Nov
3
Here is what I am thinking about for November 4 on a state level. The propositions can be found at the Secretary of State web site http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/.
Download a calendar reminder to vote: vote.vcs.ics
| Prop |
Decision |
Reason |
| 1A |
Maybe. |
SAFE, RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER TRAIN BOND ACT.
Phase I of the train project is the corridor between San Francisco Transbay Terminal and Los Angeles Union Station and Anaheim. If the authority finds that there would be no negative impact on the construction of Phase I of the project, bond funds may be used on any of the following corridors:
- Sacramento to Stockton to Fresno
- San Francisco Transbay Terminal to San Jose to Fresno
- Oakland to San Jose
- Fresno to Bakersfield to Palmdale to Los Angeles Union Station
- Los Angeles Union Station to Riverside to San Diego
- Los Angeles Union Station to Anaheim to Irvine
- Merced to Stockton to Oakland and San Francisco via the Altamont Corridor
It is really greener alternative than flying and certainly faster than other land trasport. Although I don’t quite see the benefit to the San Francisco Transbay Terminal and Los Angeles Union Station with so many cheap (and struggling) airlines with flights but the rest of it would dramatically reduce peoples commutes. Also it is a little rediculous that they will start with a SF to LA. Why not do the local services first whch would have agreater impact. |
| 2 |
Yes |
STANDARDS FOR CONFINING FARM ANIMALS. I am concerned that prices will go up and the poorest of us will have to pay for our morality. |
| 3 |
No |
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL BOND ACT. GRANT PROGRAM. Most of the money, 80%, will go to private hospitals that the state does not fiscally manage in anyway, while university hospitals will only receive a fraction of the nearly $2 Billion that the tax payers will end up dishing out over the next 30 years. |
| 4 |
NO! |
WAITING PERIOD AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION BEFORE TERMINATION OF MINOR’S PREGNANCY. How many more times does special interest need to have this same measure put on the ballot! This is nothing more than yet another ploy to overturn Roe v. Wade and inhibit the ability for young people to get a safe and confidential emergency contraception. btw, this one is a constitutional amendment. |
| 5 |
Yes |
NONVIOLENT DRUG OFFENSES. SENTENCING,
PAROLE AND REHABILITATION. Rehab works much better than jail, and it costs the tax payers a lot less. |
| 6 |
No |
POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING. If it was just funding I would not even consider voting no but this looks to take away rights from people who don’t have the money to fight back. |
| 7 |
No |
RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION. When a green initiative does not have the support of the green party, the league of conservation voters or most other Eco conscious voting organizations, you have to wonder. |
| 8 |
NO! |
ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME–SEX COUPLES TO MARRY.
INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Taking away right from a minority group in this great state of California benefits no one. |
| 9 |
No |
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. VICTIMS’ RIGHTS. PAROLE.
INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. California alread has the Victims’ Bill of Rights which may not be adequate in all situations but I believe it will cost us a lot of money at a time where are spending way too much to begin with. |
| 10 |
No |
ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY.
BONDS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Don’t be fooled. This is corporate welfare for T. Boone Pickens and we will need to pick up the tab. It is was such a good solution, we would not need a ballot measure to raise the funds. |
| 11 |
Yes |
REDISTRICTING.
INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. It is to no one’s benefit to keep the districts setup to favor incumbents. The only concern here is that this new process could be less transparent than the current redistricting process. |
| 12 |
No |
VETERANS’ BOND ACT OF 2008. I am always in support of our veterans but which veterans would qualify? We are in fiscal crisis, isn’t this the Fed’s responsibility to raise these funds? |
What is your opinion?
Oct
23
This was sent to me from Cassie…
Oct
16
Here is what I am thinking about for November 4 on a city level. The propositions can be found in the Voter Information Pamphlet (PDF), further information can at SF City voter’s web site.
