EXCLUSIVE-GOP Senator Yanked Off Committee Speaks Out-Was Informed 30 Minutes Before Anti-Union Vote

[kpete]

Source: Think Progress

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Senator Yanked Off Committee Speaks Out, Was Informed 30 Minutes Before Anti-Union Vote

On Wednesday, just moments before a key committee in the Ohio State Senate was to vote on a GOP bill that would effectively dismantle public employees’ right to collectively bargain, the Senate’s Republican leader replaced a GOP committee member who opposed the bill with someone who supported it to ensure the measure passed. It was a brazen and nearly unprecedented move, and even more so considering that State Sen. Bill Seitz (R) told ThinkProgress that he is good friends with and has been roommates for ten years with State Senate President Tom Niehaus, who yanked Seitz off the committee. Indeed, they were sworn in to the state House on the same day and eventually followed each other to the Senate, sharing an apartment in the capital throughout.

In a telephone interview with ThinkProgress yesterday afternoon, Seitz recounted how he was informed of the move by his good friend Niehaus just a half hour before the vote. Seitz, a conservative Republican who proudly noted that he works for a law firm founded by the namesake of the very pro-management Taft-Hartley Act, said he supports “85 percent” of Senate Bill 5, but ultimately opposed it because it “goes to far.”

Asked about his abrupt removal from the committee, Seitz said it was “not unheard of, but not commonplace.” He couldn’t recall a time when something similar had occurred in the Senate. Moreover, he noted that his abrupt removal sends a bad signal to Ohio workers concerned about their own future:

SEITZ: (I told Niehaus) I’m not sure it looks real good, particularly in the context of a management rights bill, to have you exercise management rights over your own roommate, friend, and fellow party member. Because if that’s what can happen to a sitting state senator, what’s going to happen to you if you’re a nervous firefighter, teacher, or policeman — what’s going to happen to you if this bill passes?

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/04/seitz-interview/

[Democat]

1. Koch Brothers own these anti-union politicians.

This guy probably didn't get the memo.

[blackspade]

8. Not just anti-union...

Anti-American.
The Koch Bros and thier ilk only see the American taxpayer as their personal ATM machine.

[No Elephants]

11. Why wouldn't they see it that way?

[liam_laddie]

18. Very well said; add the DoE as well, n/t

[femrap]

29. Get some info

on the Sponsor of SB 5....Shannon Jones. This woman may be worse than Palin. I am NOT kidding.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110303/NEWS0108/103040348/Shannon-Jones-force-behind-SB5

[truedelphi]

38. Thank you for this important info, femrap. n/t

[Lorien]

61. Anti-planet. They would spew as many toxins into our air and water as they can

pump out if they get their way.Greenhouse gasses will go completely unchecked. You think that cancer rates and hellish storms are bad now? Just wait.

[Roland99]

15. We know the Kochs own the WI governor, is there proof they've bought OH, too?

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[glinda]

59. They are going after the Great Lakes, watersheds and resources.

[Horse with no Name]

71. Bingo.

Water wars on the way.

Koch going after Great Lakes.

T.Boone Pickens going after the water in Texas. His windmills just happen to fall on the watersheds.


Anyone see a frightening pattern here?

[golfguru]

32. How big are these Koch brothers?

Are they just Wisconsin or nationwide?
Why can't the 2 richest Americans (Warren & Bill) who are liberals, counteract these Koch's?

[defendandprotect]

34. Well, they've certainly infiltrated Dem Party -- Koch Bros financed DLC .... !!!

http://www.democrats.com/node/7789

[truedelphi]

40. Ssssh! n/t

[KamaAina]

37. Nationwide

David Koch, when he's not busy steering the country toward neo-feudalism, fancies himself a patron of the arts. He got his name slapped on the newly rebuilt New York State Theater at Lincoln Center in NYC. :puke:

[SammyWinstonJack]

66. Today the USA tomorrow the World.

Maybe Warren and Bill aren't part of the solution. :shrug:

[libmom74]

47. why can't these two

do the world a favor and take a flight on a small airplane with a faulty engine?

[Marblehead]

2. infuriating

this should be infuriating to the people of ohio

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Wow, the GOP really are --

desperate. :mad:

[Lifelong Protester]

4. PAY ATTENTION AMERICA

Fascism moves ever closer

[Plucketeer]

7. Closer???

Hell, it's HERE!

[In Truth We Trust]

69. Strike, Boycott, Pickett, Inform, FIGHT for RIGHTS to Organize and be Free. Freedom vs Corp.Fascism

[valerief]

9. Closer? It's smothering us already! nt

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ozymanithrax]

6. It is GOP way or the Highway...even for GOPers who don't goosestep...

to the RIGHT tune.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

30. Well, Kasich DID Say In December.........

........."Either get on the bus or get run over by it."

