It seems Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) has a real penchant for degrading and demonizing public workers. Not only is he trying to take away the right of state employees to bargain, but the revelation today that last month he called a Columbus police officer an “idiot” for giving him a traffic ticket has caused a firestorm of criticism.

Jim Gilbert, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 9, the union that represents Columbus police officers, told the Columbus Dispatch:

We’re not idiots, we’re out enforcing the law that he as governor has asked us to go out and enforce.  

Herschel Sigall, lawyer for the union representing State Highway Patrol troopers, was even more caustic. He told the Dispatch:

This is only the most recent, strange, insensitive and callous remark of the governor. He is obviously authority averse except where he is the authority. As to the facts, what do you say about someone who passes an emergency vehicle and doesn’t even realize it. Were I the officer, the first thing I would reach for would be the portable Breathalyzer.”

Kasich’s comments came during a Jan. 21 staff meeting the governor held with most of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s employees.

Court records show that Kasich was pulled over Jan. 8, 2008, for  not moving over for a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing. He pleaded guilty and paid an $85 fine three days later.

Read the entire Dispatch article here to check out everything Kasich said about the incident and how Ohioans are letting him have it because of his insensitivity.