There will be new posts next week, and I think the major announcement is about ready. In the meantime, I wish you and yours the most Thanksgiving has to offer to you and yours.
Hamser Prez
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Blog Update...
I haven't written this week because I was sending individual emails to all the Senate Democrats and the President. It's a rather time consuming task in that you have to email them using their programs which require that you enter your personal information every time you send and email. So, it took up most of my week.
I indicated in a post a short while back that I have a mission, and the details of that are forthcoming. I am still formulating the format as it will take several posts (I think) to convey the nuts and bolts of it. So, please be patient, loyal Hamsters. Where this is going will be evident soon.
Until then, namastay.
Hamster Prez
Friday, November 12, 2010
The 2010 Midterms: Wars? What Wars? A Deafening Silence.
We are in the midst of two wars, correction, two un-funded wars, and not one candidate ran a campaign on them. No Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Tea Partiers, no one took any position on the wars. In fact, I only heard one candidate even asked about them, Sharron Angle, whose response was, paraphrased, "They are what they are."
All the talk about deficits and spending and budgets and not one mention of the financial cost to this country of these illegal and failing wars. No candidate ran for or against them, or the spending, or responsibility. Not one. No one stood up and said, "Hey! You want to cut the deficit and reduce spending? How about ending two billion dollar-a-day failing wars (or three if you count Pakistan)?"
Not one Democrat, Republican, Independent or Tea Partier.
Until today, and only today, was there any mention and that was in conjunction with Veteran's day in which we honor and remember all who have served, continue to serve, and may want to serve. Even the gay and lesbian ones. (Note to politicians: today would have been a great day to repeal DADT). While it's nice to honor and be honored for serving one's country, I think it might have been more respectful to our Veterans if we actually offered some policy to go with the platitudes.
I've been aware of the world around me for about 50 years. and I cannot recall any election cycle that failed to include debate when we were engaged in a war. Vietnam was the headline in every newspaper and lead story on every newscast. Politicians ran campaigns with a position on it. America debated it. Some of us who objected it to still served because the country called and we answered. Still others took to the streets to protest it.
Iraq was a big story when the Republicans had control and started it. But they changed the debate in this country and disowned the war. And why not? Obama took ownership when he increased the troop levels and kept fighting. As Nixon inherited Vietnam, Obama inherited the Middle East. The wars overseas have been replaced by in-fighting here at home largely at the direction of the right-wing media machine.
And we just had an election which completely ignored their very existence. I find that reprehensible.
Hamster Prez
All the talk about deficits and spending and budgets and not one mention of the financial cost to this country of these illegal and failing wars. No candidate ran for or against them, or the spending, or responsibility. Not one. No one stood up and said, "Hey! You want to cut the deficit and reduce spending? How about ending two billion dollar-a-day failing wars (or three if you count Pakistan)?"
Not one Democrat, Republican, Independent or Tea Partier.
Until today, and only today, was there any mention and that was in conjunction with Veteran's day in which we honor and remember all who have served, continue to serve, and may want to serve. Even the gay and lesbian ones. (Note to politicians: today would have been a great day to repeal DADT). While it's nice to honor and be honored for serving one's country, I think it might have been more respectful to our Veterans if we actually offered some policy to go with the platitudes.
I've been aware of the world around me for about 50 years. and I cannot recall any election cycle that failed to include debate when we were engaged in a war. Vietnam was the headline in every newspaper and lead story on every newscast. Politicians ran campaigns with a position on it. America debated it. Some of us who objected it to still served because the country called and we answered. Still others took to the streets to protest it.
Iraq was a big story when the Republicans had control and started it. But they changed the debate in this country and disowned the war. And why not? Obama took ownership when he increased the troop levels and kept fighting. As Nixon inherited Vietnam, Obama inherited the Middle East. The wars overseas have been replaced by in-fighting here at home largely at the direction of the right-wing media machine.
And we just had an election which completely ignored their very existence. I find that reprehensible.
Hamster Prez
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Why Prop 19 Failed
There were two reasons why Prop 19 to legalize pot in California failed with the voters.
