Election ‘08: What’s on the ballot? Part II

Let’s pick up where we left off in reviewing November’s ballot propositions, because the remaining handful of ridiculousness is too entertaining to ignore.

                                                            

Proposition 7: Renewable Energy Generation

Us California citizens tend to be a hop, skip, and a jump ahead of other Americans with regards to environmental matters & green energy policies, but that means very little in the face of impending global climate change. I believe this realization is at the heart of Proposition 7, which would force government-owned utilities to generate 20% of their own power by 2010 (like privately owned electric companies are already required to do), 40% by 2020, and 50% by 2025. Prop 7 also improves the speed at which state permits to build new renewable energy plants are approved. Sounds pretty good, eh? Every rose has it’s thorn, I suppose, because Proposition 7 has it’s fair share of opponents, including California’s Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau, and the Labor Federation; the League of Women Voters, the Sierra Club, and surprisingly all the major statewide political parties: Green, Libertarian, Democratic, and Republican. Why all the opposition to thinking green with Proposition 7? One argument is that small providers of renewable energy, which currently supply 60% of the state’s mandated enviro-friendly energy, would be shoved out of the market by a “competition elimination” provision in the initiative. Basically, the state would not count any power generated by facilities smaller than 30 megawatts towards the utility company’s mandated renewable energy quota, so why would they even bother buying from the lil’ guys? Another problem dissenters have with Prop 7 is the worrisome 10% cost cap provision that prevents price gouging by privately-owned & investor-owned companies, but does not apply to government-owned utilities. Initially, the cost of generating sufficient solar, water, & wind power will be higher than the costs associated with fossil fuel usage (building facilities & such), so I suppose the state is trying to re-coop the losses by giving themselves free reign on price fixing. But what happens when the price of solar or wind power decreases? Will the state pass the savings on to the consumer? Not likely. Now, Economics is not my strong suit, but as I understand it, Prop 7 would allow certain energy providers associated with the state to set electricity prices, without regard to the actual cost of goods provided, in a state that suffered from rolling blackouts & skyrocketing utility costs as a result of our last great energy plan (what the fuck is a power grid? I still don’t understand that crap.). I’m gonna’ have to side with…well, practically everyone…and oppose Proposition 7. I’m not comfortable with a government re-vamp of energy policy that is hostile to small businesses and California’s consumers so quickly after The Energy Crisis that Sacramento has yet to take responsibility for. After all, PG&E admitted to over-charging Californians for electricity in state hearings without much response or outrage from our legislators & it’s hard to imagine they’d be more pro-active about regulating their own profit margins for our sake.

                                                                     

Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples To Marry

How anyone can be pro-Prop 8 after reading it’s title aloud is beyond me. It says right there: “Eliminates Right”. California is in a bad way when we start explicitly revoking rights from our citizens. How very un-patriotic. Proposition 8 would amend the state Constitution to specify that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid in California. The initiative is by far the most irrational knee-jerk response-proposition on the ballot, as exhibited by it’s meager three paragraph legislative analysis in the Official Voter’s Guide. Proponents of this gay marriage ban state in the Guide that the issue is about “preserving marriage; it’s not an attack on the gay lifestyle". This should clearly illustrate what type of folks are advocating Prop 8… hate-mongering, fag fearing, gender conformists and religious zealots that haven’t realized how un-Christian exclusion and hate actually are. If we were to define marriage as an institution strictly reserved for one man and one woman, we are gonna’ have a whole lot more defining to do. Who exactly is considered a Woman? What are the qualifications? Correct genitalia? Breasts? Child-bearing capabilities? Is a penis the determining factor for male classification? Or do the balls also count? Since the state Constitution guarantees equity under the law, would a gay marriage ban also eliminate the right of straight couples to marry? The anti-gay crusaders behind Prop 8 also claim the initiative “protects our children from being taught in public schools that ‘same sex marriage’ is the same as traditional marriage”. There are so many things wrong with that statement; I cannot believe I read that shit in the official Argument in Favor. First and foremost, I am sick of these people that mistake California for Texas or South Dakota or some other state in the grasp of Evangelical hysteria. Here in California, we don’t use our state Constitution to label certain residents as second-class citizens. We also don’t aspire to use our educational institutions to promote bigotry and ignorance. Secondly, we don’t cave to panic-stricken moral crusaders in Cali, because unlike states in the Bible Belt, California’s lawmakers do not depend on the religious vote to win elections or the Christian Right to fund campaigns. They have plenty of secular donors and voters to be A-OK without the clergy’s endorsement and are often better off without it. Finally, when proposed legislation is so clearly based on the religious dogma of certain churches (I have yet to hear a secular argument in support of Prop 8. You?), it’s obviously a violation of the separation of church and state that is so important in a free society. That being said, I’d like to ask all of those self-righteous folks that are so concerned with matters like this to move the fuck out of here & quit embarrassing me with your public displays of homophobia. After all, we’ve got a right to protect our children from being taught that state-endorsed inequality is morally sound as long as the person is gay.

