Friends,
This mid-term election cycle has been the most expensive, the nastiest in my memory, the most divisive. This is where The Best Political Team on this Blog™ come in. We’ve read the literature, followed the polls, listened to the people. You can’t stay home for this one, folks. We’re energized, so let’s go!
- Prop 19 – Legalizes marijuana under California but not Federal law. Permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production, distribution, and sale of marijuana. Initiative statute: I was a big fan of this at first given the idea that the government should get out of the war on drugs business. After all, isn’t pot pretty harmless? Well, yeah, as long as folks are sitting on their couch, eating Doritos. What makes this one crazy is that it appears to have been written by people who were baked out of their minds. The prohibition against “workplace discrimination” in particular means—at least to me—that an employer can’t ask an employee if they’re high or remove them from tasks until after an accident happens. This also seems to present a problem for businesses that operate a “drug-free” workplace and need that designation to win government contracts.
- Prop 20 – Redistricting of Congressional Districts. Initiative Constitutional Amendment: This is the most important proposition you can vote for in my humble opinion. You good people stepped up and voted for Proposition 11 back in 2008 to establish a citizens’ redistricting panel to take the every-decade state district boundary redrawing out of the hands of the legislature. No sweetheart deals, no more districts that look like snakes, wigs, mustaches, or other contortions to assure safe reelections. Proposition 20 adds congressional districts to the panel’s plate, much to Federal representatives’ chagrin. This makes me very happy, indeed. They hate that average people might decide what their districts look like and who’s in them. No more safe districts for those jokers, and you have to love that.
- Prop 23 – [hold on to your hat] Suspends Implementation of Air Pollution Control Law (AB 32) Requiring Major Sources of Emissions to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emmissions That Cause Global Warming, Until Unemployment Drops to 5.5 Percent or Less for Full Year. Initiative Statute: [whew!] I’m going to contradict myself later, but the importance of Proposition 23 can’t be understated. Yes, it’s been financed by oil companies from outside the state, but the idea remains sound. California alone can’t solve global warming on its own which is quickly rebutted by the pundits who remind those who care that this state is a bellwether for environmental legislation. This is why Tesoro and Velero are the major sponsors, certainly. What the pundits forget is that this is going to cost energy consumers in this state plenty in order to implement this golden idea. If the green lobby needs a girlfriend, please look elsewhere. We can’t afford your fancy lifestyle at the moment. The people who are putting up cash opposed to this measure are millionaires who might be able to afford the hit when they fill up their tanks, turn on the A/C or fire up their plasma teevees. The rest of us, especially when unemployment in the state is over 15 percent, can’t. Oh! Did I mention that AB 32 gives the California Air Resources Board unlimited authority to write rules to achieve their goal of reversing the Industrial Revolution? The unelected board that has no interest in, well, you? They’re completely mad and must be stopped. This is good place to start.
- Prop 25 – Changes Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass Budget and Budget-Releated Legislation from Two-Thirds to a Simple Majority. Retains Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Taxes. Initiative Constitution Amendment: Guh. I hate amending the constitution and I’m worried about removing the high bar for adopting a budget. That said, something has to give to solve this constant budget bickering. Late budgets are costing us money and inflicting a little pain for the constant delay is appealing. No, it won’t raise your taxes. Relax.
- Prop 27 – Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting With Elected Representatives. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute: Also known as the incumbent protection act. We don’t need citizens redrawing districts, our pals in the assembly were doing a great job assuring us safe districts all along. Why change? Well, because the gerrymandered districts drawn up by their pals make sure that each district is anti-competitive. Please vote no..
And now we skip down the ballot because we aren’t so sure what to think about 21 and 22…
I have no idea what to think about Proposition 24. It repeals a deal worked out to get last year’s budget passed, which is likely to be a bad idea, but maybe Proposition 25 may fix that…
Proposition 26? It’s written by polluters who think you’ll be outraged that fees are like taxes and hope you’ll be really scared. Cynical bullshit.
Well, that’s it. I’m not going to endorse any statewide offices because they’re all terrible in their own special ways. I’m particularly struggling with the Boxer v. Fiorina race. Barbara Boxer has been a terrible senator who has been reelected through luck and the hard work of the uncritical California Democratic machine. Carly caused me to lose the last job I loved and broke up a little family that I loved a few years ago. They’re the choices. Stinko offered to give me twenty bucks to vote for Boxer, but that’s the Chicago way, isn’t it?
Crap! What to do?
– bob
P.S. Oh yeah. Alan Cranston.
UPDATE: Votesmart.org has the answer for my question. It’s disturbing…
The upside is that I get twenty bucks.