Fall 2010 General Election
Every two years or so we get to vote. Each year, as in years past, the decision we make is vital to our countries liberty. This election cycle we get to vote for Governor (and the other Constitutional Officers) local boards and ballot initiatives. Absent this year, thankfully, is a plethora of initiatives that call for bond sales, or targeted special interest groups wanting “Joe Taxpayer” to foot the bill for their pet projects. I guess the hard economic times have hit the special interests or they are simply embarrassed to ask for more of our money. Now, without further delay is the Sutter Lies recommendation.
Proposition 19: Vote YES!!! We will state our reasons, but first a little history lesson. The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sales, transportation of “intoxicating liquor” this amendment did not define what an “intoxicating liquor” was. The Volstead Act did all that. President Wilson vetoed the Volstead Act, the House of Representatives over-road the veto. The fix was on. Prohibition made millionaires of what were otherwise thugs who ran penny ante rackets. President Kennedy's father made his fortune “importing” Cutty Sark. In fact, the Kennedy family still receives royalties from every bottle. Back on point. Prohibition does not work. Now, are members of our group going to go out and plant some reefer. No. Do we believe that the individual, and not the nanny state, should decide what goes into our body. Yes! Well, what about people who drive while high on pot? The same laws that apply to drunk driving will also apply to pot. We do not think that the millions of dollars that will come into the state coffers will “solve” the budget mess in California, but the hundreds of people that are currently in prison (at $50,000 per year of more) that could be conceivable be released will make a difference. The California Department of Corrections has a budget of well over $10 Billion dollars (yes folks, that is “B” as in Billion), and it should be noted that the California correctional Peace Officers Association has sunk money into defeating this proposition. The CCPOA knows what is going on. Wise up. Other opponents include, believe it or not, the pot growers in Mendicino County. They see their little operations facing stiff competition from individuals who will be able to grow marijuana in their own back yards. We do, on occasions, have a free market society...let the competition begin.
Proposition 20. VOTE YES! This initiative puts the adjustment to Legislative Districts into the hand of a board of Democrats, Republicans and a couple of “independents” rather than having the power of drawing district lines in the power of elected officials; which in California means that drawing district lines has been in the hands of the Democrats. These powerful people draw themselves “safe” districts and hope, in the mean time, they get to draw district lines for Republicans that will result in their failure to be elected/re-elected. This is what is commonly called “Gerrymandering.” This is named in honor of the man, Governor Gerry, who as Governor of Massachusetts used to take care of his friends and enemies, by shifting around district lines to suit his needs. This practice has been going on ad infum and ad nausum. What can be done? Well, since the Warren court came up with this “one man-one vote” dicta there is not much because apportionment of districts cannot represent “geographical boundaries;” districts have to represent population. You cannot make districts represent something like a county or city. If that were so, places like Orange County, Smog Angeles and Riverside would get only one representative in the Assembly, not the two dozen or so they get now, while rural, less populated areas (sometimes several counties) are represented by a single vote. The current working (Proposition 20) plan looks good on paper, and it is a much better “poison pill” than Proposition 27 (which will be discussed later.. The down side is this, who gets to pick these “citizen monitors?” This commission is not accountable to the voters directly. We have to vote the people who pick the representatives out of office to get a change. This aside negative, specifically accountability of “citizen monitors,” at least someone is trying to do something with regards to all those “safe seats” that Congressmen, State Assemblymen and State Senators hold, like it is some sort of “birthright” or Nobility. After this one passes, the next ballot proposition is turn the state Constitutional officers into part time employees. You will not be getting all these special interest sweetheart deals.
Proposition 21: Oh, no, we goofed. One special interest, the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) handed out some money to their friends in the State Capitol and had this one placed on the ballot. Basically, they want to put another “fee” on vehicle registration of pay for State Parks. Yes, these parks are great. The State of California runs one of the better parks in the country, Big Sur. If the State of California is having a problem funding parks, why do they not simply turn it over to private industry? Whenever you get the government running something you have problems. In many cases, these people in government have never produced a product or offered a service that any one wanted. I am sure some private company would want to run the concessions at Big Sur. It makes more sense than having a big government agency, complete with bureaucrats that have no experience running anything except a law firm, in charge. In addition to this, you get rid of state employees who will get “sweet heart” retirement and benefit packages. If Prop 22, we all get to pay another “fee” (i.e., tax) to fund something we do not want to use. Another point, when has a “fee” (i.e., tax) ever decreased? Prices will only go up? VOTE NO!