                                                                

Proposition 9: Criminal Justice System. Victim’s Rights. Parole.

Here’s another sneaky initiative that seems great & necessary at first glance, but closer inspection leads me to another opinion altogether. Proposition 9 requires notification to victims of crime and grants them opportunity for input during phases of criminal justice proceedings (such as bail, plea, sentencing, and parole hearings) and mandates that they receive a written copy of their rights as victims. Prop 9 also increases the number of people allowed to speak at such hearings on the victim’s behalf, reduces the number of parole hearings that prisoners are entitled to, and establishes victim safety as a consideration in determining bail or release on parole. Under current law, victim’s rights are laid out in the state’s Constitution, the Victims of Crime Resource Center is funded with tax dollars so that the information is available to those that need it, victims have the right to know about & participate in parole hearings and sentencing, and our parole system is already one of the most strict in the nation. Proposition 9 seems like it was drafted by someone unfamiliar with the current criminal justice system. After reading the literature on both sides of the fence (in print & online), I can’t see why Proposition 9 is necessary.

Proposition 10: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy

This one allows the state to issue$5 billion in GO bonds for various renewable energy, alternative fuel, energy efficiency, and air emissions reduction purposes. The bond money will provide $3.4 billion for financial incentives to purchase or lease high fuel economy vehicles and dedicated clean alternative fuel vehicles (primarily rebates for trucks and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles) and $1.6 billion to fund research, design, development, and deployment of renewable electricity generating technology. These bonds will cost the state about $10 billion in principal & interest payments over the next 30 years, plus an additional $10 million per year (for the next 10 years) to operate Prop 10 programs. Since I don’t make nearly enough scratch to purchase a new hybrid or fuel efficient pickup truck and the masses statewide are in a bleak financial state, I’m not sure it’s the time to waste cash on convincing well-to-do car buyers that they should go green. Give them a tax credit on their state income tax returns instead of taking out loans that cost taxpayers billions in interest.

                                                    

Proposition 11: Redistricting

Gerrymandering is the dirty little secret that all incumbent politicians want us to ignore and as long as they get to preside over redistricting every 10 years without any public scrutiny or independent oversight, we might ignore their naughty ways for many years to come. You see, every decade a census is taken and political districts are reorganized to compensate for changes in the size of the population. In the House of Representatives, the state Legislature, and the State Board of Equalization, representation is based on population size. More people = more representatives. Politicians intent on keeping their jobs are in charge of drawing up these new districts & it’s not uncommon for them to create custom made voter support by drawing their districts in a way that includes lots of their supportive and excludes people likely to oppose their future campaigns. Prop 11 tries to rectify this conflict of interest by establishing an independent panel, the Citizens Redistricting Commission, to draft redistricting plans. To be a commissioner on this panel, you can’t have been a candidate for federal or state office, you can’t have worked as a lobbyist, and you can’t have made a political donation of $2000 or more in a single year to any political candidate. Prop 11 also sets forth rules about dividing cities, counties, and neighborhoods into multiple districts; mandates the preservation of geographically compact districts (rather than those illustrated below); and forces the Commission’s proposal to be presented to the public in the form of open hearings where public comment will be accepted. This initiative is a long time coming, people. Seems dull & unimportant, but if you ever wondered why shitty politicians that do nothing for their constituents always seem to retain their seats for eons, now you know. Vote Hells Yes on Prop 11.

