Jerry Brown is taking his show on the road this weekend. You can find the full schedule here and below the flip.
GOTV WEEKEND! This election is just too important to do anything but win, up and down the ticket. Find you nearest Vote2010 HQ, make some calls, walk some precincts. You can sleep on November 3.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Oakland
7:30 AM Get Out the Vote Rally Jerry Brown for Governor 2010 Headquarters 291 3rd St, Oakland
At today’s Women’s Conference, Matt Lauer asked both candidates to take down their negative ads. Eventually, Jerry Brown agreed that he would be fine with both candidates just talking to camera in nice positive spot. Meg Whitman seemed to hedge away…
Meg Whitman truly believes that California is for sale. She has spent a record-breaking $140 million of her own money in an attempt to buy the state. But California isn’t just some eBay item Whitman can bid on.
Whitman has run 80,000 TV ads to promote her conservative version of a future for California. That one video above is fighting against the, at least, $60 million Whitman has spent buying up airtime and producing commercials for herself.
What else has Whitman spent her money on in this race? Here are some recent calculations. On staff and spouse travel, lodging and meals: $2,643,529. Fundraising events: $1,028,538. On campaign consultants: $11,085,653. On print ads: $4,247,724. On polling and survey research: $1,254,627.
In all of this tossing of money around like life is a game of Monopoly, Whitman’s true goal is an attempt to buy democracy. She’s acting on a belief that if she throws enough of her own wealth out to woe voters, she can buy their votes. As if California is up for auction and the deciding factor of who wins is who bids enough.
California is not for sale. Please share this blog and the above video with other Californians who cannot be bought.
Here I will cover the eight constitutional offices, three State Supreme Court justice confirmations, and nine ballot measures. In the second diary, I will cover the U.S. Senate race and the House races, and in the third the state legislature. I will also combine my regular registration updates within the diaries.
Speaking of registration updates, as you will see in the layout of the statewide registration numbers, Democrats are more pumped up here, adding almost half a million voters to their rolls since 2008. The Republicans in comparison added just 13,000 in the same amount of time. So if you are looking for a lethargic Democratic base, look elsewhere because you won’t find it here!
Key: I will list the incumbent first, in boldface (in the case of open seats, the incumbent party first without boldface), and all minor parties after the two major parties.
D: Democratic
R: Republican
L: Libertarian
G: Green
AI: American Independent
PF: Peace and Freedom
NP: Nonpartisan
SW: Socialist Workers
Race Ratings
Toss-up: Margin by less than 5%
Lean: Margin by 5-10%
Likely: Margin by 10-15%
Strong: Margin by 15-20%
Solid: Margin by more than 20%
Governor: Ex-eBay CEO Meg Whitman (R) vs. Attorney General Jerry Brown (D), Laura Wells (G), Dale Ogden (L), Chelene Nightingale (AI), Carlos Alvarez (PF), and Lea Sherman (SW-W/I)
Profile: I see no way Whitman can win. Running as an outsider when the current governor, who also ran as an outsider, is leaving office with 20% approval ratings, is a surefire losing strategy. And pissing voters off by running ads nonstop and spending nine-figure sums of money while they’re forced to cut back is not going to help at all. Brown is leading by example, running on a shoestring budget and calling for everyone to sacrifice, meaning no sacred cows. Polls may not yet show it, but in my opinion I think Whitman is finished. In fact, I’ll be very surprised if she even manages to make it a low-teen loss.
Outlook: Likely to Strong Brown (D pickup)
Lieutenant Governor: Interim Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado (R) vs. S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom (D), Jimi Castillo (G), Pamela Brown (L), Jim King (AI), and C.T. Weber (PF)
Profile: Here we have quasi-incumbent Abel Maldonado, appointed after John Garamendi went to Congress, running to be elected in his own right against Newsom. While Maldonado is moderate for a Republican (though that is not saying much), being closely associated with Arnold is going to be a huge liability, which I do not think he will overcome.
