By Jim Irvine

Earlier this week, Kimberly A. Strassel’s brilliantly written editorial titled “A tale of two GOP’s – The state of the party in Ohio verses Florida” was printed by the Wall Street Journal.

While this editorial has nothing to do with guns, it has everything to do with politics. And as we have all seen over the years, Ohio politics has everything to do with your guns.

From the article:

Take Ohio. Republicans have practiced one-party rule in the state since 1994--more than enough time to lose one's principles. Former Gov. George Voinovich set the standard in 1992 by breaking his word and signing tax hikes. His successor, Bob Taft, with the help of the GOP legislature, in 2003 broke pledges not to raise taxes without voter permission. Some $3 billion in tax increases later, Ohio jumped to fourth place in the rankings for state and local tax burdens. (It was 23rd in 1994, when the GOP took over.) Over their first 10 years in power, Republicans increased Ohio's general operating budget by 71%--the highest increase in the nation.
The Taft and Spend strategy socked it to the Ohio economy. Its gross state product grew a measly 1% between 2004 and 2005, while Ohio lost 150,000 jobs between 2000 and 2005. Unemployment levels have hovered above the national average. If corruption is the product of big, unconstrained government, it was no surprise to watch the GOP engulfed by scandals that swept up everyone from Mr. Taft to Congressman Bob Ney. By November of last year, Mr. Taft's approval rating was 6.5%; if anyone had been keeping track, the legislature may have scored even lower.

And:

But now look to Florida. Jeb Bush came to office in 1999 touting a sweeping reform agenda of the sort that gives Ms. Pelosi the "extremist" fits. More to the point, the governor, with the support of a Republican legislature, has instituted most of it.
Florida Republicans have passed tax cuts every year of the eight Mr. Bush has held office--a whopping $19 billion, including the elimination of the infamous "intangibles" tax, levied on investments. While Florida's budget has grown at a rapid clip, Mr. Bush vetoed more than $2.1 billion in wasteful spending, earning him the nickname "Veto Corleone" among frustrated state lobbyists. He's trimmed 11,000 state jobs.
Tort reform? Did it. Overhauling the child welfare system? Done. Florida has led the way in greater education accountability and school voucher programs; test scores, especially among minorities, are on the rise. The state won federal permission for the most dramatic Medicaid reforms in the country, the first to inject private competition into the system.

It is hardly news to our readers that Florida has also passed better firearms laws than Ohio. They led the way with concealed carry and “Castle Doctrine.” In June Florida’s Governor Jeb Bush set a http://www.nraila.org//Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=2262 " target="_blank">new record by signing into law six major pro-gun bills.

Many Ohio gun owners are now ready to quit on the entire OhioGOP. While there is very good reason for your frustration, we need to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Many legislators are just as frustrated as you are.

Click on 'Read More' to learn why your actions in the next two weeks are crucial.

By Chris Chumita

The gun-grabbers have a strange view of the world. To them, the world would be a better place if all of the law-abiding citizens were disarmed. It is almost as if they believe that all of the murderers, rapists, and violent felons would suddenly change their ways if you did not own a gun. It also seems that they would rather see a private citizens raped, murdered, or seriously injured rather then use a firearm for self-defense.

The world is not a perfect place and the police cannot be everywhere. It is up to us to be responsible for our own protection. If the unthinkable happens, we must be prepared to do what has to be done in order to survive. That may involve carrying a gun for self-defense. By carrying a gun, we know that there is a possibility that we may have to use deadly force to protect ourselves or our loved ones. To gun-grabbers, that IS the problem.

Click on 'Read More' for the entire commentary.