                                       

Proposition 12: Veteran’s Bond of 2008

This bond will be $900 million to provide loans to California’s veterans for the purchase of farms or homes. It will cost about $1.8 billion to pay off the principal and interest over a period of 30 years. The current veteran’s assistance organization, Cal-Vet, is financially sustained by the veteran’s that participate in the program without a cent of tax payers money going into their coffers. This loan will be paid back by these same vets, but if their payments can’t cover the $59 million per year payments, the state will assume the remaining debt. This is kinda’ a duh proposition. Vets deserve to have a little TLC from the government they fought for. Apparently, our elected officials agree because no one in either the State Senate or the Assembly cast a “No” vote for Proposition 12. I’m not about to be the dickhead that does! Yes on 12!

 

So there we have it! Those are the Propositions your deciding on come November, so start forming an opinion one way or another. Complacency is unoriginal and boring, so step up your game a little & think about what’s going on. Next time, we’ll address the candidates running for local office… I’m thinking about donning a trench coat & disguise mustache, so I can avoid detection when tailing Stockton’s mayoral candidates. Until then, dah-lings!

                                                                       

Election ‘08:What’s on the ballot? Part 1

Y’all should be getting those Voter Information Guides in the mail that detail the various propositions you will be judging come November. Not exactly a page-turner, I know, but the shit is relatively important. As always, I feel it’s my duty to speak on it with another installment of Ms Maryjane Foxie’s Voting Guide 2008. Feel free to comment or debate my take on things, darlings, because to be completely honest, I don’t know shit. I’m just really good at forming opinions on things. Without further ado, let us talk ballot propositions!

Proposition 1: High Speed Rail Bond

This initiative attempts to fund the construction of a high speed railroad between San Francisco and Los Angeles to the tune of $9.95 billion in bonds ($9 billion for the high speed rail & the remaining $950 million to improve existing public transit systems throughout the state). Interest on these bonds is expected to be around $9.5 billion, making the suggested annual repayment of the bonds $647 million per year for the next 30 years. At first glance, it is easy to see why some legislators are weary about funding such a project. After all, California is in a sorry financial state and taking out such a tremendous loan seems a bit fool hardy. BUT, if one considers the jobs created by the railway’s construction and operation AND the environmental benefits of improved statewide public transit, Proposition 1 starts to look a whole lot better. Personally, I would totally prefer to make the trip from SF to LA by rail instead of driving the entire cursed route. At this point, I’m all for Proposition 1.

Proposition 2: Standards for Confining Farm Animals

Excluding rodeos, fairs, 4-H programs, veterinary transport, and a few select instances, Proposition 2 would require that calves bred for veal, egg-laying chickens, and pregnant pigs be confined in spaces large enough to allow the animal to stand, lie down, turn around, and extend their limbs fully. The penalty for ignoring these standards would be a misdemeanor fine or 180 days in jail. Prop 2 is supported by the Humane Society (duh) and the Center for Food Safety (makes you think?). The opposition insists that such standards will increase the risk of avian flu (I don’t follow their argument) and salmonella (since consumers will supposedly be forced to buy cheaper Mexican imports that apparently carry the food-bourne illness). This one is pretty cut & dry for me. I am disgusted by how our current system, lead by mega agribusiness interests not actually farmers like Old MacDonald, treats the animals that end up on my dinner plate. If I had more will power (and money), I’d go veggie. Until then, I’ll just have to insist that folks cough up the extra dinar for larger animal confinements, so that my conscious can remain relatively clear.

Proposition 3: Children’s Hospital Bond Act

Who can reject funding for sick children? I’m not even that callous! Prop 3 authorizes the sale of $980 million in bonds (80% for kids hospitals & 20% for U of C hospitals). The bonds are expected to generate $933 million in interest payments & will cost about $64 million annually for the next 30 years.

