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Friday, October 31, 2008
For anyone voting in California that doesn't know yet how they are voting or does and would like to discuss it, this is how I am voting:
Q) Why should you listen to me? A) You shouldn't, you should make up your own mind, but I read the entire voter information guide and we both know you didn't. Also, I'm probably smarter than you.
Prop 1A: Safe, reliable high speed passenger train bond act.
How I’m voting: YES
Why: Despite being an extremely costly (9.5 billion) and potentially problematic undertaking, a bullet train connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles and eventually San Diego and San Jose could be a tremendous success. With consistent travel at speeds of more than 200mph this would greatly reduce travel time, airline congestion and interstate highway traffic. It will also reduce California’s CO(2) emissions and reliance on foreign oil.
Why you should vote no: You are skeptical of state funded undertakings of this magnitude. You work for an oil company. You work for an airline.
Prop 2: Standards for Confining Farm Animals
How I’m voting: NO
Why: I spent more time thinking about and researching this measure than any of the rest and in the end it was probably the most difficult to decide on. I am completely in favor of giving pigs and calves adequate room to move around and if that were all this mandated then it would be a no-brainer, but this also bans the cages that farmers use to keep hens. I have to believe that if we passed this measure we would see farmers pick up and move to a state which allows them to use the equipment they currently have. The opponents of this measure say that hens kept outside are at risk for bird flu. I don’t believe that will be a real problem, but it is a scary thought. Finally I don’t want to import eggs from other states if we don’t have to, let alone Mexico.
Why you should vote yes: You already limit your egg purchases to those from free range hens. You believe the scumbag farmers who mistreat animals will stay put and abide by the new law rather than move their business elsewhere.
Prop 3: Children's Hospital Bond Act
How I’m voting: YES
Why: 980 million is a hefty sum especially when you consider the current economic outlook and state deficit, but I can’t in good conscious vote for a high speed train and not vote to fund children’s hospitals.
Why you should vote no: If you can sleep at night, do it
Prop 4: A 48 hour waiting period and parental notification before the termination of a minor’s pregnancy.
How I’m voting: NO
Why: I am not a pregnant teenager and I don’t know what it’s like to be one. I can’t pretend to know the reasons, valid or otherwise, that would cause a teenager to hide an abortion from her parents. Also (this is pure speculation on my part) if this were indeed the law, a scared and emotionally distraught girl might be more likely to attempt the procedure herself.
Why you should vote yes: You have a promiscuous teenage daughter.
Props 5-8 tomorrow