Download a calendar reminder to vote: vote.vcs.ics
| Prop |
Decision |
Reason |
| A |
undecided |
I will probably vote “Yes” BUT it is a lot of money that will ultimately raise my rent. I don’t think that it really improves the number of beds or services or even reduces the risk of an earthquake destroying a large portion of the hospital due to the neighboring brick monstrosities that will likely fall upon it since they are not seismically stable, yet. |
| B |
No |
This is the wrong way to raise money for low income housing. setting asside 2.5% of the budget to a cause ties the hands of our elected officials. |
| C |
Yes |
Keeping the powers separated is very important. |
| D |
Yes |
Bring more business and tax revenue into SF! |
| E |
Yes |
Let’s follow state standards |
| F |
Yes |
Most people in SF don’t vote on odd years. This allows for voter manipulation. |
| G |
No |
The more I read about it, the more I think the law needs to be better written. |
| H |
No |
I don’t like the idea of anyone having the ability to have a blank check when putting the tax payers into debt, even if it is for a noble cause. I also wonder if SF can run power better than private industry. |
| I |
Yes |
We need more independent advocates to keep our costs under control. |
| J |
No |
It makes sense to have a single authority for building but shouldn’t preservation be weighed with other planning needs? |
| K |
Yes |
I don’t believe that sex workers should be prosecuted as criminals. Pimps and human traffickers on the other hand should get all that is coming to them. Does this law address this? I don’t know. |
| L |
Yes |
We need to fund community justice center to help keep our system fairly for people of all income. |
| M |
No |
I feel like there are a lot of protections for tenants already. |
| N |
Yes |
Encourages the installation of Solar energy systems on private residents. |
| O |
Yes |
My issue is really with more taxes, though it sounds like the amount of money would be the same just updates the law to include newer technologies like IP Phones, etc… So I will vote yes. |
| P |
No |
This is not necessary or fixes any core issues. |
| Q |
Yes |
It needs to be updated. |
| R |
… |
G. W. Bush did enough harm, do we really want anything named after him, even a sewer plant? Is this really needed? |
| S |
Yes |
Seems like good government. |
| T |
No |
Where does the money come from? I think it will just tie the hands of people who need to allocate money. |
| U |
No |
I truly disagree with us going into Iraq to begin with. But we are there and we can vote for Obama to get us out. |
V |
Yes |
JROTC had been a really positive influence on many people’s lives. I just think people need a choice. |
|
What is your opinion?
Oct
14
The San Francisco Department of Elections would like to provide you with important information about the upcoming November 4, 2008 Consolidated General Election.
Download a calendar reminder to vote: vote.vcs.ics
Important Dates and Deadlines:
- Early voting began October 6, 2008 on the ground floor of City Hall.
- The last day to register to vote is October 20, 2008. If you have moved, changed your name, or would like to change your party affiliation, you must re-register to vote.
- The last day to request a vote-by-mail is October 28, 2008.
The Voter Information Pamphlet (PDF), Information on the statewide measures can be found in the Voter Information Guide
You can now confirm your voter registration status online using the voter registration status lookup tool. The look-up tool will display information on your party affiliation and permanent vote-by-mail status. It will also provide you a sample of your ballot and the location of your polling place.
For more information on the upcoming election, visit the Department’s web site or call (415) 554-4375.
Oct
13
Please spread the word to new voters that no one can or will stop them from voting. There are NOT going to be police or federal agents waiting at polling places to arrest voters for outstanding tickets, unpaid taxes or alimony. The worst case scenario you may have to cast a provisional ballot, if for some reason you are not able to cast a normal ballot, which then won’t be counted until your issue is resolved.
Please try to remember to bring proper state issued photo ID (where required) and also try not to wear political paraphernalia into your polling place, although this is legal in most states, some places do not allow it.
Fresh Air on NPR is a show really worth listening to. You get it as a podcast from most major vendors including NPR.org. Terry Gross talks to her guests about dirty tricks and political manipulation of the voting process. It is truly mind blowing that people would try to take away others rights to vote so that they can win an election.
Here is the pod cast:
Fresh Air from WHYY
It includes:
‘In Justice’: David Iglesias On U.S. Attorney Firings
Voter Intimidation Efforts In Philadelphia
Voting Access In 10 Key States
Parsing The Politics Of ‘Main Street’
Sep
22
Voting is a hard earned right the so many people have given their lives to allow us to participate in governing our great nation. Please take the to register, or help someone else register, before the deadline passes.
I came across a great resource online called Long Distance Voter. It is the most comprehensive resource for registering to vote and voting by mail (via absentee ballot). They are really a grass roots organization that help people register and vote using the absentee ballot system.
http://www.longdistancevoter.org/
If you have not registered or would like to learn more about absentee ballots in Californian check this out.
http://www.longdistancevoter.org/california
General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Voter Registration: Postmarked by October 20,2008 (general election)
Absentee Ballot Application: Received by October 28, 2008 (general election)
Absentee Ballot Return: Received by 8 pm on Election Day
If you feel reaching more people might help this election, like I do, you can give your support here: http://www.longdistancevoter.org/donate
Almost there!:
Subscribe 
twitter/dm247
