Today I got my first query about my electoral recommendations. So I'm trying a new tack this year. Here are my initial thoughts, with lots of unfinished thoughts: I welcome comments.
Strong opinions:
Prop 1A: YES YES YES for High Speed Rail to connect Northern and Southern CA and reduce global warming. My organization campaigned hard to make this a good measure, and we won changes to make it better (see our explanation). Now we need voters to agree: help the campaign.
Prop 8: NO NO NO. Don't eliminate my sister's right to marry the person she loves. Please support marriage equality, at www.noonprop8.com
Prop 4: NO on parental notification requirements that make teenage girls less safe - learn why. And it is ridiculous that we keep having vote on this?
Leaning Pro/Con:
Props 5, 6, 9 on the criminal justice issues. Why so many, why are they on the ballot instead of going through the Legislature? I'm leaning Yes on 5 and No on 6+9, but I'm going to check into analysts I trust and see what they think.
Props 7 + 10 on renewable energy issues: I'm leaning No on both of these from what little I've seen. I've seen lots of opposition statements from groups I trust on 7 and arguments that seem reasonable against 10, but I want to look into both of them enough to be completely confident.
Prop 11: Leaning Yes for more rational redistricting: This is the one measure on this ballot that clearly HAS to go on the ballot. Good people support it, it sounds reasonable, but I want to research it more before being completely confident.
I need advice:
Prop 2: "Standards for Confining Farm Animals": at first blush, this appeals to my sensibilities. But why is this on the ballot instead of going through the Legislature?
Prop 3: Children's Hospital Bond: I want kids to be healthy, and real children's hospitals do good work, but I don't like bonds much and the "con" arguments raise doubts I want to research.
Prop 12: Veterans' bond to buy housing and farms: Purpose pulls my heart-strings, but I don't like bonds and the "con" arguments raise doubts. Also, why is this on the ballot instead of going through the Legislature?
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On Propositions 6 and 9, the New York Times says: "The last thing California residents need at this point are new policies that land even more people behind bars and drive up prison spending further. But November’s ballot in California, the birthplace of irresponsible government by referendum, includes two costly initiatives that would do just that." More here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/opinion/10fri2.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=California%20proposition%206%20and%209&st=cse&oref=slogin
Here is a bit more received wisdom, from Cliff Sarkin:
Proposition 4 -- Teenagers, Abortion, Parental Notification & Waiting Periods -- If at first you don't succeed, try again. If the California voters resoundingly reject your proposal a second time, qualify it for the ballot for a third. And so it goes with Prop 4... backed by the same San Diego fundamentalist billionaire, authors of this measure are hoping that you'll vote for it in '08 just so they'll stop bothering you in 2010, 2012 and every other November. DON'T LET THEM. If passed, this overly-paternalistic Constitutional Amendment will prohibit abortion for unemancipated minors til 48 hours after a physician notifies the minor's parent or legal guardian, forcing oftentimes scared teens to be confronted by their parents or bringing back the specter of back-alley abortions. Supporters say that teens have an escape hatch, that they can go before a judge and ask for an exception if they're fearful of being confronted by their folks, but we all know that this is the last thing a young woman in her position will choose to do. Even though voters rejected almost identical measures in 2005 and 2006, the most recent polling on Prop 4 shows it winning this time around. We need you and everyone else you know to VOTE NO on Prop 4!
Proposition 5 -- Non-Violent Drug Offenses, Parole, Rehab, & Sentencing -- Finally, a common sense, reality-based approach to drug crimes in our criminal justice system. If passed, Prop 5 will limit the incarceration of and shorten the parole periods for non-violent drug offenders in our state, while improving and expanding treatment programs for persons convicted of drug and other offenses. All those new programs will cost about $1 billion, but the state will recoup about $1 billion in savings due to reduced prison over-crowding and new prison construction. Prop 5 takes a step towards a more humane and rational criminal justice system. Vote YES.
Proposition 6 -- The Runner Initiative -- Right-wing nut and State Senator George Runner is once again using fear for his political ends, this time to try pass a 30+ revisions to California law that would create new crimes and lengthen criminal penalties, mostly aimed at teens and young adults. For example, the law would allow the prosecution of children 14 and older convicted of "gang-related" felonies as adults and strip away housing assistance for entire households when one family member doesn't pass a criminal background check. Prop 6 will do nothing to reduce crime, while costing our state an additional billion dollars each year. It is basically a crass and vindictive attempt to demonize poor youth of color in order to get undesirables off the streets and pump money into an already bloated prison system. Please, please, please VOTE NO!
Proposition 7 -- Renewable Energy -- You're into the new green movement, right? Right. So, you should vote for this measure, right? Well, not so fast. While Prop 7 will require utilities to dramatically ramp up their use of renewable energy over the next 20 years, the measure is getting a lot of heat for being a disruption to the existing/forming renewable energy market and forcing smaller solar and wind companies out of the market. In fact, some solid environmental advocacy orgs (the League of Conservation Voters, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the National Resources Defense Council) are lined up in opposition. I am all for efforts that invest in and expand cleaner, more sustainable energy production and use. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wait for another ballot for a measure that does that. Vote NO.
Proposition 8 -- Gay Marriage Ban -- Earlier this year, the California Supreme Court ruled that our State Constitution's protection of equal treatment under the law meant that any consenting California adult could marry any other such person, regardless of either's sex. Prop 8 would change the Constitution to eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry and provide that the only valid marriages are those between a man and a woman. Let's not create a second-class of citizens under our state Constitution. Soundly defeating Prop 8 will send the message that in Cali we will not preserve certain protection of the laws for some while denying it for others. Please vote NO.
Proposition 9 -- Victim's Bill of Rights -- Supporters of Prop 9 will try to convince you that the justice system currently puts the rights of "criminals" before those of "innocent victims" and that this measure will even the playing field by guaranteeing equal rights for victims of crime. However, by requiring that a victim's family's safety be considered by judges during sentencing, requiring that victims be notified of offender's parole hearings, and allowing victims to voice their thoughts, opinions, and emotions in all proceedings related to the crime, in reality Prop 9 further stacks the deck against the right of any citizen (a) to get a shot a truly fair trial and (b) an opportunity to reenter society after he/she has served his/her time. What's more, this law would create huge inequities in the system: a defendant who happens to face a victim's family that is more vindictive and emotional will likely endure a far tougher road (due to the victim's many opportunities to lobby the system) and potentially higher sentence than someone who faces victims that have found justice in forgiveness and harm reduction. Please vote NO.
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