Proposition 4: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of a Minor’s Pregnancy

It’s baaaack, Parental notification is being sold to Californian’s that have already rejected the concept in the past three (or four?) elections. Prop 4 would prohibit underage girls from obtaining abortion procedures before a 48 hour waiting period and notification of their intent to their parentals. The initiative allows for judicial bypass, meaning a minor can approach a judge & plead her case with the hopes that said judge sees “clear and convincing evidence of minor’s maturity”. Physicians would be required to file reports on the abortions preformed on teenaged women and would face stiff penalties for noncompliance. I’ve argued against this same fucking idea in every Voting Guide, so allow me to re-cap the main ideas & move on. First, the state should not be responsible for raising our kids. They do not need to play gate-keeper to medical services. That is a parent’s job. Second, a government that is hostile to the reproductive rights of all women (as ours very much is) should not be compiling these types of records on young women.Is it really difficult to imagine this information being used against the very women Prop 4 claims to protect? The abortion you had at the reckless age of 17 bites you in the ass years later when the factoid is discovered during a routine pre-employment background/credit check. Forget about holding public office, because some “family values” politician will inevitably label you a baby-killer with public records to prove it! Is this really that hard to imagine? Third, a “waiting period” is the most condescending fucking bullshit ever. The idea is that this 48-hour waiting period is to be used to reflect on the gravity of their decision, think it over, make sure this is what you want to do. I have little doubt that most women seeking to terminate their pregnancies have thought the matter through to their satisfaction before heading to the clinic AND time is pretty critical in such situations, so forcing a state-mandated “time-out” seems like shitty idea. Fourth, the “judicial review” process that would allow teens to petition a juvenile court for a wavier of the notification and/or waiting period is bullshit. A preggo teen has to file a claim, go to court, spill her guts to a judge,who then decides whether this young woman is “mature enough”, then (if successful) seek out medical attention. Think about you at age 16. There’s a PP commercial that illustrates this well. Fifth, we’ve voted the same crap down in waaaay too many consecutive elections! This is fucking ridiculous! Fuck Prop 4, or whatever they want to call it these days.

Proposition 5: Nonviolent Drug Offenses. Sentencing. Parole and Rehabilitation.

I am at odds about the whole substance abuse program vs. jail time policy. On one hand, nonviolent drug offenses do not warrant years of incarceration as penance. It’s cruel, costly, and unjust. Rehab gets folks out of jail & that is fucking great for everyone involved. On the other hand, it’s not the government’s responsibility to dictate when and how a person gets sober. That’s a personal thing. These programs should be available, heavily funded, and viable but not force fed. Besides, it just doesn’t work, as far as reducing drug & alcohol abuse is concerned. Anyhow, Prop 5 allows for $460 million annually to go to treatment programs. It eliminates jail sentences for certain drug crimes, parole violations, and failed rehab stints. Parole terms would be shortened for offenders having been convicted of nonviolent drug offenses or property crime, as long as the offender did not have a serious, violent, street gang-related, or sex crime on their record and lengthened for sex offenders and violent felons. Prop 5 also seeks to clear up eligibility standards by implementing a new three tiered system (there’s a nifty chart in the guide) of guidelines. I’m pro-Prop 5, I guess, since keeping folks outta’ jail is a more pressing matter than the right to get fucked up.

Proposition 6: Police and Law Enforcement Funding.

I swear the police are always bitching about funding! Life in Stockton is a prime example of what happens when law enforcement is financially rewarded for existing, not necessarily policing. Make ‘um hustle a little. If the crime rate is reduced & the citizenry generally approves of their local forces, funding increases to maintain the momentum. If there are noticeable signs of the public good being served, pay up. If not, the Boys in Blue outta’ put their noggins together & figure out what needs to be done. Earn your keep. Plus, I have an intense fear and loathing of police officers. But Prop 6 will pass because everybody loves the illusion of safety!

The Best TV Shows, like, Ever!

I was born and raised by the boob tube (no, literally. My folks didn’t believe in paying for baby sitters, so they’d post me up in front of the screen and go about their business while I learned life lessons via basic cable). Over the years, I’ve seen some pretty shitty TV shows (Think: Felicity, The Heights, Friends, or Mad TV). On occasion the clouds have parted and something beautiful has shone through, making the hundreds of wasted hours spent in a comatose state staring at the television well worth it. Here’s my picks of the Best of the Best (er, Worst?), in no particular order:

1. Weeds: Showtime’s hit series about a pot-dealing widow with questionable morals and a keen business sense is easily the best drama centered on the distribution of recreational drugs that I’ve ever seen. 

