[LOSER]
JOHN BOEHNER: Just how out of touch is the West Chester Republican from most Americans? Consider the comment Boehner made last week when he supported U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue, who said taxpayers should pick up the tab for BP’s massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Donohue had said, “We are all going to have to do it. We are going to have to get the money from the government and from the companies and we will figure out a way to do that.” To which Boehner added, “I think the people responsible in the oil spill — BP and the federal government — should take full responsibility for what’s happening there.” The House minority leader has made his political career based on doing the bidding of Big Business, but this is ridiculous and rightfully provoked a public backlash.
[WINNER]
ACLU: It’s about time that someone of note said it publicly. During a June 9 conference of progressive activists, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero declared, “I’m disgusted with this president.” No, Romero wasn’t repeating any of the outlandish attacks that Tea Partiers and far right kooks have made about President Obama personally. Rather, he was referring to Obama’s policies on civil liberties and national security issues. After Obama campaigned against them, he’s since upheld most of the Bush Administration’s policies for detaining and trying terrorist suspects, and on domestic surveillance. Nearly 18 months into his presidency, Obama needs to explain why he reneged on campaign pledges and start acting like the person we elected.
[LOSER]
CMHA: The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, which oversees publicly subsidized housing in the area, just can’t seem to get its act together. Last year, CMHA drew headlines when a board member threatened to put Section 8 units in the neighborhood of an attorney suing the agency for allegedly racist policies. Then, two board members were reprimanded for making crude, unprofessional remarks. Now, CMHA has hired a person (Theodore Bergh) as interim director who has no public housing experience. A coalition of groups — including Habitat for Humanity and the Legal Aid Society — is asking the federal government to take control of the troubled agency. The clock is ticking to get your house in order, CMHA.
[WINNER]
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: The cuts implemented by Hamilton County Commissioners David Pepper and Todd Portune are beginning to yield fruit. The duo has cut county spending by $60 million (or 22 percent) in recent years, reverting the county back to 1998 spending levels to handle tax shortfalls. So, as Cincinnati City Hall continues to grapple with the threat of layoffs and a timid City Council dickers over potential solutions, county government recently announced it probably won’t have to lay off any personnel in 2011. This is the result of prudent administration (by Assistant County Administrator Christian Sigman and others) and tough decision-making (by Pepper and Portune). City Council, please take note.
