Ohio House Republicans want to grant us voters a choice on taxes this November, except their sudden fondness for multiple choice on ballots doesn't go far enough. The House's $48.7 billion state budget bill, approved 53-46, would leave it up to voters to accept a "temporary" one-cent sales tax or reject it in favor of electronic slot machines at racetracks.

As long as lawmakers feel generous, why don't they go the whole democratic distance and let the ballot include "none of the above?"

For that matter, why don't they include "all of the above?" Some representatives and Gov. Bob Taft don't think either the one-cent sales tax or tax revenue from racetrack slots would be enough to balance Ohio's budgets. But lawmakers are on to something with this use of multiple-choice on ballots. We could use a "none of the above" option in candidate elections, right up to presidential level. It'd be voters' way of saying, "No thanks. Come back with a different batch of rascals."

Taft threatens to veto any budget deal that expands gambling, including racetrack slot machines. House Speaker Larry Householder played innocent: "The governor has said that he would want it to be before the people as a ballot initiative, so that's what we've got...." Rep. Timothy Grendell, a Republican from Chesterland, disagrees. "....to me," he said, " it's not a choice. It's coercion."

House Republicans, with help from five urban Democrats, are offering an either-or choice that holds a tax gun to voters' heads. Choose: a "temporary" one-cent sales tax or electronic slots at tracks. The Senate has yet to vote. If the House version passes, the sales tax increase takes effect July 1. Most Southwest Ohio counties would see sales tax jump to 7 percent. Even if voters shoot it down in November, it still wouldn't be removed till June 30, 2004.

This devil's choice itself may be a compelling argument for letting voters choose "none of the above" in candidate elections. But we would need to ban name changes, because there's always some wise-guy candidate who tries to change his name to "None of the Above."

- Tony Lang