In today’s column, there is an issue that I feel so strongly about, I intentionally plan to break that rule. However, I ask that you stay with me. Although my column deals with one particular state, it will also speak to an issue that is illustrative of some politicians from all levels of government.

The Ohio House, by an overwhelming margin, recently passed legislation that allows law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms. Moreover, this was not solely a partisan effort. The supporters of this bill crossed all party lines.

The Governor of our state, the Honorable Bob Taft (R-OH, right), has said that he does not want to sign the legislation if it does not have the support of several police organizations.

The Ohio Sheriffs’ Association, who will have to administer the licensing, has already stated that a majority of their members support the bill. The Fraternal Order of Police and the State Highway Patrol oppose it. From his statements regarding the issue, it is difficult to determine what Gov. Taft’s particular opinion on the issue really might be. There is no blanket condemnation of the bill. He has made no effort to explain his set of guiding principles to the public.

Frankly, I expected more from a man who proudly claims to be a Republican. Increasingly, I am coming to the conclusion that Gov. Taft is a RINO (Republican in Name Only). His brand of politics would fit right in with liberal voters in states from America’s Northeast.

Taft, who is running for re-election, does not want to veto the bill. I am confident that Gov. Bob Taft has no desire to become former Gov. Bob Taft. He knows that signing the bill into law will not cost him the election, but a veto certainly might.

I just cannot understand politicians running for office and claiming that they support the rights of gun owners. They win the votes of conservatives by running to the right. Then they govern to the left and betray the same law-abiding gun owners, whose votes they needed to be elected.

It is no wonder that so many people are turned off by politicians. Many of them are honorable men and women, trying to do a good job. But in far too many cases, these politicians live in fear of losing the next election. They say nothing. They take no bold stands. Their campaign brochures sound like they are running for the local school board, not the Governor’s Mansion or Capitol Hill.

This is not the first time that this legislation has been passed by one body of the Ohio Legislature. However, this same unprincipled dodge was used by Taft’s predecessor, Sen. George Voinovich. When he was still the governor, Voinovich said that he would veto the bill. Despite some strong support for concealed carry, the bill never made it to the governor’s desk. In so doing, Voinovich dodged a political bullet that might have stalled an otherwise promising political career.

The legislators should not let that scenario be repeated this time. Gov. Taft should be forced to make a decision on the legislation. If he chooses to sign it, then law-abiding citizens in the Buckeye State will once again have the freedom restored to legally defend their homes and property. If he vetoes the bill, then Taft may share the fate of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, who was defeated by a candidate who boldly promised to actually sign their concealed carry bill into law.

That man was none other than our current president, George W. Bush (left). Perhaps there is a valuable lesson to be learned here.