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by Laurel Hopwood
Issue 2 is not simply a new law--it would amend Ohio's constitution.
The League of Women Voters of Ohio oppose Issue 2 because this
measure is an inappropriate use of the state constitution. By voting
to amend the constitution, a dangerous precedent is created which
sets a permanent place for special interests.
Here’s the background:
Most Old MacDonald’s have been taken over by big agribusiness.
Most livestock are now raised in factory conditions, where they
are jammed together so closely that they are unable to move about.
Not only is this inhumane, but also the stress incurred is a recipe
for disaster. Diseases spread and the animals are treated with
antibiotics. It's no wonder that we are going back to the pre-penicillin
era as common antibiotics are no longer working.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) worked with citizens
in 6 states to get these horrific cages and crates banned. When
the HSUS attempted this in Ohio, agribusiness got scared and pulled
a pre-empt to prevent the banning of factory cages. They urged
the Ohio assembly to get a ballot initiative on the November ballot
- a Constitutional amendment for a livestock
board to develop guidelines
for the raising of livestock. Once cemented into the state constitution,
this livestock board would have the power to override acts by the
state legislature and play down public debate, which would infringe
on our democratic rights, the foundation our country was built
on.
The Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Pork Producers Council, and the Ohio
Cattleman’s Association are some of the players spearheading
the campaign to push for the passage of Issue 2. Instead of working
for a better system of raising animals, agribusiness is spending
$7 million to pass a nicely-worded amendment that will serve one
purpose: to fatten their bank accounts.
Vote NO on Issue 2. Don't allow special interests to hijack the
state constitution!
Please contact me, Laurel
Hopwood, for more information. |
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