Commentary by David Friesner

On Monday June 23rd, Policy Matters Ohio released a report that the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation would be broke before the end of the year. This is bad enough for injured workers, but now the Unemployment Fund is going broke.

This is a tragedy for workers in today’s employment climate of plant closings and layoffs. It is not surprising about the BWC with its $220+ million hedge funds and $50 million coin deals. But the Unemployment ran into trouble by under funding. We hear the chant of personal responsibility all the time. What about corporate community responsibility and being responsible to the working citizens of Ohio?

A recent example was in the June 20th Columbus Dispatch that ran an article on ex-State Sen. Jeffrey Armbruster. The former legislator used his position to get his businesses an 88% rate reduction. The Joint Legislative Ethics Commission felt there was sufficient evidence to send the case to the Franklin County Prosecutor, Ron O’Brien. This was the first case ever involving a current or past member of the legislature to be sent for prosecution. The finding of insufficient evidence to prosecute doesn’t pass the smell test.

And today, we find out Fed Ex was not deducting taxes for its workers and was forced to pay Ohio $654,000 which may indicate they weren’t paying properly for unemployment or worker’s compensation. That is just not right.

It is, however, refreshing to know that in the present administration and legislature there is a bipartisan effort to hold its members and businesses accountable. After the past years of cronyism and corruption I am glad to see them working together to make a difference, keep up the good work guys.

Another Sign of the Times – Shoplifting and Theft? Commentary by David Friesner Last night on the news there was a spot about shoplifting. There have been more cases prosecuted in five and half months this year than all of 2007. 1204 last year compared to 1307 so far in 2008. Ron O’Brien, Franklin County prosecutor, stated that over half of the cases were first time offenses. I think that the economy has finally reached the point where people have to stoop to thievery in order to provide for their families. It doesn’t look as though there is any relief in sight as gas prices keep reaching record levels. Now with the floods in the Midwest, grocery prices are expected to spike. I am not saying I condone stealing. It is difficult enough for stores to make a profit. But, I do feel pity for anyone who has been driven to these actions shoplifting through no fault of their own. No one is secure in their job with the layoffs and cutbacks that are happening today. I ...continue reading

June 20, 2008 Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans President David Friesner Commentar I just read an AP-Ipsos Poll http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hm7_MiQM3mSMMD4qYOaxGWoKTIJwD91DA4EO 0 that shows only 17% of the people surveyed felt the country was on the right track. That is the lowest confidence mark since this poll was started 6 years ago. Out of those surveyed 60% listed gas prices as the biggest reason, 23% cited poor leadership and 20% said the Iraq War was the problem. Regardless of the reasons it shows the pain that most Americans are feeling right now as we struggle with rising prices not only at the pump but also at the grocery store. The people with the lowest incomes listed gas prices and other economic issues while the people who were wealthier were able to list other reasons for the economy being bad. I guess if you are starving it doesn’t matter what causes prices to rise if you can’t afford to buy it anyway. President Bush’s approval is ...continue reading