”

Volunteer: “Sure, fire away”

Pat: “What is his position on the war in Iraq?”

Volunteer: “You know…I don’t know.  That is a good question.  Let me write that one down.”

Pat: “Do you know if your candidate supports the proposed Ohio Healthy Families Act?”

Volunteer: “Gosh…I am embarrassed…I know about the proposal, but I really don’t know where he stands on the issue.”

Pat: “Let’s try one more.

Volunteer: “OK…incidentally, I’m really sorry I don’t know the answers to these other questions…but I will find out”

Pat: “No problem…I was just curious where your candidate stood on some of the bigger issues of the day.  So how about gambling in Ohio…where does your candidate stand on this one”

Volunteer: “I don’t know….I have to tell you that you are the first one on your block to ask me any of these questions.  Most people just listen to me, smile, nod their head, take my flyer and then close the door.  I appreciate you asking me these questions.”

Pat: “Really? Do I win a prize? I’m just kidding.  Please feel free to have (name) call me direct.  I would love to know his position on some of these issues in addition to the Workers’ Comp System in Ohio, the tax structure for individuals and businesses in Ohio and what he plans to do to impact the movement of new companies into our State.

Volunteer: “I will have him give you a call.  Thanks”

The conversation was pretty close to that…what is most disturbing to me was that this young man was representing a candidate that he apparently knew little about. 

In a few months, candidates will be shoving their signs into yards, showing up at Labor Day parades throwing out candy and for higher offices taking advantage of every media opportunity possible.  Many of the candidates will be smiling, kissing babies and doing their best to impugn the reputation of their political opponent.  The mud slinging and name calling will begin with little to be said about the real issues and possible solutions. 

We can point our fingers at some of the politicians who get into trouble, misuse tax money and lie to the public…but remember one thing…the majority voted these folks into office based upon a lot of nothing.  So what do you really expect when they are in office?

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

This past Monday, ERC held the first of several programs dedicated to the proposed Ohio Healthy Families Act that will be placed on the November Ballot.  Attorney Brian Kelly from Frantz Ward, LLP provided an outstanding presentation to a sold out event.  I have never seen so many questions regarding a proposed initiative…and unfortunately the way the proposed Act is written, many of the questions remain unanswered.  If the proposal is passed the details of the new Act would be hammered out by the Department of Commerce (heaven help us!!).

As I listened to the presentation and the questions about the proposed Act, I became pretty angry at our State of Ohio legislators who failed to act on this proposal earlier in the year - if they would have voted this down like they should have; this proposed Act would not be appearing on the ballot.  My guess is that they “chickened” out given the expected backlash of the unions next time our beloved legislators were up for reelection. 

When you look at the amount of government involvement in our businesses these days it is mind-boggling.  The costs of legislated paperwork, red tape and legal fees is astronomical and making business owners think twice about staying in Ohio and in some cases staying in business.  What a shame…

The lack of leadership in government at all levels, the buffoonery occurring in the Presidential election and political posturing keep on going while good businesses start getting hurt big time.  At some point, there is going to be a collective “we’re mad as hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore” for business leaders.  Our politicians better wake up, re-read the State and Federal constitution and get back to the basics of basic governance.

The latest round of stupidity called the Ohio Healthy Families Act is just another strain of a disease called poor leadership that is leaving an awful lot of people sick.

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If you are interested in learning more about the proposed Act, register for ERC’s September 23^rd program.  We also encourage you to check out http://www.ohiobusinessvotes.org/mandates08/home.htm

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Look out Ohio…there appears to be a pretty good chance that the Ohio Health Families Act will be on the November ballot…this is the proposed state of Ohio law that would require businesses with at least 25 employees to earn 7 paid sick days per year.  Add the administrative burden underlying this proposed law and you have another dagger in the back of small and mid size businesses.

There is no doubt that some businesses still need to get on the “bus” relative to providing fair and consistent paid time off benefits for full and part-time employees.  But, this is no reason to punish the rest of the organizations out there who are providing meaningful, fair compensation, benefits and paid time off to their workforce. 

I am afraid that this proposed law is gaining momentum to be on the November Ballot and the “polls” indicate that if it does, there is a pretty good likelihood that it will pass.  This will be a sad day in Ohio.  Small and mid-size businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy.  Those voting “Yes” to the proposed law may think they will be winning the battle but will find out they lost the war and possibly their jobs.  Yep - this will hurt jobs and job creation.

We encourage you to educate your employees as we approach the November election - it is not too soon to start.

This is one Act we can afford to miss.