Outlook: Lean Newsom (D pickup)
Attorney General: S.F. DA Kamala Harris (D) vs. L.A. DA Steve Cooley (R), Peter Allen (G), Timothy Hannan (L), Dianne Beall Templin (AI), and Robert J. Evans (PF)
Profile: This is the only statewide race in California I am worried about, and where my theory (that California has just become too Democratic for even a moderate Republican to win barring unusual circumstances) will be put to the test. Cooley is not that bad for a Republican, having had the audacity to stand against popular opinion of issues such as three strikes and Jessica’s Law, though he is also against dispensaries for medical marijuana. Harris is a rising star in Democratic circles, and is a more formidable opponent than any of Cooley’s challengers in the past. The wild card is the big enchilada of L.A. County, where Harris’ name ID is low and she’d need to win by 18-20% to win statewide. I am of course pulling for Harris because I want our bench to stay nice and full for the inevitable retirements of DiFi probably in 2012, Boxer probably in 2016, and for the open governorship in 2014 or 2018; and also because she has courageously stood up to Prop 8, while Cooley pledges to defend it in court.
Outlook: Toss-Up
Secretary of State: SoS Debra Bowen (D) vs. businessman Damon Dunn (R), Ann Menasche (G), Christina Tobin (L), Merton D. Short (AI), and Marylou Cabral (PF)
Profile: Bowen is a lock for reelection.
Outlook: Solid Bowen
Treasurer: Treasurer Bill Lockyer (D) vs. State Senator Mimi Walters (R), Kit Crittenden (G), Edward Teyssier (L), Robert Lauten (AI), and Debra Reiger (PF)
Profile: Lockyer is a lock for reelection.
Outlook: Solid Lockyer
Controller: Controller John Chiang (D) vs. State Senator Tony Strickland (R), Ross Frankel (G), Andy Favor (L), Lawrence Beliz (AI), and Karen Martinez (PF)
Profile: A rematch from 2006, only with Democrats more pumped up, Chiang will win by a wider margin this time around.
Outlook: Strong to Solid Chiang
Insurance Commissioner: State Assemblyman Mike Villines (R) vs. State Assemblyman Dave Jones (D), William Balderston (G), Richard Bronstein (L), Clay Pedersen (AI), and Dina Padilla (PF)
Profile: In California, when a non-damaged Democrat is up against a generic Republican, the Democrat wins. Take it to the bank.
Outlook: Likely to Strong Jones (D pickup)
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Retired Superintendent Larry Aceves (NP) vs. State Assemblyman Tom Torlakson (NP)
Profile: Torlakson voted against Race to the Top and believes parents, teachers, students, and communities alike all need to come together to improve our schools, while Aceves believes that the problem with public schools is the teachers and hedge funds and billionaires should have more control over K-12 education. This will be a close one.
Outlook: Toss-Up
State Supreme Court confirmation – Tani Cantil-Sakauye: Voters are being asked whether to confirm Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Arnold’s pick to replace Chief Justice Ron George. She is seen as uncontroversial, but likely to share Arnold’s views on corporate power.
Outlook: Lean Confirm
State Supreme Court retention – Ming Chin: Chin was in the minority that voted to uphold the state’s ban on marriage equality in 2008, and is one of the most right-wing justices on the state Supreme Court. I want to see him go, but it doesn’t look likely.
Outlook: Likely Retention
State Supreme Court retention – Carlos Moreno: Moreno was the only justice who courageously voted to overturn Prop 8 at the State Supreme Court last year, and has been a reliable vote for equality and so should be voted to be retained.
Prop. 19 (Marijuana): If passed, this proposition would legalize the possession and growing of marijuana for personal use of adults 21 years and older, and allow state and local governments to regulate and tax related commercial activities. This proposition winning may make Washington reexamine its own policy towards marijuana, since what happens in California often makes it way to the other side of the country. Polls have shown Yes leading by single digits, so I’ll call 19 a passing proposition.
My recommendation: YES!
10/21/2010 Outlook: Lean Pass
Prop. 20 (Redistricting Congressional Districts): This proposition would amend the state Constitution be amended to have the Citizens Redistricting Commission (prop 11 from 2008) redistrict for the U.S. House of Representatives seats. This initiative calls for each district being composed of people of the same income level and people with the same work opportunities, which to me feels like a backdoor to the old bygone Jim Crow ways. And passing this prop while giving free passes to Republican-controlled legislatures in Texas and Florida to gerrymander the hell out of those states is likely to put California at a disadvantage when competing for federal dollars. In addition, there is no way this commission can be held accountable.