First, economics. The opposition changed the argument with the keystroke of one letter. They changed could to would. Theoretically, the Federal government could withhold funds from the state if the law passed since marijuana possession is still against Federal law. Somewhere along the line, the argument stated that the government would, and even if they didn't, did we really want to take that risk? Think of our schools, our kids, our parks and roads, yada yada yada. The same old tropes that get the majority on their side most of the time.
Second, the absence of how. There was no how in the bill. No structure on how to implement it, regulate it, tax it, distribute it, control it. No proposed use of the revenue taxation would create. No law enforcement guidelines, and no cooperation from bordering states. I used to drive from Illinois to Wisconsin to buy booze because it was close and the drinking age was lower. The states that share a border with us would be faced with line hoppers buying pot.
The next prop will be on the ballot in 2012. It will need to push the State's Rights argument to keep the Feds out of the picture, and control the message. It will also need to outline the how. People voted against it from fear of loss and lack of information. Fix that, and it will pass.
Hamster Prez
First, economics. The opposition changed the argument with the keystroke of one letter. They changed could to would. Theoretically, the Federal government could withhold funds from the state if the law passed since marijuana possession is still against Federal law. Somewhere along the line, the argument stated that the government would, and even if they didn't, did we really want to take that risk? Think of our schools, our kids, our parks and roads, yada yada yada. The same old tropes that get the majority on their side most of the time.
Second, the absence of how. There was no how in the bill. No structure on how to implement it, regulate it, tax it, distribute it, control it. No proposed use of the revenue taxation would create. No law enforcement guidelines, and no cooperation from bordering states. I used to drive from Illinois to Wisconsin to buy booze because it was close and the drinking age was lower. The states that share a border with us would be faced with line hoppers buying pot.
The next prop will be on the ballot in 2012. It will need to push the State's Rights argument to keep the Feds out of the picture, and control the message. It will also need to outline the how. People voted against it from fear of loss and lack of information. Fix that, and it will pass.
Hamster Prez
The Real Difference Between the Parties: Part 1
Most would automatically assume that the difference between the Republicans and Democrats is ideology. Once upon a time, it was. Yes, there are still ideological differences, but these have been substantially blurred of late. It's becoming more and more difficult to understand what either party stands for anymore. Yes, there remain some recognizable traits, but the whole picture seems out of focus...or has a lack of same.
But that's not tonight's topic. That will be in part 2 of this series.
Then it must be about Liberal versus Conservative. But no, it's not that either which will be covered in part 3.
It also isn't philosophical as in Capitalist or Socialist. That will be in part 4.
It's semantics. One party wants to Govern while the other wants to Rule. One party is about Policy, the other Politics. One believes that it works for the People, the other thinks the people should work for it. For free. And with no benefits. But I digress.
The Governing Party has a legislative agenda, a series of laws and programs that benefit the People that it serves. It is willing to debate these ideas, and respond more effectively to the will of the People by believing polls that ask the People lots of questions while they're trying to eat dinner. But, still, they work from the heart out of concern and compassion.
The Ruling Party has a schematic agenda, a series of technical steps to regain and retain Power. Even when they are not in Power in actual numbers, they control the flow of legislation by creating a system by which they can delay or destroy any legislation the Governing Party presents. They allow some of the Governing Party's legislation through the process, then demonize it to the People. The Ruling Party compromises as long as it is exactly what they want and if it isn't, everyone else is being uncooperative. They work from the brain and the wallet out of greed and avarice.
The Governing Party believes that the People will tell them what collectively it thinks is in their own best interest ,and therefore the interest of others. It was what French writer Alexis de Cocqueville called Enlightened Self-Interest, the idea that what is good for the individual is equally good for the group. It was very popular when you could still trade a chicken for what passed as health care. (Hi Sue Louden!)
The Ruling Party believes that the People will do as they're told. This is accomplished by inspiring mistrust among the People towards each other, a distraction tactic, which allows them the cover they need to destroy what's left of our democracy and position themselves to Rule forever.
The Governing Party is about Policy. The Ruling Party is about Politics. I think we know which one we should all want. I also think that we all know which one we're gonna get... we'll get the one we deserve, to be determined by our determination to get the one we want.
