StudioGlyphic

For the record, here's how I'm voting. We'll see how my votes match up with those of my fellow Californians:

I'm voting Democrat up and down the ballot. Without any reservations, either. If D. Feinstein or M. Waters were on my ballot, that'd be a different story. With them, I might abstain.

For the judges, I'm voting against all the criminal prosecutors, which is mostly matched by the LA Weekly's recommendations. The one where we differ, I defer to the judgment of my liberal attorney roommate.

By default, I'd like to vote NO on most propositions. I belive in republicanism, representative government, etc. This direct democracy crap is completely manipulated by people with the biggest soap box, which usually rests on millions of dollars of cash. That said, as long as I gotta choose, here's how I chose:

Proposition 1A: Protection of Local Government Revenues
Yes. Sounds like a good idea.

Proposition 59: Public Records, Open Meetings
Yes! More openness in government.

Proposition 60: Election Rights of Political Parties
No. I'm for open primaries. See Prop 62.

Proposition 60A: Surplus Property
No. This sounds like a bad idea. Whatever problems we have with the budget should not be dealt with by selling off our assets. It's like selling your car to pay off your credit cards.

Proposition 61: Children's Hospital Projects. Grant Program
No. It's a good cause, but we shouldn't be taking on more debt for this kind of program.

Proposition 62: Elections. Primaries
Yes. Open primaries! As liberal as I may be, I think this type of system will better reflect the will of the people. Less hijacking of the primaries by activists. Whatever I may think of the Goobernator and the recall election, he got the popular vote, which would not have been possible in a closed primary process. The wingnuts would have eaten him alive for his pro-choice, pro-education, pro-environment stances.

Proposition 63: Mental Health Services Expansion, Funding. Tax on Personal Incomes above $1 Million
Yes. I just think this is funny. Probably not a good way to fund other things in the future, but just this once, it'd be pretty funny.

Proposition 64: Limit on Private Enforcement of Unfair Business Competition Laws
No. The right to sue protects consumers. I back individuals before faceless, deathless corporate entities. That said, if some attorney is abusing this law, let him be disbarred, but don't take away my rights.

Proposition 65: Local Government Funds, Revenues. State Mandates
No. No more voter-approved budgets!

Proposition 66: Limitations on "Three Strikes" Law. Sex Crimes. Punishment
Yes. Three strikes was a bad law. Now it'll be better. I signed the petition earlier this year, too. The guy was trying to argue the case that it'll save us money, which is true, but seriously, that argument should pale in comparison to the injustice of a mandatory sentence that may not fit the crime.

Proposition 67: Emergency Medical Services. Funding. Telephone Surcharge
No. Good idea, wrong way to raise the funds.

Proposition 68: Non-Tribal Commercial Gambling Expansion. Tribal Gaming Compact Amendments. Revenues, Tax Exemptions
No. No good reason. And I'm a gambler, too!

Proposition 69: DNA Samples. Collection. Database. Funding
No. Innocent until proven guilty is the rule of law. Until convicted, you have a right to privacy. Probably unconstitutional anyway, so why bother?

Proposition 70: Tribal Gaming Compacts. Exclusive Gaming Rights. Contributions to State
No. No good reason.

Proposition 71: Stem Cell Research. Funding. Bonds
Yes, with reservations. It's additional spending, but could potentially pay for itself with innovations, new businesses, new jobs, etc. We need to invest in science and education generally. The question is, does this promote one field over other fields that are also deserving? Is this another giveaway to private biotech companies to make money off public research? One thing's for sure, it's a fuck you to the GOP's fundamentalist wing.

Proposition 72: Health Care Coverage Requirements
Yes. This is a flawed implementation, but it's a first step until Kerry gets his health plan through Congress. Also, since Walmart games the system to get the state to subsidize their employees anyway, this law closes that loophole.

Local Measures

Measure A: Public Safety, Emergency Response and Crime Prevention -- Los Angeles County
No. Good idea, wrong way to raise the funds.