My recommendation: NO!
10/21/2010 Outlook: Toss-up/Lean Fail
Prop. 21 (Vehicle License Surcharge): Establishes an $18 annual vehicle license surcharge to provide funds for maintaining the state parks and wildlife programs, and grants surcharged vehicles free admission to the state parks. Our cash-starved state parks could use the extra funds. In addition, the governor can’t take funds from this coffer when other coffers are low. The tough economy may dampen the chances of this prop passing, though.
My recommendation: YES!
10/21/2010 Outlook: Toss-Up
Prop. 22 (Local Government Funds): Prohibits the state from taking funds used for local government services. It is well-intentioned but flawed. The cities and counties would get an immediate payment of over $1 billion, forcing further cuts to vital public services.
My recommendation: NO!
10/21/2010 Outlook: Toss-Up/Lean Fail
Prop. 23 (Suspension of AB 32): Backed by Texas oil interests, this prop would suspend AB 32 until unemployment dropped to an unrealistic 5.5% for a whole year and hurt the state’s fledgling green jobs industry, doing the exact opposite of what its backers claim: it would actually kill more jobs than create more jobs. (Here in “business-friendly” Texas, the economic situation is also pretty bad, with unemployment here at its highest level since the late ’80s [and me being unable to find a job to save my life] and an $18 billion deficit for the 2011 budget session, which will make 2003 look like the good old days.) Polls have shown a low double-digit lead for the No side.
My recommendation: NO! NO! NO!
10/21/2010 Outlook: Likely Fail
Prop. 24 (Corporate Loopholes): A long-overdue measure that would close corporate tax loopholes, reducing the budget deficit by $2 billion.
My recommendation: YES!
10/21/2010 Outlook: Toss-Up
Prop. 25 (Majority Vote on Budget): Another very long-overdue measure that eliminates the ridiculous 2/3rds rule to pass a budget in the state legislature. This prop is passing by double-digits in the polls.
My recommendation: YES! YES! YES!
10/21/2010 Outlook: Likely Pass
Prop. 26 (Two-Thirds Vote on Fees): Would require two-thirds vote approval for the imposition of certain state and local fees, including those on businesses that adversely impact the local community and environment. The last thing we need is higher vote thresholds.
My recommendation: NO! NO! NO!
10/21/2010 Outlook: Toss-Up
Prop. 27 (Redistricting Commission): This proposition eliminates the Citizens Redistricting Commission from Prop 11, which barely passed, suggesting some voters have some doubts about its effectiveness. This commission also gives Republicans much more power than their current share of the population.
Back in August, Tom McClintock made some not too excited remarks about Meg Whitman. Seems the election approaching hasn’t really changed his mind on that front: Meg Whitman is just not loyal enough to ummm…McClintockianism…
McClintock – a tea party favorite with a strong libertarian streak – had particularly hash words for his party’s nominee for governor, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. Asked about Whitman following his remarks, McClintock suggested she is not loyal to the “principles of the American Founders,” and said he agrees with her Democratic opponent Jerry Brown as much as he agrees with Whitman:
My loyalty is to the principles of the American Founders. My loyalty to the Republican party and to its candidates extends only so far as they are loyal to those principles. And I don’t see that in the current ticket. Two of the people on the Republican ticket were singularly responsible for biggest tax increase by any state in American history. These are Whitman’s handpicked running mates. […]
I look at all of these things and I realize I agree with her maybe 20 percent of the time. I agree with Jerry Brown about 20 percent of the time. I agree with the libertarians about 80 percent of the time. So I’m not making an endorsement, particularly for that!(Think Progress)
Must be hard to live up to the pure principles that exist only in the mind of Tom McClintock, but on the other hand, I’m sure it is an awesome place.
Whitman’s continued attacks on the IHSS homecare program are turning even staunch Republicans against her.
Here’s another post on the Whitman web site from Cheryl Rose, a homecare provider and lifelong Republican.
