Who needs liberals, when we've got the Ohio Senate?

When I grow up, I want to be a Boolean operator. And live in a "right-to-work" state.

I want the right to join a union.

And I want the right to reject union membership – without fear of repercussions (those either committed against me, or by me against other Boolean operators.)

The upper body of the Ohio General Assembly, otherwise known as the Ohio Senate, has 33 members.

Of the 33 senators, 23 are Republicans. That's a 70-percent Republican majority.

For the record, the Grand Old Party (Rs) also enjoys majority leadership in:

• The Ohio House of Representatives;

• The Ohio Governor's Office;

• The Ohio Treasurer's Office;

• The Ohio Attorney General's Office;

• The Ohio Secretary of State's Office;

• The Ohio Auditor's Office; and,

• The Ohio Supreme Court.

Given that Ohio Senate President Keith Faber, a Celina Republican, was so sure-fire quick to shoot down a recently proposed constitutional amendment that could have made Ohio the nation's 25th right-to-work state, one cannot help but wonder: Is there a conservative in Columbus? (My apologies for the use of the rhetorical question.)

“We have an ambitious agenda focused on job creation and economic recovery, and right-to-work legislation is not on that list,” Senate President Faber told Toledo Blade Columbus Bureau Chief Jim Provance (www.toledoblade.com).

“After discussions with other leaders and my caucus, I don’t believe there is current support for this issue in the General Assembly," Faber said. "The only purpose this discussion serves right now is to generate a bunch of breathless fund-raising appeals from the Ohio Democratic Party.”

So that's what "right-to-work" legislation is all about, Senator? "A bunch of breathless fund-raising appeals from the Ohio Democratic Party.” Really?

Are you freakin' kidding me?

Are you kidding Ohio voters, workers and taxpayers?

You gutless wonders amaze me. By God, you do. What's wrong with simply doing the right thing? Ahh, never mind. That's too much to ask of you. 

Just think if the United States' other 24 states or commonwealths shared your "go-along-to-get-along philosophy."

There would be a grand total of zero right-to-work states.

Funny, even the liberal union stronghold state up north (where Woody Hayes refused to buy a tank of gasoline) is a right-to-work state.

As we published here on Christmas Day 2012 in a column by former Congressman Ron Paul of Texas: "(The) right to work is part of economic liberty."

Paul wrote that many people were surprised when Michigan became the nation’s 24th right-to-work state.

"Let us be clear," Paul said: "Right-to-work laws simply prohibit coercion. They prevent states from forcing employers to operate as closed union shops, and thus they prevent unions from forcing individuals to join. In many cases, right-to-work laws are the only remedy to federal laws which empower union bosses to impose union dues as a condition of employment."

Paul continues: "Right-to-work laws do not prevent unions from bargaining collectively with employers, and they do not prevent individuals from forming or joining unions if they believe it will benefit them. Despite all the hype, right-to-work laws merely enforce the fundamental right to control one’s own labor."

What's wrong with that? Especially from a so-called conservative perspective?

Granted, if former Gov. Ted Strickland or Democrat members of the Ohio House and Senate opposed right-to-work legislation, I would have no problem with that. In fact, I would expect it and be quite surprised if they didn't reject right-to-work laws.

But what's a conservative voter to do when the Republicans sound like a Democrat echo chamber?

For many of us, we're left with two choices: Don't vote. Or follow the old adage that "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

(I prefer the former.)

Paul also points out that states with right-to-work laws enjoy greater economic growth and a higher standard of living than states without such laws.

According to the National Institute for Labor Relations Research, from 2001-11 employment in right-to-work states grew by 2.4 percent, while employment in union states fell by 3.4 percent. During the same period, wages rose by 12.5 percent in right-to-work states, while rising by a mere 3.1 percent in union states."

But Ohio Republicans don't care about these labor statistics. Why should they?

When you read Jason Hart's May 3 story (see http://www.redstate.com/jasonahart/2013/05/03/ohio-senate-republicans-r…), maybe you'll understand.

According to Hart: "Republican leadership in the Ohio Senate has received nearly $200,000 in labor union donations since 2011, secretary of state records reveal.

"Nine of Ohio’s top 10 Republican recipients of union contributions since Jan. 1, 2011 are state senators – and three of those are members of Senate leadership."

Now, where have we witnessed this "follow-the-money" trend before? Oh, yes, now I remember. Deregulation. How many state lawmakers received considerable dollars from the various utility companies and how did they vote? (Sorry, that's another rhetorical question. I already wrote that column. So did Bill Horne, years ago.)

The 10 Ohio senators who received the most from labor unions through the April 17, 2013 pre-primary reporting deadline are shown below.

"Why would Senate Republicans oppose securing workers’ freedom to choose whether to join or pay a union, even after neighboring Indiana and Michigan both implemented workplace freedom in 2012?" Hart asks.

Hart answers his own rhetorical question as follows:

"Union bosses – who responded to the introduction of workplace freedom bills by likening House Republicans to Nazis – have given more than $670,000 to Republican members of Ohio’s House and Senate since 2011 to ensure this outcome. Over $540,000 of that total has gone to these 10 senators (listed below)," Hart said.

• Sen. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), Majority Floor Leader: $116,050
• Sen. Jim Hughes (R-Columbus): $113,145
• Sen. Frank LaRose (R-Copley): $53,900
• Sen. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton): $53,350
• Sen. Chris Widener (R-Springfield), President Pro Tempore: $47,250
• Sen. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville): $38,535
• Sen. Kevin Bacon (R-Minerva Park): $37,850
• Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Medina), Majority Whip: $32,900
• Sen. Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green): $28,300
• Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati): $22,050.

"Private industry and government labor unions have contributed a combined $199,200 to Sen. Faber, Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Widener, Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Patton, and Senate Majority Whip Larry Obhof," Hart said.

Here's a thought for all these state Republicans and their liberal Republican brethren: Why don't you espouse these same liberal philosophies when you are in your respective districts, attending your Lincoln dinners, attending your county fairs and writing your (rare) editorial opinions?

So how's the so-called economic recovery working out in the Buckeye State – where the Republican governor wants to outspend his Democrat predecessor by some $12 billion (with a "B") in the latest proposed budget?

Not good.

Hart explains: "Governor John Kasich and his allies suggest workplace freedom isn’t necessary to keep Ohio competitive because Kasich’s economic policies have been wildly successful, but U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics data tell another story."

“In 2012, with Gov. Kasich’s policies firmly in place, Ohio only added 42,300 jobs – a 58-percent drop from 2011 and the 39th best in America,” Opportunity Ohio President Matt Mayer wrote in an April 30 Akron Beacon Journal op-ed.

“In fact, from June 2012 to March 2013, Ohio’s private sector grew by a mere 3,700 jobs or just 500 jobs per month. For 2013, Ohio has lost 1,700 net jobs so far.”

Again, not good.

"Government should never forbid private-sector workers from striking," Paul said in defense of right-to-work. "Employees should be free to join unions or not, and employers should be able to bargain with unions or not. Labor, like all goods and services, is best allocated by market forces rather than the heavy, restrictive hand of government.

"Federal laws forcing employees to pay union dues as a condition of getting or keeping a job are blatantly unconstitutional."

Maybe so. But don't expect any Ohio Republicans to agree with you, Dr. Paul.

They've got their marching orders.

Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.