I'm taking a page from Ashley's book here and posting my choices. A lot of people treat voting like some sort of secret code. In the spirit of transparency and full disclosure, I'm just going to post how I'm voting tomorrow. (This also has the added benefit of helping write it all out ahead of time so I don't actually just decide in the booth.)
To be clear, I am not telling you who to vote for. I take my right to vote very seriously. I served in the United States Navy to deserve this privilege. I was not born in the United States, but I feel that my armed service entitles me this honor. I do not take it lightly.
*Also, I'm voting in Santa Monica, so your ballot may differ from mine.
President and Vice President: ☑ Barack Obama and Joe Biden
This one is the easiest to decide in a decade. If I didn't want Obama/Biden to win by an absolute landslide and just cement the win, I'd consider writing in Ron Paul*, but that's wasting it even more than a vote for Nader. I'm not in the mood to spite myself or my country so it's a big Obama/Biden.
*I've been a long-time registered Democrat, but this year I actually registered as a Republican to be able to vote for Ron Paul in the Republican primaries, but recently re-registered as a Democrat.
United States Representative 30th District: ☑ Henry A. Waxman
The 30th District has only one choice on the ballot, but I'd like to think that because he's a Democrat, I'd have voted for him anyway.
State Senator 23rd District: ☑ Fran Pavley
The little blurb says she's an educator/environmental consultant. That's really all I know, and that she's a Democrat. That tends to be the deciding factor, all else being equal.
Member of the State Assembly 41st District: ☑ Julia Brownley
Already a member, she appears to be the incumbent nominee. Also Democrat.
Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 72: ☑ Hilleri Grossman Merritt
Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 82: ☑ Cynthia Loo
Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 84: ☑ Lori-Ann C. Jones
Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 94: ☑ C. Edward Mack
Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 154: ☑ Rocky L. Crabb
I went with the Official Los Angeles Democratic Party endorsements on these, as I rarely (if ever) know anything about judges before I see their name on the ballet.
Next up are the State Measures...
PROP 1A - Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act: ☑ YES
I'm only voting "YES" because they don't seem to have a "FUCK YES" option. I am so fucking sick of traffic I could scream and would love to be able to jet up to San Francisco.
PROP 2 - Standards for Confining Farm Animals: ☑ YES
Ugh. This is tough. Should we pen up the animals we eat? Probably not. But it is better than nothing since I'm not likely to stop eating meat any time soon. Also, this has the added bonus of a potential decrease in state and local tax revenue, and any cost would be mostly offset by the increased fines to farms.
PROP 3 - Children's Hospital Bond Act Grant Program: ☑ YES
What kind of a bastard votes against a hospital for sick kids? I may be a bastard, but even I have standards.
PROP 4 - Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy: ☑ NO
You can't legislate your way out of talking to your kids. Another law won't make them be responsible. I mean, they're already pregnant... At this point, you might as well make a little effort.
PROP 5 - Nonviolent Drug Offenses. Sentencing, Parole, and Rehabilitation: ☑ YES
Nonviolent offenders shouldn't be lumped in with violent offenders. That is common sense.
PROP 6 - Police and Law Enforcement Funding. Criminal Penalties and Laws: ☑ NO
I'm all for giving the police and law enforcement the proper tools for doing their jobs, but increasing their budget by $400+ million dollars? Um... No.
Also, the proposed law changes are too much of a mixed bag -- some I'd approve, but others not so much. I have to turn them all down if they're going to put them all together. I firmly believe that every new law creates a new criminal class overnight.
PROP 7 - Renewable Energy Generation: ☑ NO
I looked this one up, since (on the surface) it sounds pretty good. I'm all for increasing renewable energy sources and getting away from fossil fuels, but this appears to be an expensive, heavy-handed attempt.
PROP 8 - Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couple to Marry: ☑ NO*
*Again, the ballot does not have a "FUCK NO" option. Which seems a shame, really.
Okay, with the exception of the Presidential candidates, this is the single biggest decision on the ballot.
Even IF you were against same-sex marriage in theory, like, if you're a guy and don't want to marry another guy, what gives you the right to mandate a law that says someone else can't?
Even IF you were that judgmental, it certainly has no place in California Constitutional law. We are supposed to be a secular country -- y'know? Remember that, "separation of church and state"? It's what makes America so fucking cool. So, a NO vote on 8 says you agree with the Founding Fathers.
PROP 9 - Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole: ☑ NO
An increase on spending to jail even more criminals? The concept of more victims' rights is solid, but the potential cost far outweighs the benefits.
PROP 10 - Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy: ☑ ...
The Democratic National Party is officially neutral on this one. It's kind of a judgment call. The idea of increased alternative fuel and renewable energy vehicles on the road sounds good, but this seems to be a sweetheart deal that benefits ONE INDIVIDUAL in particular, a Mr. T. Boone (of Texas, naturally). I think I'm gonna go with NO on this one.
PROP 11 - Redistricting: ☑ NO
We have a bunch of other stuff to be worrying about (like education and energy and public safety) and leave rearranging the lines on a map for another election. Like, when the economy doesn't suck so badly.
PROP 12 - Veterans' Bond Act of 2008: ☑ YES
Being a vet myself, I'd like a shot at that $900 million dollars if I ever decide to buy a home (or a farm, who knows...).
Okay, moving on to the County Measures (L.A. County)... (Cliffs' Notes Version: YES on all the LETTERS)
R - Traffic Relief. Rail Extensions. Reduce Foreign Oil Dependence: ☑ YES
YES, for fuck's sake, YES please! Less traffic! Read it again! LESS fucking TRAFFIC! YES.
That's it for County. Moving on to the City Measures (Santa Monica).
Santa Monica City General Municipal City Council:
Pick no more than FOUR from the long list (again these are the official Democratic Party endorsements)
☑ Richard Bloom (incumbent)
☑ Ken Genser (incumbent)
☑ Bobby Shriver (incumbent)
☑ Ted Winterer
Santa Monica City General Municipal Rent Control Board:
Pick no more than TWO from the list (I have no information on these)
☒ Robert Kronovet (probable)
☒ Joel C. Koury (probable)
☒ Christopher Braun (no offense, Dr. Braun)
Okay, these are part of a Santa Monica City Special Municipal Election.
MEASURE T - Commercial Development Limits: ☑ YES
A limit on the amount of bulldozing and general development (would not include hospitals and schools).
MEASURE SM - Telecommunications Tax: ☑ YES
This tax funds stuff like police, fire, paramedic and emergency services. They could use a few extra bucks if it means they get to me faster if I'm trapped under a burning building.
Almost done. This next item is for the Santa Monica Community College District.
Santa Monica Community College Board of Trustees:
Pick no more than THREE from the list (again these are the official Democratic Party endorsements)
☑ Robert Greenstein Rader
☑ Susan Aminoff
☑ Margaret Quinones-Perez
Santa Monica College Career and Educational Improvements: ☑ YES
I'm all for increasing spending on education. Period. My mom's a teacher, that's just how I roll.
Okay, this is the last one, for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Santa Monica Unified School District Board of Education:
Pick no more than THREE from the list (again these are the official Democratic Party endorsements)
☑ Maria Leon-Vazquez
☑ Ben Allen
☑ Jose Escarce
...
Well, that's about it. At least, that's what's in my Official Sample Ballot.
See you tomorrow at the polls! Oh, and don't forget to get free coffee (Starbucks) and ice cream (Ben & Jerry's), too!
And that's the Gospel... according to St. Bastard
