One of the symptoms of late state capitalism is CORPORATOCRACY; the merging of government with the greed of the business world. Now you know what to call it!

Ohio experienced this when Republicans sold their souls to AEP and coordinated the largest corruption scandal in state history. Not to be outdone, Columbus City government has adopted the same strategy embracing Zone-In as a disguise for the corporate take-over of the city. Phase one was a MASTERPIECE of political theater coordinated by a professional marketing company (that worked behind the scenes with developers and real estate investors). Still no master plan, less than 4 percent of the city involved in the decisions, and MILLIONS of TAX-PAYER DOLLARS spent on hiring outside consultants to help make the decisions. Need another example?

The Nov 4 election shows all sitting members of City Council donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Ross campaign. Not because she will bring new ideas to help the people of the city; no, the goal is to fill the District 7 vacancy with someone (anyone) who will OBEY AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS from the Mayor, City Council, and the wealthy. She isn’t qualified to lead, but she’s just good enough to VOTE THE WAY SHE IS TOLD TO VOTE (without asking questions).

And that’s what CORPORATOCRACY is all about.

The loss of representative democracy; replaced with a mix of marketing and bad decisions (that they never talk about). Follow the City Council Facebook group if you dare. You’ll “enjoy” story after story of city leaders promoting projects that avoid the real problems or difficult decisions.

You’ll never see a video posted about how members of council voted themselves a pay raise. Or, how Wall Street is quickly buying up all the single-family homes with the quiet blessing of city government. Or, how a political action committee is funding the marketing campaign to convince you to vote for the 1.9 billion dollar bond issue; another gift to the wealthy developers. Or, how we still have NO MOTIVATION to adapt to climate change because it might cost developers time and money.

PROFIT AND power are always more important than PEOPLE.

The Mayor and City Council don’t work for you. They work for campaign donations from the rich and powerful who bankroll their gerrymandered election campaigns. THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN and that’s exactly how they want it to continue. Vote for Ross so that Columbus CORPORATOCRACY will continue. Vote for our ONE-PARTY RULE without competition or questions. Remember, it’s only gerrymandering when Republicans do it.

When I’ve asked questions, I’ve had city employees tell me that if I don’t like it I should move to another city (not kidding; try it sometime). That’s because they want less resistance against CORPORATOCRACY. The city needs you to ignore their inability to solve problems and celebrate what they tell you to celebrate. Questions are a threat to CORPORATOCRACY… and so is voting. This Nov 4 take the time to vote while your vote still counts.

Vote NO on the Bond.

Vote YES for Vogel.

Vote for YES for Mournir, Mason, and Keyes.

Vote AGAINST CORPORATOCRACY.