This will the first time in my entire life that I will have EVER voted for a Dem candidate. I never thought I would see that day but it has come to that. I have always voted Repbulican in every election and I have voted consistently my whole adult life.
Wow-It boggles my mind to think I would even consider voting for Jerry Brown but I will. Meg Whitman doesn’t get it. The IHSS program which she wants to so drastically cut is a money-saver for Calif. My disabled daughter has Austism and her case worker told us that out of home placement for her would be almost $6,000.00 a month as she has to be supervised 24/7.
I do the same job but at about one third of the that cost. So how does reducing the IHSS program which saves taxpayer money? If Meg and her adminstration remove a lot of these clients out of In-Home Care they will have no choice but to go into nursing homes.
What will this cost? I am very tiring of hearing Meg say that there is so much fraud in this program. How about some hard cold facts to back that up? Talk is cheap. Every day I have to feed my daughter and help with toileting and think about what Meg says about us “criminals”. It is despicable.
At least Jerry Brown can do the simply math and he knows that this is one program to saves money.
Prop. 25-END 2/3 REQUIREMENT FOR BUDGET: YES! YES! YES!
Prop. 26-Polluter Protection: NO!
Prop. 27-Dissolve Redistricting commission: YES
Alameda County:
Measure F-YES
School:
Measure L- YES (soft)
City of Oakland Measures
Measure V- YES
Measure W- YES
Measure X- NO
Measure BB-YES
I spent a lot on time on this, and if you want to see the reasons behind my choices, check out the extended text.
Conan Neutron voting guide: 2010
Oakland Mayor: Rebecca Kaplan
The easiest choice i’ve ever had since moving to Oakland in 1995. Instead of voting for a lesser of two evils, i’m voting for one of the most inspiring candidate i’ve ever had the pleasure to see, talk to, work with and vote for. All I knew going into this election cycle was that I wanted ANYBODY BUT DON PERATA. I also knew that Jean Quan is entitled, petulant, and obnoxious. I never knew how entitled, petulant and obnoxious until I had to sit through so long of hearing her talk. Sheesh. But dude, seriously Rebecca Kaplan is fantastic, she’s right about almost everything, but pragmatic too. A pragmatic progressive?!? Wha? wha? wha?
I’m talking about things like proper digitizing of public records to speed city hall efficiency, putting permit applications online. Ridiculously no brainer stuff that takes a pretty big brain to make part of your campaign. Also stuff like reforming Oakland’s preposterously outdated and draconian cabaret licensing so we can have new venues, bar and places to eat. I’m sick to death of people paying lip service to Oakland’s potential, I want somebody to deliver results… and after Ron Dellum’s shameful reign I think we’re due. I am straight up telling you, if you are not paying attention to Rebecca Kaplan, you need to, she is everything this city needs. And if you don’t live in Oakland but know somebody that does, tell somebody.
Here’s a video of her top 3 priorities at a debate I took:
Anyway:
We have ranked choice for the first time EVER in this election. You should take advantage of this. But if your first choice isn’t Rebecca Kaplan, who is far and away the best candidate, then I’m as surprised as I am disappointed. It doesn’t have anything to do with the landmark of her being the first openly gay mayor in a bay area city, it’s because she’s the best damn person for the job. ’nuff said.
So since it’s ranked choice:
2nd Choice: Don Macleay
3rd Choice: Larry Lionel “LL” Young, a young dude to watch for, for sure
But really, it should be Kaplan 3 times.
Here is the important part:
NOT Don Perata or Jean Quan.
I cannot stress this enough, I dislike them both for very different reasons, but with a field so wide picking either of these clowns would be a major mistake. They are truly terrible, both… and I will go into detail if I must, but don’t vote for them because you “recognize the name”, they both are fatally flawed, and we have an excellent candidate in Rebecca Kaplan. I haven’t been this “all about” a candidate in a long, long time. She’s great. If you live in Oaktown and are not stoked about voting, I urge you to learn more about Kaplan and GET STOKED.
