224 years after our experiment with democracy began; our Constitution has been amended only 27 times. Some nations have had as many constitutions, as we have had amendments. This serves as a testament to the wisdom and foresight of our founding fathers. In fact, it is the second oldest written constitution in use today. Our Constitution has provided the means and the structure for the United States and its citizens to achieve an unparalleled level of freedom, security, and prosperity throughout our history as a nation.

In 2004, Congress enacted a law with my support (H.R. 4818), that designates September 17th as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The annual observance of this significant historical milestone provides an opportunity for all Americans to become better informed about our rights, freedoms and responsibilities as citizens of the United States.

In honor of Constitution Day, I joined Sinclair Community College to help them rededicate their Freedom Shrine. The tradition of establishing freedom shrines has become a common way for all Americans to take note of the tradition of democracy in our country. From the U.S. Capitol, to universities, libraries, schools, state capitals, city halls and at American outposts scattered throughout the world, a collection of 32 documents serves as an educational catalogue of our nation's history. The Exchange Club of Dayton should also be commended for their role in restoring this shrine to freedom.

The Constitution, in seven articles, spells out the rights and responsibilities of the governance of our nation. Since the start of the 112th Congress, the House of Representatives has sought to refocus our legislative efforts with the Constitution in mind. At the start of Congress this year, the Constitution was read aloud on the House floor for the first time in history. The rules of the House adopted for this Congress require that all legislation introduced in the House must now be accompanied by a statement citing Congress' constitutional authority for taking such action. These efforts have allowed Members of Congress to remain focused on the goals and intents of our founding fathers.

This month, along with Constitution Day, we observed the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. That day, more than any other in recent memory, awoke every American's sense of the price of the constant struggle of remaining a free people. We were attacked by those whose tenets are not freedom and democracy, but oppression and the denial of liberty. Those attacks spurred Americans to action, with the intent to preserve our grand democratic experiment. Men and women across our nation have joined the military to defend our way of life at the tip of the spear.

Throughout our history Americans have volunteered to place themselves in harm's way in defense of something which is larger than any one citizen. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have had the honor to visit our servicemembers deployed overseas; including Iraq and Afghanistan. Our men and women in uniform remain dedicated and motivated to complete the mission of defeating terror.

The Constitution is a powerful document that all Americans should take time to read. My office has complimentary pocket-sized editions of the Constitution of the United States available to residents of Ohio's Third Congressional District. If you would like to receive a copy, or would like to provide one to a friend or neighbor, I encourage you to visit my website at www.turner.house.gov.  

On Wednesday, September 28th, the Ohio Apportionment Board gave final approval to the state's legislative redistricting plan after releasing draft maps online just two days earlier. The final plan is expected to solidify the state's Republican majority. The board passed the plan by a 4-1 vote. The board's only Democrat, Armond Budish, opposed the new maps. Budish said the map effectively "quarantines" state Democrats in 1/3 of Ohio's legislative districts. Analysis by the Dayton Daily News suggests that only 20 of the 99 house districts are competitive and only 7 of the state's 33 senate districts are competitive. The analysis also suggests that 51 of the house districts and 17 of the senate districts favor the GOP by five points or more. House Speaker William Batchelder defended the maps, arguing that they are a fair revision of the previous plan. He also noted that the board doubled the number of districts where African Americans are the majority.

Click here to view a map of the new Ohio House and Ohio Senate districts in Montgomery County

Ohio's new Congressional districts will pit Congressman Mike Turner against Congressman Steve Austria for the new 10th Congressional district, which includes most of Montgomery County.

Both Turner and Austria are seeking the endorsement from the Montgomery County Republican Party.

Click here to view a map of Ohio's new Congressional districts

Issue 2 asks government employees to pay at least 15% of the cost of their health insurance coverage, with taxpayers funding the rest. That's less than half of what private sector workers are currently paying.

Issue 2 allows job performance to be considered when deciding whether to reward or retain employees and puts an end to automatic pay increases just for showing up. Private sector workers earn their paychecks by doing a good job - so should government employees.

Issue 2 asks government employees to make a small contribution (10%) to their publicly funded retirement plan, rather than forcing taxpayers to provide generous pensions for free. In this economy, many private sector workers get no retirement benefits at all. 

Issue 2 allows us to keep good teachers in the classroom, while making it harder for bad teachers to hide behind the protections of a union contract. 

Issue 2 allows government employees to negotiate on wages and working conditions - just as they've done for nearly 30 years - while also returning basic control of our schools and services to the taxpayers who fund them.

For further information, visit www.betterohio.org.

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, Ohio, along with 25 other states, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up  the constitutional issues surrounding the Obama heath care reform act. 

My first day as Ohio Attorney General I authorized Ohio to join the multi-state case challenging Obamacare and its unprecedented claim of federal power to require individuals to go into the marketplace and buy federally-approved health care coverage or face penalties.

I have said consistently in talking to people across Ohio that I believe that the individual mandate requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional, and encroaches on individual liberties.

Frankly, it's time for a decision by the U. S. Supreme Court on this issue. Federal judges at both the trial and appellate levels have considered the constitutionality of this act, and they are divided. 

But individual citizens who have to plan for their families' futures, businesses that might be considering adding new jobs, and state governments across the country that are looking at enormous new burdens under Obamacare need to know what the rules are. Our case is strong, and I hope that the high court will strike down this flawed law.

Very respectfully yours,

Mike DeWine

Click here for more information 

Mark your calendar...the 2011 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8th. Polls are open countywide from 6:30 am until 7:30 pm.

You may request an absentee ballot by completing an Absentee Voter Application Form online.  Applications by mail for absentee voter ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by noon on Saturday, November 5th. The Board of Elections must receive absentee voter ballots in accordance with the following:

A ballot from a voter within the United States must be post-marked no later than the day before Election Day, and received within 10 days after the election.

A ballot from a voter outside of the United States must be post-marked no later than Election Day, and received within 10 days after the election.

You may also visit the Board of Elections website to review the list of candidates and issues that will appear on the ballot in your area.

For more information, contact the Montgomery County Board of elections at (937) 225-5656.