To the editor:
These politicians in Columbus claim that Issue One defends our Constitution from special interests, but that is an enormous lie.
The changes that will come about if we pass Issue One, such as raising the threshold to pass an amendment to 60 percent, requiring signatures to come from all 88 counties and eliminating the 10-day cure period, would make it easier for really rich people and giant out-of-state special interests to buy our Constitution. Think about it -- Issue One won't stop the need for Constitutional amendments - they will still happen. But it will stop grassroots citizen groups from being able to access the ballot.
Rich people and big corporations will always have enough money, so they'll be able to further their agenda while we, the people, have had our rights taken away. Don't let them do that to us. Vote no on Issue One in August.
Rick Smathers
President, Ohio Valley
Central Labor Council
Powhatan Point