HungerNetOhio #8.9: (WWAPD) What would Aunt Pearl do?

Email conversations about "ending hunger in Ohio through changing conditions which cause poverty"

The phrase "What would Jesus do?" became popular in the 1990s as a personal motto, especially for of Evangelical Christians. Often abbreviated to WWJD, the phrase was used as a reminder to act in a manner that would demonstrate the love of Jesus through their actions. Behind this slogan was the belief in a moral imperative--whether in life style choices or public decisions-to assume the mind of Jesus and follow our best estimates of what he would have done had he been in our situation.

For those of us with less vivid faith or long-range imagination, there was always a backup model of ethical purity personified by “Aunt Pearl.” She is the generic living, breathing, fondly thought of (or remembered) saint in our lives who can provide a more immediate reference to guide our behavior and overall, everyday choices. Her love for others, defense of the most vulnerable, determination to simply “do no harm” dominates her consciousness and every action.

Most of us have an Aunt Pearl semblance of good judgment, ethical soundness, and--perhaps even more personal than an abstract Jesus--example of dedication to humankind.

For those who have not already cast our ballots, we enter the voting booth tomorrow continuing to be vulnerable to the deluge of misinformed and misleading public pressure to influence our votes. We have been bombarded by special interest-designed campaigns to persuade us of the exclusive truth of their causes. Good or bad in their approach, right or wrong in their claims, they have pitched their cases to appear to be the best alternative.

But, hopefully, we each will make up our mind based upon more than the strength of these predisposed and, for the most part, manipulative ads. As a partial defense against these pervasive attacks on our psyche, tomorrow's elections calls us again to delve deeply into our hearts to determine direction to our votes.

No better matters will Jesus' and Aunt Pearl's counsel be applicable than these two State initiatives:

Issue 2 To approve Ohio's new collective bargaining law Amended Substitute Senate Bill No. 5 is a new law relative to government union contracts and other government employment contracts and policies. A “YES” vote means you approve the law. A “NO” vote means you reject the law.

Issue 3 To prohibit federal and state laws from requiring that Ohioans participate in a particular health care system. Issue 3 will change Ohio's constitution to provide that:

• In Ohio, no law or rule shall compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in a health care system.
• In Ohio, no law or rule shall prohibit the purchase or sale of health care or health insurance.
• In Ohio, no law or rule shall impose a penalty or fine for the sale or purchase of health care or health insurance.

So, accompanied tomorrow behind the curtain of secret balloting by our conscience, let's ask ourselves,

On Issue 2: Who would Aunt Pearl bar from having full access to decisions impacting their lives and livelihood?

On Issue # 3: Who would Aunt Pearl deny health care as a result of exempting what constituency from caring?

If we want to hear the acute differences between these poles, trident voices rise from either side these issues, definitively arguing their positions:

Issue 2

YES! Building a Better Ohio 

NO! We are Ohio

Issue 3

YES! The Ohio Liberty Council

NO! Innovation Ohio

Bridging a balanced--at least seriously-weighed, non-committal-- stance on the dilemmas these issues raise is expressed thought the Catholic Conference of Ohio

Two conspicuous “Vote 'No' Advocates” on these respective issues are:

We Believe Ohio 

UHCAN Ohio 

P.S. When heading for the polls, take identification! Many forms of ID are accepted, including: 

The last four digits of voter's social security number or complete driver's license number.

OR

 A copy of a current and valid photo ID (e.g. Ohio driver's license, state issued ID card, government ID. Photo ID must show name and address.

 OR

A copy of a current utility or cell phone bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that shows the voter's name and current address (including from a public college or university address). ID requirements vary slightly on Election Day. Click for specifics If you have problems voting, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OURVOTE (687-8683)