Hamster Prez
But that's not tonight's topic. That will be in part 2 of this series.
Then it must be about Liberal versus Conservative. But no, it's not that either which will be covered in part 3.
It also isn't philosophical as in Capitalist or Socialist. That will be in part 4.
It's semantics. One party wants to Govern while the other wants to Rule. One party is about Policy, the other Politics. One believes that it works for the People, the other thinks the people should work for it. For free. And with no benefits. But I digress.
The Governing Party has a legislative agenda, a series of laws and programs that benefit the People that it serves. It is willing to debate these ideas, and respond more effectively to the will of the People by believing polls that ask the People lots of questions while they're trying to eat dinner. But, still, they work from the heart out of concern and compassion.
The Ruling Party has a schematic agenda, a series of technical steps to regain and retain Power. Even when they are not in Power in actual numbers, they control the flow of legislation by creating a system by which they can delay or destroy any legislation the Governing Party presents. They allow some of the Governing Party's legislation through the process, then demonize it to the People. The Ruling Party compromises as long as it is exactly what they want and if it isn't, everyone else is being uncooperative. They work from the brain and the wallet out of greed and avarice.
The Governing Party believes that the People will tell them what collectively it thinks is in their own best interest ,and therefore the interest of others. It was what French writer Alexis de Cocqueville called Enlightened Self-Interest, the idea that what is good for the individual is equally good for the group. It was very popular when you could still trade a chicken for what passed as health care. (Hi Sue Louden!)
The Ruling Party believes that the People will do as they're told. This is accomplished by inspiring mistrust among the People towards each other, a distraction tactic, which allows them the cover they need to destroy what's left of our democracy and position themselves to Rule forever.
The Governing Party is about Policy. The Ruling Party is about Politics. I think we know which one we should all want. I also think that we all know which one we're gonna get... we'll get the one we deserve, to be determined by our determination to get the one we want.
Hamster Prez
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Why I Do This...And What's Next
I asked myself the question again tonight. The last time I asked it, I stopped writing for several months. Something drove me back to it. I could not ignore the noise and I couldn't understand the insanity. What I was hearing from all sides just didn't make sense. And it did that quite loudly. There were voices of reason out there, but they were a relative whisper.
I'm literally dizzy from all the spin. And there was a new pile hitting the fan every week, or so it seemed. I really couldn't keep up. Which was the other reason I stopped. The task was just too daunting. But, I have a new mission, just as daunting perhaps, but one that I am committed to.
In the coming days, more details will be coming your way here and via Facebook.
As to why I do this, what is the truth is a simple as it is corny. I care about where I live my life, which happens to be America. I'm grateful everyday that Random Chance put me here. There really isn't anywhere else I'd rather be.
But life in today's America is harder than I'd like it to be. Not only economically, but psychologically and physically. Yes, I'm fortunate to have a pretty good life. Scott and I live right at our economic ability, with no real means of improving it, like a lot of other people. We live in a decent place, have jobs, food to eat, and all of the necessities with none of the extras.
But there's constant stress which affects us physically. And all of that stress is creating anger and frustration, both products of fear. And, don't get me wrong, there's plenty to be afraid of. And that's what's got to get fixed. There's a lot of fear in the country, and it's fed from different sources. All of those sources prey on each of us.
And we're starting to turn on one another. When was the last time open armed rebellion and overthrow of the government a plank in a candidate's platform? When did it become okay for a candidate to be openly racist? Where did this us versus them mentality come from?
People, there's only us. There is no them.
Okay, one last election post, then I think I'm done with it. I said in my last post that I would tell you why the Republicans gains in the House are meaningless. It's simple...the House has no power. Everything has to go through the Senate, and it's not going to do anything for the next 2 years. In the last 20 months, the House has passed 240 pieces of legislation, and more than 200 of them were sitting in the Senate on election day.
That's why is doesn't matter.
And finally, election result update final:
Add another win and another loss to my totals. Bennett in CO declared the "apparent winner" and McAdams in AK concedes. Murkowski ends up winning in AK. Murray in WA will prevail, but it hasn't been called yet.
That's our show for tonight.
