Objective Reality Driving Policy Is an Interesting Concept

In this age of AI, government propaganda, social media sludge, shameless grifters and good, old-fashioned apathy, finding people committed to facts and honest analysis feels a bit like stumbling upon an American shoe factory. It's easy to forget that that kind of integrity and craftsmanship still exists.

Perusing the website of Policy Matters Ohio helps remind me that I am not, in fact, crazy, and that there are very valid reasons for my sense that the state has become unglued in some fundamental way. The nonprofit has been cranking out research and policy advocacy for 25 years and it is very good at what it does. You can call it progressive or left-leaning, but facts are facts, including these pulled from the group's many reports:

These are the sorts of facts that Ohio Republicans don't want us to know because they tell a story about the rot at the foundation of our politics. What's their response? A lot of lies and blank stares and assurances that black is white and up is down and quiet is loud and everything will be just fine if we'll just shut up and trust the process.

Facts are pesky. They burrow into things like a yellow lab's hair. They are hard to get rid of, which is why the people who don't like the facts do their damnedest to make sure they are suppressed or distorted.

If you're able, support the people reporting facts and pushing for policies based on those facts under these circumstances. Their job has never been harder.