Ohio Republicans Strip Union Rights to Strike and Negotiate.

The Ohio State Senate just passed the controversial SB 5, aimed a limiting unionized state employees' ability to collectively bargain or go on strike. Pushing the bill through the Senate has been tough for supporters of the plan, with the Republican leader of the state Senate removing two Republicans opposed to the measure to get the bill to the Senate floor today. Ohio's bill would go farther than Wisconsin's, which exempted police officers and firefighters from its proposed anti-collective bargaining language. The Ohio bill also makes it illegal for state workers to strike and gives local governments new powers over contract negotiations with union workers.

HBW: The right to strike has been considered an essential tool for the working class to keep the giant corporate conglomerates from exploiting them too far since the late 19th century. In that era, and up until present day, strikes were not just considered lawful but necessary to prevent exploitation of workers and the widening gap between the rich and poor. If it wasn't for unions, a strong middle-class would never have grown to be the power house it was up until the late 20th century.

It was the great Franklin D. Roosevelt (the president who led us out of the Great Depression who established the rights of federal employees to unionize, take part in collective bargaining and have the right to strike). It was all about taking back the power of the people, in the face of an out-of-control business class. He is considered one of our greatest presidents, and yet, he would be shocked to see the state of the working class--as would his cousin, President Teddy Roosevelt, a true populist.

Pundits and other experts, along with political junkies have known for awhile that the Mid-West would be the big battleground of the 2012 election. There were some indications in the last election (2010) that Obama's support in Wisconsin in particular was a bit weak. It was clear that 2012 will most likely be decided in that region. Well, rather than working with the unions to come to a settlement where both sides gave something, the Mid-West Republican governors went full-force after the unions to crush them ahead of 2012, in hopes of weakening the union's power to help re-elect Obama.

But, as we know now, it has back-fired on them and Democrats and Independents seem united strongly for the working families who rely upon unions for descent compensation and work rights to petition their government for adjustments (especially if you read the polls) The Republicans tactics in the heartland seem heavy-handed, cruel, excessive and vindictive. Governor Walker, and his buddies in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana have unified the base of the Democratic Party and tipped the scales toward the public supporting their side. Americans, left, right and center won't take anymore bullying of working families.

If that is what the Republicans have to offer the people of the upper-Mid-West then they're in for the battle of their lives up there in '12. I already know that I'll be donating to help Democrats win those states for Obama and the Democrats for the next year or so. And, I know many like me. We won't stand idly by while you Republicans systematically dismantle the last true barrier keeping the corporate oligarchs from smashing working families into pieces.

So, thanks Republicans, for uniting Democrats and showing Independents your true nature of disdain for the working class. Don't mess with the good-natured, Mid-Westerners. Despite their politeness, they won't be insulted and taken advantage of by bullies seeking to silence their voice. And, calling the protesters "slobs" as Wisconsin state Senator Glenn Grothman did is like spitting in their faces.

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That kind of ugly talk doesn't go over well in that region. I can tell you that for sure because the majority of both sides of my family come from Minnesota, N. Dakota and Wisconsin. So, beware the power of the Mid-West. They are kind and docile for the most part, until you come after their bread and butter. Watch out, Republicans. Mid-Westerners are ready for you, and you'll face some serious backlash, so be ready. We're waiting for you.

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