Letters: Look far-right — you'll find Mike DeWine. Abortion should be left to Ohio voters.

'Far-Right Mike' has been around

Two weeks, ago in response to the U.S. Supreme Court overruling Roe, Dispatch letter writers wondered why they hadn't heard from Mike DeWine and thought he was flying under radar. That's understandable.

More: Letters: 'Sorry, Mike, no more.' Governor has not put people first.

The governor's silence was deafening. I would suggest the writers look way east on the radar screen and they will see a blip known as Far-Right Mike.

Far-Right Mike has been around.

He appeared with Mayor Nan Whaley in Dayton after the horrendous nightclub mass shooting promising gun reform, only to bow to his far-right General Assembly to make it easier to purchase, own, and brandish weapons of mass destruction. 

Far-Right Mike not only bowed to but led the way to pass an anti-choice, anti-women's rights bill that makes it almost impossible for women to obtain abortions, leading a 10-year-old rape victim to cross state lines to terminate her unwanted pregnancy.

More: Letters: DeWine's signature set 10-year-old up for Indiana abortion. Where is he now?

Although Mike DeWine recently paid lip service to contraception and gay marriage, Far-Right Mike voted repeatedly for unconstitutional, gerrymandered maps which all but assure a veto-proof far-right Ohio Senate and House which will ban books, strip away rights to marriage equality, contraception and freedom from gun violence.

More: DeWine: Restrictions on contraception, same-sex marriage won't be part of Ohio abortion ban

Far-Right Mike also voted for unconstitutional congressional maps which will assure lifetime seats for Jim Jordan and his ilk.

Don't be swayed by Mike DeWine's empty promises. He has already paved the way and will continue to push for a far-right Ohio.

Richard Topper, Columbus

Abortion should be on the ballot

Abortion is a very important issue with strong opinions supporting both sides. I feel it is  too important to let the leaders of the House and Senate be the only two votes that decides for all Ohioans.

More: After Roe v Wade overturned, Ohio Democrats shift message to abortion, GOP to economy

Abortion will impact this year's mid-term election and elections for years to come. Our representatives and senators do not vote their conscience or the voice of their constituents, but vote how the leader of the House and/or Senate tells them to vote.

Let's take this decision to the voters and let the people of Ohio decide, not just two men. The abortion issue can be put back on the ballot every five years to keep it in the hands of all Ohioans.

More: Ohio banned abortion after 6 weeks. What other bills are lawmakers working on?

The voters of California, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana and Vermont decide, so let the voters of Ohio decide.

Ray Merrill, Marysville

'Jan. 6 continues to fester'

History is highlighted by dates. 1492 marks Christopher Columbus’ “discovery" of America. July 4 is our nation’s birthday.

Some dates mark tragedies. We remember Pearl Harbor with its own song. 9/11 defines when our nation lost its innocence.

More: Like Pearl Harbor, 9/11 changed how we live

Jan. 6 has become the most profound day of “infamy,” using Roosevelt’s term.

The political costs of Jan. 6 exceed Pearl Harbor’s or 9/11’s. The others were attacks by a foreign enemy; the Jan. 6 insurrection was by our own people. The others united our nation to defeat the enemy; Jan. 6 has divided our people.

Jan. 6 continues to fester, with lies about a “stolen election.” The lies persist in spite of voluminous facts discrediting them. That cancer on our nation’s soul grows as some elected officials try to stop responsible efforts to root out the malignancy from our midst.

More: One year later, 6 of 38 Ohioans charged in U.S. Capitol insurrection have pleaded guilty

It’s time for otherwise honorable officials to put aside their partisan fantasy and concede the truth about our nation’s most tragic day — Jan. 6 — when a lie prompted an attack on the heart and soul of our nation.

William A. McCartney, Delaware

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What is Rob Portman going to do?

Sen. Rob Portman was a staunch opponent of gay marriage until his son came out as gay. Apparently, he doesn't have the imagination or the empathy to understand other people's needs until he experiences the issue in a very personal way. 

More: Ohio Politics Explained podcast: Portman protects gay marriage, another redistricting redo

It will be very interesting to see how he votes on the marriage equality bill coming to the Senate after being passed by the House. Will he do the right thing and bend to the will of the majority of Americans or will he cave to the right-wing Republican agenda and stomp on the rights of millions of Americans, including those of his son?

In either case, what must be clear to all is that the party to depend on to protect our inalienable rights and freedoms is not the Republican Party. Get registered and vote them out.

Theresa Back, Reynoldsburg

We don't need 'another' venture capitalist

From his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Tim Ryan supported Joe Biden’s Infrastructure legislation as well as the principles behind Build Back Better, which, in providing needy children and families with the same opportunities the rest of us have, would enable them to contribute to and benefit from a stronger and more stable economy.

More: Tim Ryan: 'Ohioans are at their breaking point' and need some breathing room

The extra taxes the wealthy might have to pay are, in fact, an investment in their own businesses.

In nine terms in the House (with large majorities) serving on the important appropriation and defense committees, Ryan kept a close eye on what and how our money is spent, and making sure that we in Ohio got our fair share.

Specifically, he has also promoted the development of small, efficient family farms which uniquely combine traditional systems of agriculture with modern technology.

More: Ohio Senate race poll: J.D. Vance, Tim Ryan in close race as economy drives votes to GOP

All this stands in stark contrast to his opponent, who is dismissive of, and resents those he regards as the undeserving poor, payments that also facilitated his own escape from a deprived childhood.

The Senate does not need another venture capitalist. His understanding of human biology is ludicrous. The Senate needs Tim Ryan.

Gideon Fraenkel, Columbus

Greedy companies drive inflation

I am writing in response to the July 28 article, "How do grocery stores compare on price?"

Eight grocery stores were compared, with Aldi coming in as the lowest-priced store and specialty stores like Fresh Thyme and Whole Foods (owned by Amazon) being the highest in price. Kroger, which airs commercials advertising "Low, low, low prices," was the third-highest, according to this comparison.

More: 'It’s a very erratic market': Here's how businesses and consumers are adapting to inflation

Our economy is in a four-decade high inflation period while the cost for gas, appliances, furniture, housing, utilities, prescription drugs, medical care, travel, and just about everything has soared.

A better way to measure how grocery stores compare would be to expose the escalating company profits that account for surging costs and the greed the companies have exhibited during the past few years. which is hurting the average consumer.

More: Critics say corporate greed is making inflation worse, citing record profits despite rising costs

The shameful desire to take advantage of people who are hurting for self-serving profit margins has Americans losing confidence and this country teetering on a recession. 

Instead of comparing prices, compare which companies are contributing to our raging inflation through their unleashed greed. The companies that have taken losses to help ease the hardship of the average consumer should be the ones that we patronize and respect.

Monica Smith, Blacklick

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Mike DeWine continues to push Ohio toward far-right