Hamster Prez
I'm literally dizzy from all the spin. And there was a new pile hitting the fan every week, or so it seemed. I really couldn't keep up. Which was the other reason I stopped. The task was just too daunting. But, I have a new mission, just as daunting perhaps, but one that I am committed to.
In the coming days, more details will be coming your way here and via Facebook.
As to why I do this, what is the truth is a simple as it is corny. I care about where I live my life, which happens to be America. I'm grateful everyday that Random Chance put me here. There really isn't anywhere else I'd rather be.
But life in today's America is harder than I'd like it to be. Not only economically, but psychologically and physically. Yes, I'm fortunate to have a pretty good life. Scott and I live right at our economic ability, with no real means of improving it, like a lot of other people. We live in a decent place, have jobs, food to eat, and all of the necessities with none of the extras.
But there's constant stress which affects us physically. And all of that stress is creating anger and frustration, both products of fear. And, don't get me wrong, there's plenty to be afraid of. And that's what's got to get fixed. There's a lot of fear in the country, and it's fed from different sources. All of those sources prey on each of us.
And we're starting to turn on one another. When was the last time open armed rebellion and overthrow of the government a plank in a candidate's platform? When did it become okay for a candidate to be openly racist? Where did this us versus them mentality come from?
People, there's only us. There is no them.
Okay, one last election post, then I think I'm done with it. I said in my last post that I would tell you why the Republicans gains in the House are meaningless. It's simple...the House has no power. Everything has to go through the Senate, and it's not going to do anything for the next 2 years. In the last 20 months, the House has passed 240 pieces of legislation, and more than 200 of them were sitting in the Senate on election day.
That's why is doesn't matter.
And finally, election result update final:
Add another win and another loss to my totals. Bennett in CO declared the "apparent winner" and McAdams in AK concedes. Murkowski ends up winning in AK. Murray in WA will prevail, but it hasn't been called yet.
That's our show for tonight.
Hamster Prez
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Guest comment from a follower with my response
Odd you say this. I noted that the RNC had more minorities running for office then the DNC. Hindu is governor of SC. Several hispanic and cubans in Florida and southwest. Not sure where you got this idea.
My opinion, for what it's worth, is what Pelosi said when the Healthcare Act was coming to a vote. "You can read it after we pass it". That got a lot of peoples attention and made them wonder what happened to the transparency that "change" was going to give us. That was just the start of many other under the table things that went on, Americans were questioning.
So don't blame a small group of paranoids on what happened. This was a lot of independent people like myself that questioned the intent of this Congress.
Did you know there is a 3.5% tax on the sale of a home, payable to the Feds in the Healthcare Act? Not too many do. This is just one of many things hidden in the 1000 page+ bill.
I disagree with this my friend. If it were true then the Libertarians should have gained from this. They are not too far off from the Tea Party.
23% of those voting were over 65. Over 70% were white. The Tea Party candidates won only about a third of the races they were in. And they probably caused the Republicans to not gain control of the Senate (Angle/O'Donnell/Buck in particular).
My larger point was that the energy and the noise over the past 20 months has come from the LAWP. Look at any of the footage from the rallies and all you see are the LAWP waving the Nazi signs, depictions of Obama as everthing from an African Tribesman to Hitler.
Let us not forget a few things that preceeded the election: anti-immigrant (specifically Mexican), Islamaphobia (Mosque at Ground Zero), and the "New Black Panthers" (the 2 guys in Pa.) and Shirley Sherrod were decidedly from the Right. Angle lost Nevada because of her blatantly racist advertising at the end.
The largest point of my post was that, had Hillary been elected, I don't think there would be a Tea Party (or 16 Tea Parties, to be more precise)...even if she had done the same things as Obama.I would also posit that had Hillary been POTUS yesterday, there would be larger Democratic majorities in Congress. I make that claim based on two factors: First, the messaging would have been clearer and less incindiary, and second, there would be be no LAWP/Tea Party.
Is the health care bill perfect? Are Progressives happy with it? No and no. However, it can be saved and refined. Much of what is wrong with it stems from the Dems getting what they could from the Reps instead of getting what they wanted.
