Ohio Republican Gov.-Elect Kasich Goes To Washington To Ask Barack Obama For A Lot Of Federal Money To Be Spent On Many Different Projects & Programs

What does Republican Governor-elect John Kasich of Ohio want?

Federal money for Ohio is what Republican Governor-elect John Kasich of Ohio wants.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer—

“Gov.-elect John Kasich said Thursday after a meeting at the White House that he’s not optimistic that the Obama administration will let Ohio use the money intended for passenger rail to upgrade freight lines…Kasich has said the $400 million federally subsidized 3-C corridor project, which would provide passenger rail service among Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, would be too costly for the state. He wants flexibility to use the money for other transportation needs. He’d also like flexibility in how the state spends federal money designated for job training, Title I (education) and Medicaid….Kasich said he was confident that the state would get the $400 million Race to the Top grant that the state won under outgoing Gov. Ted Strickland. Kasich has said he wants to make changes to the state’s education system, and some have voiced concern that his changes would jeopardize the money. “I have no reason to believe that we’re not going to get that,” Kasich said.”

Mr. Kasich wants money for freight rail instead of for passenger lines.

Where is his call for free enterprise for freight rail?

Must Ohio’s freight rail industry be burdened by socialism? Where are the freight rail executives in opposing this socialism?

Mr. Kasich wants job training, Title I, and Medicaid money.

Where is all the Tea Party/Republican talk about the federal government staying away?

Mr. Kasich says the federal government denies him flexibility in how federal money will be spent.

Yet Ohio will still get the Race To The Top money despite the change in Ohio from a Democratic Governor to a Republican Governor.

What a bunch of hypocrisy is so many respects from Mr. Kasich and from the Republican Party in Ohio.

I lived in Ohio for 18 years and I go back to Ohio twice each year.

Here is what I’d say to fellow Ohioans—

“You can elect every government-bashing Republican you want, but in the end the federal government and government in general has a role to play in helping Ohio.

Your new Republican Governor is tripping over himself looking for federal money. He is going to the White House and asking Barack Obama and Joe Biden for federal money.

Mr. Kasich is doing this because the reality is that government is a needed part of life and because private industry, while essential, can’t meet all the requirements of our lives.

Life and and society is more complex than what the Tea Party/Republican Party is talking about. Most folks in Ohio know all these facts full-well despite the recent Ohio election results.”

This is what I would say to my fellow Ohioans.