Today, Ohioans have a chance to protect their state from leftist special interest groups, defend their state constitution and save preborn lives.

On August 8, Ohio citizens will vote on Issue 1, a statewide ballot measure that would raise the threshold needed to change their state’s constitution from 50% to 60%.

Several out-of-state special interest groups have already spent millions of dollars opposing Issue 1. These dark money groups hope to keep Ohio’s constitution open to radical and sudden changes – promoted and funded by liberal millionaires.

The official “No on Issue 1” campaign committee has raised $14.8 million, of which $5.9 million originated from Washington, D.C. and an additional $4.4 million came from California.

The Washington, D.C.-based Sixteen Thirty Fund, which exists to “empower progressive changemakers” spent a breathtaking $400 million to influence the 2020 election, donated $2.5 million to the “No” committee.

And now, the group has Ohio in its sights.

Will Ohioans acquiesce to these progressive, dark money donors? Or will they take a stand, support Issue 1 and preserve their state constitution?

Our Founding Fathers knew that it should be difficult to enact radical changes to our nation’s governing documents. They frequently warned about the dangers of factions (majorities), expressing deep concern about the potential for a tyranny of the majority.

“Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens … that our governments are too unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, and that measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority,” wrote a soberminded James Madison in Federalist No. 10.

The Framers were deeply interested in ensuring that no single faction could gain too much power and thereby suppress the rights of the minority.

Issue 1 would ensure that it takes more than a bare majority to change the state’s constitution.

The Framers created a system of checks and balances and intentionally made it difficult to change our Constitution.

It takes a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress or two-thirds of the States to simply propose amending the federal Constitution. Amendments must then be approved by three-fourths of the State legislatures.

That’s why there have only been 27 amendments to the Constitution since 1787.

If such a high bar exists to change the federal constitution, why should a bare majority – with passions inflamed by dark money donors – be able to change Ohio’s constitution?

The Framers knew all too well that government is made up of flawed and imperfect people. “But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?” wrote James Madison in Federalist No. 51.

He added, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”

If Issue 1 is approved, it would go a long way towards protecting Ohio’s citizens and requiring the government to control itself. Big money interest groups would have far less influence in dictating Ohio’s laws, and a more stable and reasoned government would result.

This November, Ohioans will also vote on another ballot measure. This measure would permit abortions up-until birth and allow minors to access harmful transgender medical interventions without their parent’s knowledge or consent.

The pro-abortion lobby has already committed to spending at least $35 million to get the measure passed in November.

If Ohioans don’t approve Issue 1 on August 8, the state will have a “for sale” sign on their front lawn by the time leaves begin to fall.

Leftist special interest groups like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU will know that their money can purchase Ohioans votes through November, and thereafter.

To protect their constitution and save preborn lives, Ohioans should heed the Founding Fathers’ advice and vote “Yes” on Issue 1 on August 8.

 

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