What changed yesterday? Nothing. I will address that and more in tonight's blog. Hope you'll tune in.
Hamster Prez
My opinion, for what it's worth, is what Pelosi said when the Healthcare Act was coming to a vote. "You can read it after we pass it". That got a lot of peoples attention and made them wonder what happened to the transparency that "change" was going to give us. That was just the start of many other under the table things that went on, Americans were questioning.
So don't blame a small group of paranoids on what happened. This was a lot of independent people like myself that questioned the intent of this Congress.
Did you know there is a 3.5% tax on the sale of a home, payable to the Feds in the Healthcare Act? Not too many do. This is just one of many things hidden in the 1000 page+ bill.
I disagree with this my friend. If it were true then the Libertarians should have gained from this. They are not too far off from the Tea Party.
23% of those voting were over 65. Over 70% were white. The Tea Party candidates won only about a third of the races they were in. And they probably caused the Republicans to not gain control of the Senate (Angle/O'Donnell/Buck in particular).
My larger point was that the energy and the noise over the past 20 months has come from the LAWP. Look at any of the footage from the rallies and all you see are the LAWP waving the Nazi signs, depictions of Obama as everthing from an African Tribesman to Hitler.
Let us not forget a few things that preceeded the election: anti-immigrant (specifically Mexican), Islamaphobia (Mosque at Ground Zero), and the "New Black Panthers" (the 2 guys in Pa.) and Shirley Sherrod were decidedly from the Right. Angle lost Nevada because of her blatantly racist advertising at the end.
The largest point of my post was that, had Hillary been elected, I don't think there would be a Tea Party (or 16 Tea Parties, to be more precise)...even if she had done the same things as Obama.I would also posit that had Hillary been POTUS yesterday, there would be larger Democratic majorities in Congress. I make that claim based on two factors: First, the messaging would have been clearer and less incindiary, and second, there would be be no LAWP/Tea Party.
Is the health care bill perfect? Are Progressives happy with it? No and no. However, it can be saved and refined. Much of what is wrong with it stems from the Dems getting what they could from the Reps instead of getting what they wanted.
What changed yesterday? Nothing. I will address that and more in tonight's blog. Hope you'll tune in.
Hamster Prez
The last dying gasp from the next minority...11/2/10
That's what this election cycle was all about. America is changing and in a way that scares the crap out of some white people. The White Male Christian America is fast becoming a thing of the past. This group is scared and angry because they know there's nothing that can be done to stop it.
This election is first and foremost about fear. The left was disappointed and upset. The right was loony tunes pissed off. That's fear. Death Panels. Nazis. Socialism (long a part of our history, by the way) and government evil disguised as policies that would actually benefit us. Facts made no difference to these people. Whatever Fox told them, they believed. I've actually heard them admit it. They would not take reason over anger. That's fear.
And it is, despite what they might say, racial and ethnic. As ugly as that is, it is what I see. I challenge anyone to support the idea that we would be having this same debate if Hillary Clinton had been elected. The Chinese, Hispanics, Blacks and Arabs are tangible threats to this particular subset of white America. Women? Well, they rather like women. Don't understand them, but would have no fear of a petticoat revolution.
No one is winning. Nothing is being accomplished. And until we get used to the idea that all of the 300 million plus of us aren't leaving, and we ought to try to get some stuff done, then we all continue to lose. But it does have an end game. The population is becoming more racially an ethnically diverse every day.
The Loud Angry White Party has had it's last success. Washington is going to eat them alive.
Hamster Prez
This election is first and foremost about fear. The left was disappointed and upset. The right was loony tunes pissed off. That's fear. Death Panels. Nazis. Socialism (long a part of our history, by the way) and government evil disguised as policies that would actually benefit us. Facts made no difference to these people. Whatever Fox told them, they believed. I've actually heard them admit it. They would not take reason over anger. That's fear.
And it is, despite what they might say, racial and ethnic. As ugly as that is, it is what I see. I challenge anyone to support the idea that we would be having this same debate if Hillary Clinton had been elected. The Chinese, Hispanics, Blacks and Arabs are tangible threats to this particular subset of white America. Women? Well, they rather like women. Don't understand them, but would have no fear of a petticoat revolution.