Governor: Jerry Brown
Let’s be clear, if you vote for Meg Whitman, I don’t want to know you. Sorry. I know I say a lot of mean things all the time, but it’s kind of true. I was hard on Jerry Brown when he was my mayor, really hard. I still disagree with some of the choices he made, but he’s been an alright Attorney General, and he’s the kind of guy that’s the good kind of career politician. He knows how to get stuff done. Also I get sick of Richie Rich types trying to buy California elections, that counts for Meg Whitman too. Jerry Brown is not a perfect dude, but Meg Whitman is a nightmare without a dream.
Jerry Brown all the way, no waffles.
Lt. Governor: Gavin Newsom
This is a soft endorsement.
Let me explain. I was very critical of Gavin Newsom when he chose to run for mayor, I think he did a fine enough job as mayor, but understand people in SF that are irked at him. He’s also a hell of a politician, and he’s shown, to a certain degree a willingness to learn and change. I actually think he could learn a lot from Jerry, so I endorse him softly… and mostly because of trepidation about his. For people, especially out of state people that think he’s some kind of progressive icon. Dude isn’t. Straight up. But here’s the thing: I don’t buy into the St. Maldonado thing at all. That guy skeeves me out. By the way, the Green Party candidate, James “Jimi” Castillo has his vocation as “Cultural Spiritual Advisor” that is damn hilarious. It doesn’t have anything to do with anything, but geez dude… typecast much? Whatever, i’ll vote for Newsom.
Secretary of State: Debra Bowen
Most people don’t pay attention to Secretary of State, I do. Debra Bowen might be the finest secretary of state in my lifetime. I talk mad trash about pubic servants just switching up jobs. Debra Bowen is the only one I look forward to moving to a position where she can really do some good. She’s smart, savvy and a great worker. You’d be a fool to pick anybody else. Easiest choice if you aren’t voting for Oakland mayor.
Controller: John Chiang
State controller protects the integrity of public funds. With a hell of a lot of public funds locked away, and with a constant budget crisis, this position went from… wha?? to VERY important. He was a voice reason on selling state buildings at fire sale prices (you sell HIGH, not low). When Schwarzenegger issued an edict to cut all state workers to minimum wage, he refused. That was the right move, it was a total ridiculous move when there was no budget. Strickland is not all bad, he sued the Davis administration to disclose details of the energy deals. Guess what? Public access to those records… aaaaand all that money went to Enron. He gets a thumbs up from me for that. But guess what? He supported a constitutional amendment to nullify national health care legislation. No excuse for that. Chiang wins.
Treasurer: Bill Lockyer
Oh Bill Lockyer, you’re still in public office eh?
If there’s a poster dude for the whole switching around offices thing, this guy is it. Straight up…termed out as State Senator, then Attorney General, then Treasurer. But! He’s showed some creativity keeping California safe from wall street and… well California. He’s a big advocate of California bonds, and weighed in with the cat herding in the legislature when there was no reason to. Oh Bill, I give you the Spock eyebrow every election, but this one you are getting re-election from me. I don’t have time to quibble about you, i’ve got an alphabet soup of state propositions to parse.
Attorney General: Kamala Harris
Kamala is against the death penalty and so am I.
Do you need more?
If the marijuana proposition passes Cooley might try to overturn it.
Maaaan, what staaaaate do yoooooou thiiiiink you liiiiiive iiiiiiiin?!?!?
F that guy. Kamala isn’t perfect, but I think she’ll be a great AG
Insurance Commissioner: Dave Jones
This is right about where normal folks eyeballs start to roll back in their head… Lord, Insurance Commisioner?? What does that even DOOO?!?
Well guess what? The Insurance commissioner regulates the premiums that consumers pay for all insurance for home and vehicles and indirectly for businesses. The next insurance commissioner will also play an important role in implementing the comprehensive healthcare reform law. At the same time, the commissioner will have to guard against insurers acting up and reducing their offerings as new regulations come into effect. Villines was an aide on environmental issues with Pete Wilson. Yes, that Pete Wilson. Dave Jones is big into consumer protection. We could use that.
US Senator: Barbara Boxer
Barbara Boxer is one of the best Senators this state has ever had. Of our two Senators she is the one I get excited about voting for. She voted against the Iraq war, against FISA, and has been for some incredibly meaningful legislation. People count her out on every election. They always count her out and she always surprises everybody. Carly Fiorina is a passionate advocate against health care reform and an outsourcer (HP). Barbara Boxer is great, she’s a better Senator then you probably give her credit for. Vote against her at your own peril. In the top 4 easiest choice on the ballot for me.
