IS THE SENATE BILL 5 OVERTURN IN OHIO A BELLWHETHER VOTE ?...........

John Kasich, the freshmen Republican Governor of Ohio, who served for two decades as a member of the House of Representatives, with extensive experience in Federal Budget matters, made as his first priority as Ohio Governor this year; passage of a law to widely restrict the influence of labor unions in politics.  The controversial Senate Bill was enacted.  A firestorm resulted that led to having Ohio citizens qualify an Initiative for the Ohio ballot yesterday, to decide whether the newly enacted should stand or be turned back.  The voters turned out in droves throughout Ohio yesterday, unusual in an off election year; and by 60% of the vote rejected the law.  Ohio labor unions representing police, fire, teachers, nurses, and other organized employees, will be allowed to proceed as they have until now in political campaigns and advocacy.  Governor Kasich in his concession over the vote, was conciliatory and sounded a message of revisiting his relationship with, and goals for, the people of Ohio.  Is this election vote outcome an over reach by a zealous, first year, Governor or a bellwether as to the fate of such other attempts in the State of Wisconsin, or elsewhere throughout the country ?  And what does it portend for the role of labor unions in turning out the vote in the 2012 Presidential and General Election ?   The months and year ahead will answer those questions.  One thing it does display.  a year is a lifetime in politics.  One year ago the gains attained by the Tea Party including in Ohio, are being reversed, as this vote documents.  What the outcome is a year from now, only time will tell...........Fr.  Troy