And the idiot voters of Ohio rushed right out and voted for this (can't think of a derogatory name strong enough to be appropriate here). And why? Because Ted Strickland didn't add jobs fast enough for their tastes. They weren't happy that Strickland managed to stop the hemmoraging of jobs caused by the moronic Taft administration AND reverse the trend to the point that jobs were starting to come back to Ohio (slowly but surely). Hey, he had 4 whole years to fix the mess caused by 20 straight years of Republican mismanagement and he only succeeded a little bit. Vote him out!!!

[defendandprotect]

41. Weird how that "tough guy" image sells ... like the "have a beer with Bush" thing ... !!

[Zoeisright]

10. Repukes sure want to be dictators, don't they?

Fucking assholes. They really have god complexes. I can only hope they pay for this in the elections next year.

[Ahpook]

35. And their supporters blow it off as "politics"

Yeah it sure is in a failed/failing state.

These people are not going to like what they get if they keep supporting this bullshit.

[No Elephants]

12. We call them "Rethugs" for a reason.

[perdita9]

13. Koch roaches over running the OH state house

Someone better get out the spray can.

[Zambero]

14. Hey, What are (Republican) friends for?

All in the manner of business, my "friend". Now get the **** out of my face and make room for the new tool, I mean your replacement!

Prison time notwithstanding, Tom Delay must be grinning from ear to ear right about now. Through his fine example and strongarmed tactics, he's trained these idealogues quite well.

[AllyCat]

16. fight Ohio, Fight! These people will stop at nothing.

We in Wisconsin support you! Go get 'em.

[RoccoR5955]

17. Someone needs to get these guys off their Koch habit

Or we are all in trouble.

[SammyWinstonJack]

68. Brought up Koch to my repug neighbor and all he could counter with was Soros.

:rofl:

[sulphurdunn]

19. After listening to some

of the statements of Republican senators and governors I am reminded of why I dislike conservatives: They think they're better than people who have less than they have. They think God prefers them. They believe that, by virtue of their superiority, they know what's best for the lesser orders, and what's best for the lesser orders is that they work more for less and be grateful for the opportunity.

[aquart]

21. Calvinism right?

[sulphurdunn]

25. That is correct.

[Zambero]

48. Reminds me of a song I heard once

by a group known as the Austin Lounge Lizards. It was "Jesus Loves Me, But He Can't Stand You".

[ieoeja]

20. Which means his replacement participated in less than 30 minutes of debate. (nt)

[Snoutport]

78. how can they get away with this?

[idrahaje]

22. well Ohio was running things right....

till this illegal act. which is why I think ohio has been slipping by.. Scott Walker has primarily done just about every possible thing to destroy the constitution that anyone could ever do.

[LaurenG]

23. OMG republicans in the Ohio senate are devils spawn.

fu**ers. :mad:

[Stuart G]

24. k & r

[Eljo_Don]

27. anti-union laws

It is almost time for a general strike. Start the coordination.

[louslobbs]

52. I regrettably have to agree

this small, wealthy, very wealthy, evil, powerful minority, has been and still is, rigging the game so that only they can dictate to the majority. And I fear if they are not stopped, the force they are using to keep the people from entering a public, government building in Wisconsin, will spread like the cancer the Republicons themselves are.

These people are not going to stop, unless they are stopped. I never thought I could feel this way about an entire group of people, but I can no longer stomach their lies, their unquenchable desire for power, their only motivation, money and their ruthless hate either in word, deed, or when convenient, their loud dog whistle of silence to their idiot rabble, giving them the silent ok, we're one of you, we're on your side. Absolute power, does obviously, corrupt absolutely.

The Republicons, their GOP FOX Fraudcasting propaganda machine, their puppet masters, the Koch brother pigs, various other media organizations who do not report the truth or fail to report the stories that really matter and might hurt Corporations and their Republicon Whores, are showing no signs of slowing their march against We the People, the majority.

They are all finally out of the closet, and they know there is an awakening happening in this country. Why else would they be making such bold and pathetic moves in the house, pushing through bills in Ohio by forcing out a Republicon who disagrees with them for one who agrees, wage war on women, war on brown people, war on gays, war on blacks, war on non Christians, war on the poor, war on the middle class, war on unions war, war, war. And who can forget one of their favorites, the war on Muslims.

They hate, and try to destroy, everyone who does not agree with them, and everything they don't believe in. They'll even destroy one their own if one steps out of line and won't tow the party line.

