Vote No on issue 2

[Towntalk]

As to the other point I raised, The Vindicator said this:

"The board would represent farmers, consumers, agricultural specialists and advocates for animals. Specifically, the board members would be:
-The director of the state department that regulates agriculture.
-Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, including:
-One member representing family farms.
-One member knowledgeable about food safety.
-Two members representing statewide organizations that represent farmers.
-One member who is a veterinarian.
-The State Veterinarian in the state department that regulates agriculture.
-The dean of the agriculture department of a college or university in Ohio.
-Two members of the public representing Ohio consumers.
-One member representing a county humane society.
-One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who shall be a family farmer.
-One member appointed by the President of the Senate who shall be a family farmer.
That is a list of people that could alarm only those who don't believe in animal husbandry, but ascribe to a philosophy of animal rights that is outside the mainstream."

[Towntalk]

The added costs of production would be passed on to consumers, but the Akron Beacon Journal says it better than I could: "The animal-rights organization has been noodling a statewide campaign to establish new and more restrictive rules for the handling of livestock and poultry. Farmers fear substantially higher costs to operate, and higher food prices in grocery stores. They point to the turmoil encountered by their colleagues in California, where such a measure won voter approval. Thus, Ohio farmers struck pre-emptively. During the summer, they persuaded state lawmakers and the governor to place on the fall ballot a proposed constitutional amendment creating a State Livestock Care Standards Board, a panel that would establish rules for handling livestock and poultry."

Also: "The Second Harvest Foodbanks support Issue 2 because of concerns about a future Humane Society proposal winning voter approval, resulting in higher food prices, making more difficult the task of aiding the needy."

[rusty river]

Now there are reports that if Issue 2 fails you can expect to see the price of meat go up, and if you like me enjoy meat, that could take a big chunk out of your food budget.

Why would the price of meat go up?

[Towntalk]

Don't get me wrong, I'm just as apposed to animal cruelty as the best of you are.

My chief opposition is against those who want to give animals the same rights as humans.

Yes, there are those who want constitutional rights for animals ... PETA for example.

By the same token I have absolutely no use whatever for those Vegans that would push their lifestyle on the rest of us.

Admittedly the main course for all my meals at supper consist of either a beef or pork steak or pork chops along with two vegetables, a salad, a glass of vegetable juice and fruit dessert followed by a cup of coffee.

The only time I change my menu is when I have a pasta supper, and ground beef is used.

I'm just as healthy as any Vegan, haven't seen a doctor in years other than as a result of an auto accident.

Now there are reports that if Issue 2 fails you can expect to see the price of meat go up, and if you like me enjoy meat, that could take a big chunk out of your food budget.

[sfc_oliver]

As I stated earlier, it's bigger State Government. If there is a problem there has to be a better solution.

[Mary_Krupa]

This would be a backward step for democracy in that it would allow a group of basically political appointees to make their own rules WITH NO OVERSIGHT. THEY WOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY EVEN ABOVE WHAT THE OHIO DEPARMENT OF AGRICULTURE WOULD SAY. NO CHECKS and BALANCES!  No comment periods, no appeals process, etc. Is this democratic? Do you want Ohio's constitution to be amended to make it less democratic? That's what this would do.

The ODA would have no power over this board which would be governed by representatives of Big Agriculture. Any small family farmers on this board would be small potatoes compared to Big Ag. I know little about the ODA but do know that it is a bureaucracy and probably has a bad record in some areas but it is the official agency for all Ohio agriculture.  We do not need to have a board set up to do the ODA's job nor another level of unneeded bureaucracy.

Many people are supporting this issue because they feel it will stop the Humane Society's and PETA's actions. These two groups can be extreme but this is not the way to stop any radicalism on their part.

[irishbobcat]

 Vote No on Ohio Issue 2 
Don't be deceived — this is an unprecedented power grab by factory farming interests to amend Ohio's Constitution for their benefit.


 

Stop Big Ag's Takeover of our State Constitution

Issue 2 on the November ballot here in Ohio is an industry-backed attempt to change our Ohio State Constitution, establishing a "Livestock Care Standards Board" with unlimited power to establish standards for livestock and poultry.

It masquerades as an attempt to improve food safety and animal welfare. But in reality, Issue 2 would give a dozen political appointees complete and final authority on how animals are raised — with no review or evaluation, no forum for public comment, and no ability for anyone to appeal or overrule the decision.

This isn't just a bad new law — they're proposing a permanent change to the Ohio Constitution. And it's up to us to stop them. Here's what you can do to stop this bad idea in its tracks.

Get more information about Issue 2 from Ohioans Against a Constitutional Takeover — or click here to learn how to volunteer with the campaign. Download some flyers or factsheets and pass them around to your friends. Or join the community on Facebook.

Please forward this message to all your friends in Ohio. Proponents of Issue 2 are blanketing the airwaves with deceptive ads about keeping Ohio food "safe and local;" of course, Issue 2 does neither. We need to counter their well-funded campaign with grassroots, person-to-person education — and you're an important part of that effort.

You can tell a whole lot about this issue from the groups on each side. Groups opposing Issue 2 include:
Ohio Farmer's Union
Ohio Environmental Stewardship Alliance
Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club
Ohio League of Women Voters
Progress Ohio
Food & Water Watch
The Humane Society of the United States
Groups pushing for passage of Issue 2 include:
The Ohio Pork Producers Council
Ohio Cattlemen's Association
Ohio Association of Meat Processors

And it's not just environmental and consumer groups opposing Issue 2, either. Have a look at the critical editorials from the Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Akron Beacon Journal or Dayton Daily News.

Brian Rothenberg of ProgressOhio.org summed it up best when he said,

"Our Constitution should not be for sale, and if issues like this succeed, there is a very slippery slope in which wealthy corporations can in effect alter the supreme law of the state to ensure a competitive advantage...Our Constitution is meant to protect us, not to be part of some large corporate business plan enshrined in our laws."
So I hope you'll take action today and start spreading the word about Issue 2. Thank you for working to build a better world.

Will Easton, Activism Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets
Columbus, Ohio