2. Absolutely Fabulous: This is my favorite British comedy! The mis-adventures of Edina and Patsy, two chemically addled middle-aged Londonites, are piss-your-pants hilarious.

3. Coupling: Fuck “Friends”! It’s all about the original gang of urban dwelling singles, the BBC’s Coupling! Instead of pansy-ass coffee, these hipsters chill-ax at bars like normal fucking adults! They don’t use euphemisms for sexual activity, unlike their American counterparts on the aforementioned sitcom, and their exploits are actually entertaining, even without the suspense of a Ross-Rachel romance.

4. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: If you haven’t watched this gem, you’re seriously missing out. What isn’t amusing about four failures operating a dive bar in Philly without morality or common sense getting in the way?

5. Veronica Mars: It’s a teen drama, I know, but it had a soul that it’s contemporaries didn’t. Ms. Mars navigates the sleazy world of Neptune, California as a part-time private investigator, a high school/college student, and a terminal smart ass. Socio-economic issues and sexism were addressed by Veronica & Co. with maturity that is rarely seen on American TV, especially in teen programming.

6. The Black Donnellys: I love gangster stories and Irish-American men, so this canceled drama stole my heart from episode #1. It tells the tale of four brothers that end up running the streets of their traditionally Irish neighborhood a la Boondock Saints meets The Sopranos.

7. The Daily Show: Politics and comedy are like Captain Crunch and Milk; sure you can enjoy them separately, but why would you want too? Jon Stewart picked up where SNL’s Weekend Update (hosted by Colin Quinn or Norm McDonald! Damn it!) left off. 

8. My So Called Life: Who didn’t identify with Angela Chase, the girl that just wanted to break out of her nerdy shell and fuck Jordan Catalano, played by Claire Danes. We all wanted to be Rayanne, but were probably nowhere near as hip. I’m still not that fresh, but I have managed to nail that whole alcoholism thang!

9. Scrubs: I never thought Zach Braff was attractive, until I was ill & stuck in front of my television during a Scrubs marathon. My, oh my! Nerdy, insecure, comedic & philosophical doctors are super hot! Dr. Cox should have gotten a spin off devoted entirely to his insulting rants.

10. That 70’s Show: This is one of those shows that I can watch as re-runs any day of the week. I preferred Donna as a Red Head, Hyde without Jackie, and Eric pre-Africa, but who didn’t?

11. Freeks and Geeks: One of the few shows that had a female lead character that actually resembled a real female (rather than an over-sexualized caricature of one).

12. Chappelle’s Show: I will always be grateful that I watched Chappelle spoof R. Kelly in “Piss on You” and it’s remix. It doesn’t get much better, Bitch.

13. Animaniacs: Quite possibly the best children’s program of all time. The Wheel of Morality? Good Feathers? Slappy the Squirrel? Helllooo Nurse!

14. The Tom Green Show: There isn’t enough ridiculousness in American TV programming. Stupidity, yes, but full-on ridiculousness? Not since Tom Green. He did a Testicular Cancer Special documenting his own tumor removal, for fucks sake!

15. Reno 911: I can’t bring myself to look a Reno cop in the eye anymore. I can’t help but picture Officer Raynesha Williams or Lieutenant Dangle and that makes it terribly hard to take them seriously. Especially when intoxicated (thank god I can hop fences!).

16. X-Files: Call me a moron, but I still have a soft spot for the formulaic plots and recycled “truths” uncovered by Agents Mulder and Scully. Mulder always had some off-the-hook theory that no sane person would ever admit to even thinking up, while Scully always got logical on his ass with science and, y’know, reality. By episode’s close, Mulder would be vindicated & Scully would be his biggest supporter, even if nothing was ever solidly proven by the pair’s super-natural hijinks. Hey, the truth is out there bitches.

17. Trading Spouses: Reality TV is an abomination, but this televised sociological experiment is simply brilliant. Switch one parent from two households (standard two parent ones) and watch the fireworks fly! Few things are more entertaining than other people’s ignorance.

18. Alias: This spy drama had a continually evolving plot and a bad-ass female lead with an endless supply of fab disguises. What more could I ask for?