They allege they have God on there side, and I would have to agree with their contention, if God happens to be fraud, manipulation, theft, corruption, hypocrisy, greed and hate. Then, I would have no choice but to agree that God is on their side. They use the word God and their alleged religious beliefs to manipulate a segment of the population out of their votes. That's really all they care about, votes and the power that comes with getting those votes to continue rigging the system for the 2% of pigs eating their slop at the top.

Why else would they be so against a paper trail for voting machines? It would be harder to rig elections and steal votes.

They need to be stopped, and We the People, with the power of our majority, is the only way to stop the recent acceleration by these lunatics to push through policy that hurts the majority and further enriches the greedy pigs in that 2% minority.

They have to move faster now, push their destructive agenda with extra speed because their miscalculation to destroy unions, awoke a vocal majority who finally get it, and are not going to sit idle and take it. "They finally came for them".

So, what other choices do we have? If the vote is rigged and purchased by the corporations and powerful to do their deeds and bidding, how else do we stop them, other than a general strike? A civil war isn't going to work, that just gives them the reason they need to call out the dogs, you know, Blackwater/Xe/CIA types to kill Democrats, progressives, independents and others not on their side. It would also give them a reason to use the "internet kill switch" for our own good of course so we couldn't coordinate efforts.

Let's face it, these are really sick people, not unlike the sick, hateful, dictatorial and murderous Nazis. I used to believe, that this comparison could never justifiably be used against a group of people, but the Republicons and their ilk have changed my mind. There is nothing wrong with comparing one group of hateful lunatics from the past to the present day:

Republicon/Corporate/Koch/Limbaugh/Beck/Bachmann/King/Palin/Kasick/Wagner/Scott/Angle/O'Donell et al. Nazi like lunatics. For me, it is now a valid comparison. These people are nothing short of, domestic terrorists and they must be stopped, not negotiated with. Remember, you don't negotiate with terrorists.

I think the only questions that remain, if this were to happen are, when and how would this be planned and coordinated with tactical surprise and the majority on board to stop this march toward fascism and protect our freedoms and liberties. The power pigs really don't expect it, and if it happened, it would shock the shit out of them and stop almost everything in its tracks.

The big problem is fear. Could the majority under attack by a lunatic minority, do what is necessary? That's what the 2% are counting on, fear. Fear is their biggest tool in keeping the masses in line and silent. Fear is what they use to manipulate and fear is how they plan on breaking unions (61% agree that collective bargaining should not be ended), stealing Social Security, Medicare and anything else that helps the majority. Fear can stop most of us from doing what has to be done, because that which we know is always less fearful than that which we do not. We will accept the evil we know, even if the potential exists to destroy it together, for fear of failure and the potential evil we don't know. And let's face it, the Republicons and their rich benefactors can be pretty evil and even the thought of a failed attempt to stop them, can stop us from actually acting in our own best interests to slay the rightwing, corporate, Koch dragon.

I have very little hope at this point that these evil people can ever be trusted again to negotiate fairly and in good faith with the majority, to be a force for what's good for all of us rather than their obvious evil will to do the bidding of the 2% who they have helped to steal voice, wealth and power from We the people. They have shown themselves over and over again, as people who have a sick desire to dictate their will on all of the people, regardless of, the will of the people, the majority.

One final thought, the Republicons would not be able to get away with their raping and pillaging, without the help of enablers and thieves in the Democratic party as well. Democrats need to be the party of the people in word and deed.........and most need to grow a spine as well. Republicon light, does not represent the will of the majority. I would rather die fighting, than to live in a country ruled and dictated by these contemptible frauds, watching them destroy people, families, jobs, education and what used to be called, the American Dream.
Lou

[ChoppinBroccoli]

28. Really? The Bill, "Goes To Far"???

Yeah, that would be goes TOO far, guy.

This guy's a State Senator and HE has the same spelling skills as his brainless followers?

What is it with Republicans and spelling?

[Lucky Luciano]

50. You're kidding right?

The senator stated it - ThinkProgress wrote it!

[joshcryer]

76. HAHAHA, priceless.

[Uncle Joe]

31. That final sentence by Seitz is an excellent question.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[onehandle]

33. Crooks. nt

[barbtries]

36. is this what they call

banana republic politics? i am so disgusted.

[KamaAina]

39. Is that in accordance with their rules?

Do the committee members serve solely at the discretion of the chair? Is there no confirmation or even public notification requirement? (i.e. the official notice of hearing would have listed Seitz as one of the committee members)

[SimonBolivar]

56. Hmm

Good question. The senate rules seem designed to defy comprehension, always a good strategy to keep the rabble in check. Help yourself: http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&d=rules&jd=senate%20rules.