US Representative: Barbara Lee
c’mon man, if you have to ask?? Barbara Lee speaks for me.
Against the Iraq war, the Afghanistan war and whatever war these fools want to involve us in next. She was against Stupak, all of Bush’s foolishness and quietly does her job in a fantastic way. She’s an inspiration, I wish we were related. I feel happy to have her as my congressperson.
State Assembly, 16th district: Sandre Swanson
Other than endorsing Clinton in the 2008 Presidential election, i’ve never found anything to make me too bummed out about the guy. I kind of wish he “went for it” a little more. Jim Faison is into offshore drilling and is super xenophobic about immigrants. No contest.
Sandre, you will win. Now do something important.
For serious. Do something important.
State Measures:
Prop. 19-Legalize, Tax and Regulate Marijuana: YES!!!
Let’s be clear the level to which this affects me on a daily basis is nil. Schools and workplaces are still drug free, we get a revenue stream. This is a culture changer. The time has come, prohibition does NOT work. Local government can choose to tax this or not. If alcohol is legal and taxed, marijuana should be too. It’s about time.
Prop. 20-Congressional Redistricting: NO
But, but, but, our congressional districts are gerrymandered and… and… yes. This is true, and the incumbent protection racket gets a lot of people switching jobs constantly. I really dislike that. This sucks, right wing forces try to sneak one of these on to every ballot. Just because of that you should vote it down. It’s designed to reduce the amount of democrats and progressives in power. Now if I could PICK the democrats, we’d have a deal. A decent idea that has yet to be presented by a non-wealthy right wing activist.
Prop. 21-State Parks: YES
Vehicle registration fees are already kind of expensive, but if you can’t spare $18 to maintain clean beaches and awesome state parks, well… come on now… what kind of cheap skate are you?
Prop. 22-Local government funds: NO
Well intentioned, but no. The idea is to help local government out with immediate payments, but guess what gets to take the hit? Public education and other public services. Good idea, especially living in a city that is in a massive, massive budget shortfall, but yeah… not down with it.
First do no harm.
Prop. 23-Suspend Air Pollution law: NO! NO! NO!
Fueled by texas oil companies.
Do you need more?
ok, it basically repeals California’s global warming law and guts all of the progress we’ve made in gee and clean energy. F this proposition in the face!!!
Republicans leveraged the 2/3 rule in 2008 and 2009 to force the creation of a tax loophole that adds $2 Billion a year to the states’s deficit. Yes, I said… TWO BILLION A YEAR. I pay until it hurts like every other tax paying citizen. The fact that these corporations don’t have to makes me want to reach for the pitchfork and the torch. Vote yes on this one please.
Prop. 25-END 2/3 REQUIREMENT FOR BUDGET: YES! YES! YES! A thousand times yes
Let me put it this way, if you vote no on this, you have no right to EVER, EVER bitch or complain about the state budget or deficits again. The fact is the need for a 2/3 majority was a “from hate’s heart I stab at thee” stratagem that has effectively crippled the state legislature. This. Must. End. A 2/3 majority is almost impossible the way this state is setup… I get a little embarrassed every year a budget is not passed. You should be too. This fixes that.
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WOW, THERE ARE STILL MORE MEASURES AND PROPOSITIONS… I SURE AM GLAD WE HAVE A STATE LEGISLATURE THAT MAKES ALL THESE LAWS AND STUFF SO I DON’T HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THE BANAL MINUTIA OF EVERY ISSUE… OH WAIT…
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Prop. 26-Polluter Protection: NO!
Oh good! Another proposition put on the ballot by right wing corporations. Man, isn’t direct democracy great? Anyway, this is all about undermining global warming law and making it impossible for corporations to actually pay for their cleanup costs.
Let me put it this way: Do you feel like BP was victimized and treated unfairly for ruining the gulf of mexico? Then vote yes! Otherwise this proposition can go straight to hell. NO!
