Few things in life allow us to see what a person is really made of. However, there is one thing that never fails to do precisely that: Power. Unlike anything else, this can change nearly everything about a person, from the clothing styles they prefer to how they handle even the smallest of situations.
Sometimes, simply putting a person in a place of leadership begins the transition. They begin to be treated differently by those around them. But rather than let that humble them into being a man or woman worthy of respect and such inspiring thoughts, far too many let it go to their heads.
They become used to getting what they want, when they want, and even how they want. They get accustomed to a more refined lifestyle, not having to deal with the nitty-gritty of any situation. And of course, there is the money…
But what makes the harmful effects of power even more intoxicating is the ability to gain more. And then, of course, the fear that they could lose it.
Such is the case for one very Democratic Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine.
Like many of his peers and fellow politicians, DeWine was likely voted into office with good intentions. He wanted to make his state a better place for families, for workers, and for Americans. However, his time in office has allowed him to gain a much baser outlook on life. And, of course, the introduction of the novel coronavirus pandemic has only added to that.
As you well know, when the virus was detected in America, it gave local and governmental leaders an excuse to gain more power – to implement executive orders, to change laws, and to subsequently do whatever they wanted. It was as if, all of a sudden, these leaders decided that Americans no longer knew what was best for us, and so they went about implementing rules to “keep us safe.”
However, the only thing these rules seem to have done is to put us further in a place of servitude to the government.
Men and women like DeWine went about shutting down anything and everything they saw fit. Small businesses, churches, city parks, and so on – all claiming that they were too dangerous for Americans to attend. And yet, other companies, you know, the ones DeWine had in his pocket were allowed to remain open.
He also created a statewide mask mandate, even making it a requirement for a condition of employment.
But after far too long of these rules being held, the state has had enough.
On Monday, Cincinnati State Representative John Becker and three other Ohio House Representatives filed for DeWine’s impeachment, 12 articles to be exact.
Becker stated that it was high time for Ohio to “restore the rule of law” in the state, and clearly, DeWine wasn’t doing it.
According to Becker’s filing, “Governor DeWine’s mismanagement, malfeasance, abuse of power, and other crimes include, but are not limited to, meddling in the conduct of a presidential primary election, arbitrarily closing and placing curfews on certain businesses, while allowing other businesses to remain open. He weaponized the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to bully and harass businesses and people; to enforce a statewide mask mandate and other controversial measures of dubious ‘value,’ making Ohio a hostile work environment.”
At this time, it’s not really sure how this impeachment move will work to remove the governor from office or not.
Per the Ohio State Constitution, DeWine can be impeached if the House gets the majority or 50 votes in favor of the move. The decision then goes to the state senate, where it is tried. Here, it can only pass if at least two-thirds of the vote or 22 votes is reached. But once a decision by both houses is reached, that’s it. It cannot be vetoed.
However, as I mentioned, Becker and his three accomplices are all that are known to currently support the move against the governor. That isn’t to say that more wouldn’t vote against him if it came to that, but four out of 99 doesn’t really seem to be excellent odds.
Then again, it could just be that most Republicans are of the mind that impeachment is something Democrats do and therefore don’t want anything to do with it.
As Michigan GOP Representative Lee Chatfield says, “We’re not the party that impeaches someone because we’re upset with policies that they’ve enacted. I thought it was shameful what the Democrats did to President Trump last year, and I would assume that any attempt by Republicans right now, with the current set of facts that we have to impeach the governor, would be on the same level.”
Only time will tell what will actually happen.