If you live in the Cleveland Ohio area, and read the Cleveland Plain Dealer, you probably understand that the Plain Dealer strongly opposes the sick time issue that will be voted on in November.  The question is why.

Before I answer the “why” question, let’s look at what this issue is about.  The issue is called the “Healthy Families Act.”  If approved by voters, the law would require employers to provide their employees seven paid six days per year, which could be carried over into the following years if unused.  It’s important to note that this law would only apply to companies that have 25 or more workers.

Unfortunately I don’t know any current Plain Dealer employees, but I have a sneaky suspicion that they do not provide their employees seven paid sick days per year.  My gut tells me this is why they are opposed to the issue and why they are using their Media might to see that voters turn it down.  Their chief argument is that it will cost jobs.  I beg to differ.  If anything, it would create jobs.  It would increase productivity since sick workers could avoid sharing their sickness with fellow workers.

The Plain Dealer has also recently endorsed a new taxpayer funded Convention Center as part of a package to build a private Medical Mart.  Once again, the Plain Dealer’s bias clearly shows.  Imagine medical shows coming to Cleveland.  That means more people staying at hotels, which also means more newspapers at the doorsteps of these occupied hotel rooms.

After the Cleveland Press closed, the Plain Dealer became a monopoly in this region.  And they use their media monopoly to influence issues that could have a negative impact on their business.  And many Clevelander’s appear content with the fact media is biased.  However, I’m not one of the sheep being lead to the slaughterhouse.

The Plain Dealer has quoted Governor Strickland as saying the sick time issue would cost Ohio jobs.  If that is true, why do employees of the State of Ohio get fifteen sick days per year?  Taxpayers pay for State workers to get this amount of sick time.  Don’t taxpayers deserve to get half that?

The real job killers in this state are the politicians.  Between Federal raids on County offices, lack of action on important issues, and a failure to represent people, Ohio has become an anti-citizen state.

It’s our state’s policies that have driven lifelong residents to move.  It’s our state’s policies that prevent people from moving here.  And let me be perfectly clear.  This state can not improve its economy if it continually gives to businesses while tossing that tax burden on its citizens.  I strongly support the Healthy Families Act, and I think it is a good step in the right direction to slow our diminishing State population.

To learn more about the Healthy Families Act, click here.   

Like it? Share it!