Voters Make a Stand at the Polls for Their Party Lines

In quizzing voters about their vote in the 2010 election for Governor of Ohio, It was my intention to interview as many people as possible to get their spin on this election agenda with a keen eye towards the Governors race here in Ohio.

As I waited outside the church where our town votes, I encountered only a few people willing to chat about who they voted for and why. After coming up short in my quest for information at the polls, I turned my attention to my list of politically inclined Facebook friends, and finally included friends and acquaintances via phone calls.

So how did this unique assemblage of voters lean when it came down to electing the Governor of Ohio? Here are those results:

"This was an easy decision. Strickland is woefully inadequate to lead the State of Ohio out of its steady decline. While Kasich may be overly ambitious with his plans, perhaps his exuberance is what we need. He has demonstrated fiscal responsibility while in Congress, and is able to work in a bipartisan manner."

Bill Polewchak, Software Architect, Eastlake.

"I voted for Kasich only because Strickland is an incumbent Democrat. I voted against as many incumbents as I could. I am frustrated listening to my representatives blaming everyone else for the country's problems. I don't care who is at fault all I want is a candidate that will do his best to fix it."

Steve Jones, Unemployed EDI Software Technician, Mentor.

"Though I am Democrat I voted for Kasich because Ted Strickland, when he became Governor, cut many programs that really helped middle class families, one example was destroying a working daycare program, you do not have to be poor to be on the program and it saved me money back when I could afford it, before Strickland raised the rates."

Janet Shields Starks, Certified Dialysis Technician, Eastlake.

"I am a Democrat but I voted for Kasich because living under Ted Strickland's regime my business has suffered more than it has at any other time in my life, yet our taxes are climbing every day, I am just tired of all the nonsense"

Carol Wenner, Shop Owner, Newbury.

"As a lifelong Democrat I voted the party line, and have had no problems with Governor Ted Strickland. I am at a point in life where there are more important things to worry about than which politician gets into office, but I had no reason to vote against Strickland"

Betty Zmich, Retired bookkeeper, Solon.

"I voted for the Libertarian party candidate, Ken Matesz. I did so because our current system there is no gray, no sanity."

Michael Monreal, IT Business Systems Analyst, Willoughby.

"The tone of the campaigns turned me off and caused indifference on reading about the candidates, so much negativity and mud-slinging, it takes serious time and effort to wade through to find the truth. I just didn't have the time or the will because of all the ugliness and my being fed-up about all of it, Pooh said: oh bother."

Chris Monreal, Anodizing Lab and Water Treatment Expert, Mentor

Sadly a good number of people do not bother with the process since it can be a challenge to get down to the truth, and people do not generally like feeling that they are wasting their time.

In summary what I learned through these queries has not been completely surprising, but it does tell a story of impatience mistrust and frustration. Most Ohio voters are fed up with politicians who over promise and then under deliver. They need to learn that it is supposed to be the reverse!