November 04, 2008
Voting guide
I've been preoccupied the last few days with family business, but wanted to quickly run down the ballot with you.
President: McCain
I'm not a fan of John McCain, but Obama is simply the most unqualified, inexperienced, radical presidential candidate in the history of the Republic. Thanks to the lapdog media, Obama's also the least-investigated and vetted candidate in modern history.Prop. 1A: No
I like trains. But our state budget is a shambles and this massive project will result in the money disappearing down a rathole without providing any benefit to the public.Prop. 2: No
I like chickens, fried, baked, sauteed, and those little hot-wings, too. But this is just another feel-good measure -- for activists -- and another feel-bad proposal for business owners. I'm convinced that more chickens will simply be raised and slaughtered in jurisdictions outside the California border.Prop. 3: No
I like kids. Children's hospitals might be a good idea, but not on the public's dime. The state budget is a shambles and we can't afford this.Prop. 4: Yes
A child can't get her ears pierced without her parents' permission. A school nurse can't give a child an aspirin without her parents' permission. A child can't have a biopsy performed without her parents' permission. But an abortion is currently okay without getting the parents involved. Despite the claims of opponents to the contrary, this proposition does not require parents' permission before a pregnant child has an abortion; it simply requires the parents be told about it at least 48 hours beforehand.Prop. 5: Hell No
This boondoggle would give criminals a Get Out Of Jail Free card, as long as they claimed drug addiction played a part in their crimes. A huge waste of time and money, this will also represent a threat to public safety.Prop. 6: ... Yes
Notwithstanding the fact that I'm a prosecutor, I don't like the idea of mandating spending; the state budget -- in good times and bad -- is increasingly locked down, with huge portions of the funds already fixed and allocated. On the other hand, if we're going to reserve money, making sure that government adequately funds the most basic of its functions -- catching the bad guys -- is worthy. Patterico argues that the gang-related witness intimidation provisions are necessary, too; I'm persuaded.Prop. 7: No
An energy cluster, guaranteed to do nothing more then spend money we don't have and ultimately stifle the production of affordable power. An all-around bad idea, reviled by darn near everyone.Prop. 8: Yes
The electorate has said two times that "Marriage" means a man and a woman; this time the California Supreme Court said, "No it's not. Marriage is what we say it is." And, because the Court created this right, same-sex marriage supporters were able to recast the proposal into a referendum on "taking away rights." Nonsense. This is about out-of-control judges telling the People, "In your face!" Back at ya', your honor.Prop. 9: No
Some good stuff in here, but some bad stuff, too, including more costs to the counties that are budget busters. The limitations on parole are worthwhile, but the so-called improvement for victims' rights strike me as illusory.Prop. 10: No
Another fiscally irresponsible measure to pay people to do what they ought do if it makes financial sense to them.Prop. 11: Yes
Could there be a worse way to draw up legislative districts than the current one, where politicians ensure that they're safe from challenge?Prop. 12: Yes
Veterans will receive the benefits and veterans will pay for this measure. The only way this could get any better is if it authorized the beating of anti-military protestors at recruiting stations.Measure T: Yes
Term limits for the Board of Supervisors? Too bad we can't include congresscritters, too.
Whatever happens, don't let the media shills convince you your ballot doesn't matter. Vote, dammit!
Posted by Mike Lief at November 4, 2008 07:10 AM
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Comments
I'm okay with some of your guidelines.
Although decidedly liberal I had some concerns over props and appreciate your input. But prop 8?
Come on...is it the govts domain to tell us our appropriate partner? Is that not stepping over the line a bit? I have friends in the glbt community who have been together for 28+ years, that's something that I, as a heterosexual, have not accomplished. Why should their union not count?
I guess the question that looms most for me is how would you (not you mike, but the supporters of prop 8 in general) react when the child that you raised to be a good person, that you've loved and supported for decades, chose to marry someone of the same sex? Is support removed? Are they no longer a part of the family? Do you disown a really good person who supports community and family because they happen to be in love with someone of the same sex?
I am not willing to say that there should be an amendment to the constitution saying that marriage is only between a man and a woman.
Posted by: Dawn at November 6, 2008 11:38 AM