I think it makes sense that my first diary would be on how I voted. This should be the first of many diaries to come on a variety of issues. But for this diary, I just wanted to share my personal opinions and hopefully get some good feedback from the community on my voting choices. I think that because I'm voting early, I'm missing some of the real debates on the issues. I think its very important to vote early so that we as activists and bloggers can start to focus on getting out the vote. I look forward to your critique and your opinions.
How I voted, below the fold.
How I Voted, and why:
President Democratic Primary:
BARACK OBAMA - I've seen him speak in person on three different occasions, seen every debate (including the one at Yearlykos), read both of his books, and most of the news that has been written on him and his campaign, and I can guarantee that Obama holds the unique experience, ideas, judgment, and passion to inspire Americans to change the American government, political system, and international relations in a way that will unite us all. okay major run-on there, but that sentence sums up what could have been pages.
91 -Transportation Funds
NO - The ballot states that it may decrease the stability of state funding for public transit and local funds for public transit!
We should be investing more in improving our public transit in this age of global warming!
92 - Community College Funding
YES - This secures funds for Community Colleges, and reduces tuition for people attending down to $15 per unit, which will make it more affordable for people to attend community college and will offer a more educated and a more capable workforce for CA businesses.
93 - Term Limit Changes
YES - This one is worded horribly and confusingly, but it attempts to fix a system that forces legislators back and forth between assembly and senate in order to continue to serve Californians in office. If this passes, legislators can stay in office for 12 years. Currently, term limits force legislators who just barely figured out how either the assembly or the state senate works, to have to move to the other! This decreases their overall productivity. Passing this should help the situation.
94,95,96,97 - Pechanga, Morongo, Sycuan, Agua Caliente Gaming Compact Expansions
NO - This one was tough. I figured that my personal view on gambling and whether its just entertainment or worse, etc, didn't matter on this one. The real issue so far as I can see on this one, is that while these tribes would be allowed to expand and bring in a ton more money for themselves and the state in taxes, as far as I can see, there are no mandatied increases in the amount of profits being shared with non-gaming tribes. The non-gaming tribes tend to be small and unable to compete with these large casinos. I think the Native Americans should be allowed to do whatever they want to, however, because I am being given an opportunity to express my opinion, I think that it is important to speak out for the other tribes who have also been screwed by the US government in the past, and deserve to not be forced into having casinos in order to stay living on their reservations. I feel a little less confident on this vote because were this mandate included, I would support them expanding their businesses. -Although I honestly haven't reviewed environmental impact and organized labor concerns.
Santa Cruz Local: P
Elementary School Funding -
YES - We should always look for opportunities to invest in our future through education. This measure extends an existing parcel tax for nine more years. It also stipulates that none of the money may be used for administrator's salaries.
I used the smart voter website in order to get more information on each measure.
http://www.smartvoter.org/...
Let me know what you think, and let me know if I should change my vote! I'm sending it in the mail tomorrow morning in the mail!
UPDATE: Thanks to Eugene for the link to Caltics position on the issues. http://www.calitics.com/...