Prop. 27-Redistricting commission: YES
dissolves the redistricting commission put together by prop 11. Like I said earlier, it’s a decent enough idea, just championed by fools, villains and jackasses. Dissolve these useless commissions! Tear it down and start over. If the conservatives of this state were to somehow gerrymander themselves into a majority you would never hear the end of the unconstitutionality of redistricting. Screw those guys. I don’t even know who these 14 people are, why should they have the say in redistricting? Prop. 11 was stupid and was enacted by people voting for something stupid. To hell with it!
Alameda County:
Measure F-YES
We need money, this raises utility taxes 1.0 percent, which includes cable.
Whatever, your damn cable television isn’t going to do you much good when somebody steals your damn wide screen TV.
Vote yes.
School:
Measure L- YES (soft)
Raise taxes to pay teachers more.
Look man, I worked in education for a couple years. It’s a rough damn job. Your kids are a nightmare for these teachers, and for my friends that are teachers, you are saints. There’s going to come a day when these kinds of measures can’t be the answer, in the mean time… i’d like the teachers to get a lil’ something. ok? It’s also easy for me to say because I do not own property. OUSD was so bad that the district got taken away… believe me those fundamental differences are still there and many people that ought to know better ignore best practices developed by charter schools (like my old employer). I understand if you would want to vote no, but I say yes.
City of Oakland Measures
Measure V- YES
Tax Marijuana to fund city coffers
Are you Effing kidding me? YES!
Dude, it’s a growth industry (heh.) and the city needs the money.
Where’s the argument?
Once it is legalized Oakland is going to become even more of a “mecca” for marijuana than it is now… let’s get some of that green! (so to speak.)
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JESUS H. CHRIST WITH THESE MEASURES… OK A FEW MORE TO GO…
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Measure W- YES
$2 telephone tax to city coffers.
Hardline phones.
I haven’t had a hard line phone in 6 years. City needs money, wha’chu gonna do?
I’mma vote yes not his one.
Measure X- NO
Supposedly to stop more layoffs of cops. Whatever. Only 75% has to be used for police and fire, there’s no guarantee that is where it will go. To hell with this. Have the stones to legislate city council. I’m supporting a lot of tax hikes for people that aren’t me, this isn’t one of them. $360 per single family residential unit is a lot.
Measure BB-YES
This is a big one, Measure Y was a thing that passed a few years back to establish after school programs for at risk youth… it works, it has good results. But guess what? There was a requirement for minimum police staffing levels. WOW, WHAT A GREAT IDEA IT WAS TO LAY OFF THOSE COPS! NOT ONLY DO WE GET A JUMP IN CRIME, WE LOSE A BUNCH OF MONEY. Idiots! Kaplan voted no, Quan and her ilk voted yes on that… to hell with them.
Anyway, I could see a no vote on this, but here’s the thing, we don’t need to be incarcerating these kids, we should really stop them from having to restore to this in the first place… most importantly it abolishes the minimum staffing requirements so the city can collect it’s damn money. Worthwhile.
Man, is that it?
Yes! yes, it is.
I don’t have any information on judicial appointments, sorry… I keep meaning to look that up every year… but there isn’t much to look up. Bummer, I know… but I’d rather get this out when it was useful than not. Call me a pragmatist like that I guess. Anyway, feel free to disagree… but I trust you, I’ve spent WAY TOO LONG researching all this stuff, so i’m not just shooting from the hip here.
I hope this is of help to all of you.
And if you like this or find it useful, PLEASE share amongst your friends.
President Clinton is going to be making a swing through California to do some fundraisers and a pair of rallies for Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown. The CDP has the deets on the two rallies, and you can sign up at:
Let’s get together to make some noise and spread the word about how important it is that every Democrat vote. Whether you vote by mail this month or if you come out to the polls on November 2 – we need your vote.
LOS ANGELES
Friday, October 15 – Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
UCLA – Dickson Court (outdoor location), Charles E. Young Drive and Dickson Court, Los Angeles, 90084
SAN JOSE
Sunday, October 17 – Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
San Jose State University – Event Center (indoor arena), 290 South 7th Street, San José, 95192
The Big Dog always makes for an entertaining evening, so be sure to sign up ASAP! Bonus good seats if you make some phone calls beforehand.
