Sick-day issue on Ohio ballot could boost Obama

[AngryOldDem]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/state/2008/06/15/ddn061508ohballot.html


COLUMBUS — The effect of a hot-button ballot issue on the presidential election in crucial Ohio will be tested again this year if a mandatory sick-day proposal qualifies, experts say.

Just as the 2004 election of President Bush was shaped in part on turnout for an issue banning gay marriages, Barack Obama should benefit from the sick-day issue, which is strongly backed by several Democrat-embracing unions.

The issue would require companies with at least 25 employees to give them seven sick days per year, with any unused sick time to be carried over to the next year.

Backers have until Aug. 6 to collect the 120,683 signatures to put the issue on the ballot alongside Obama and Republican John McCain on Nov. 4. So far, about 100,000 have been collected, campaign spokesman Dale Butland said Thursday.
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Hey...whatever helps. But my first reaction was sadness that such a proposal to provide the basic minimum in sick coverage even needs to be on the ballot in the first place.

[peace13]

1. Interesting.

My son just had hernia surgery and he did not get one sick day. The icing on the cake was the $2500 deductible on his company health insurance policy. He is 24 and will take a $6000 hit this year at his $15 an hour job. Hope he can continue to pay his school loans. Can't believe that we are actually having to mandate humane treatment of workers here in Ohio.

[AngryOldDem]

2. Most companies' policies make you go broke before the care kicks in.

Really...in lieu of the crap-ass health insurance a lot of companies offer, I'd just rather have what I pay for that coverage kept in my paycheck. I'll take my chances. Any illness will most likely bankrupt me anyway.

Just like education, health care is rapidly becoming a purview of the rich. An entitlement, a perk, not a right.

Companies are just trying to see how close they can skirt the line. And then they wonder why employee morale and productivity is so low.

[peace13]

3. My son is 24 and up until six months ago he had a private policy for $129 a month.

Young guys are so cheap to insure. Ironically he pays as much now with his employer for crap. I think he was embarrassed because when they made the policy change at work he didn't bother to run the info by his Dad or me and now he will pay dearly.

We have had a small business for over 25 years and have always provided the best to all. Now we have no employees outside the family and I don't have to worry. It was a good run but I am exhausted by what has gone on in Ohio and this country. I feel sorry for the young people whose only choice will be a military that is guided by warmongers and thieves. Too sad. This spoken by someone who has a 42 year old stepsister who is going to the Green Zone in September.