As referenced in a previous post, Bait & Switch (B.S.) is a less than honorable strategy being used in Ohio politics. Often, the public is lured with an appealing initiative, and when they're on the hook, the bait is switched to something else.

In other cases, people are baited into believing a false doomsday scenario, and when they are sufficiently worried, the rhetoric switches to an extreme solution proposed by conservative legislators.

Here is a sampling of B.S. that Republicans have spread in Ohio to "fix" some problems caused by the drastic cuts in their state budget:

B: Troubling stories have been in the news about public school boards cutting back staff, academics, arts, sports, and more because of less funding from the state.

S: Concerned parents have been enticed with promises of an expanded school voucher program for private schools that can provide those necessities.

B: It's been publicized that reductions in general funding for ODNR have postponed maintenance projects and that delays will negatively impact the quality of recreation in our parks.

S: Fracking in our parks has been justified as a solution by conservative lawmakers- this statement is even on the ODNR website: "Proceeds from natural gas activity would be used to address the large backlog of deferred maintenance needs at state parks."

B: Conservatives have been busy promoting the news about road projects being delayed for many years because of ODOT's lack of funds.

S: After taunting people with predictions of severe traffic congestion on our roads, the talk has turned to the great monetary benefits of privatizing our turnpikes and rest areas.

Sounds fishy, doesn't it? Do not get hooked on the bait of false worries. Disregard Republican B.S.!

Think.