| 'Made in Ohio' backs Obama |
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| Written by PETER KUEBECK Sentinel Staff Writer | ||
| Wednesday, 25 April 2012 09:57 | ||
The event, held at the UAW Local 1435 Hall on Oregon Road, was an opportunity for the campaign to highlight the ongoing successes of the auto bailout and its effect on the state. "The auto industry is alive and going in the state of Ohio," said Obama for America-Ohio State Director Greg Schultz - and related industries are thriving as well. He criticized presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's previous statements that the government should have allowed the Big Three automakers to go bankrupt. "But Pres. Obama was not willing to let this industry fail." The "Made in Ohio" tour is focused on "telling the real story" about the industry's resurgence, he said. One in eight jobs in the state - nearly 848,000 - depend on the auto industry. Ken Lortz, director of UAW Region 2B, also went after Romney, noting that despite the number of jobs dependent on automotive manufacturing, "there are those who tried to score political points on the backs of auto workers." Who knows what would have happened to the Perrysburg Township machining plant if Romney had had his way, he asked. Wood County Commissioner Joel Kuhlman noted that last year Chrysler announced a $72 million investment in the plant, saving 640 jobs and providing long-term security. "Those are 640 people, mothers, husbands, friends, family, and their neighbors," he said. One such worker was Ina Sidney, Toledo, a 16-year veteran of the plant who works on the production line building steering columns. She was one of many who were laid off at the plant in 2009. "We take pride in building the vehicles here in Ohio," she said. During the layoff, she sunk deeper into debt due to medical expenses, but thanks to the Obama administration there is now a "brighter and more secure future." "Glad we're back. (Closing the plant) was our greatest fear for everybody." There are "thousands more like me with their story to tell," she said. Among others on hand at the event were Bowling Green Councilman Bruce Jeffers, county commissioner candidate Fred Keith, and Ohio House District 3 candidate Kelly Wicks. In a statement distributed shortly before the event, Wicks said that "When some people were willing to 'let Detroit go bankrupt,' President Obama made the right call in making this investment in American manufacturing." "We need a strong manufacturing base in this country, I don't understand how someone doesn't get that." |
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Comments
We must not try to plan the economy on how we want it, but rather allow it to happen. The industrial revolution, up until the growth of the railroads, was strong due to private investment and hard work. The development of the car was from hard work and investment, and creativity.
The people of the 3rd District do not need someone telling them what type of jobs to have or what businesses are allowed to be in our area.
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