Hello All!
Today is Election Day and hopefully, all of you will get out and vote (unless you're Republican)!
As a service to the country, I am going to put together a mini voter's guide, not only for California, but nationwide.
Proposition 19: Legalizes Marijuana under CA Law.
This is a clear-cut Yes vote. Aside from eliminating a major weapon in the arsenal of sleazy drug dealers, Marijuana is a safer version of alcohol that is not nearly as addictive nor does it cause some of the negative tendencies in people that alcohol tends to bring out (ie: belligerence). In addition, the formation of new companies dealing with sales and distribution, along with the tax revenue, will be an enormous boost to the economy.
Proposition 20: Changes redistricting rights to a 14-member bi-partisan committee.
Another no-brainer. This makes gerrymandering obsolete and re-draws districts to more accurately represent the constituents.Vote Yes!
Proposition 21: $18 annual vehicle license fee to fund state parks.
This is a good idea. $18 a year to gain free admission to all state parks whenever you'd like, off-setting other funds being currently used to pay for parks and adding about $250 million to their budget. Vote yes.
Proposition 22: Prohibits state from borrowing funds used for transportation, redevelopment or local government projects.
Sounds good on paper, but when you really delve into it, could end up screwing over the schools and emergency services pretty badly. Not a bad proposition, but needs seasoning. Vote no.
Proposition 23: Suspends Air Pollution control law (AB 32) aimed at stopping Greenhouse emissions until unemployment is at 5.5% for 1 year.
Bad, bad idea. I understand the economy is still recovering, but compromising our health and the environment is not the way to go about it. Texas oil companies behind this one. Absolutely a No vote.
Proposition 24: Repeals recent legislation that allows big businesses to lower their tax liability.
If anyone needs to have their tax liability lowered, it's not big corporations. A Yes vote increases state tax revenue by about $1.3 Billion. Clear-cut Yes.
Proposition 25: Changes required votes to pass a state budget from 2/3 to a simple majority.
If you ever want a budget submitted on time, this is necessary. Vote Yes!
Proposition 26: Requires certain state and local fee's be approved by 2/3 vote.
Basically, this is gross polluters not wanting to pay for the damage they cause. Well-worded to throw people off, but ultimately a bad idea.
Proposition 27: Eliminates voter redistricting commission.
Eliminates Proposition 20.Obviously a no vote.
Races
Governor: Jerry Brown vs. Meg Whitman
Jerry Brown
Senate: Babara Boxer vs. Carly Fiorina
Barbara Boxer
Lt Governor: Gavin Newsom vs. Abel Maldonado
Gavin Newsom
Secretary of State: Debra Bowen vs. Damon Dunn
Debra Bowen
Controller: John Chiang
John Chiang
Treasurer: Bill Lockyer vs. Mimi Walters
Bill Lockyer
Attorney General: Kamala Harris vs. Steve Cooley
Kamala Harris
Nationwide
Make sure to vote against anyone affiliated with the Tea Party...Bunch of wackos.
And here's my argument for the Democrats:
In the past two years, there has been more progressive legislation passed than in any time since FDR was president. A depression was prevented, a health-care bill was passed that keeps health-care companies from dropping you when you have a serious illness, programs were put in place to fund green business and technology and an enormous part of the stimulus package is funding to completely overhaul and modernize the US infrastructure over the next 10 years.
Republicans had control for quite some time in the past decade and you all saw what happened. Now they're trying to say that the Dems and Obama are doing nothing. If they were doing nothing, do you think the GOP would have sop much hatred towards them? Nope. The fact that they're are pushing through so much progressive legislation is what's irking the GOP, and GOP gains in congress could halt the progress they've made.
Vote Dem this year and you will not regret it.