[KamaAina]

57. Thanks, but

this is Ohio, not Wis. Can't tell the union-busters without a scorecard. :eyes:

[SimonBolivar]

60. Oops

Got Wisconsin on the brain.

"At as early a date as practicable after the organization of the Senate, the President of the Senate, by message, shall name and appoint standing committees. In addition, the President of the Senate, by message, shall name, and may substitute, members of the Senate to serve on boards, commissions, task forces, and other bodies created by law and on which Senate members are eligible to serve, except as otherwise provided. The Minority Leader of the Senate may recommend minority party members for each committee."

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/senaterules.cfm

Ohio is much cleaner than Wisconsin, and have a better web site.

[tblue37]

42. He gets it. Just because it's someone else they're screwing this time, that doesn't

mean they won't be getting around to you next if you let them get away with this one.

[myrna minx]

43. They've earned their "Rethug" moniker.

:grr:

[liberal N proud]

44. What is happening in this nation is literally criminal

And until we storm the capitol buildings state by state and the nation with pitch forks, it will continue.

[Stuckinthebush]

45. Ohio voters

Blame them for voting these assholes in.

Blame us all for voting the assholes in the states we have them. Hell, we Alabamaians now have a real group of assholes in Montgomery running the place. Who is to blame? Voters.

[Zambero]

49. Same here in Idaho

Outside of Boise most of the voters here are clueless. They just look for that "R" on the ballot and figure everything will be just fine and dandy.

[oldhippydude]

54. don't know what happened there..

i worked on Frank Churches campaign, and Cecil Andress... years ago in 66 they actually voted in the sales tax..Idaho used to go progressive once in a while..

[Lorien]

62. Bullshit. Blame Diebold, and blame shitty Democrats who ACT like repugs

and do nothing to inspire anyone to vote for their sorry GOP appeasing asses. Sure, there are a few honorable ones out there, but the executive branch has done NOTHING to help the party and everything to damage it. People are SICK of voting for the least horrible choice. Blame those that give us nothing to vote FOR.

[pacalo]

67. I'm not convinced these baggers did "win" those governorships.

They're working in unison & how convenient that each of these dictators are all at once going after their own state unions. And Walker spoke of Kasich to "Koch" in familiar terms, as though the three of them were joined by the hips.

I can't prove the elections were rigged, but then I doubt their secretaries of state would allow their records to be scrutinized to find out for sure.

I just don't trust Republicans any further than I could lift them with my pinkie.

[glitch]

80. We can only be blamed for allowing our votes to be counted by far right corporations.

And considering the level of propaganda by our corrupt corporate media and the incredible transfer of wealth -- causing we the people to exhaust ourselves working to keep our heads above water since 1980, perhaps we can be forgiven for that.

Blame the Fascists.

edit: (IOW, agreed)

[Enthusiast]

46. Filthy Republican scum.

These are the new fascists! Make sure your neighbors know it.

[safeinOhio]

51. His new replacement that voted for it

was my rep until appointed to the senate a few weeks ago. A retired teacher and coach. In todays local paper he says this happens all the time, replacing a chair. Thing is he'll get tossed under the bus when he tries to run for that senate seat in a few years anyway. He voted for a fair housing law that included sexual pref and pissed off the teabaggers, so he'll be challenged anyway. Lots of LTTE in todays paper by pissed off teachers and cops.

[upstatecajun]

53. So will He be kicked out the

Senate? :spank:

[underpants]

55. "GOP Senator Yanked Off "

:rofl:

[onager]

63. Yanked off the whole COMMITTEE!

Talk about multi-tasking!

I'm ROFL'ing at that terminology myself.

My first thought: "Another GOP Fundie Xian, no doubt..."

[marmar]

58. Proof that the Kochpublican Party is run like an organized crime family.

nt

[Canuckistanian]

64. I knew there had to be some drama behind this

You don't remove a Committee member for JUST ONE VOTE. This will have repercussions for years in the Ohio Senate, I imagine.

[pacalo]

65. Same sh*t, different @ssholes.

[Ozymanithrax]

70. Wrong forum

[JeffersonChick]

72. k & r

[WillyT]

73. HUGE K & R !!!

:kick:

[burnsei sensei]

74. Sickening.

Quote:
Seitz, a conservative Republican who proudly noted that he works for a law firm founded by the namesake of the very pro-management Taft-Hartley Act, said he supports “85 percent” of Senate Bill 5, but ultimately opposed it because it “goes to far.”
end quote.

Mr. Seitz . . . I think Taft-Hartley should be dismantled.
Collective bargaining was won with blood, it must not be abandoned.

[M155Y_A1CH]

75. In case you missed it

:kick:

[peacetalksforall]

77. kick

[democracy1st]

79. Kick