Liberal talk show host Ed Schultz is in Ohio this week, broadcasting his MSNBC program. The Ed Show. He was in Toledo last night with a program that featured Toledo congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (who could be representing a large chunk of Cuyahoga County after next year’s elections, thanks to the new crazy-quilt congressional district map) and Toledo Mayor Mike Bell, as well as an enthusiastic audience of working people brandishing signs advocating the repeal of Ohio Senate Bill 5. Kaptur spoke out against the union-busting measure while Bell spoke out in favor, saying it was essential to balance the city’s budget by slashing the pay and benefits of teachers, police officers, and fire fighters (Interestingly, Bell is a former fire fighter who is double-dipping).
Schultz is in Columbus tonight, with a show featuring Senator Sherrod Brown and Congresspersons Tim Ryan of Youngstown and Dennis Kucinich of wherever he needs to be from to stay in Congress. (He’s said he will take on Kaptur in a Democratic primary). One of Schultz’s favorite Ohio guests, State Senator Nina Turner, will also be on. The taping, taking place at 10 p.m. the Fire Fighters Union Hall, is open to the public.
A few weeks ago, Governor John Kasich held a public event offering to negotiate with labor on SB 5, leaving empty chairs for labor leaders who didn’t show up to barter after the fact on a signed law. Schultz is returning the favor. He challenged Kasich to come on his show and defend the bill, leaving an empty chair last night in Toledo. He plans to do the same in Columbus. Kasich, meanwhile, was in New York, taping the Sean Hannity Show on Fox. — Anastasia Pantsios
This article appears in Sep 14-20, 2011.
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the live show from Ohio tonight. it has really fired me up. i must have said, That’s right!!!!’ a thousand times. I am a veteran teacher in the state of Wisconsin and am currently living under the fist of Republican Governor Scott Walker. I work very hard and am so disgusted by what has happened here. Just yesterday I got my first paycheck under the Walker plan. Not only did I not get a cost of living raise, again and again and again and once more, but I found myself being slapped in the face with a $422 monthly loss, and of course wondering how I am going to be able to pay bills, help my boys with college costs and stay afloat. How many more sacrifices am I going to need to make? We paid 11 years into a long term care which has evaporated. A month ago our local newspaper headlines a piece which prints all the salaries of teachers in neighboring districts. I guess I don’t have a problem with that as I am a public employee, but I knew there was more to it than that. In bold print it began, “EXPOSED! How Collective Bargaining Has Been Stealing From Our Children.” It literally made me sick to my stomach. They should be ashamed. And so should anyone who thinks my printed salary of $54,000 is excessive. Let’s not forget my over 20 years of service, a master’s degree and the thousands of students I have taught……THEIR CHILDREN. Did I mention my class of 24 nine and ten year olds and usual 10 hour days? I would love to send you a copy of the article for “discussion purposes.” Here I go again getting sooooo upset. Like I said, how many more hits can I (and thousands of teachers) take?
DK
Teacher in Wisconsin Your right, right,right. When will America wake up to this Republican attack on the American people. Is Bill Mare correct when he said “Americans are the dumbest people in the world”. I cleaned it up.