19. Dragnet: I still love this stupid cop show. Anti-drug crusader Sergeant Joe Friday took down “hop-heads” and “smack fiends” with complete disregard for civil liberties way before the Law & Order crew tried the same shtick. 

20. Daria: Sarcasm at it's best! Daria Morgandorffer was (is) my hero, but I've previously modeled my hair style on that of Jane. No kidding.

An Anniversary & What’s Important to Remember

Politicians and news outlets alike will be spewing all kinds of quasi-patriotic & definitely fear-mongery bullshit about terrorists and other bogeymen we should still be afraid of seven years after the attacks of September 11th. What they probably won’t be talking about is the fact that the terrorist organization responsible for the attacks is stronger than ever, due to the unrest we’ve instigated throughout the Middle East. They won’t talk about how 9/11/2001 saved President Bush’s political career and probably secured his second term. They won’t ask why the people responsible for exploiting the tragic events for their own ends (invading Iraq, to be specific) are still not being held accountable. They won’t talk about how ineffective all those cuts to our civil liberties have been, as far as making our nation a safer place. They won’t review the effectiveness of the Patriot Act, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or GITMO, and they certainly won’t raise a critical voice against America’s foreign policy that proves to would-be terrorists just how corrupt and worthy of attack the U.S. is. They won’t ask any of the relevant questions or recall any of the heinous bullshit our government pulled in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. I suppose that remembering those details is up to us. We Will Never Forget, is damned well right.

More Palin-Hatin’

In case you needed more reasons to vote Democratic this November, let’s talk about how ridiculous McCain’s VP, Sarah Palin, actually is. Remember, if the Republican’s manage to retain the President’s seat, this lady will be second in line to rule. The Vice President is sort of a big deal for that reason.

First, the woman is a pawn, a puppet, a fucking ploy. The GOP doesn’t take her seriously, hell, she doesn’t even see herself as a full-fledged politician! This point was illustrated by the fact that her first photo op during the GOP convention wasn’t with her running mate or other major Republican figures, it was with the WIVES. Here she is chillin’ like a villian with Cindy McCain and Laura Bush, as if Palin were merely another would-be First Lady without political power or responsibility. Apparently, the GOP and Palin, herself, sees these political show ponies as her peers.

Second, her political track record, short as it maybe, is full of fucked up executive decisions that royally screwed Palin’s Alaskan constituents. Her 2008 budget cuts included these gems: cuts to education totaling $396,000 that were intended to repair school busses, replace unsafe sporting equipment, fund after school programs, and elevates children’s asthma; cuts to senior citizen programs totaling $600,000 for housing, repairing senior centers, and upgrading access roads to retirement communities; cuts to health care totaling $4,527,500 that was needed to replace medical equipment and upgrade Ketchikan General Hospital’s surgical wing. Never the less, under Palin government expenditures increased by 63%! Apparently, that $14.7 Million Sports Center in Wasilla was WAY more important than providing for Alaska’s children, their elderly, or their sick.

Third, she is as shady as one would expect a Republican to be, with the ethics violations to prove it! In August of this year, former state House member Andree McLeod filed an ethics complaint against the Alaskan governor that alleges Palin used her position of power to get one of her campaign supporters a Department of Transportation job in Fairbanks. The complaint can be viewed online HERE. In July of 2008, the Alaska State Legislator voted 12-0 to approve $100,000 for a special investigator to begin an investigation into claims Palin fired a former state official because he would not fire a state trooper who was involved in a bitter custody battle with Palin’s sister.

Fourth, America has learned the dangers of electing politicians that reside in the pockets of Big Oil executives. Bush and Cheney illustrate this Worst Case Scenario. Palin is similarly involved with the oil interests that financially rape the American consumer and provoke wars in the Middle East for financial gain. Her 2006 campaign for governor netted her a cool $13,000 from oil lobbyists, even though McCain praised Palin’s supposed fight against such interests. Environmentalists cite her eagerness to embrace expanded offshore oil development, her lawsuit against further protection of polar bears so as not to hinder oil drilling in Alaska's ice-filled waters and her ardent support to allow oil companies into the Alaska wildlife refuge as evidence of her close connections to Big Oil.

There you have it. Hard core hatin’ from the Left, to remind y’all why Palin is soooo super sucky. Obama in ‘08, mother fuckers!