With Friends Like These–Ohio Issue 1’s Broad-Based Business Support
My weekly e-mail from The Ohio Society of CPAs contained a major disappointment. Unbeknownst to me, The Society supported State Issue 1, a $2 billion bond issuance for “infrastructure and jobs,” which passed with a 54-46 margin on Tuesday.
The Society never asked me what I thought. Their take on Tuesday’s issues election results in Ohio (happy that Issue 1 passed, and that Issues 2, 3, 4, and 5 failed) confirms it, which led me to look into whether other business and professional groups were also behind it.
Yes indeed they were, and what a rude awakening. Ohio Issue 1’s supporters’ list is a heavy splash of cold water on those of us who would like to think that business organizations understand and support free markets. At least 50 chambers of commerce and similar organizations supported it. Silly me–I expected neutrality.
Now I understand why there was no concerted business opposition; the people who supposedly speak for business care more about currying favor with the state than growing it. As Pogo said, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” I can’t do much about my membership in the Ohio Society of CPAs, which for professional and business reasons is virtually mandatory. I will just have to do more to stay on top of their political activities. I can at least feel relieved that I’m not a member of any of these turncoat chambers of commerce, having quit Cincinnati’s Chamber a few years ago after their cowardly response to Cincinnati’s riots.
