By some counts the Ohio Constitution has been amended roughly once a year since its inception. That’s actually kinda alot. And we’re out to do it again in August. THIS one is a tad different. It would require a supermajority of 60% to amend it in the future (as opposed to the 50% +1 currently required.) Also the signature requirements will expand from 44 to all 88 counties.

Obviously this will make it harder to amend. I’m OK with that.

The problem is that it’s been reduced to an abortion/choice left/right. My first contact was with the left side – ads showing scissors cutting the OC to ribbons shrieking (yes, I’m showing my bias) that some are trying to do away with one person/one vote and majority rule. I’ll go wit hte obvious “no” on 1p/1v” issue but the majority rule thang has a slight point. But NEITHER side will be able to mobilize their forces to pass an issue against an unsuspecting uninformed public. BOTH sides will/can/do take advantage of this. Issue 1 will make this harder. You’ll have to mobilize more than just your side.

That being said I DO see the issue of needing a 60% vote to undo something that was added with a 50% vote. My point might be that just because YOUR team is on one side currently does NOT mean it will ALWAYS be on this side.

A Re-Declaration of Independence

and I hope you enjoy your week.

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

And this is the part I don’t get. In over half a dozen states this was violated. Openly. No argument. And POTUS has, to date, refused to give a hearing on the issue, claiming it is moot. Which it is. So they’re kicking the can down the road. But this does NOT instill “confidence in the electoral process.” If THIS rule no longer applies, why do any of the others?

Would it have made a difference? Maybe. Maybe not. But it doesn’t matter. It’s a clear violation and should be treated as such. And lower courts are finally getting around to ruling on the merits of many of these issues. Virginia Rule Allowing Late Ballots Missing Postmark Was Illegal, Court Rules. And for those of you telling me Trump lost all but one of his cases: Trump Won Two-Thirds of Election Lawsuits Where Merits Considered. “Of the 22 cases that have been heard by the courts and decided on their merits, Trump and Republicans have prevailed in 15.”

And then there’s the January 6 debacle. Part and parcel of the “legitimate election” story. Fences, concertina wire and 5,000 armed troops do NOT say “fair and legitimate election” OR “return to normal.” Even an avowed leftist like Glenn Greenwald is noticing: The False and Exaggerated Claims Still Being Spread About the Capitol Riot.

And remember when dark money in elections was bad? Mark Zuckerberg Meddled In Battleground State Elections: Here’s How Capital Research Center (CRC) has a comprehensive listing, rich with details and definitely worth keeping for future reference. And virtually NONE of this includes a consideration of DMC mis/mal/information: Trump would have won 311 Electoral Votes if media wasn’t biased: Survey. 311? Probably not. But enough. Enough.

But what happens next? Why Do the Election’s Defenders Require My Agreement? The purpose of voting today is to give a democratic veneer to an undemocratic regime—not to give the people a say in the direction of their government. Will your ballot be safe? Computer experts sound warnings on America’s voting machines. This was BEFORE the election of course.