attn Ohioans: vote NO on issue 2
I want to urge folks in Ohio to Vote NO on issue 2.
It's a pretty deceptive measure. Despite the fact that it sounds all shiny (animal welfare, safe, local food, etc.) it's a bit of a smokescreen. Issue 2 is essentially a constitutional amendment that creates a separate appointed body to regulate the care of livestock in the state, undermining the authority of the Dept of Agriculture. Given how heavily this state's economy (and thus politician's interests) are dependent on factory farming, it is likely that the deck will be stacked to minimize regulation of abusive practices.
If you dig deep enough into the Pro-2 agenda, it comes down to this: last year, California passed Prop 2, which requires that animals kept in confinement have enough room to turn around. Nothing else, and it makes a bunch of exceptions for fairs, transportation, medical care, etc. They're afraid that a similar ballot measure will be introduced here too. Never mind that I doubt a measure like that could pass here -- the factory farming industry is so afraid of basic humane-care measures that they want to modify the state constitution to re-structure the states entire regulatory structure.
The chief argument in favor of Issue 2 seems to be that it will cost Ohio jobs; but in reality, voting down Issue 2 only maintains the status quo. IF Issue 2 fails AND Ohio passes something like California's Prop 2 (2008), it would mean some expensive upgrades for factory farms, and probably not a lot of changes for regular family farms.
Don't let the industrial agriculture industry fool you -- Issue 2 is bad public policy. It's a misuse of the constitutional amendment process, and it's a protectionist measure for an abusive industry.
I'll also say this: there are lots of non-abusive, small family farmers who support Issue 2. I truly believe that it's because their industry associations are putting out a lot of misleading information to scare them about how PETA and its ilk are coming to “force new regulations” on Ohio. But outside organizations can only change Ohio policy if the people let them, and I really can’t see Ohioans passing California-style animal-rights ballot measures. I think it is far more likely that the governor will appoint factory farming industry insiders to the board (if 2 passes) than that Ohioans will vote en masse for animal rights (if 2 fails). Given that split, I’m voting No.
I urge you to get the facts (they are hard to find). There's lots of "this will cost Ohio jobs", but no actual documentation. If you can find any sources that actually persuade you with data rather than opinion to vote for the measure, I would dearly like to see them.
I could go on for days about this; if you want to know more, please let me know.
It's a pretty deceptive measure. Despite the fact that it sounds all shiny (animal welfare, safe, local food, etc.) it's a bit of a smokescreen. Issue 2 is essentially a constitutional amendment that creates a separate appointed body to regulate the care of livestock in the state, undermining the authority of the Dept of Agriculture. Given how heavily this state's economy (and thus politician's interests) are dependent on factory farming, it is likely that the deck will be stacked to minimize regulation of abusive practices.
If you dig deep enough into the Pro-2 agenda, it comes down to this: last year, California passed Prop 2, which requires that animals kept in confinement have enough room to turn around. Nothing else, and it makes a bunch of exceptions for fairs, transportation, medical care, etc. They're afraid that a similar ballot measure will be introduced here too. Never mind that I doubt a measure like that could pass here -- the factory farming industry is so afraid of basic humane-care measures that they want to modify the state constitution to re-structure the states entire regulatory structure.
The chief argument in favor of Issue 2 seems to be that it will cost Ohio jobs; but in reality, voting down Issue 2 only maintains the status quo. IF Issue 2 fails AND Ohio passes something like California's Prop 2 (2008), it would mean some expensive upgrades for factory farms, and probably not a lot of changes for regular family farms.
Don't let the industrial agriculture industry fool you -- Issue 2 is bad public policy. It's a misuse of the constitutional amendment process, and it's a protectionist measure for an abusive industry.
I'll also say this: there are lots of non-abusive, small family farmers who support Issue 2. I truly believe that it's because their industry associations are putting out a lot of misleading information to scare them about how PETA and its ilk are coming to “force new regulations” on Ohio. But outside organizations can only change Ohio policy if the people let them, and I really can’t see Ohioans passing California-style animal-rights ballot measures. I think it is far more likely that the governor will appoint factory farming industry insiders to the board (if 2 passes) than that Ohioans will vote en masse for animal rights (if 2 fails). Given that split, I’m voting No.
I urge you to get the facts (they are hard to find). There's lots of "this will cost Ohio jobs", but no actual documentation. If you can find any sources that actually persuade you with data rather than opinion to vote for the measure, I would dearly like to see them.
I could go on for days about this; if you want to know more, please let me know.