I love California for many reasons. One of the best (and worst) is that the Proposition system allows for a modicum of true democracy to occur. Every election the people get to vote directly for measures the legislature is either unwilling or unable to address on its own. Unfortunately, this means the citizens need to wade through the language of many bills to get educated on what they will really do. Since most people, unlike me, have a life, they rely on voter guides. Well here is mine:

1A Bond Measure for High Speed Rail — NO
2 Cage standards for livestock — NO
3 Bond Measure for Children’s Hospital — NO
4 Notification for Underage Abortions — YES
5 Lighter Sentences for Drug Criminals — NO
6 Minimum Funding for Police — NO
7 Renewable Energy Requirements — NO
8 Define Marriage as 1 Man 1 Women — YES
9 Victims’ Rights — YES
10 Bond Measure to Subsidize Hybrids — NO
11 Bi-Partisan Redistricting Commission — YES
12 Bond Measure to Provide Loans to Vets — YES

Although I love the process, the best approach for all Propositions is to assume you will vote NO, and then look for a good reason to change your mind. This is especially true for Bond issues. The supporters of those always claim the initiative will accomplish some lofty goal without raising taxes. This is a lie, because the bond eventually must be paid back, with interest, from the general fund. That can only occur by raising tax revenues, or cutting spending elsewhere. Example:

http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/argu-rebut/argu-rebutt1a.htm

“Proposition 1A is a $9.95 billion bond measure for an 800-mile High-Speed Train network that will relieve 70 million passenger trips a year that now clog California’s highways and airports—WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.”

The independent legislative analysis is that this initiative will cost $19.4 billion over 30 years, or payments of $647,000,000 PER YEAR. This at a time when the State is already on the verge of bankruptcy. So, generally speaking, most bond initiatives are BAD MOJO and should be avoided. There have been exceptions over the years, and I am supporting Prop 12 which is a bond issue to provide a pool of money to lend Veterans. We done this many times since WWII and it has generally been a good program. All other Bonds are a NO vote. As to the individual propositions:

Proposition 1A
This is a massive bond issue to cover 1/3 the cost of building a high-speed train between Northern California and Southern California. It is a boondoggle. The system being proposed is poorly designed and completely unnecessary. It will be California’s version of the Big Dig, will cost billions more than anyone projects, and then will lose money, like all other passenger train systems in the US. If the backers truly believe this is such a great project, they should fund the whole thing with private money, and then do their best to make outrageous profits. That is a project I would support. There is no need for public funds here.

Proposition 2
This restricts the types of cages farmers can use, and it primarily targeted at egg farmers since California doesn’t have huge veal or pork industries. It is unnecessary government regulation and will make the cost of food rise during a recession. Let the farmers determine the best ways to raise their chickens.

Proposition 3
Who doesn’t want good hospitals for kids? I certainly do. I want them all to be the best in the world. Let private industry build them.

Proposition 4
Requires a parent or other adult relative be notified before a minor girl is allowed to have an abortion. This law is just common sense. Parental consent should be required for any medical procedure on a minor, since the parent is morally and financially responsible for the child and the outcome of the procedure. The law includes exceptions for when the parent caused the pregnancy, and also requires the minor to consent to the abortion in addition to the parent. Regardless of your position on abortion, you should support parental rights and responsibilities regarding the welfare of their children.

Proposition 5
Reduces the criminal penalties for drug offenders. Stupid plan that will make it even harder to enforce drug laws. Either legalize the drugs or enforce the penalties.

Proposition 6
I fully support giving police and law enforcement more money, but minimum funding levels like this are a bad budget practice. It ties the hands of the Governor and Legislature to balance budgets. We elect these clowns to do a job and should expect them to do it.

Proposition 7
Increases regulations on the power generation business, requiring them to produce 20% of their energy from “renewable resources.” This is exactly the wrong approach. We should reduce the regulations on these companies and let them produce the energy that makes the most financial sense. Could we please let them build some nuclear plants??? Renewable energy is a joke brought to you by the idiots promoting the cult of global warming. All you need to do is look at the impact ethanol has had on the price of food to know this type of requirement is bad.

Proposition 8
Defines marriage as between 1 man and 1 women. Well duh! We have 5,000 years of recorded history, common law and natural law to support this initiative. We already voted on this and passed it overwhelmingly but a couple of judges imposed their will on the voters, so we get to do it again… this time as a Constitutional Amendment. I have NOTHING against homosexual couples and wish them all the health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity they can find, but I do not think we should modify one of the basic tenants of our civilization to make them feel better. They can already enjoy all the rights and privileges associated with marriage via civil unions. Contrary to what its opponents claim, Prop 8 does not take away Gay’s rights. It restores the rights of the majority of Californians to define marriage in a traditional way, rather than they way a few judges deem appropriate. Prop 8 is another common sense initiative that should be fully supported.

Proposition 9
This law gives victims more say in the sentencing and parole of the criminals who harmed them. It is another effort by the guys who brought us 3 strikes and Megan’s law to give law abiding citizens more power. Those measures were great, and so is this.

Proposition 10
This measure would require the tax payer to subsidize the price of alternative fuel vehicles and hybrids. Hey, if you want to buy a Prius that runs on natural gas, be my guest. But why should I be forced to pay for it? I don’t ask you to fund my Hummer that runs on baby harp seals! Let the free market decide the market price of these vehicles and the people who want them can have them.

Proposition 11
Changes the way voting districts are drawn. Currently, whomever is in power gets to decide how the lines are drawn. The process is known as gerrymandering, and it is a nightmare designed to keep incumbents in power. This law would change it to a bi-partisan commission which would theoretically use more sense, such as drawing districts according to city or county boundaries.

Proposition 12
Bond measure to fund Cal-Vet programs. I think this is the 22 time the voters have been asked to approve a veteran’s bond measure and they always do. I haven’t researched this one extensively, but no one wrote an opposing position to it, so it can’t be that bad.

There you go. My opinions, which I’m sure pissed at least half of you off. Please feel free to comment and tell me why I’m wrong.