The Ballot Measures: Prop 9

Over the next couple weeks, we at Skynet will be bringing you our suggestions regarding the 12 ballot measures that qualified for the November 4th election.

Prop 9 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. VICTIMS’ RIGHTS. PAROLE.

Vote: NO

A harsh stance? Perhaps, but absolutely necessary to keep any measure of impartiality in our justice system. I have nothing but sympathy for victims of crime, but allowing victims to have an "opportunity for input during phases of criminal justice process, including bail, pleas, sentencing and parole" will lead to the interjection of emotion into judicial decisions. Beyond that, the provisions included in this measure to extend the time between parole hearings would continue to overcrowd our already overflowing prisons.

The Ballot Measures: Prop 8

Over the next couple weeks, we at Skynet will be bringing you our suggestions regarding the 12 ballot measures that qualified for the November 4th election.

Prop 8 - ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME–SEX COUPLES TO MARRY.

Vote: NO

The thought process behind the "Yes on 8" folks is something I will never fully comprehend. Why, WHY do people who aren't gay care so god damned much what gay people do with their lives?

Prop 8 is a truly vile measure that would write discrimination into the California constitution. The Republican packed state supreme court ruled that the state's equal protection clause applies to marriage and this would take that away. Fortunately, Attorney General Brown insisted that the measure be truthful in its goal before it could go on the ballot: eliminating rights.

Beyond the blatant bigotry, the "protecting traditional marriage" arguments don't hold water either. Marriage is not one-man/one-woman to everyone even in this country(*cough*fundamentalist mormons*cough*) and up until recent times it was largely for property rights more than anything else. Also, traditional marriage is crumbling just fine on its own as this country has a 50% divorce rate. Allowing gays to marry isn't going to damage anyone's marriage.

The Ballot Measures: Prop 7

Over the next couple weeks, we at Skynet will be bringing you our suggestions regarding the 12 ballot measures that qualified for the November 4th election.

Prop 7 - RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION.

Vote: YES

The utility monopolies are up in arms about this one and that should be your first indication that this is a good move. The measure would mandate 20% of our energy be generated from renewables by 2010, increasing to 50% by 2025. Not surprisingly, the power companies are saying it can't be done.

Sometimes a state mandate is required to move forward. Look at AB 939, the California Integrated Waste Management Act. It set specific goals of how much waste had to be diverted from California landfills. It couldn't be done they said at the time. Today, few jurisdictions in the state are failing to meet their diversion requirements and many exceed the mandate.

Prop 7 sets a goal that our state must strive for.

The Ballot Measures: Prop 6

Over the next couple weeks, we at Skynet will be bringing you our suggestions regarding the 12 ballot measures that qualified for the November 4th election.

Prop 6 - POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING. CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND LAWS.

Vote: NO

Prop 6 is too expensive and an unwise allocation of resources. At a time when our state is practically broke, the proponents of this measure are asking voters to approve a $1 billion dollar annual increase in prison funding. Perhaps if more common sense measures like Prop 5 passed, we wouldn't have a shortage of beds in our state prisons.

Worth noting, the official state analysis of this law points out that if it passes, in addition to the $1 billion annually, the state is looking at another $500 million to build new prisons.

The Ballot Measures: Prop 5

Over the next couple weeks, we at Skynet will be bringing you our suggestions regarding the 12 ballot measures that qualified for the November 4th election.

Prop 5 - NONVIOLENT DRUG OFFENSES. SENTENCING,
PAROLE AND REHABILITATION.

Vote: YES

This was a tough one to call, though probably not for the reasons you imagine. Keeping non-violent drug offenders out of our already overcrowded prisons is absolutely the right way to go and this measure is a good step in that direction.

My issue with the measure is the funding. Ballot measures that allocate budget dollars are a big part of the reason our budget is perpetually late and thrown together like a patchwork quilt. Here though, we have a situation where the measure will pay for itself and then some. This state spends an obscene amount of money to incarcerate people. There is no reason to waste money locking up people who just want a harmless high.