Two-time Buckeye Firearms Assoc. endorsee urges defeat of Issues 2-5
By Chad D. Baus
On October 25, I listened in as Rep. Jim Trakas addressed attendees at the Fulton County Republican party's annual Fall picnic. In a speech that I expected to be a kickoff for his 2006 bid to become Ohio's next Secretary of State, this strong friend to gun-owners spent very little time discussing himself or his campaign. The focus of his attention? Defeating Issues 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Several weeks ago, Buckeye Firearms Association's Larry S. Moore published an excellent article addressing why these Issues are trouble for Ohio gun owners. Now, as the Lima News is reporting, Trakas, a two-time Buckeye Firearms Association endorsee, is traversing the state spreading the exact same message:
From the story:
- A Republican who hopes to be Ohio’s next secretary of state urged Putnam County Republicans on Thursday to oppose four state issues appearing on next month’s ballot.
State Rep. Jim Trakas, R-Independence, said the four proposed constitutional amendments are bad policy put forth by other parties and those who ultimately don’t believe in Democracy.
“What you see in State Issues 2, 3, 4 and 5 are carping, whining, complaining and downright bad public policy by people who field inferior candidates with bad ideas who don’t get elected in the state of Ohio,” Trakas said at Thursday’s Putnam County Republican Fall Rally.
The four issues were put forth by a group called Reform Ohio Now, which believes the issues will curtail corruption in state government. Trakas disagrees, saying it is not a true effort of reform, but rather a political payback.
Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.
The story on Trakas' concerns with these state issues continues:
- Issue 2 would allow a voter to vote by mail or at a board of elections before an election for any reason. Trakas, who will run for secretary of state next year, said proponents of the issue want to add mass confusion to elections.
“They don’t want to get people to vote early, they want to get them to vote often,” he said.
Issue 3 would limit political contributions and revise public disclosure requirements of con-tributions and expenses. Issue 4 would create a nonpartisan, appointed commission to draw legislative districts. The Republicans currently control the board that makes these decisions.
“Why do the Republicans currently control it? Because the people of Ohio allow them to control it,” he said. “Why did the Democrats control it in the 70’s and 80’s? Because the people of Ohio thought the Democratic Party was better equipped. So it works pretty fairly.”
Issue 5 would create a nine-member, bipartisan appointed board to administer elections, in-stead of the secretary of state. Trakas said the issue is supported by liberals who don’t like Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. He said it’s also offensive to local boards of elections.
“It is insulting to say that they don’t know what to do and that they don’t have a concept of fairness. That is just plain wrong,” he said.
Both at the Fulton County appearance and again in this Putnam County one, Trakas continually urged his audience to get out and let others know about the four issues, saying there is a worry that smaller areas where there are not big contested races may not go to the polls at all.
"Go forth from this location with great zeal in the next couple weeks," he said. "Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your fellow activists. Let them know that there’s fraud about to be perpetrated upon the good citizens of Ohio."
For more information on these important George Soros-funded issues, see:
State Issues 2 through 5 – Trouble for gun owners
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