No one is winning. Nothing is being accomplished. And until we get used to the idea that all of the 300 million plus of us aren't leaving, and we ought to try to get some stuff done, then we all continue to lose. But it does have an end game. The population is becoming more racially an ethnically diverse every day.
The Loud Angry White Party has had it's last success. Washington is going to eat them alive.
Hamster Prez
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Predictions Update 1
Wins:
Reid, Boxer, Brown, 19 (I know, I said Yes, but I also said that it would lose), all the CA props, Tancredo, Republican House, Democrat Senate, Paul, Rubio
Losses:
Kirk wins IL, Toomey wins PA, number of R wins
Unknown
CO, AK (we may not know this one for months!)
Last update and comment tomorrow. Thanks to all who exercised their right to have a voice in the process. I don't care how you voted, I'm just glad you did.
Hamster Prez
Reid, Boxer, Brown, 19 (I know, I said Yes, but I also said that it would lose), all the CA props, Tancredo, Republican House, Democrat Senate, Paul, Rubio
Losses:
Kirk wins IL, Toomey wins PA, number of R wins
Unknown
CO, AK (we may not know this one for months!)
Last update and comment tomorrow. Thanks to all who exercised their right to have a voice in the process. I don't care how you voted, I'm just glad you did.
Hamster Prez
Predictions 2:
As previously reported on this blog:
Buck and Tancredo lose CO
McAdams (who?), the cat at the dog fight in AK will win, having watched to 2 dogs kill each other
Kirk loses IL
Toomey loses PA
Murray wins WA
Reid wins NV
Brown & Boxer win CA (Newsom and Bowen, too)
Feingold (darnit) loses WI
Buck and Tancredo lose CO
McAdams (who?), the cat at the dog fight in AK will win, having watched to 2 dogs kill each other
Kirk loses IL
Toomey loses PA
Murray wins WA
Reid wins NV
Brown & Boxer win CA (Newsom and Bowen, too)
Feingold (darnit) loses WI
Election Night post 1: Predictions
Rand Paul, as expected, wins Ky. Marco Rubio will be the other T Party Senate winner. No other Senate T Party-ers will win. Republicrats will pick up no more than 36 House seats (need 39): 2 Senate.
If House goes R, Boehner new Speaker. If not, Pelosi keeps Speaker job.
Senate stays D. Reid wins, but gives up Majority Leader to Durbin.
Brown/Newsom win in Cali. Boxer, too. My prop predictions align with prop post last night.
If House goes R, Boehner new Speaker. If not, Pelosi keeps Speaker job.
Senate stays D. Reid wins, but gives up Majority Leader to Durbin.
Brown/Newsom win in Cali. Boxer, too. My prop predictions align with prop post last night.
Monday, November 1, 2010
California Proposition Guide
19: Legalizing Marijuana: YES
Not going to pass, but it will be close. Not perfect, but pretty good. Arguments against are pretty lame.
20: Redistricting: YES
Leave the panel in place and don't allow politicians to draw their own lines.
21: Parks Fee: NO
Cut the budget in other places and stop assessing taxes disguised as fees.
22: State Borrowing: YES
Keeps the money where it belongs, and prevents the State from raiding local coffers. It's time for the legislature to act responsibly and spend according to the revenues available.
23: Oil Baron Proposition: EMPHATIC NO
The oil companies want to prevent competition with new and renewable energy technology in the state that is their biggest customer. It will not cause job losses, it will create new jobs.
24: Tax Bill: Undecided, but probably no.
I know, you're counting on me to inform, but I really don't know about this. The arguments on both sides are well thought out and present valid points. Unlike politicians, I like to think beyond next week and the next election cycle. I think a better proposition is within this one: the Legislature cannot authorize any new taxes or tax breaks without a 2/3 majority and/or majority vote of the people. I like the idea of this one, but I think it's just not written right.
25: Budget vote changes: YES
This one kind of speaks for itself. Get the budget done, or don't get paid. Does not raise taxes or make it easier to do. It still requires the 2/3 majority for that. This one makes sense.
