Blackwell's apparent viability as a candidate speaks volumes about how far Ohio has fallen down in terms of its' outlook and aspirations. When a campaign of extremist bible thumping rhetoric masking ego and delusions of grandeur, trumps sound reason and the need for a genuine socio-economic revolution at all levels, this state is truly in dire straits.

Ohio once touted itself by using the motto "The Heart of it All". At one time, Ohio attracted men of vision, great minds, entrepreneurs, leadership and people seeking to make a better future for themselves and their families. It is now driving them all away.

Current and upcoming generations of young Ohioans who can, as they see the writing on the wall, are fleeing the state in droves. An entire generation of leaders, visionaries and entrepreneurs is already gone, having departed for more progressive, growth-oriented regions of the country; places where they can find respectable employment and living wages. If this trend continues, Ohio's future will be one of severe economic ruin, decay and mediocrity, and few people who want anything truly better for themselves will aspire to live here.

If this is what you want for yourselves and your children, then by all means, vote for Blackwell, and watch your future -- and Ohio's -- get flushed down the drain by this charlatan and pretender.

I want much better for this state. I want our own version of the North Carolina Research Triangle Park right here in Ohio, between Canton and Akron. I want hundreds of thousands of new jobs and businesses started here and relocated to this state. I want affordable college tuition. I want reasons for people to come back to Ohio, and reasons for the people in my generation -- myself included -- to stay here.

Ted Strickland for governor is a step forward in this direction. The alternative now, in the direction that "Backwards Blackwell" will carry us, is chaos and collapse.