Proposition 22: VOTE YES!!!!! This comes up every couple of years, the state collects billions of dollars from California consumers in fuel taxes. Just what happens to this money. It is “supposed” to fund highway improvement. What “happens “ to this money. It gets spend by the politicians to fund their lavish lifestyle or to buy votes in East L.A. There has not been one new Highway project since 1973. Oh yes, they have taken right of ways and created “Diamond Lanes” you can ride around like a Robber Baron because no one drives in these lanes. Then, once in a blue moon, because they (California Department of Transportation) let certain roads get so bad, they have to shut down segments for weeks at a time, like they did with Interstate 5 in Sacramento a couple of years ago. Tell the politicians, once again, to use fuel taxes to fix the roads.
Proposition 23: VOTE YES!!!Well, I guess our group is just a bunch of out of state Texas Oil Men. Proposition 23 rolls back the State of California imposed “Cap in Trade” bill signed by Governor Schwartzenkennedy. Opponents claim this ballot initiative will “kill” solar, wind and other alternative energy plans. Let the free market dictate what type of power people want to use to heat or cool their homes. Implementation of Assembly Bill 35, which Proposition 23 seeks to delay, will turn energy back into a consumer demand industry. AB 35 is just another attempt by the government to control how cool people want to have their homes in summer, or how warm you may have you house in winter or what type of fuel you use to drive your SUV around the town.
Proposition 24: VOTE YES!!! Proposition 24 seeks to roll back a recent money grab by the state Assemblymen and Senators and Governor Schwartzenkennedy. They need more money so they are going after businesses. It is amazing, Arnold has a degree in Business, I guess he did not read Adam Smith because he missed the boat. Government does not create wealth, it is business. The only thing government can do is tax and spend. Yes, they can print money, but the ability to print that money comes from the people who create the real wealth in the country. Oh, BTW, business don't pay taxes, consumers pay taxes (that is what you learn on the first day of Business 101). All tax hikes do is hurt the consumer, not business.
Proposition 25: VOTE NO!!!!!!!!!! Just imagine, for a moment, if any party were to have this power? We would not be safe. We are not safe now, because they (Assembly or Senate or Governor) really do not raise “taxes” they simply call it fees. If any group would get into power in this manner they would truly turn this state into an oligarchy. An oligarchy is rule by a few powerful people. “Katie Bar the Door,” if that one passes. It sounds real “tough” to say, “Well they (the politicians in Sacramento) won't get paid if they don't pass a budget.” Problem with that one is the Courts have already said, on several occasions that you cannot withhold elected officials pay if there is no budget, so that is a dead issue.
Proposition 26: VOTE YES!!!!. When is a “fee” a “tax?” I am sure the politicians are conjuring up another way to raise taxes by calling it something else. In the city of Sacramento, they raise all sorts of revenue by calling it a “fee” and getting around the 2/3 vote requirement for a tax. It used to be in order to raise school bonds you had to have a 2/3 majority. Now all they have to get is 55% of the vote. Send the message to Sacramento...VOTE YES!!!!
Proposition 27: VOTE NO!!!!! The politicians in Sacramento and their friends in Congress, like Maxine Waters, want to keep their safe seats. These safe seats are almost akin to the “rotten boroughs” of the English parliament. Oh, no, another history lesson: a “rotten borough” is a parliamentary seat that usually has about three people voting for candidate, the incumbent always wins. Back on point, the only way you get rid of some entrenched politician is if you catch them with their hands in the cookie jar. Even in the case the case of Maxine Waters, when she got her hand caught in the TARP bail out “Cookie Jar”, in the form of a $200 million dollar bail out to a bank her husband had a controlling interest in stocks did that matter? No, the drones will still vote her back. Why? Because she brings home the bacon in the form of Welfare/Food Stamps and free medical to her drone constituency in Inglewood, Compton and Watts. Even that dispicable Congressman from New York Charles Rangle was re-elected. Get these people out! Let them try to get a real job, pay bills and let them live under the laws they passed.