26: State and Local Fees: No
I'm basing this vote on 2 factors: Who's paying for it and the credibility of those against it. All of the funding comes from big oil and tobacco companies, and it is opposed by groups who have a great deal more credibility than they.
27: Redistricting (again): NO
One of these two was actually pulled, but I don't remember which one. They both will still appear on the ballot, I believe. This one wants to eliminate the commission on redistricting, whereas the other wants to keep it. That's why 20 is yes and 27 is no.
There you have it. Now, GO VOTE!
Hamster Prez
Not going to pass, but it will be close. Not perfect, but pretty good. Arguments against are pretty lame.
20: Redistricting: YES
Leave the panel in place and don't allow politicians to draw their own lines.
21: Parks Fee: NO
Cut the budget in other places and stop assessing taxes disguised as fees.
22: State Borrowing: YES
Keeps the money where it belongs, and prevents the State from raiding local coffers. It's time for the legislature to act responsibly and spend according to the revenues available.
23: Oil Baron Proposition: EMPHATIC NO
The oil companies want to prevent competition with new and renewable energy technology in the state that is their biggest customer. It will not cause job losses, it will create new jobs.
24: Tax Bill: Undecided, but probably no.
I know, you're counting on me to inform, but I really don't know about this. The arguments on both sides are well thought out and present valid points. Unlike politicians, I like to think beyond next week and the next election cycle. I think a better proposition is within this one: the Legislature cannot authorize any new taxes or tax breaks without a 2/3 majority and/or majority vote of the people. I like the idea of this one, but I think it's just not written right.
25: Budget vote changes: YES
This one kind of speaks for itself. Get the budget done, or don't get paid. Does not raise taxes or make it easier to do. It still requires the 2/3 majority for that. This one makes sense.
26: State and Local Fees: No
I'm basing this vote on 2 factors: Who's paying for it and the credibility of those against it. All of the funding comes from big oil and tobacco companies, and it is opposed by groups who have a great deal more credibility than they.
27: Redistricting (again): NO
One of these two was actually pulled, but I don't remember which one. They both will still appear on the ballot, I believe. This one wants to eliminate the commission on redistricting, whereas the other wants to keep it. That's why 20 is yes and 27 is no.
There you have it. Now, GO VOTE!
Hamster Prez
Stupid Polls: Part 2
Front Page Headline in USA Today, today, says:
POLL: GOP AS LEAD IN FINAL RUN-UP
Margin not seen since Watergate era
by Susan Page
By 55%-40%, those surveyed say they plan to vote for the Republican candidate, the widest margin since Democrats' advantage in the 1974 elections held in the wake of Watergate.
The survey of 1,539 likely voters, taken Thursday through Sunday...
One thousand five hundred and thirty-nine "likely" voters? Out of over 200 MILLION registered voters is supposed to make us belive that it's anywhere near accurate? That's less than .0001 of potential voters, and that's supposed to make us think that the Republicrats are going to sweep Congress?
It's insane. Vote tomorrow, vote against the Tea Party candidates. DO NOT LEAVE THIS TO CHANCE!
For once, your vote DOES matter.
Hamster Prez
POLL: GOP AS LEAD IN FINAL RUN-UP
Margin not seen since Watergate era
by Susan Page
By 55%-40%, those surveyed say they plan to vote for the Republican candidate, the widest margin since Democrats' advantage in the 1974 elections held in the wake of Watergate.
The survey of 1,539 likely voters, taken Thursday through Sunday...
One thousand five hundred and thirty-nine "likely" voters? Out of over 200 MILLION registered voters is supposed to make us belive that it's anywhere near accurate? That's less than .0001 of potential voters, and that's supposed to make us think that the Republicrats are going to sweep Congress?
It's insane. Vote tomorrow, vote against the Tea Party candidates. DO NOT LEAVE THIS TO CHANCE!
For once, your vote DOES matter.
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Coming Tomorrow...
The Hamster Official California Voter's Guide. All the stupid Propositions. And a couple of good ones, too! I think you're already pretty certain about the candidates, so I'm just going to focus on the props. Monday night, just in time for the elections on Tuesday. Don't go to the polls without it!
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